Skid Beam Support Pillars; The Beakhead Bulkhead; Planking The Quarterdeck - Jotika H.M.S VICTORY 1805 Manual

Skid Beam Support Pillars

The skid beam support pillars (722) can now be fitted. The top and base of the support pillars need to be squared off, using a
sanding block, to the shape as shown (Photo 018). Any discoloration should be stained back to the original colour. The pillars
are positioned under the first, second, third, fifth and sixth skid beams only, as shown on Plan Sheet 5. As before the pillars
will require shortening to sit on top of the coaming. The first and fourth pair of support pillars will also need a 0.5mm hole
drilled through them, fore and aft, 11mm from the base for the rope handrails, as shown (Fig 007). These handrails of 0.25mm
natural thread can now be rigged.

The Beakhead Bulkhead

Remove the beakhead bulkhead (205), removed from the 2mm walnut sheet earlier, and glue it into position against the
forward face of bulkhead 1. It should fit onto the ply upper deck at the point where the upper gun deck planking was
terminated. The beakhead bulkhead should be painted blue.

Planking the Quarterdeck

Before planking commences, it will be necessary to remove the bulkhead uprights of bulkheads 1 to 5 and 10 to 13 (Note 14 to
17 are not removed). Grip them firmly with a pair of long nosed pliers and twist them off, sand the remaining parts of the stub
debris to deck level. Extra care will have to be taken when removing the forecastle bulkhead uprights.
The quarterdeck screen assembly should now be made up (329, 330, 331, 332, 333). The windows should be glazed and
framed using the respective brass etched frames (503, 504, 505 ~ all painted yellow ochre). The assembly is not fitted at this
time but the correct positioning must now be found and marked on the bulwark as follows. Offer the assembly onto the
quarterdeck so that the forward face of parts 329 and 333 are flush against the back edge of the bulkhead 14 upright, some
sanding may be necessary. When you are happy with the fit, mark the position of the assembly onto the bulwark. The assembly
should now be set to one side and the uprights of bulkhead 14 removed.
Using 1x4mm tanganyika strip, plank the quarterdeck in the same manner as the upper gun deck, starting from the centreline
and work across the deck, clearing hatches and mast holes as you proceed. Do not forget to clear the four square holes for the
main top bowline and fore topsail sheet bitts (92) around the fore mast. Plank up to the skid beam assembly edges and sand
these edges flush with the decking upon completion. The top edge of both 'sides' (378) of the skid beam assembly should be
topped with 1.5x1.5mm walnut strip which will need to be painted black.
Once completed, lightly sand the deck smooth and apply several coats of matt polyurethane varnish.
Lining the Gunports
(If you have decided to build to the Portsmouth (2003) specification, the raised forecastle inner bulwark pattern (276) should
not be fitted. Instead, refer to your Portsmouth Pack and follow steps 1 – 5. Remember to follow the instruction below for the
quarterdeck bulwark.)
The raised forecastle inner bulwark gunport pattern (276) and the quarterdeck inner bulwark gunport patterns (273 & 274) can
now be fitted. Note that the forecastle pattern (276) and the quarterdeck pattern in front of the screen assembly (274) fit flush
against the outer bulwark patterns while the quarterdeck pattern behind the screen assembly (273) is secured to the bulkhead
uprights. Again the gunports should be carefully aligned and the patterns should fit over the deck planking, some sanding may
be necessary to ensure the screen assembly and bulwark patterns all fit together. The forecastle snatch block (61) should also
be fitted into the locating slot as shown (Fig 017).
The forecastle bulwark openings and the forward four openings on the quarterdeck should now be lined with 1x4mm walnut
and sanded flush, both inside and out. Finally the inner bulwarks should be planked with 1x4mm walnut and painted yellow
ochre, this planking should butt up flush against the screen assembly when it is finally secured in place. The inner edges of the
lined openings should be painted red ochre. The forward face of bulkhead 18 can also now be lined with 1x4mm walnut and
painted yellow ochre.
Second Planking
The second outer hull planking of 1x5mm walnut can now be finished. It continues up the hull and terminates flush with the
top edge of the gunport patterns. The aftermost three gunports on the quarterdeck can now be lined with 1x10mm walnut strip
(painted red ochre), noting that they should be recessed back by 1mm from the outer hull side.
©
20
2003 JoTiKa Ltd.