Hull Construction - Jotika H.M.S VICTORY 1805 Manual

Cut out the main keel (19) from the 5mm ply sheet, together with the 5mm walnut pieces; stem (55), front keelson (56).
Glue the walnut pieces into position along the ply keel edges using PVA wood glue. Tape can also be used to assist. Make sure
that the structure remains perfectly flat, straight and in line whilst drying.
A suitable building board should be considered at this point. Construct the board from MDF or similar sturdy material. The
board should be long enough and wide enough to protect the hull throughout construction.
After numbering all the parts of the 5mm ply sheet, remove all the bulkheads (1-18), the middle gun deck (22) and the plank
termination patterns (20 & 21). Using Plan Sheet 1 for reference, dry fit the bulkheads and middle gun deck into position and
make sure that the whole assembly is square.
Remove bulkhead (1) and put it to one side, it will be fitted in the next building sequence.
If you are happy with the remaining bulkheads they can now be fitted and glued into position with PVA, together with the
middle gun deck.
Supplied with the kit in 5mm ply are four dummy barrel strips (39). These strips will be used as fixing points for the 32
pounders on the lower gun deck and the 28 pounders on the middle gun deck. These strips will be inserted into the slots in the
bulkheads running fore and aft throughout bulkheads (2) to (17).
When the keel and bulkhead assembly has dried to a rigid form, you will notice the slots in the bulkheads and the slight curve
to which they run. In order to insert the dummy barrel strips they will either have to be warmed with a heat gun or soaked in
water for a short time, only a slight curve in necessary!
Push these strips into the bulkheads (2 - 17), from the front. Once inserted they should be as far forward as possible while still
allowing bulkhead 1 to be positioned, they can now be secured. Once the structure has dried thoroughly, remove any excess of
the barrel strips behind bulkhead 17.
Bulkhead (1) can now be glued into position.
When this part of the construction has completely dried, it will be necessary to remove a small section of the uppermost
dummy barrel strip between bulkheads (9) and (10) on both sides of the hull to allow for the positioning of the side entry ports,
port and starboard (Photo 001).
Glue the bow forward supports (40 – 42) into position on bulkhead 1, then glue the plank termination patterns (20 & 21) into
position. Also glue the stern extensions (105 & 106) into position on bulkhead 18, as shown on Plan Sheet 1, care should be
taken to ensure they remain square to bulkhead 18.
At this stage, consideration should be given to how the finished model is to be displayed. It is recommended that using a 3mm
drill, drill 3 holes up into the keel one in the centre and one in each end at an even distance apart. Upon completion of the
model, three brass or stainless steel rods can be used to support the model on your chosen display board.
Now the 1.5mm ply gunport patterns (270, 271, 272, 276) can be fitted.
There are a number of important points to consider at this stage and they are as follows:
1. Care should be exercised to ensure the gunport patterns are fitted correctly because, at a later stage, the gunports must
correspond with the gunports in the upper gun deck, quarterdeck and forecastle inner bulwark gunport patterns (273, 274,
275, 276).
2. Make sure that the openings have been cleared of any debris. It will also be an advantage if the openings are made square
in the corners to greatly assist you when the gunport linings are fitted.
3. Make full use of glues and pins to secure the patterns, even though some of the bulkhead top sections will be removed
during later building stages.
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Photo 001

Hull Construction

©
2003 JoTiKa Ltd.
Photo 002