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    Bluebird of Chelsea
    15 Posts Β· 15 Followers Β· 36 Photos Β· 90 Likes
    Began 6 months ago by
    Midshipman
    United Kingdom
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    Latest Post 17 days ago by
    Midshipman
    United Kingdom
    Most recent posts shown first   (Show Oldest First) (Print Booklet)
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    17 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 39 Views · 7 Likes · 6 Comments
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    The skipper on Bluebird can now keep dry under the new wheelhouse roof complete with sliding hatch, made with 3mm ply, mahogany beams and trim and painted white, I am quite pleased with it but not convinced enough to glue it permanently in place. I am afraid a lot of the build is awaiting final fixing including, rear cabin, wheelhouse, mast, stanchions and deck lockers. But you bet your last shilling the minute I do fit them permanently I will remember something crucial that I have forgotten.
    There is still much to do including approximately 40 stanchions to be fitted with middle rails and wooden capping as well as lots of `pretty bits`, the build continues to be a fun challenge.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    11 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 6 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello johnf
    Firstly I apologise for the late reply to your much appreciated comments re Bluebird. In some ways it is disappointing coming to the end of such a memorable project I am however looking forward to its finish in order to see the completed model.
    I hate to have to inform you that you are unlikely to see the model in the water as I decided quite early in the build due to space issues this model was for display only. Also as most of my builds only see the lake once or twice in their lifetime the cost of receiver, esc, power unit etc is not worth the return.
    I still have quite a lot to of work to complete her and hope that you like the finished model.
    Regards ChrisG
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    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    15 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ johnf ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 20 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hi Chris,

    I have followed your blog on the build of Bluebird of Chelsea with some interest - and I am so pleased you are now entering the final furlong of a long and impressive build.

    I have long held the Model Boats Magazine plan for the 1\24 th scale Bluebird. However, with all too many projects queuing up in my workshop I cannot see me starting it any time soon.

    In the meantime I really look forward to seeing your wonderful model on the water.

    With best wishes. Dr John F. Leeds and Bradford. BBC. 😊😊😊
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    15 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ flaxbybuck ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
    ✧ 25 Views · 1 Like
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    There's no hurry so sleep on it and the answer will come !
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    16 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ MotoPilot ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
    ✧ 29 Views · 1 Like
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    Good work. It’s looking great πŸ‘
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    17 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ DuncanP ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 36 Views · 1 Like
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    Looking really great. Well done! D
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    17 days ago by πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ hermank ( Warrant Officer)
    ✧ 43 Views · 1 Like
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    I do know that feeling. Happened to me more than once and i don’t havΓ© Alzheimer(yet)πŸ‘πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜΄
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    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    27 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 53 Views · 6 Likes · 2 Comments
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    Well here is a little more but I`ll admit not much to show for two weeks enjoyment, so much has been scrapped as I have not been happy with it.
    I have finished the wheelhouse sides, back and front and all seems to fit and look as I had hoped it would, roof yet to do. The wheelhouse furniture, chart table, bench seats etc are made and fitted although not upholstered and no instruments fitted yet.
    Deck furniture built and the side rail stanchions also to be fitted after painting white.
    None of this has been easy especially in 1/24 with my dainty fingers 😊
    The list of bits to buy that I am unable to make continues to be endless, fenders for example, she sports 14 in total
    which I have managed source without first having to consult the bank, I think the other items are out there but the time it takes to find them online can take hours.
    I am really in no hurry to finish as I will then have to decide on another lovely project and at the moment have no idea.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    26 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 48 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello Duncan
    I think we are all waiting for the warmer weather, not long to wait hopefully it has seemed such a long winter. Glad you like my model, it has turned out to be very difficult with an unbelievable amount of time measuring and checking and also thinking about bits and the order they need to be done in. Hopefully worth it in the end.
    Love your choice with the Riva.
    Regards ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    26 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ DuncanP ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 48 Views · 2 Likes
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    Coming along nicely - we'll done. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so I can go back to my workshop at the back of the garage and continue the work on my Riva Aquarama. Roll on warmer weather!
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    1 month ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 79 Views · 7 Likes · 3 Comments
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    From the keel up, anti fouling finished including the prop shafts, brass props fitted and the single rudder also fitted and painted.
    The hull has had another two coats of Humbrol white with a P1200 wet and dry rub down between coats, I love that Humbrol paint and for someone who seems unable to spray paint the finish if carefully prepared is as good I wish for.
    She also now has a beautiful varnished mahogany transom.
    I have fitted the 19 portholes and am pleased with them.
    The deck has had just 3 coats of thinned varnish again with P1200 wet and dry between each one, at least another 3 coats before finish. I am aware that decks should not have a shiny finish but this is destined to be a display model and I like it that way.
    I continue to struggle with the wheelhouse, the back and two sides are built but I continue to `screw up` the construction of the 3 windscreen sections, getting annoyed now with patience wearing thin☹️
    The cockpit sole is fitted with stairs to fore and aft accommodation, and I have started making the on deck furniture, benches and lockers all in mahogany.
    Still thoroughly enjoying the build, more to come.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    27 days ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 53 Views · 3 Likes
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    Well here is a little more but I`ll admit not much to show for two weeks enjoyment, so much has been scrapped as I have not been happy with it.
    I have finished the wheelhouse sides, back and front and all seems to fit and look as I had hoped it would, roof yet to do. The wheelhouse furniture, chart table, bench seats etc are made and fitted although not upholstered and no instruments fitted yet.
    Deck furniture built and the side rail stanchions also to be fitted after painting white.
    None of this has been easy especially in 1/24 with my dainty fingers 😊
    The list of bits to buy that I am unable to make continues to be endless, fenders for example, she sports 14 in total
    which I have managed source without first having to consult the bank, I think the other items are out there but the time it takes to find them online can take hours.
    I am really in no hurry to finish as I will then have to decide on another lovely project and at the moment have no idea.
    Regards ChrisG
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    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    1 month ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 64 Views · 2 Likes
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    Sorry Duncan but I have reached the stage where taking my boats to water is becoming a real challenge. I love most of the models I have built but few have had their undersides wetted more than a couple of times over the last 20 or so years so I contend myself with the joy of building and admiring them around my bits of our house.
    Regards ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    1 month ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ DuncanP ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 80 Views · 2 Likes
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    Oh! I was hoping it was going to be a working model. I was looking forward to seeing a video of 'sea trials'! Good looking model. 😊
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 88 Views · 9 Likes
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    I was hoping that this was to have been a progress report but there has not been much of that over the last 11 days.
    At one stage the choice between throwing scrapped mahogany away and buying a wood burner was hard to make.
    I am not going to own up to the number of attempts at an acceptable wheelhouse that I have made suffice it to say the attached photos are the best of the bunch. I have two sides, a back and the three pieces which form the windscreen glazed and made but not yet glued together.
    Drilling the holes in the hull for the portholes (12) has also been a bit fraught, the cedar planking does not like to be drilled to size (10mm) even with the sharpest new drill bit so I have resorted to drilling small bore holes and filing them to size. Cedar when dry seems very fragile, I will be re-thinking my planking wood in future builds.
    Hopefully my next blog will be more cheery but it is so nice to see so many successful builds progressing on this website.
    Keep up the good work, Regards Chrisg

    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 94 Views · 6 Likes
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    Getting somewhere at last, I have 2 wheelhouse sides basically cut out to shape and am building the wheelhouse three front panels like you would build window frames. I have the glass in the rear panel and the window frames fitted.
    The interesting bit will be gluing and fitting the six pieces together to form a perfectly formed wheelhouse.
    Looking at the plan and comparing it with the height of the deck, wheelhouse and accommodation block a height variance is apparent, but it looks right. When looking carefully at the finished 1/12 build in Model Boat Int. the wheelhouse looks proportionally higher than I would have expected, but again looks right. I have done a load of accurate measuring and calculated heights and sizes with 1/24 scale and all seem have an acceptable tolerance.
    I shall go ahead as I am, if it looks right then by golly it is right.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 103 Views · 4 Likes · 2 Comments
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    I now know why builders prefer 1/12 to 1/24 scale B O C
    models to build. I have spent 2 days attempting to build the rear and two sides of the wheelhouse and have destroyed no end of mahogany sheet of both 1mm and 1.5mm sizes.
    You name a method and I think I have tried it. I now propose to overlay hand cut 1mm strips of mahogany on top of the already cut but extremely delicate mahogany panels. I then wonder how I am going to fix the plastic windows with the sandwich, judiciously applied araldite as super glue will not do the job.
    I am not sure if I am writing this for help or sympathy or just to relieve my frustration, I have even tried carefully drilling holes in the aperture corners and using a craft saw with 0.3mm blade to join the dots, several broken blades later and I gave that up.
    Anyway, been out for lunch eldest daughters treat and refreshed will have yet another stab at it.
    If at first you screw it up then try, try, try again. 😠😠😠
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 97 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello Colin
    That is worth a try but I am not very successful normally with GRP working, if I get more desperate than I was yesterday I might well give it a shot. I have managed to get the window frames and plastic windows in the back panel of the wheelhouse done today and they are ok, not brilliant, so I am going to go slowly and carefully words I do not usually use and proceed with the sides. The front 3 windows should not pose the same type of problems, said he 🀣🀣🀣
    Regards and thanks ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Colin H ( Admiral)
    ✧ 108 Views · 5 Likes
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    Chris, I have come across this problem before, I glassed the back of my 1.mm timber with fine glass tissue and Ezekote. Covered over with cling film and pressed for 48 hrs till fully set.
    Then cut out and build whatever needs to be built.
    Hope that is helpful, Colin.
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 111 Views · 6 Likes · 3 Comments
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    I now have the rudder problem sorted and in the process have acquired a back copy of Marine Modelling Int. which shows a build blog of a magnificent 1/12th model of Bluebird of Chelsea in fact 2 of them. This has come at a very good time as I was getting annoyed at my lack of progress since the start of the year and this has given me the encouragement to get stuck in.
    As I was getting nowhere with the wheelhouse, it is so critical to the build and complicated that I decided to build the rear cabin hoping that it would help in getting the correct `look` and in perspective. The plans are great but I find that often ones eye is essential.
    Anyway it is built and I am quite please with it, still need a finishing tidy and varnish.
    A little tip, whilst pottering around and looking for a job I looked around the workroom for some dowel for the mast and 2 flag poles fore and aft. I chanced upon several small paintbrushes that had seen better days all turned from hardwood and the diameter I needed, I cut them off to length discarded the bristle bit rubbed them down and have ended up with freebie tapered mast and two flag poles.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 107 Views · 0 Likes
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    Hello Roy
    I will keep my fingers crossed that Martin Summers occasionally looks at MBW and I am honoured with an invite to see the full sized craft I am even prepared to pass on the tea and biccys. 🀣🀣
    The paint brush episode just happened by chance and I thought it might help someone else, so simple.
    Regards ChrisG
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    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ roycv ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 113 Views · 1 Like
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    That is a good tip about paint brushes as the wood at least for the brushes we use is good quality and easily carved down for further use.
    Roy
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ roycv ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 113 Views · 1 Like
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    Hi Chris, after the plans were published and several models had been finished the owner of the full size B of C invited all to bring their models on board for tea and biccys. I think he was moored in the Thames at the time.
    Roy
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 140 Views · 6 Likes · 10 Comments
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    Santa and his little helpers has gone back to wherever for another year so time to start some serious modelling.
    He did bring me some new tools that I needed to assist in making fiddly fittings and I have started by trying to construct some deck vents of the opening type. I have used 1mm brass rod for the vent protectors and hope that my newly acquired chrome pen will successfully change their appearance, never used one before and was only aware of them from an article on MBW.
    Watch this space regards ChrisG

    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    2 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 124 Views · 4 Likes
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    I have had a very indecisive 11 days wondering, should I change the rudder set up on my model after such positive evidence that the boat should only have one.
    Member "steamer" let me know of an article in Marine Modelling International which I sent for and there it was clear as day one rudder. I have had lots of advice from other members of MBW so the decision was really made for me.
    So I reluctantly `bit the bullet` and made the modification, not too difficult really. So I can now proceed with the build.
    Regards and thanks ChrisG
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    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 127 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello HappyB
    What a dilemma, I have never been a `rivet counter` even in my model railway days but this a bit fundamental and although I know this model will never stand up to close scrutiny, it should be right.
    Decisions will have to be made at least I can still make the change, however like you I do think two rudders looks far more balanced.
    Thanks again, watch this space regards ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ HappyB ( Able Seaman)
    ✧ 127 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hello Chris, I tried to send the same article but failed, however on page 15 re photo 4 Martin Summers got in touch with Dave to tell him about the issue confirming there was only one rudder. As to changing your model I personally think it looks more balanced with twin rudders and could be considered a correction or modification that should always have been. Love your work by the way wish I had your skills.
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 132 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello HappyB
    Thank you for your interest in my build and after your comment re. one or twin rudders on my model I have done some investigating with little confirmation found, I did however receive a P.M. from "steamer" with copies from an old 1991 magazine which clearly shows twin rudders on a model of Bluebird of Chelsea. The complete rebuild of this vessel by Mr Martin Summers was completed in 1990 and she joined the fleet of Little Ships for the 50th anniversary voyage to Dunkirk so that stacks up well with the magazine date of 1991.
    I am still able to modify my model and reduce to one rudder but am loath to proceed when I am unsure.
    I would like to thank "steamer" for sending me the magazine copies which I have tried to replicate with this blog not sure how successfully though. Any new information on this subject will be gratefully received, thanks to all.
    Regards ChrisG.
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 135 Views · 1 Like
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    Hello HappyB
    You could well be correct, I am building to the D Metcalf 1991 plan which does not show clearly one or two rudders. The plan does mention skegs plural and as she had two Thornecroft engines then fair to assume two props. The plan details rudder singular but does not clearly show one or two and the positioning on the plan would put it off centre.
    I have found no information in Martin Summers book Bluebird of Chelsea to lead me either way and Dunkirk Little Ships gives no information.
    I will await comments from other members before thinking of altering it, cant help thinking she would have been a bit of a bitch to manoeuvre with only one but I am open to suggestions. Thank you HappyB for your observations.
    Regards ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ HappyB ( Able Seaman)
    ✧ 133 Views · 2 Likes
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    Hi Chris, had started and stalled my Bluebird but can’t help but notice after research the twin rudders which according to an old MBM there should only be one🀞
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ DuncanP ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 141 Views · 3 Likes
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    Glad to hear you are so pleased with the chrome pen. It is far superior to chrome paints I have come across previously which look more like silver than chrome. I have even used it on a mark on the chrome on my car and it has weathered OK so far! I've used the 1mm and 4mm pens. Cheers Duncan 😊
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 139 Views · 6 Likes
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    Hello Duncan, I have just tried it and I am amazed the pen is brilliant, I just can`t believe it. I need to put the brakes on my enthusiasm or everything in the house will be chrome🀣🀣🀣🀣.
    Thanks and regards ChrisG
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 139 Views · 1 Like
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    Thanks Duncan it would seem my chrome pen is also Molotow so I think a bit of practice is called for, fingers crossed eh.🀞
    πŸ’¬ Re: Bluebird of Chelsea
    3 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ DuncanP ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 141 Views · 4 Likes
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    Hiya, I found the chrome pen takes a bit of practise especially on large areas. You need to 'let it flow' and not to drag it out too much. My pen was the Molotow Liquid chrome pen. Good luck Duncan.
    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    4 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 163 Views · 6 Likes
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    Managed to get a bit done this week, you know how it is, `shall we get some Christmas bits before the shops get busy`? don't know where everyone gets their money from I thought we were in times of austerity.
    Anyway I went ahead with planking the fore deck and yes blackening the edges of each plank seems to give the desired effect hope it doesn't spoil itself when varnished. I have also started to make some of the hatches etc but am still hesitating when it comes to building the wheelhouse, serious case of `chicken` 🀣🀣🀣 I think a large scotch and throwing caution to the wind might help.
    If anyone UK based is interested I put a small order on Cornwall Model Boats for some bits Sunday 27th pm and received the package Tuesday 29th a.m. that is Cornwall to Nottingham, I think that is excellent service by both the supplier and their carrier.
    Regards ChrisG

    πŸ“ Bluebird of Chelsea
    5 months ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ ChrisG ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 168 Views · 5 Likes
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    Managed to get into my garage and decided to reduce the thickness of the strips for the foredeck, liked Roy`s suggestion with the jig based on two steel rules which worked well but as I have a lot to do it was a bit of a faff.
    So belt sander clamped in the workmate and having carefully marked each plank at 4mm proceeded to reduce the planks width. First few took time but the more I did the quicker and easier the job became ending up with the required 30 that I was happy with.
    The only downside is that I have no fingerprints left on three fingers on my left hand😁
    I intend to use a black felt marker to blacken all edges giving a scale caulking look when sanded.
    Regards ChrisG

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