I would draw round the upturned boat approximately and cut this out. See if it is the same size as the plan!

Plot where the holes need to be cut in the deck, but do not cut.
See what access you have because before that I would have the drive train in place in the hull.

Positions for rudder servo and esc and battery. I make balsa 'side panel boxes to put them in. Make sure you can get to them. Have a think about balance too.

Think about ease of changing battery and also turning on and off of electronics. Are you aware that modern ESC's have a BEC in them?

The switch on the esc will do, but hide it as prominent switches are not good.

You might find a deck item that can be moved or removed with the switch underneath.

Clamp deck to the hull and sand around the edges to fit.

Then if the outlined holes for access still look square and OK cut, otherwise 'adjust' positions.

Make coamings available in the deck for super structure to be mounted on.

You can then glue the deck down to the frames. I use scrap wood on the deck where the clamps go so you do not get a 'wavy deck line'.
When dry, you can then sand around the hull to fit.

Cut out S/S shapes, I then put cling film over the coamings and then stick the s/s together but mounted over the cling film.

The glue will not stick to the cling film and when finished will be a nice fit.

Some things need painting before mounting, so consider how easy some items are to paint if glued in position.

How are we doing?

Roy

I was thinking about a boat I am building now. All wood should be prepared with a sealing coat of varnish rubbed down wet and dry.

This is so that no visible wood has to be rubbed down in situ. You can paint or spray it but the wood surface is already prepared.

When deck in place and if you planked or have bare wood put varnish on with a piece of rag wrapped around a finger. This puts on a thin layer and does not look thick or puddled and does not have brush marks.

If you glue down pre-painted items, if necessary mask off around the join so that glue does not mark the surface.

You might not like this bit! I do not solidly glue my prop tube in place, I use bathroom sealant. You can still use filler to smooth the exit point.

When you set up the drive train i.e. motor coupling and prop shaft and line them up.
I then run the motor on a low voltage battery and adjust all for the best low friction connection. Let it all run until the connection is secure.

If using a brushed motor, if you have it right, you should feel the 'cogging' of the electric motor when turning the propeller.
Roy

Hi, there is usually a rubbing strip around the edge of the hull. This is the outer line. The next line in is the edge of the deck after the sides have been attached.

The frames are inside this line as this is where the sides and bottom are attached. Most modellers will assemble the frames and keel pieces and the stringers to form a 3D object. Be very careful to make this dead square.

The keel if having a prop tube is cut before assembly the prop tube space is allowed for and cut out. Then doublers for each side to retain its shape, check against the plan.

You might find it easier to use 3 inch wide hard balsa to edge-plank against the keel. It saves getting a curved skin to fit.

However, before doing this, work out where the bottom panels will touch the keel and place a 1/8th square strip along this line allowing for the finished edge.
This gives a better glue line for the planks etc. By the way nobody nails wood in place these days!

As it is a warship, it will all be greys of varying shades. So the rubbing strip can be attached early on.

Hope this helps.
Roy

Now starting to build and already need help.
The keel. It says to chamfer the edges - should I do this before I install the keel or after?
One the plan view, where exactly are the deck edges, there are several lines and don't want to waste wood cutting it to the wrong shape.
Thanks

Hi Cheddarman
I have just come across this build, I did make this boat back in 1970 and run it I/C, like Roy said it had to be made strong for the starting of the motor.
If I remember right the hull was to be a double diagonal plank and the deck was a flash deck with the planks at a 45 degree to the central line.
The maine areament can be got from Battlecraft
Fred
https://www.battlecrafts.com

https://www.battlecrafts.com

Sorry did not read the title!!! MM337 a very old plan!

This is only a guess but models of this era were built over strongly as they had to stand up to being gripped tightly between the knees to start the i/c engine.

You might want to review the strength of and weight and size of materials used.
I have just passed on a model not built by me but similar which is very heavy due to the above.

It will not plane with a powerful electric motor as it is too heavy to get the hull up, and part out of the water.

Roy

Only advice I can give is: just enjoy and don't rush, I'm sure that there's plenty of help here for you on this site. Looking forward to seeing your build 😊

1938 was an excellent year! What Is the plan number you have?
Roy