Bellerophon -3

by John

Finally found some time to return to HMS Bellerophon, having paid for and picked up the laser cut marine ply keel and bulkheads.

Today I cut out some supports for the keel from workshop scrap.

Then roughly put together the laser cut parts. Only gluing so far is to join together the 2 parts which form the “longitudinal frame” using Gorilla Glue..

Here are the bulkheads sitting in the slots in the longitudinal frame, which is sitting in the blocks fore and aft supporting the lot. And behind a familiar ship model to some of you. Destined to decorate the legal chambers of one of my daughters.

You can see some of the evidence of overexuberant laser cutting.

I was pleasantly surprised how well all of those parts fitted together. Only one joint required any trimming persuasion.

The deck (?orlop deck, no, lower gun deck) holds the bulkheads in good position. Gluing yet to occur. I am pretty happy with how it all fits together, despite my alterations to cope with the increased ply thickness from 5 to 6mm. At this stage it could still be Vanguard, but it will not remain so.

And a close up. some voids to be cut and pushed out. And a lot of bulkhead shaping to accept the planking later. Also suggestion of some small spot fires during the lasering.
Our dining room table is rarely used for its original purpose, but suits very well for assembling my current model. I made that corner cupboard and table from Honduras mahogany almost 50 years ago, and the 12 chairs from American black walnut about 45 years ago.

I feel quite excited to see the skeleton of the hull in this form, even though it is waiting for some glue.

ps. The “tapestry” on the wall is actually a painting of “The Battle of Brugues” with Louis XIV on horesback. The original,I believe is in the Louvre. Makes a handy place to locate the main lateral plan of the Vanguard/Bellerophon for quick reference. Louis XIV will reappear eventually.