Hull Building
		Click on THUMBNAIL PICTURES to enlarge
		Frames being assembled
		I build my hulls using the 'Plank on Frame' method, where a skeleton (Frames) are first assembled, they are then covered (Planked) to form the hull. The frames are usually cut from MDF board and the planking can be of several different woods including thin mahogany sheet (cut into strips) ply or balsa and have also built hulls entirely in balsa, I do not need to use waterproof materials (or the planking watertight) as all my wood built hulls are fully covered inside and outside with GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), in difficult to get at areas inside the hull I just cover with Resin . Bows and sterns of some vessels have complex shapes so will build these as a solid block using Balsa Wood which once shaped I cover with very thin Plywood to protect the soft balsa.
		Instead of attaching the frames directly to a building board I cut false deck pieces which give me the correct shape for the hull to deck edge, these false deck pieces are later covered with the actual model deck normally using styrene plastic sheeting.
		False deck frames
		The 'frames' are attached to these deck pieces with the deck pieces packed to the correct height and fixed to the building board. Any camber or slope to the final deck is produced by using thin deck beams between the false deck and the final deck (allowances for this is calculated into the size of the various pieces).
		Frames being assembled
		The following pictorial example is of the hull for SILEX at a scale of 1:50. Working from builders plans and a good GA (General Arrangement) plan in the I.T.E.S 'Lekko' Magazine, vol 12 number 89, 1994 (which also has an illustrated article on SILEX).
		Plans and Lekko Magazine
		I draw out the frames with any alteration to size made to allow for false deck, planking etc. These drawings are copied to produce a set of thick paper templates which are used to mark out the frame material. The drawings only show HALF of the frame as when reversed give the OTHER HALF of the frame (this is also how the hull lines are drawn on the plans).
		My drawings of frames
		The frame and keel spine shapes are transferred to the MDF board.
		MDF marked out ready for cutting
		Using a Jig Saw I cut out frames and keel spine, using sand paper to obtain final shaping.
		Frames and spine, still to be finally shaped
		All frames cut out including a 'solid' frame which will form a full bulkhead between the two deck levels.
		All frames and spine
		False decks cut out with the outside edges shaped to the final deck/hull curvature (but allowing for planking thickness).
		False deck frames
		Frame and spine notches cut out ready for assembly, this keeps everything in their correct positions and adds strength to the 'skeleton'.
		Frame notching
		All frames and false decks being assembled, the half round cut out at the bow is for the tunnel thruster tube position.
		Frames being assembled
		Frames, keel and false decks fully assembled ready for covering.
		Ready for planking
		Thin plywood edging being fitted to form vertical hull shape around bows, the same has been done at the stern.
		Bow edging strip
		Hull being covered with large flat areas covered in sheets with thin strips being used where more shaping is required. Stern is built solid using balsa blocks.
		Planking underway
		Hull fully covered but stern still being shaped
		Stern still to be finished
		Hull interior ready for GRP covering, exterior is covered in masking tape to stop resin going through any gaps (if its not there you don't need to clean it off).
		We are getting there
		Hull fully covered in GRP with tunnel thruster tube installed, cut outs for anchor recesses and tubes for azimuthing drive units fitted. Hull still has to be rubbed down to achieve final shape.
		Fully sealed
		After filling blemishes and rubbing down several times, hull has first coats of primer, until the surface is painted some imperfections are not seen
		Really taking shape
		Styrene (plastic) decks being fitted, aft deck has level centre section with sides sloping sides. Drive unit fixings and some wiring also completed.
		Hiding the false decks
		Showing more progress. Red cap (bottle top) is protecting the bow Bollard which has been strengthened through into the false deck so it can be used for towing.
		As of July 2000
		This completes the basic hull construction, further construction details can be seen on my SILEX page.
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		Material Copyright © 2002 Alan Rose