This model is a Pearson Vanguard built at a scale of 1/4"=1' or 1/48th scale. The model is just over 8" long. This model will be fully detailed and rigged. The small scale will present some interesting challenges when it comes to machining the rigging and deck detail components.
Jan. 19, 07 - Yesterday I finished drew the station frames onto a sheet of balsa. Today I cut the frames out and glued them to the building board. After that I started planking the model. The starboard side is now fully planked and I have put the shear and waterline planks on the port side. I have not cut the transom into the hull yet, but you can see the rough cutting line I have drawn onto the aft end of the hull. Tomorrow I will finish planking the hull.
Jan. 20, 07 - Today I finished planking the port dide of the model. I also cut the transom in. After I took this picture, I put the fiberglass on the transom. Tomorrow I will trim that fiberglass and then glass one side of the model. I will also likely start laying out the deck and cabin house.
Jan. 22, 07 - Today I built the cambered deck for the model. The picture above shows the deck. Unfortunately in this view you cant see the deck camber or the shear line. After I took this picture I fiberglassed the deck and the starboard side of the hull. The deck will require considerable shaping when I remove it from the building frame tomorrow in order for it to fit into the hull.
Jan. 24, 07 - Yesterday I fiberglassed the deck and the rest of the hull. Today I removed both the model and the deck from the building stands. I then sanded the deck to fit into the hull and built the cockpit. The picture shows the deck with cockpit glued into the hull. The next step is to start filling and fairing the fiberglass on the model to get it ready for painting. I will build the cabin house after the model has been primer painted.
Jan. 27, 07 - Since my last update I have been working on filling and fairing the surface of the model. Last night I primer painted the model to highlight remaining surface flaws. Today I spot faired the flaws and started repriming. I will repeat the spot fair/reprime process until I am happy with the surface quality. At that point I will begin building the cabin house. The picture above shows the model with its first coat of primer paint on it. The multi-tool in the picture gives a good idea of how small this model is.
Jan. 29, 07 - Yesterday I started building the cabin house. Today I finished facing it with 0.020" styrene. After I took this picture I filled gaps between the house and deck and different parts of the house. Tomorrow I will sand the filler fair and primer paint the house and topsides.