The Ship Model Forum

When you start to make your frames they will allow you to get the rounded shape . of the stern . The horizontal stringers will help carry out the full curvature you need . Just remember to let it get smaller at the waterline.You would be better off taking small pieces of plastic and layer it in on top of the horizontal pieces trimming , as you go. You should be able to get the shape easier that way . You can , as I said , shape as you go . Normally I work in larger sizes and just bend little triangle pieces till I have the stern covered and then finish sand to shape. You should be able to get this shape very easily . If not take small pieces of foam (styrofoam) and fit it in the voids with a little framing standing above the foam surface . Then take milliput and put a coat of it over your stern like icing a cake . I gave you my e-mail . Send and let me know how you are doing . commodore4

Hi ccommodore4, thanks for your advice. I am interested at building waterline model.

Also another question: what putty do you used for the gaps between framing for the stern?

It,s been my experience , that any size ship stern is fairly easy to do. You need a side profile that establishes your shape. Now , as we well know the stern will start to taper toward the rudder. You can build frames that mount horizontally to work to the taper . The vertical framing will establish the line from the deck to the waterline . Question . Is this going to be a waterline model or a full hull model ? If it,s full hull contact me offline for and I will be happy to help you through it . I do models on commission so this is not new to me but trying to explain it is not real easy in this format . I hope I can help you ! commodore4

What scale? If it's small, make templates on the stern, say deck edge, one down the centreline of the stern... add a few horizontal ones and fill in inbetween with a filler/putty. As long as you keep it level or proud of the templates, you can sand to shape.

Dear Modellers,

I am interested at scratch-building a Japanese merchant vessel. However, I am not too sure how to make the stern, as the stern is usually curved at top and getting thinner to the bottom waterline level. Can anyone able to show me (provide progress photos if possible) how you did that?

Many thanks,
Alan