Plank on bulkhead.....what to use

[Avery Boyer]

Okay, I'm gonna scratchbuild the HMS Queen Mary in 1/250 and don't know what to use for the bulkheads. Plywood? If so what thickness? Balsa wood? Again, what thickness?

I'm building her static, so weight and stability are not an issue for me.

TIA

Avery

[Jose Chaica]

If it is intended to be a static display model, I would use plywood, for the false keel and ribs...As for thickness, well I would recommend at least 6mm. What size will this model have ??? I would only use balsa when planking the ship�s hull, and then, only to be covered later with resin, or fiberglass/resin...

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[Avery Boyer]

The models will be about 34 inches in length. 6mm, what would that be in inches? I don't have time to do the math right now.

Avery

[ARH]

1/4 of an inch.

[Jose Chaica]

Well, for a model which will measure 34 inches, I think that 6mm (1/4 inch) will do just great...unless you want to do an R/C model, and you�re trying to keep weight down as much as possible. In that case I suggest using a somewhat thinner plywood, BUT NOT balsa, for your keel...

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[Avery Boyer]

Thanks for all your help but.......

I have another question. Now that I have established the keel, I need to know what to use to cover the frame. I assume balsa wood would ( ) be the best thing to use.

[ddp]

i use sheet styrene to skin my 1:144 scale ships

[Neptune]

hi Ron,
I have another question too. How do you connect your frames on your keel? Do you leave the keel untouched and cut out a part of the lower frame side? Or do you cut a small glitch in both the keel and frame to put them together? From my judgement of your pictures I suppose you do the first thing? Do you have any reason for that? Strength or something?

Thanks in advance
Roel

[ARH]

Roel , You can do it either way, I find it easier to cut the rib , and save the strength in the keel.