Pack 5

Glue pieces 5.1 to 5.3 together to form the template for the gun carriages.

Use a flat object to roll the brass rod on a flat surface and straighten it.

Cut a brass rod in half to make two pieces 5.4.

Insert, without gluing, the two pieces 5.4 through the holes in the template.

Cut the connecting ribs and remove parts 5.5 and 5.6.

Sand them with fine-grit sponge-sandpaper.

Place an unglued part 5.5 on top of the template to align it with the pieces 5.4.

Apply glue and fit part 5.6 against part 5.5.

Glue another part 5.5 to the other side of part 5.6.

Fit and glue a 5.7 piece as shown. You must build a total of 32 identical gun carriages.

Sand and varnish the gun carriages.

Use pliers to cut the brass rods 5.8 (appx. 17 mm)

Use a flat file to round the ends of the brass rods 5.8.

Insert and glue wheels 5.9 and 5.10 onto the brass rods.

Glue the wheel axles to the bottom of the gun carriages.

Note the finished gun carriages in the picture.

Use pliers to cut the tails of the eyebolts B.

Drill the holes in the gun carriages.

Insert and glue the eyebolts B into the gun carriages.

Repeat to add the eyebolts to each gun carriage.

Insert eyebolts B into parts 5.11 (appx. 9mm).

Glue 5.11 parts under each of the gun carriages.

If you do not like the colour of the barrels, you can paint them. First apply primer.

Then paint the barrels black.

Use the dry brush technique to highlight the reliefs of the barrels with red paint.

Apply glue and fit the barrels on the gun carriages.

This is approximately the position of the barrels on the gun carriages.

Remove parts 5.13 from the brass sheet supplied with Pack 4, grouping them together.

Use a brass rod and flat pliers to shape 5.13 parts.

Apply glue and fit parts 5.13 on the barrel shafts.

You must complete 15 cannons. Set them aside for later use.

Use scissors to cut out the templates from the PL-09 sheet.

Tape the parts of the templates together with transparent tape.

Apply white glue to the inside of the planking. This is to reinforce the bonding of the parts to each other and to the frames. Set aside until dry.

Use an awl to mark the planking with the outline of each square using dots.

Remove the template and use a cutting tool to open the gunports gradually. In some cases you will also have to cut the frame. Note the frame for the gunport at the front does not need to be cut.

Touch up the gunports with a flat file to align them properly.

Fit and secure template C to the front of the hull. Align the lower recesses of the template with the gunports already cut out.

Proceed in the same manner to position and secure template B to the rear of the hull.

Use a sanding block with fine-grit sandpaper to go over the entire outside of the hull planking.

Level the top of the planking with the ends of the frames.

Then go over the entire outside of the planking with a very fine-grained sponge-sandpaper. It should be fine to the touch and there should be no unevenness between the battens.

Glue 5.14 pieces fitted 4 mm above the bottom of the hull planking. Then, using a cutter, cut away the sections of the strips covering the gunports.

Note that you must leave a 3 mm gap between the two sections.

Keep the same spacing in the stern area.

Sand a pair of 2 x 2mm mahogany strips. Then, use a blade to make a groove on one side of the strips.

Use the elevation plan as a reference for positioning the parts 5.16. Then, cut the part of the battens covering the gunports.

Sand the ends of the battens to make them flush with the gunports.

At this point in the construction, you must decide whether you want to paint the hull of the boat in colour or simply leave it varnished. If you wish to varnish, apply clear varnish to the entire outside of the hull. Do not varnish the frames or the mounting base.

If you wish to paint the hull, you must first sand the entire exterior of the hull with fine-grit sponge sandpaper. Then remove the dust resulting from sanding.

Protect the frame area with masking tape.

Then paint the entire exterior of the hull with black paint. You will need to apply a couple of coats of paint to achieve a uniform colour. It is not essential to paint at this stage, if you prefer you can delay painting until later when the hull is more advanced.

Note the stern area should be left unpainted.

When the paint has dried completely, apply masking tape to isolate the area of the gunports.

Apply white paint along the entire length of the hull in the area of the gunports.