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Towards the end of last year I was commissioned to build the HMS Netley for a private customer, the model itself was to be totally scratch built using information and some basic drawings of the boat kindly supplied by the customer. The model was of a prototype vessel which had some very interesting features mainly the three drop down keel boards, so after doing some more research and studying the drawings I had supplied work could commence. The decision was made to work to the scale of one of the drawings supplied making the overall model just the right size to be able to include plenty of extra detail.
The first job was to draw out the keel and frames remembering to allow space for the keel boards, this proved quite fiddly bet as you can see from the photos worked very well into the construction of the hull. With the guides for the keel boards in place and the slots cut through the keel itself the first planking could now begin, this was straight forward enough and when finished the planks were sanded until the perfect shape was achieved as well as a smooth finish required for the second planking of walnut to be added. Once the second planking had been added the whole hull was then sanded before the wale was attached as well as any other external hull details before varnishing and painting to finish.
With the basic hull now complete work could start on the deck planking which was to include details such as Joggling and Butt & Shifting to enhance the end result, other deck details were to include the hatches and companion ways. The three hatches were where the keel boards could be raised and lowered by means of hand winches as seen on the final model, the other details were the carronades which are all fully rigged plus as much additional detail as possible on a model of this size. Now that all the work was complete on the hull and deck area the construction of the masts could now begin, this was straight forward enough using the info supplied along with additional details in the construction added by myself to enhance the end result. Once the masts and the bow sprit were in place the rigging could begin with the shrouds followed by forward and back stays thus locking everything into place before fitting the yards and booms. The final task was to attach all the additional rigging to finish off.
With the model now completely finished the final task was to mount it on its display base, this was done using a piece of Mahogany very kindly supplied by the customer which was then profiled around the edges and varnished to finish, the final effect once the model had been mounted proved to be very stunning.
Overall this proved to be a very rewarding commission of this unique model which will be enjoyed for years to come.
