Merchant ship building, Day 2

Finishing the top of the planking here, laying the first layer of decor rubber.

Covering the rubber with cardstock from outside, and after that some decorative elements on the bow.

The visible parts of the upper planking are stiffened from the inside as well, followed by sealing it all from the top.

Here's a trick to find where to place the masts, draw a string between the two extremities of the ship.

Unlike on SMS Dachshund, on this ship the masts will be permanently fixed to the hull, and only the upper parts will be removable for storage. The bottom of the main mast will be visible through the opening, so I coated it in dark brown before gluing it in place.

Some further work on the bow - it seemed a bit too small.

Here's more decoration to finish off the construction.

Nice tumblehome!

Sanding and placing the stern pieces as well - I like concave lines like this.

Adding the last bit of decor rubber lines on the main hull. Not everything is perfectly in line, but these small mistakes won't matter much.

This is where we are now, I shall make a pair of guns, gun ports, a bowsprit and some minor details before moving on to painting.