Old cigar bands and the embossed gilt paper off cigar
boxes can be quite effective also when cut out carefully. You can find
useful little crests and shields ready made, and if you're lucky thin
strips of gilt mouldings sometimes in imitation rope pattern. Save any
pieces of greetings cards or other stationery you may come across with
gilt or embossed designs.
Gunports often were cut thru the transom. Cut these
after mounting the transom.
Having
overlong avoided the bow, let us turn to the ship's HEAD CONSTRUCTION.
This will bear some study as at first sight it is a complicated
feature, at least in most ships prior to mid 19th century. Reduced to
its elements most of it is simple structure, with the cheeks and main
rail giving the only hard times. Fig. 32. Complete the head knee as
described previously. Cut gammoning holes (for bowsprit gammoning) if
called for. Make each cheek in two pieces, shaping the inner part. Fig.
32A, from wood of extra thickness to that it may be shaped to the curve
of the hull, then given outer shaping so that its curve blends into the
outer piece, Fig. 32B; fit the outer piece, which may be brought to
near'done condition before gluing in place.'Make these pieces in pairs,
port and starboard, to ensure uniformity.
The HEADRAILS, looking down, are generally straight. But in profile
they present difficult curves. Fig. 32. Farm people can oven'dry pear
or apple twigs, the grain of which matches these curves. City folk
would best make them by piecing-up, the long and gradual curve forward
shaped from one piece, and the tighter curl up under the cathead.
Plastic filler may come in handy for final shaping. Thick plastic sheet
may be used for head rails, shape being cut entire from a sheet.
