Task Force 72

Good Day All

I'm currently building a Bathurst Class Corvette (HMAS Fremantle (I) J246), this is the first time that I've built a semi kit with fibreglass hull. I'm having problems putting in the camber into the upper deck structures (bridge wings and rear deck house). Can anyone help me in this area.

Richard

Can I ask what material you are using for the superstructure.

Cheers

Craig

Good Day Craig

I was going to use thin ply, but have now gone with a thin sheet of aluminium, it holds the curve beautifully.

Thanks
Richard

Well richard whatever works is the way to go. Most of the club members use plastic for the superstructure, but I wanted to see what you were doing.

Aluminium should be fine, if it was plastic I would have suggested building curved framework to support the deck and the chamber.

Cheers

Craig

You could try contacting Mark, who has built one, HMAS Toowoomba.

His known as markbsyd on the forums.

You can find him via the members tab. http://www.taskforce72.org/phpbb/member ... ofile&u=75







Mike

thunderchild wrote:Good Day Craig

I was going to use thin ply, but have now gone with a thin sheet of aluminium, it holds the curve beautifully.

Thanks
Richard

The key with decks that are (fixed) - adjoined to the hull, rather than free (part of a lift of superstructure), is the rate of expansion of the two materials.

Styrene decks fitted to GRP hulls are known to have a much higher rate of expansion than GRP. The result is cracking will occur at the point of the join.
This is more of a problem with large spaning decks, and less of a problem on smaller vessels.

Aluminum will have a much much higher rate of expansion again, over and above styrene. Depending on the surface area - you could get lucky, but I think you will find in hot conditions you might have a problem.

For deck cambers I use thin ply (2mm or less). I brace the underside with timbers in the shape of the camber using a template and coat the whole deck (both sides) in wax free polyester resin.

J

Good Day All

The aluminium is going to be used on the outer bridge deck and wings only, which is pretty much an attached, but a free standing structure. The rest of the decks and rear deck house are going to be made from thin ply over shaped ribs (tradition style).

I haven't started building the upper deck structures yet, still working on and waiting for the lower deck fittings. I have been playing with and trying bits and pieces to see if there will work, before I actually get to the serious building side of the upper deck. I'm always open to any suggestions, and any information that will help in a successful build will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Richard