Author Topic: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864  (Read 12620 times)

Offline J.L.

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The Gun Carriage
« Reply #90 on: November 04, 2019, 05:50:56 PM »
Hi Dave.

I agree. The model is 22" long and 5" wide. I paticularly like the fantail stern and the long slender bow.

While the mineral paint is hardening on the hull, let's turn our attention to the armament. The gun carriage requires some shaping. The instructions call for 'carving the carriage bed. I shudder. This is where the milling machine really comes into its own when working with wood.

The sides of the carriage are angled about ten degrees. Lines are engraved on the bed of the carriage to determine the angle.
Also, the ends of the bed have to be cut down to allow reinforcing plates to lie flat with the surface of the bed. The trunion plates are fastened with twelve pins.


« Last Edit: November 04, 2019, 05:54:11 PM by J.L. »

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #91 on: November 04, 2019, 05:59:45 PM »
Very nice John.  :ThumbsUp:

That last post brings a whole new meaning to the term "lumber mill"!  :Lol:

Jim
Sherline 4400 Lathe
Sherline 5400 Mill
"You can do small things on big machines, but you can do small things on small machines".

Offline J.L.

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #92 on: November 05, 2019, 12:54:21 PM »
Yes Jim, I guess this project could be called 'Run of the mill".  ::)

Model Shipways tried to lighten the builder's task by pre-drilling the howitzer's mounting lug.

I wish they hadn't.  :ThumbsDown:

It's the first flaw I've seen in this otherwise well designed kit.

Offline cnr6400

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #93 on: November 05, 2019, 02:28:37 PM »
Oh! that hole in the gun lug is bad!  :facepalm:

I'm sure some epoxy, and maybe some brass tubing set on true alignment to the gun will teach it some manners. Great progress on the project so far John.  :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
"I've cut that stock three times, and it's still too short!"

Offline J.L.

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The Gun Carriage
« Reply #94 on: November 05, 2019, 08:26:43 PM »
Thanks.

Yes, the J&B Weld is drying in the offending hole.

This Dahlgren Howitzer is mounted to the deck by a pin through plates attached to the deck. There were three pivot points arranged in an equilateral triangle on the deck. This was a very awkward arrangement. I've seen diagrams of later Dahlgrens that were mounted in the centre and rotated through 360 degrees by means of small metal wheels running of a circular track set into the deck.

This arrangement was very awkward and took a lot of brute force and manpower to reload. Because it was muzzle loaded, the gun had to be turned around to be reloaded. The rear of the carriage was swung to either port or starboard attachment point. The front pin was removed and placed in one of these pivot points. Then the gun could be swung so that it turned 180 degrees. It could then be reloaded and the process reversed to return to firing position.

Imagine doing this in close action! In an engagement, you probably had one shot and that was it. More about the actual firing of this howitzer in the attack on the Confederate C.S.S. Albermarie later.

Offline wagnmkr

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #95 on: November 06, 2019, 12:45:12 AM »
Good job on all the wee parts John. This will be another excellent model.

Cheers

Tom
I was cut out to be rich ... but ... I was sewn up all wrong!

Offline steamer

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Re: The Gun Carriage
« Reply #96 on: November 06, 2019, 01:06:46 AM »
Thanks.

Yes, the J&B Weld is drying in the offending hole.

This Dahlgren Howitzer is mounted to the deck by a pin through plates attached to the deck. There were three pivot points arranged in an equilateral triangle on the deck. This was a very awkward arrangement. I've seen diagrams of later Dahlgrens that were mounted in the centre and rotated through 360 degrees by means of small metal wheels running of a circular track set into the deck.

This arrangement was very awkward and took a lot of brute force and manpower to reload. Because it was muzzle loaded, the gun had to be turned around to be reloaded. The rear of the carriage was swung to either port or starboard attachment point. The front pin was removed and placed in one of these pivot points. Then the gun could be swung so that it turned 180 degrees. It could then be reloaded and the process reversed to return to firing position.

Imagine doing this in close action! In an engagement, you probably had one shot and that was it. More about the actual firing of this howitzer in the attack on the Confederate C.S.S. Albermarie later.

Was it the 1 pounder?.....I have some photo's of one of those....somewhere.

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline steamer

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #97 on: November 06, 2019, 01:26:25 AM »
Can't find my picture....but this is what I'm on about

https://www.vallejogallery.com/item_mobile.php?id=2658

Dave

"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline J.L.

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #98 on: November 06, 2019, 01:32:59 AM »
Hi Dave,

Oh no. This was a full smooth bore 12 pounder. Much like a carronade requiring training gear with block and tackle.

https://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/dahlgren-boat-howtizers-pt2/

Offline steamer

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #99 on: November 06, 2019, 01:35:27 AM »
Oh I suspect that was a handfull on a small boat!!!

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline J.L.

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #100 on: November 06, 2019, 01:39:54 AM »
Yes Dave,

And we haven't even begun to put in the steam plant, ammunition, powder and shot, loading tools, 14 volunteers, captain, ten coal bunkers and much cordage for the spar torpedo!

John

Offline steamer

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #101 on: November 06, 2019, 01:41:19 AM »
Yes Dave,

And we haven't even begun to put in the steam plant, ammunition, powder and shot, loading tools, 14 volunteers, captain, ten coal bunkers and much cordage for the spar torpedo!

John

What was the size of this boat originally?

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline J.L.

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #102 on: November 06, 2019, 01:44:54 AM »
Dave the scale is 1:24, (1/2"=1 foot), so I would guess about 45 ft.

John

Offline steamer

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Re: U.S.N. Picket Boat No. 1 1864
« Reply #103 on: November 06, 2019, 01:51:54 AM »
Dave the scale is 1:24, (1/2"=1 foot), so I would guess about 45 ft.

John


OK   that makes some sense now....
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline J.L.

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The Gun Slide
« Reply #104 on: November 06, 2019, 05:01:02 PM »
The recoil slide is complete and ready for painting.
Redrilling the hole in the barrel lug was successful.

 

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