Stage 25 - Contains gun port panels and gun port blanking squares.

Test-fit the forward section of the panel, aligning its stepped aft end with frame 8, then glue/pin the panel into place.

Repeat with the aft panel, though you may first want to soak the aft end of the panel to make it more pliable to fit to the curve of the frame.

Glue and Fit the gun port blanking squares as before, (ensure that each is adequately glued).

Retrieve the grating square previously made. Cut the square to a 43x 43mm square section.

Then line the grating edges using the 2x7mm hardwood strip, and position so that the strips lie flush with the grating top. When the glue has fully dired, sand the strip joints flush.

That's it for this week, carefully store the grating.

Future parts sets/stages:

26 - Contains bulwark panels and gun port blanking squares.

27 - Contains planking strips.

28 - Contains parts to make the steps and three gun sets.

29 - Contains planking strips.

Stage 27 - Contains hull planking strips.

Lay two rows of planking on either side of the keel as shown in the steps. Remember to protect the upper side of the bow and stern whilst the hull is upside down during the planking process.
Ensure that the planks are glued to each other as well as to the frames, and chamfer the planks where necessary to get a good fit.
Take note of where the joints fall and in particular at the bow, where you will need to bend and cut the planking and also the positioning of the planking at the stern.

Retain the remaining planking as it will be used to continue the hull planking in the following stages.

A second "finishing" layer of dark wood veneer planking (starting at stage 45) will be added over the first once the hull planking is complete.

That's it for this week.

Future parts sets/stages:

28 - Contains parts to make the steps and three gun sets.

29 - Contains planking strips.

30 - Contains two cannon sets, wood strips and grating strips.

31 - Contains planking strips

Stage 29 - Contains planking strips.

Following the instructions, continue to plank the hull equally on both sides.
You will need to chamfer and shape the planks where necessary and remember to glue the planks to each other as well as to the frames.

The remaining gaps will be filled later on.

That's it for this week, carefully store the remaining planks for later use.

Future parts sets/stages:

30 - Contains two cannon sets, hardwood strips and grating strips.

31 - Contains planking strips.

32 - Contains deck stair parts, pins and two cannon kits.

33 - Contains planking strips.

Stage 31 - Contains planking strips.

Continue to fit the hull planking, from frame #7 to frame #11, from frame 11 to frame 14, from frame 6 to frame 8, frame 8 to frame 13 and frame 9 to frame 10.

Then repeat on the opposite side of the hull.

Glue and pin two planks onto the aft bulwark panel, with one running from frame 9 aft and another from frame 10 aft.
When the glue is fully dry, use a knife with a fresh blade to remove any of the planking which falls across the gun port openings.
Later in the build the bulwark planking will be skinned with a dark wood veneer plank, and the gun ports lined with metal gun port frames.

Continue to fit planks at the stern, from frame 11 aft and another from frame 12 aft, again remove any planking which covers the gun ports.

Continue adding the bulwark planking (3 rows) moving towards the bow, again remove any planking which covers the gun ports.

Cut and smooth flush any planking which overhangs the bow but leave an overhang at the stern.

Repeat the bulwark planking process on the oposite side of the hull.

That's it for this week, store the remining planks/offcuts.

Future parts sets/stages:

32 - Contains deck stair parts, pin-nails and two cannon kits.

33 - Contains wooden planking strips

34 - Contains hardwood strips, cannon kits and skylight parts

35 - Contains wooden planking strips.