Vol. 63, No. 3 autumn 2018 244 The bilge keels


T e bilge keels were marked on the hull and the profi le gauge used once again to get an accurate shape. T ey were cut from sheet styrene and epoxied to the hull with 0.100-inch angles as indicated on the Agassiz plans. T ere are several convex rubbing pieces on the forward hull. T ese were made from 0.060-inch half-round styrene and epoxied in place as indicated on the shell expansion drawing.


16. Stern plate, held in the correct position by the steel ruler. The seamen’s mess


I realized that there would not be much to see once it was closed in, but I wanted to illustrate the harsh living conditions


faced by corvette sailors. T e


original corvette complement was twenty-nine crew but this had risen to about fi ſt y when the Canadian ships went to war, and fi nally to over eighty, all without a proportionate increase in space.


17. Stern plating complete with depth charge chutes and minesweep- ing fairleads.


corvette! Each hole was framed with 0.020-inch sheet aſt er installation. (Figures 16 and 17)


Corvette rails were simple steel angles that I replicated using 0.20-inch by 0.15-inch styrene angle. Sharp upward bends were required at the bow, achieved by squeezing the side of the angle causing an arc to form as the plastic expanded. T e correct rivet pattern was embossed into all the parts with the Riveter tool. (Figure 18)


T e stern rail required a diff erent approach. For this part the angle was taped down fl at and the inside face repeatedly notched to make the curve. Tenax 7, a volatile styrene adhesive, was used to weld the notches back into one solid part. (Figure 19) T e rail was glued onto the stern and the fi nal two pieces cut to length and installed. (Figure 20)


18. Cap rail angle going on. T e arc was created by plastic expansion from the rivet embossing process.


19. Stern cap rail being formed.


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