Caldercraft 1/32 HM Gunboat William wooden Kit (9016)

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Most wooden boat kits require skill and patience to assemble. The easiest are usually those supplied with either a solid or plastic (ABS) hull so the masts and rig are the hardest part. Harder but the most usual form of construction for the hull is plank on frame and that requires the most patience and skill. Always a great value hobby, some models can literally take months to complete.

Building model ships is an absorbing hobby, but it can be even more enjoyable if the correct tools are used. There are some specific tools necessary to do the job, such as a good hand drill with a selection of miniature drill bits, something in the region of 0.5mm and 2mm as a general rule. Small files and wood rasps are very usefull, not just for cleaning up the decorative fittings, but also taking off any waste wood when releasing frames from laser cut sheets. A small pin hammer is a must, and can be used in conjunction with the Amati pin pusher, this clever little device saves on injured digits by allowing you to guide a tack gently into the frame with precision. Obviously a good selection of modelling knives is crucial, and the Expo metal shaft handles allow for a variety of cutting blades to be fitted, not to mention specialist chisels & gouges. Curved blades are best for making straight cuts, whilst a straight blade allows for intricate cuts. Miniature needle nosed pliers allow for manipulating small fittings as would a good set of tweezers. Vices and clamps are effectively a third hand, and a good magnifyer is also important, preferably one that's suspended on a free standing base. Fortunatly Antics supply a fantastic range of modellers tools from Expo. Some are some very specific tools for period ship building, plank benders for example reduce the risk of frustrating splitting or breaking of the often wafer thin planking strips, and the Amati Loom-a-line is an excellent rigging frame for building vessels with difficult to rig ratlines. see our hints and tips page for more info.

Remember! If on examination you feel you would prefer another model, you are free to return any item for a full refund, providing of course that it hasn't been started.

Caldercraft 1/32 HM Gunboat William wooden Kit (9016)
Purchased by the Royal Navy in 1795, William, under the direction of Sir Sidney Smith, was fitted as a hoy rigged gunboat at Plymouth Yard. As fitted, William was armed with one 24pdr cannon, two 12pdr carronades and a compliment of 25 men. Of special interest is the innovative design of an early form of turret mounting for the 24pdr cannon. The cannon and carriage were mounted onto a bed which in turn sat on a bearing race made up of cannon balls, allowing the whole assembly to rotate on the flat (camber less) forecastle.

This comprehensive kit contains CNC cut walnut throughout. The extensive fittings include one 24pdr cast bronze cannon and two 12pdr carronades, authentic ship's boats in high quality resin with walnut components and brass fittings including oars, grapnels and boat hooks; black and natural hemp for rigging and all other decorative fittings. The kit is supplied with fully detailed actual scale plan sheets and two comprehensive step by step colour instruction manuals including technical drawings and constructional photos of the prototype.

Scale 1:32, Length: 760mm.
Skill Level 3
Although capable of sail, with a fore-and-aft style hoy rig, William would have been more commonly rowed. This is further illustrated not only by the evidence of rowlocks and oars but by the way the mast is mounted on a pivot allowing it to be rotated down to deck, extending aft, guided by the fore and aft mast carlings. The mast would have been lowered in this manner in order to lower the centre of gravity and reduce resistance making the boat far more manoeuvrable by oar power. Built for anti-invasion duties, William was manned by 25 men. These men would usually be members of the 'Sea Fencible', the maritime equivalent of the Militia and volunteers. Although unclear, William is believed to have been wrecked in Guernsey Roads on 4th November 1801.

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