David,
Scottie,
Richard and
Steve - thanks for such kind comments
"
Hammocks" I hear you say! Well it sounded like hammocks anyway
The instructions warn you that the midshipmens hammocks are very fiddly to make. They say that they can be omitted if portraying the ship in daytime configuration. Mind you I reckon that unless actually in a battle some of the bunks would be slung during the day for those on the night shift
The supplied fabric was stiffened with dilute PVA and the template cut out. Then the shape transferred to the fabric.
No way could I get it to fold like they show
So I made a wooden box the right size with a block that fitted inside. Worked well.
Wires were fixed each end.
Adding ropes was frustrating but got there in the end.
The hanging ropes were tied - I must thank the missus for an extra pair of hands here
The knots were fixed with glue and the spare wire cut off.
The hanging ropes were threaded through the bars previously fitted to the beams, fixed with PVA and the spare rope cut off. I only fitted 8 hammocks and rolled up some spare fabric to look like stowed bunks.
They are far from perfect but within the constraints of the size and the material they look ok.
Stay safe.
Jim