Plank-On-Frame Models and Scale Masting & Rigging : Volumes I & II by Harold A Underhill

Secondhand Hardcover in Good Condition. Dust covers worn as per fotos. Spine and all pages of both volumes intact.

Harold A. Underhill’s Plank-On-Frame Models and Scale Masting & Rigging (Volumes I & II) is widely considered a foundational “bible” for scratch-building wooden ship models. First published in the late 1950s, this two-volume set draws on Underhill’s 50 years of experience to guide builders through authentic construction techniques without requiring complex power tools.

The first volume focuses on the foundational work of building the ship’s body. It uses the author’s build of the brigantine Leon as a primary example but includes alternative methods for various skill levels.

• Plans & Preliminaries: How to read, interpret, and lift frame shapes from two-dimensional plans.
• Building the Frame: Techniques for constructing a scale-accurate internal skeleton.
• Hull & Deck Planking: Detailed guidance on applying timber to the frames and decking.
• Fittings & Finish: Instructions for deck erections, coppering the hull, and mounting the finished model.

The second volume shifts focus to the complex upper-works of the vessel, including masts, spars, and the intricate web of ropes and lines.

• Mast & Spar Making: Scaling and shaping masts, including the “ironwork” (fittings) found on them.
• Standing & Running Rigging: Comprehensive tables for rigging line thicknesses and detailed sketches for authentic rigging.
• Alternative Construction: Specialized chapters on clinker-built models, sawn-frame construction, and lightweight hulls for sailing models or power craft.

• Accessibility: Written in a post-WWII era when materials were scarce, Underhill emphasizes using simple hand tools and “low-tech” methods that remain relevant for modern hobbyists.
• Technical Depth: It covers niche details often missing from kits, such as how to scratch-build dead eyes, blocks, and even chain links.
• Focus on Merchant Craft: Unlike many guides that focus on the Royal Navy, Underhill concentrates on the “floating workhorses” of trade, like North Sea brigantines and merchant ships.