Bringing over my current build log:

Started a new build, the OcCre Bounty Cutaway. Still working on the other build (Apostol Felipe) but decided to work in parallel.

Going for a walnut stain on the underlying structure. I think it give a little more aged look.

Have plans for plenty of kit bash and adding lighting throughout. Let's see how this goes. (This time with lots of backups on the posts/photos!)

Planking the decks. Put together a quick jig for the planks to cut and caulk.

Lower deck buildings assembly started. To plan the lower deck furnishings and lighting, I need some deck plans bit occre only provides the main deck so I'm drafting my own with overlay trace.

Working on plans for lighting, thought I would post the "rough plan". On my last build I powered 16 1mm leds with an arduino nano and to shift registers that allowed me to control each led independently with a randomized candle-like flicker. The circuit was placed behind the planking at the stern and I opened a small opening for a micro-usb connection to power the circuit. It works well except having to leave an opening in the hole (not very big but still there!)

This time, I am going smaller and yet a step up:

• Microprocessor: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP23-C6 - this thing is small! About the size of a postage stamp yet usb-c for programming, supports a rechargeable battery, bluetooth/wifi, low power mode. Might expose the USB under the lower deck by leaving enough of the hull exposed below that lowest cargo-hold area.

  

• 400mah rechargeable battery

• PCA9685: The real magic - independently controls the leds with only two wires to the microprocessor. Should be easier and smoother than the shift registers were. Could potentially control a lot more LEDs too

  

• 0402 SMD Leds: 15 warm white, 1 red/orange (for the galley stove!)

• Magnetic reed switch: can use a magnet to activate the switch an put into low power mode vs always on. Could hide the magnet in a moveable deck fixture!

I am still working on the programming but the intent is:

• Main Deck LEDS: 2 stern lanterns, binnacle, bow lantern

• Upper Deck LEDS: captains cabin, galley stove, officer's mess, clerk's cabin, aft garden cabin, 2 companionways

• Lower Deck LEDS: storage area lantern glow, aft crew cabins (2), forward crew cabin

• and 1 more LED - TBD

Programming will include preset "scenes" controlled via phone on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (another native capability of the microprocessor):

	Scene	Description
1	Calm harbor	Gentle, slow flicker — ship at rest in still air
2	Gentle breeze	Slightly livelier flicker — mild movement
3	Storm at sea	Vigorous, erratic flicker — dramatic light variation
4	Below decks	Dim, warm, very slow flicker — sheltered interior
5	All off All	LEDs extinguished including stove
6	All on All	LEDs at full steady brightness (useful for photography)
	Maybe More??	Open to suggestions

Finally posting some progress on the build and lighting.

I have a separate post now for both my lighting approaches for anyone wanting more details: Model Ship Lighting

On this build, I have the lower deck in place now. Scratch built the doors for better quality and set some of them partially open for led rooms. I've set a few of this leds and also just finished carving an led wire grove into one of the beams for a hidden light in one of the companion ways. Underneath the deck in carving through the frames a bit for the microprocessor and pwm driver.

I also carved out of the aft frame to have the back gallery / garden room be more open.

uilding better frames for the deck hatches and to to route leds.

Further along. Made a lumber stack to add to the cargo hold and be a good place to leave an led lantern for lighting. Setting cargo in place. Ordered some additional small barrels to add.

2 of 3 Lighting components in place. Pwm controller on the left and perfect board to consolidate the led wiring and resistors on the right. Ready to move to the next deck level.

Very nice stuff!

Nice, but very complicated to me 🫣

Thank

I'm happy to admit I probably go overkill on the lighting, I just like the challenge and adding things that make it less "kit" and more "mine"!

Brodie stove set

Lighting further along. Need to work on light levels but that's why the USB connect so I can adjust as I get further along.

I haven't played with Arduino for a while. I can see some need effects like somebody hidden walks through the cargo hull and the light "moves". For my railroad buildings I used the effect of a person gets up from the living room, goes to the bathroom and than bedroom. It my case was easier since only a little light was seen through the window.

That would be a pretty cool effect. I think this particular esp32 might be light on memory for that but there is a little bit larger version that could probably handle it and still fit in the hidden area under the decks (or just a second of the same one dedicated to that).

Companion ways and hatch covers

Working on opening the aft gallery. The kit had it all closed off but I'm trying to get some semblance of reality. Can only cut some of the framing before it affect the model integrity but I think it will still look better. You can see in the photo how the kit had it all blocked off.

Working on the wardroom. Table and chairs. Going to have the main mast go through the edge of the table like it was intentional. Table is scored single top, toothpick legs. Chairs are 2x2 mm basswood and leftover deck plank for seat. When done I'll try staining all oak.

Further along with wardroom. Maybe I can fit a little more isn the like a low bookcase. Got a number of light in too.

More furnishings