ChrisLBren

Some unboxing!
 
Not a bad idea, we're sure it will be a great model.
 
On the other hand… We’re not looking to start or fuel any controversy, but we also think it wouldn’t be fair to stay silent after reading some of the recent comments on the forum—some of them (now deleted) even bordering on disrespect, coming from people we honestly thought were gentlemen.
 
Perhaps we’d deserve criticism if we had simply brought back the same model we created 20 years ago, just to make use of the ‘HMS Surprise’ name. But that’s clearly not the case. We believe most of you already understand the time and effort required to create a brand-new model—this project didn’t start two months ago, or even a year ago.
 
And about the string duo figures… we’ve been designing figures for our kits for years—ever since we created those for the three caravels about seven years ago. As for the idea of including one of the film’s most iconic scenes on this ship… well, no one would’ve come up with that idea — it must’ve been some impressive espionage work.
 
We truly appreciate the passion and dedication of this community. Constructive feedback and open dialogue are always welcome—they help us improve and, above all, keep alive the shared enthusiasm that makes model shipbuilding such a remarkable hobby.

Adding the fixed blocks today, it’s pretty simple actually except for the aft one, there’s no covering up boo boo’s with a frieze on this one.
 
lets start with assembling the fixed blocks. 

The fixed blocks come in two halves, you just need to select the one that faces out and assemble the roller and the axle to that half. From  there I sanded the out side down until it almost hits the roller

The idea here is that once we fair the inside of the hull and add the spirketting panels then we can install the other half of the block and fair it down to the spirketting. When faired properly we should be able to see the roller from  the inside as well. I’ll cover this more when we get to this stage.
 
Now onto installing the fixed block half, I started by marking where it goes, it’s important that we place it in the corner of all the structure, it will help in the future when the laser cut panels go in on the inside 
I then traced it with a pencil so I could see where to make Some small holes 

from there I just opened up the hole very slowly and tested the block over
and over again until it had a tight fit.


here you can see it from the inside with the roller in place, this will also help you when fairing the inside, once you get close to the roller you’ll know you’re done sanding!
once it fit well I glued it in place and then carefully flush sanded it to match the hull then covered it up in some wop so it matches the rest of the planking.

the rest of the fixed blocks are pretty easy, they just need to be fitted into laser cut holes in the frieze panels.
i carefully cut the frieze piece free from the hole and glued it down to the top of the fixed block and then opened it up with a #11

Looks perfect V - work to aspire to

Thanks guys - this one truly is a labor of love as I have been enamored of this frigate and her lines for quite awhile.  This is also my first fully framed build that has progressed this far.  
 
As far as frame construction I simply cut the patterns, glue them onto a pear blank in this case 4.65mm thick and cut out the parts with a margin of 1mm with the exception of the joint line which is right on it using my disc sander.  I place one of the patterns on a glass sheet and glue the first layer of parts at the joints and follow it by the laminating the second layer on top paying close attention that the joint lines are perfect and aligned.  Then another plate of glass is placed on top for 24 hours while it dries.
 
The finished frame is then cleaned up with an oscillating sander.  
 
As I continue to install frames I am getting a reject here or there so I will take photos next time I have to remake one.

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Corrections made - after more times than I can count to get this assembly aligned and built to my satisfaction - I am ready to move on at last




 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Frame installation continues - thru Station Frame 18

Thanks guys - this one truly is a labor of love as I have been enamored of this frigate and her lines for quite awhile.  This is also my first fully framed build that has progressed this far.  
 
As far as frame construction I simply cut the patterns, glue them onto a pear blank in this case 4.65mm thick and cut out the parts with a margin of 1mm with the exception of the joint line which is right on it using my disc sander.  I place one of the patterns on a glass sheet and glue the first layer of parts at the joints and follow it by the laminating the second layer on top paying close attention that the joint lines are perfect and aligned.  Then another plate of glass is placed on top for 24 hours while it dries.
 
The finished frame is then cleaned up with an oscillating sander.  
 
As I continue to install frames I am getting a reject here or there so I will take photos next time I have to remake one.

Thanks guys - this one truly is a labor of love as I have been enamored of this frigate and her lines for quite awhile.  This is also my first fully framed build that has progressed this far.  
 
As far as frame construction I simply cut the patterns, glue them onto a pear blank in this case 4.65mm thick and cut out the parts with a margin of 1mm with the exception of the joint line which is right on it using my disc sander.  I place one of the patterns on a glass sheet and glue the first layer of parts at the joints and follow it by the laminating the second layer on top paying close attention that the joint lines are perfect and aligned.  Then another plate of glass is placed on top for 24 hours while it dries.
 
The finished frame is then cleaned up with an oscillating sander.  
 
As I continue to install frames I am getting a reject here or there so I will take photos next time I have to remake one.

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Frame installation continues - thru Station Frame 18

Frames 2-6 installed - roughly faired - no low spots so far ! 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Almost done with Chapter 2, here’s where the model is at this point, warts and all!. A few more things to wrap up and I will begin fairing the inside and getting ready for chapter 3.

 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Installation continues thru frame 32 notice the frames reverse at frame 30. 

Frame installation continues - thru Station Frame 18

Frames 2-6 installed - roughly faired - no low spots so far ! 

Hi ☺️
 
 

I cant believe how good you have made that kit look.  Its a seriously impressive model - congrats !!!!