Blue Ensign

Thanks Mike, Vol 111 arrived this morning, quick delivery across the pond. Quite a hefty tome, I look forward to savouring its contents in the coming days. Regards, B.E.

Post One Hundred and Seventy Completing the Cutter. Apart from painting the bottom Ivory, and the wale Black/grey, the boat will be finished using w-o-p only. The rudder is a plain laser cut affair intended I think to simply display in the sternsheets of the boat. There are no fixings to hang the rudder either on the stern post, transom, or rudder. I chose to add these fittings including a tiller of the yoke type. 4287 Still requires a little further fining down, this is the third attempt which may still break. 4289 Trial fitting the rudder.; a few tweaks required. One consequence of changing the rowing arrangement from double to single banking is that the provided oars are too short for purpose. 4290 They are fairly easily modified but it does require using two oars to produce one. To improve the look of the oars the blades should really be thinned towards the tip. 4295 4298 4299 4311 Set -up for single banked rowing. 4302 4306 4307 I quite like the look of her on the skids and the Pinnace and Cutter don’t obscure much of the Main deck. B.E. 16/04/2024

Thank you Nils and Nipper. @ Nils - the figures are industrial workers which I found suitable for my Fishing boat models, but don't really fit naval figures of the early 19th century. @ Nipper - I don't really like action figures on my models, but I do like figures to demonstrate scale on a model. I agree the cook and the Pellew/Hornblower figures fit that bill perfectly. Others that would appeal to me would be a Helmsman standing by the wheel, and a Marine Sentry to post outside the Captains Quarters. I'm not holding my breath tho'😉 B.E.

Post One Hundred and Sixty – nine Progressing the 24’ cutter The floor of the cutter is covered by gratings at the stern, open boarded footwaling for the body, and a small close board platform at the bow. 4265 I changed the footwaling to a close boarded version as shown in the AotS book Diana which contains 1:48 scale drawings of a 24’ cutter. Before I add the ‘false’ ribs I use a copy of the kit plan to mark the positions of the thwarts. Positioning the ribs really needs to take into consideration the position of the thwarts and the related rowlocks for the oars, which are cut into the wash strake. 4268 The AotS drawings show the 24’ cutter arranged for single banked rowing. This is the arrangement I will follow, apart from any other consideration, there are less rowlocks to cut. 4270 I firstly fix only those ribs that fit aft of the thwarts before fixing the Rising, (thwart support strips) The remaining ribs can be slotted behind the Risings in the correct positions. The risings are fitted using a 4mm depth gauge but in fact follow the line of the second strake down from the top. Once fitted it is useful to check both the levels and the correct height of the thwarts above the footwaling. 4273 My 1:64 scale figures are useful for this purpose. 4275 I would like to see a sitting figure produced by Vanguard. A sitting Captain would serve well to give scale to the splendid Vanguard cabin furniture, and also the stern sheets of the boat range. 4277 I like to add small features to the boats such as here; the cap square for the Mainmast and step to take the mast heel on the Keelson. 4279 4280 4281 4280 Needs cleaning up now before finishing. B.E. 15/04/2024

Glad it's not just me. B.E.

I gently rub the base on sandpaper until it is very thin, and then snip around the feet with sharp cutters, I suspect using a dremel would be overkill. B.E.

I've not seem a specific reference to Foreign Service locations, but I suspect it generally meant any location beyond home waters , particularly the tropics where repair facilities may be restricted. Clinker built boats were more difficult to repair and WE May (The boats of men of war) cites that in 1800 it was decided that the only cutters to be sent abroad should be Jolly boats. Navy board orders to Dockyards PRO adm 106/2512 no's 430 440/441. For the purposes of this build the cutter will be issued as carvel built. 9898(2) 9899(2) I do however, have a clinker built 18' cutter (Jolly Boat) ready to serve. Cheers, B.E.

Post One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Feeling somewhat miffed about the failure with the Launch I am moving onto one of the 24’ Cutters, if for no other reason than ‘getting back on the horse’ I have made 18’ Cutters previously, along with Yawls, and a 24’ Cutter should at least on paper be less fiddly. 4245 Before I had barely got started the tab broke off the transom piece, and once again the stern post broke part way up. This is before I even get to the delicate stem with its planking slot. I am beginning to think that use of 0.8mm Pear is just too thin for the structurally important keel part. It is pertinent that the grain on these parts is horizontal whereas any pressure tends to be lateral. It seems that any pressure, however light, gives a high risk of breaking these parts. 4243 At least with the 24’ cutter there are two sets provided, and in my case one was cannibalised to get to the keel and frames assembled. 4248 With the fairing completed this is the same point at which things went wrong with the Launch. I added further support to the stem before I began planking, and this time I resolved to use pva on the plank edges in addition to ca on the frames. 4252 The first four planks fit into the stem rabbet, or slot, happily without mishap this time. At this point the structure is much stronger, and damage risk to the stem much reduced. 4254 The garboard planks are fitted using 3mm strips. 4256 There is too little room to follow any sort of tick marking for plank shaping, so its basically done by eye. The aim is to get any less than realistic planking strakes below the round of the hull, out of sight. 4258 I achieve this by spiling the last plank. Unlike the Pinnace, removal of the central bulkheads did not result in disassembly of the planking, no doubt due to adding pva along the strake joints. 4259 There is no access to clean inside glue stains during construction so there is inevitably marring present once the bulkheads are removed. 4260 A gentle approach is necessary, I clean the insides initially by damping the excess glue with a small paint brush and gently scraping with a micro chisel. Water is used for the pva and acetone for the ca. very small amounts are used to avoid affecting the main construction. A little more fettlin’ and I can move onto the next stage. B.E. 11/04/2024

I like the muted tones, and a good decision to dispense with any bling. I also very much liked your Diana which I can see in the background. Cheers, B.E.

Magnificent work Jason, that is truly impressive. B.E.

....... or not as the case may be, we will see.

Thank you Mark, and Ron, It still rankles Ron, moving onto the 24' Cutter, we'll see how well I can mangle that one.🫤 B.E.

She looks good Christian, and deserves to be finished. Regards, B.E.

Perseverance pays off David, well done👍 B.E.

Post One Hundred and Sixty-seven The 26 ft Launch - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Altho’ the main work on Indy has been completed, the overall display requires further work. Building the Launch continues my work on the boats. I like the Launch because it offers opportunity to add detail such as the windlass. I have been here before as I made up the 24’ Launch for Sphinx. This didn’t however guard me against breaking the stern post (twice) during the fitting of the transom. 4227 Again, I thought it prudent to add little support pieces to the build board to reduce any flexing during the fairing business. These small boats are delicate and require gentle handling particularly in the early stages. 4232 The fairing went ok. 4235 Regrettably, the stem broke in two places along the planking slot during the testing of the first planking strip, hardly touched it Gov’ner, and the repairs didn’t hold. 4236 I suspect it was a combination of the inherent weakness related to the planking slot, plus possible grain run of the stem. 4239 I did think about replacing the stem element, but removing the frames from the base resulted in what our American friends may describe as FUBAR. Sadly, Indy will be without her Launch, but stuff happens – right. B.E. 07/04/2024

So sorry to read this Kevin, For what it’s worth, hard as it is, I think you are making the right decision. We invest so much in our cocker family members, and the pain we feel when their time comes is very real. I know you will do right by Dobbie. B.E.

Thank you Glenn, I'm going to finish off the Indy boats; doing well so far, I've already snapped the stern post of the Launch twice in fitting the Transom.🫤 After that it's back to Syren, to finish Chuck's wonderful Medway Longboat. Regards, B.E.

Cheers Guys, I will do a set of completion photos before I encase her, but the wooden framed glass case is very heavy compared to my previous acrylic covers, not very convenient for multiple off and ons, and all the associated risks involved. @ Bug - A lot of the deck fittings are removeable including the rope coils, so these are taken off when cleaning. I simply start at the top; firstly cleaning the rigging lines, then the masts and yards, using a soft paintbrush. For the dust on the decks I pick it up with a soft brush and suck the dust with a hand held vacuum (Dyson) I finish off the outside of the hull. Considering she has been uncased for many years she comes up pretty well, takes around 3hours + to do it. 2007a Here she is stripped down for cleaning, built at a time before the availability and quality of fittings we have today she still remains one of my favourites. Regards, B.E.

Post One Hundred and Sixty-six My version of Indy is effectively completed now and with some serious moving about of models within my workroom/office, I have found room to house Indy in the prominent position she deserves, and without encroaching on other areas of the house. 4223 She has displaced Norske Love which now has a new position vacated by Alert which also has a new location. e2008a Had I completed the masting on Indy it would be in the order of that of Norske Love which is of a slightly smaller scale of 1:70. e2012a Norske Love has received a well overdue clean, having endured all the dust created during the construction of ‘Indy’. 4022 Not quite ready for the glass cover to be on yet, but at least the issue of ‘where are you going to put that’ is now resolved. As a bonus the lower profile of Indy compared to Norske love will allow me to re-arrange the wall Pictures and perhaps get one of Indy. I have decided to have a further dabble with the boats, and have started assembly of the 26’ Launch, pity not to make them up as they are provided with the kit. B.E. 06/04/2024

Post One Hundred and Sixty-five Thank you, Allan, the kit didn’t include any standards to support the transom, but I note that Alex M has included five in his drawings of the Anson following conversion to a Razee. He also includes an extended central standard to support an Ensign staff tabernacle. I did think about following his example but decided that the double arrangement looked more aesthetically pleasing to my eye. I think the inclusion of such an item is a reasonable assumption to make, and the set up on the Indy kit almost begged the inclusion of the arrangement as I have modelled it. 4206 4207 4217 4211 4212 4205 Onwards, B.E. 04/04/2024

Great progress Jesse, well done.👍 Love the look of your guns and rigging. B.E.

My understanding is that In the days before the driver boom the Ensign was routinely worn on the staff when at sea, as the Mizen lateen yard was not inhibited by its presence. With the introduction of the driver boom the Ensign was worn at the Gaff when at sea, but an Ensign staff was used when in port or at anchor. Many Navy Board style models do not show the fixings but were I intending to fully mast and rig 'Indy' as a bare stick model, I would have fitted the Ensign to the staff. Regards, B.E.

Post One Hundred and Sixty-four. Countdown to completion – still counting I am still fretting about the inclusion of fittings for an Ensign staff. The kit doesn’t include the fittings and few contemporary models show them. I don’t have any specific evidence for the type used on ‘Indy’, but she would certainly have had them. I lean towards a more substantial set-up than a simple block and cap-square fixed to the tafferal, given her origin as a Sixty-four. 2154 2155 This is the set-up on Victory and the double knee fixing between the flag lockers would transfer well to the Indy. A block sits atop the standards, recessed for the staff and is fitted with a cap-square. A corresponding fitting (the step) to take the heel of the staff sits between the standards on the deck. Nothing to be lost by having a play around and using bits of Boxwood, I cobbled together an Ensign support for ‘Indy’. 4183 Fairly straightforward, two standards and a top cut out on the scroll saw, the trickiest part cutting the mortises to fit over the standard tops. 4184 A simple jig aids the assembly. 4204 The completed item, the Cap-square made from a piece of brass fret will be blackened before fitting. 4190 4197 4199 Steel conveniently gives the sizes of Ensign staffs by rate. For a Sixty-four = 38’ x 6¼” ø @ scale 181mm x 2.5mm ø 50 gun = 36’ x 6” ø @ scale 171.5mm x 2.4mm ø 44 gun = 35’ x 5⅝” ø @ scale 166.7mm x 2.2mm ø 4195 4196 There is very little difference at scale, I used 3mm dowel for the staff and will adjust the length to suit my eye. The staff will require a degree of taper and the fitting of a truck. A satisfying days’ work - I’m inclined to keep it. ☺️ B.E. 02/04/2024

Post One Hundred and Sixty-three. Countdown to completion - the final stages. This is the stage where I attend to all those little outstanding things, look through all the laser sheets and ask myself what the hell is that for, should I have fitted it? It is surprising how long it takes to rig the stanchion and Hammock crane lines. 4164 4162 4163 4166 I use Syren 0.45mm ø natural line. I seem to recall from somewhere that tarred line was dispensed with as it tended to mark the hammocks. 4165 4167 I decided to fit the Fo’csle with stanchions; I think they may well have been fitted, and it balances well with the rest of the model. I used additional eyebolts to secure the ends of the lines. I had modified the gunport lanyards for the lower ports to a double arrangement on the Port side, but the starboard side remained to be done. 4152 4168 Even tho’ it is a bit of a pain to do, I couldn’t leave odd sides. Boomkins. These less than attractive booms used to spread the Fore tack invariably cause me trouble. In my build they didn’t easily meet the angle of the cap square that secures them as they cross the Main Rail of the head, and the line was also inhibited by the position of the seats of ease which required a little adjustment. 4159 4160 4174 I also added the capsquares, represented by black card strips. B.E. 01/04/2024

Very impressive brass work Nils, and your problem solving skills are second to none. Nice progress. B.E.