Blue Ensign

Thank you Nipper, I do enjoy taking the photos and writing up the log, a diversion from the more repetitive tasks of a build. Being long retired I can devote as much or little as I fancy, and with our poor summer this year, I have been grateful for the interest. Cheers, B.E.

Post Sixty-seven The Stove. The Brodie stove is a nicely detailed resin model complete with chimney, condenser, and drip tray. Additional etch is provided for detailing such as the spit chains, lifting rings, I have constructed stoves using a wood core and etch panels, (Sphinx), all wood versions (Syren) and as with the beautiful Syren version this is all about painting and weathering to get a realistic look. 9150 The 'Syren' Stove at 1:48 scale, with the 'Vanguard' Cook, a perfect combination. I enjoy doing this sort of thing, and it makes a pleasant change from the repetitive elements of the build. I am using Vallejo Black/grey for the base coat followed by weathering powders. 1852 The etch is chemically blackened before fitting. When it came to the rods for the spit I couldn’t quite relate to the given sizes 0.8mm and 0.4mm, all I could find in the kit box was 1mm and 0.7mm. I found 0.6mm suited best for the upper chain rod, and I used 0.7mm for the two lower rods. 1854 Assembly of the chain mechanism is a delicate business that tested my eyesight to the limit, but the result is excellent particularly at 1:64 scale, kudos to Chris for the design.👏 1858 I didn’t want to over-weather the look. A light touch using Black, dark brown, and a touch of slate grey to represent ash marks, I thought sufficient. 1859 The sharp eyed may notice something missing from the condenser jacket. Wearing the wrong specs I mistook the water inlet and overflow pipes for sprue and cut them off.😒 I wonder if the condenser should even be shown as ‘iron’. I note that on the Victory Brodie, the condenser is shown as made of copper, which sort of makes sense given the purpose. I may re-visit this. 1862 One other thing that caught my eye were the taps for the boiler drain. Something very Victorian about the cast valve taps (Parts BS8), so I omitted them. 1143 1866 I did think about adding a few whistles and bells to the stove such as rails and swinging arm to the range grate, but decided it was not worth the effort given the scale and ultimate view. Onwards,… B.E. 24/08/2023

Post Sixty-six Deck fittings cont’d Pumps. The Elm tree pumps are made up using octagonal shaped sections and laminated brass etch for the iron work. 1831 This little assembly project is surprisingly time consuming. The pump sections are tricky little beggars to char clean whilst maintaining a sharp octagonal profile. The etch laminations were secured with ca which mars the surface for blackening. It took repeated scraping of the etch to remove ca overspill to get a uniform cover. 1844 1150 One thing missing from the pumps is the discharge pipes which are easily added. I used short lengths of brass tubing around 1.5mm ø Capstan(s) I made up both Lower and Upper Capstans, and they are a delight to assemble with precise and clean fitting. 1839 One thing I would have liked in the kit is an etch or laser board ring to represent the iron reinforcing ring around the trundle head top. 3534(2) This shot of the Syren Capstan at 1:48 scale shows what I mean. 1840 I haven’t checked but I hope the Upper capstan follows thro’ on the Qtr deck and aligns with the barrel. 🤞 I made a small error in assembling the Capstan, the knowledgeable will spot it, the not so, perhaps not. The Capstans will be fettled and painted later. The final and most complex item is the Brodie Stove which is up next. B.E. 23/08/2023

Nice Job Kevin, but the sight of that flying jib boom makes me very nervous, you've just doubled your workspace requirement.🫤 Can you draw it inboard until absolutely required? Gotta love spaniel pups, which one is yours? B.E.

Maintaining copper is a tricky business during the constant handling during the remainder of the construction. I suppose that unless the copper is damaged, it could be re-treated later. I seem to recall that on my Pegasus build I used cling film to cover the lower hull taped to the wale with varying success. I wonder, could you construct a cut out polystyrene cradle to rest the hull in that would allow you to to turn the hull about without contact. The build board I made to hold my Indy keeps her secure for most activity, and I don't need to handle the hull. The downside is that it is a bit of a beast to move about and there will be times when I need to transfer her to the keel clamps to get specific angles for better access. B.E.

Getting enjoyment from the build is the main thing Kevin, without that a build is unlikely to be finished. I like the look of your Indy, and it will be interesting to see a fully masted and rigged version. I'm sorry you won't see that on my version, which will have stump masts only, if any masts at all. ps. You haven't forgotten to fit the lower finishings of the Qtr galleries have you? Regards, B.E.

Post Sixty- five Bulwark and Centre line fittings. The bulwark fittings are attended to next; repetitive, and not the most exciting aspect of a build. 1798 Fifty-two ring bolts to make-up and blacken. 1804 Boring as the process is, I think ring bolts look so much better than simple eyebolts and are the proper connection for the breeching ropes. Cleaning out the bulwark receiving holes is an awkward exercise using a 0.8mm drill and pin vise. Because of the close proximity to the deck I am careful not to transfer any blackening from the iron work to the deck during fitting. 1806 A set of cleats are fitted along the bulwark to take various lines, the larger ones for the tack/ sheets. A set of additional holes are required to be drilled thro’ from inboard to outboard. This represents what would be the fixed blocks, to take the sheet and tack lines. 1811 The Riding Bitts went together beautifully, the Main bitts less so. 1816 As can be seen here my modification allows for a view down thro’ three deck levels, to the Orlop, giving the impression that all deck are fitted out. The slots of the cross pieces to the Main Bitts were a loose fit over the uprights leaving a gap of around 0.7mm. Not too much of a problem if the item is to be painted, but I intend to leave the cross pieces unpainted. 1807 I used small pieces of Pearwood strip to resolve the issue. 1808 The posts will be painted red, and the cross pieces left natural. Bowsprit step. The kit Bowsprit stop is attached to the underside of the first upper deck beam (UD1) This is intended to fit in a deck slot forward of the Topsail sheet Bitts, a simplification which for practical purposes has no relevance if the kit is assembled as an oob build. 1827 In practice the Bowsprit stop should fit between the Fore topsail sheet bitt posts and take a mortise to accept the Bowsprit heel. I made a new Stop cut from 4mm Boxwood sheet. This is glued between the Topsail sheet Bitts which are fitted now rather than much later in the build. 1819 An angled tenon is cut into the Bowsprit end to fit the stop. This is relevant to my build because my Foc’sle deck will mostly be missing, and I intend to add manger boards which run from the bitt posts. I did a similar modification on my Sphinx build. 1825 1826 1828 I now have the Stove, Capstan, and pumps to make up. B.E. 20/08/2023

Thank you, Allan, I have seen that interesting thread; As with much that concerns our interest there are more questions than answers. I note that although Brian Lavery (Arming and fitting) has a lot to say about carriages, construction detail of trucks is absent. I am content to accept that both solid and composite trucks were both in use during the 18th century, but in terms of my Indy build at 1:64 scale, I am happy to use the composite trucks provided. If nothing else they add a little interest to an otherwise plain fitting. Regards, B.E.

Your work is impressive Robert, no mean feat to complete a Victory model to such a high standard. She looks wonderful, well done. 👏 B.E.

I’m following in the pure tradition of Navy Board style models, Ron, Well that’s my excuse anyway..😉 B.E.

Post Sixty-four Still with the guns It’s the tweaking that takes the time, adding modified ring bolts, highlighting the missing cap square elements, and touching up the paintwork . Even so I have not made the additions I included on the much smaller guns I fitted on Pegasus, such as pin and chain fastenings for the cap squares, and truck keys. 1099 The hinge bolts for the cap squares are already moulded onto the Indy 24’s but I added the forward part using thin Fibre board. 1100 I also gave an impression of the missing trunnion cap by painting the gun trunnions with a line of Vallejo Black/grey. 1103 I think the effect passes muster given the viewing angle available with the guns in place. 1105 The quoin handle shows up nicely on this shot, and is clearly visible with the gun onboard. 1106 The macros do pick up some flaws, but at normal viewing they look ok. The issue of the square axle/round hole remains, but doesn’t stand out with the guns in place on Indy. 1767 1768 1771 These chunky guns do look impressive lined up along the expanse of the Indy gun deck. 1764 1760 I don’t intend to rig the guns and will glue and pin the carriages thro' the bed to the deck. Not quite the end of the gun story, I have another session when I get around to the carronades, and the remaining 12 pounder longs. Moving onto the centre line fittings now. B.E. 17/08/2023

Thing is Alan, you can’t see what is just out of shot, tidy it ain’t. I enlarged my work area to take on Indy and the clutter has expanded to fill it.🙄 B.E.

Blimey Ron, Do you mean the Pony Express no longer runs? B.E.

Post Sixty-three Guns, guns, and more damned guns. Busy days down at the Gunwharf with production in full swing. 1698 1707 1703 The guns were given a further coat of Vallejo black to ensure that none of the unwanted striations showed through. 1705 1725 Chris was thoughtful enough to include a spare carriage set, and a number of spare wheels and other bits to cater for any mishaps. Just as well, in my case a couple of wheels did ping off into the ether during over enthusiastic de-charring, never to be seen again. 1728 At last, all but two guns more or less finished. The casting of two of the guns failed, and replacements are hopefully en-route from the Foundry. Still some tidying up to do, before a trial fit aboard Indy. B.E. 16/08/2023

Thanks Dave, It is a representation of a (part) of a cap square designed to be seen from above and aft when fitted on the ship. Chris has designed the carriages with tabs to allow fitting in deck slots for security. The barrels are fitted later thro' the ports so as a practical matter proper cap squares cannot be fitted. I have in mind to tweak matters a little as I am not using the tab system. Cheers, M.

Post Sixty-two Looking at the Guns -part two The barrels The Main armament consists of 24 pounder long guns, 9½ ft Armstrong pattern versions, reproduced in resin which is the way to go in my opinion. Saves all that brass blackening and includes details such as the touch vent and monogram. 1654 24 pounder Indy gun in the raw. The barrels contain the monogram which can be seen to be there, but difficult to see in detail, except for the cartouche which surrounds it. This surprised me a little as the monogram on the much smaller 9 pounder guns (Sphinx) seemed much better defined, and to my eye look better without a cartouche. Was there ever a cartouche? 5849 Nine pounder Sphinx guns. A small issue maybe for the 24 pounder guns on Indy where this detail will be mostly hidden from close view, but the two 12 pounder Foc’sle guns will be fully on show. There is an alternative should I be motivated to use it. Syren produce delightful little George 111 fibre board monograms in two sizes. 1719 Here is one attached to a damaged 24 pounder, I do prefer the look, but I’ve spent enough time on the guns, and I’ll live with the 24 pounders as is. I will use the alternative Syren monogram detail for the two fully visible 12 pounders. Finishing the barrels 5934(2) With the Sphinx guns (above) I simply washed, dried, and sprayed with fixative before treatment with weathering powders, I used Revell rust, dark brown, and deep black. Buffed up and the gun was good to go. 1659 Not sure that will work with the Indy guns, using this treatment the finish is not satisfactory, and I am concerned about the visible striations running along the barrel. Plan B 1675 The gun is gently cleaned up using 600 grade paper between the reinforcing rings, and painted with Vallejo Black, much improved I think. 1677 1680 1683 1684 So paint and weathering powder it is. B.E. 14/08/2023

The kit provided guns are overscale, and inaccurate in shape and style. I replaced mine with brass 32mm length guns from RB Models (Poland) but since then resin versions have come onto the market. Vanguard sell six pounder gun sets which you may wish to consider, and I believe Chuck (Syren) also supply resin barrels. While you're at it you may wish to consider the swivels. The Amati supplied versions are awful, I again used brass versions 15mm from RB models which are spot on for scale. These do involve making your own crutches. The Amati gun carriages just about pass muster, but the trucks looked very thin and I also replaced those. B.E.

Thanks for looking in Timmo, good to hear from you. Even the excellent Vanguard kits still offer a little scope for scratch indulgence. With Sphinx it is the Great cabin and Qtr galleries that mainly sated my desire to meddle, but Chris took away that option with the Indy kit and kindly made the modification for the benefit of kit modellers in general. 😉 Cheers, B.E.

Thankyou Theo, The Top and butt planking went well, but were I to do it again I would fit that first, after the margin plank. That way I could better work out the planking arrangement after the centre strakes had been fitted. Cheers, B.E.

Got a nice period look to it, a fine build you should be pleased with, well done.👍 Pegasus is a step up, but she makes a fine model, I think you're more than ready for it. B.E.

Cheers Chris - worse than I thought. 😄 B.E.

Not sure enjoyment is the right word Glenn, but there is a satisfaction to be had from a nicely completed set of guns. A bit of overkill with Indy where there are 40 of the beggars to assemble, of which 28 are long guns. There is a lot of work in doing the guns properly - char cleaning, assembly, painting, blackening and adding ironwork, weathering the barrels, rectifying flaws, ........ How would it look without guns I wonder😉 I'm starting with the long guns, and hope to basic assemble four or five per day. Five already done, Twenty-one to go.🙄 onwards... B.E.

Your ingenuity knows no bounds Nils, and I just love the look of the painted hull, such realism. Regards, B.E.

All coming together very nicely Glenn, useful to have a look ahead as I slowly move forward. B.E.

Post Sixty-one Looking at the guns - Part One The carriages are laser cut from 2mm pear and are nicely detailed, incorporating the bracket lines. Part of the design includes a tab at the front end to slot into a mortise in the deck to hold the carriage in place. (The guns are added later) The system should go a long way towards preventing the rattle of loose guns rolling around the lower decks in places they can’t be retrieved. The drawback of this system is that cap squares are of necessity omitted as the guns are fed thro’ the ports to be glued into place. Not much of a loss where the decks are to be closed in, and better than loose cannon. 1687 My first job is to make a simple jig to hold the parts that make up the carriages which consist of four separate pieces for the main structure. 1688 1689 A jig speeds up assembly, and there are a lot to assemble. There is the usual issue of square axles fitting round holes on the trucks. The merest pass with a sanding stick is required to knock the corners off the axles to allow fitment of the trucks. It is a fine line between fit and the square peg in a round hole image. 1691 It is impossible to get a proper fit to the truck with undersized square axles, as the above photo shows. Ideally the axles should be slightly over size to allow for accurate rounding. I suppose they could be shimmed, but that’s a lot of extra work. On a practical note, this deficiency will not stand out once the guns are fitted. The trucks are a miniature delight complete with engraved bolt holes and section joints. There is enough room on the axles for the addition of truck keys for über detailers. As with previous kits I am not generally keen on the supplied eyebolts that represent the hoops on the carriages sides that take the tackle hooks, but with this chunky 24 pdr carriage, they don’t look too bad. I did feel it necessary to modify the one fitting to a ring bolt to take the breeching rope. 1697 In this shot the yet to be blackened ringbolt has replaced one of the supplied eyebolts. The sharp eyed may also notice the handle added to the Quoin. This is simply a short length of wire with a blob of pva on the end. I won’t be using the peg and slot system for gun securing as access to all decks will be available on my build. The tab did prove useful to hold the carriages during painting, and scored each side it snaps cleanly away when finished. In part two I will be looking at the Resin gun barrels. B.E. 10/08/2023