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Blue Ensign

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  1. Blue Ensign
    Thank you Hakan, James, and Allan, and for those who have looked in and 'liked' Post Twenty-six The chemical blackening didn’t work on these metal figures, so priming and painting was necessary. I have decided to paint the figures in life colours albeit using a muted palette. More fiddly and time-consuming than simple silhouette painting, but I though it better suited the overall effect. Admirals and Captains were known to kit out their boat crews in matching clothing, and sometimes headwear, all at their own expense. 9865 I started with blue shirt tops, but had some doubts, so I changed to a natural undyed colour which I like much better. 9879(2) This also accords with the contemporary models. 9875(2) The crew need fixing to the thwarts to provide stability when arranging the oars, I used spots of ca for the purpose. 9872(2) Altho’ the barge is set up for twelve oarsmen I have settled for ten, which I think is the most aesthetically pleasing. The foremost position is very cramped, and the aftermost involves the oarsman sitting in the stern sheets. 9874(2) 9871(2) An Admirals Barge need an Admiral, and this will be the next task. B.E. 02/01/2023
  2. Blue Ensign
    Nice job Andrew, the fishing boat range from Vanguard does provide the opportunity for 'dressing' the boat and yours looks excellent. There's a great pleasure to be had from building these kits, I loved doing Fifie and Zulu. Cheers, B.E.
  3. Blue Ensign
    Post Twenty-five – fettlin’ the crew Working these figures is hard on the fingers, drilling out the flash between the legs, holes drilled to secure the heads to the bodies, drilling and filing of the hands to fit over the oars. The figures are then filed to reduce their bulk, to make them a better fit. After a couple of days, the basic figures are complete, and an opportunity to get an impression of how the set up would look. 9862 9858(2) 9856(2) 9855(2) 9853(2) 9849(2) I think it’s going to work, a little more fettlin’ of the individual figures, and then a chemical black wash. B.E. 31/12/2022
  4. Blue Ensign
    Not a false path James, they seem to be the only game in town as far as scale rowers are concerned. I still hope I can make a passable job of them, fingers crossed it's not a forlorn hope! B.E.
  5. Blue Ensign
    Post Twenty- four After nine days the crew have arrived and a motley crew they are, Vanguard figures they certainly ain’t. 9830 White metal figures, as rough as rough can be, they make the Amati range look classy. On the left is the basic figure (the heads are separate) the figure on the right I have started to clean-up. 9827 At this stage the figure has been thinned down the legs separated, and a head drilled and fixed to the body. 9835(2) For scale, the figures are a bit chunky, but they sit on the thwarts ok. The figure I have started to fettle already looks a better fit, but a long way to go. 9836(2) In their basic form the figures certainly won’t pass muster so it’s down to my fettlin’ efforts on the test figure to determine whether I can retain the will to live with the prospect of twelve to do. 3829 This screen shot shows apparently how they should eventually look but they bear little reality to the raw figures. I have little experience with these 28mm gaming figures, but I pity those that do if this is the standard of stuff they have to work with. 9839(2) I will persevere with the one I’ve started and see how I go. B.E. 29/12/22
  6. Blue Ensign
    Wow, that must be some sort of record. B.E.
  7. Blue Ensign
    Great set of photos Ron, you have truly achieved a sense of life and movement in your dio. I particularly like that close up stern shot, - brilliant. B.E.
  8. Blue Ensign
    Hi Dave, I use Steel all the time, especially the tables that give the masting and rigging sizes, item by item, for all classes of ships. Kits tend to oversize the masting and yards, and provide insufficient rigging sizes. There is an online version. The Elements and Practice of Rigging And Seamanship (maritime.org) B.E.
  9. Blue Ensign
    Post Twenty-three The base over which the cover is placed is made of 3-ply plywood, it just happened to be lying about. Although given the w-o-p treatment the finish looked, well, unfinished. 0287 I thought about painting the base but one of the contemporary barge models (above) had a hessian covering which gave me the idea of using baize, a posher alternative, and something I had used to line the case of my Cutter Cheerful build. Speaking of Cheerful I love that model in all its Boxwood beauty and silently thank Chuck for providing the makings every time I walk past. So Blue baize it is. 9819(2) I think the dark blue goes well with the ochre red, the Boxwood stand will remain as is. 9818(2) Stuck down with diluted pva, ironed, and trimmed with a scalpel, job done. 9826(2) 9820(2) The cover will need cleaning up for final fitting, constant handling has taken the clarity from it. B.E. 23/12/2022
  10. Blue Ensign
    Great set of photos Peter, she does look impressive. B.E.
  11. Blue Ensign
    Post Twenty-two 9806(2) A new Boxwood stand has been made that raises the boat a little higher than the kit provided cradles. 9798(2) The oars can’t be properly fixed until I decide about the crew. 9794(4) 9793(2) 9796(3) A baseboard has been prepared to suit the acrylic cover, designed to fit over the whole display to protect the outboard oars. 9800(2) A cover is necessary with this type of display. Until the crew arrive, I can’t progress the build. I last heard that they were somewhere in Cornwall and I’m beginning to suspect they may have been seduced by smuggling gangs, where the rewards are greater and life easier than service in his Britannic Majesty’s Navy. A few more days and I'll have them listed as 'Run' B.E. 21/12/2022
  12. Blue Ensign
    Your work is outstanding Greg, another beautiful model completed. It is a pleasure to see your builds, an inspiration to us all. Regards, B.E.
  13. Blue Ensign
    In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, a good choice I would say, you've done an amazing job on designing and creating this kit. Well done Chris. 👏 B.E.
  14. Blue Ensign
    Your painting skills are second to none Marc, that stern is magnificent. What a statement! B.E.
  15. Blue Ensign
    Thanks Gary, I think we'll quickly pass over my painting skills, but I've used the silhouette approach on my Fishing boat models, and for scale figure representation on my Cutter Cheerful build. As you say it doesn't detract from the model, and it surely avoids the trouble of painting all those little beggars. I will certainly try the primer only approach first. B.E.
  16. Blue Ensign
    Great job James, the figure will look impressive at the head of Indy. Just curious, does the figure have a historical association with Indefatigable, I seem to recall a similar figure on Agamemnon, a sister Ardent class vessel, obviously representing the Greek king. I suppose the figure could represent Achilles, he was pretty indefatigable, but perhaps not as pretty as Brad Pitt. B.E.
  17. Blue Ensign
    The position is correct Mark, as shown on these contemporary models. Even so , the space on the kit version does seem a little tight to get a scale figure in, something I doubt was intended when Chris designed the model. In the examples shown above the helmsman is very close to the stern bench, I imagine great care would have to be taken not to the knock the large Tri-corn/ Bi-corn hats from the heads of their high ranking passengers. B.E.
  18. Blue Ensign
    According to Steel: The Mainmast at the partners for a 36 gun ship would be 26” ø (10.3mm) at scale. The Mainmast for a 28 gun ship would be 23⅝” ø (9.4mm) at scale. The Foremast for a 28 gun ship would be 20⅞” (8.3mm) at scale On these figures there would be a difference of 2mm in the diameters of the Fore and Main masts on the proposed Surprise. I would want to be sure that regardless of any historical anecdotes that on the actual model the masts didn’t look out of keeping with each other and spoil the overall effect. What happens on a full-size version doesn’t always transfer well to a model. Just saying. B.E.
  19. Blue Ensign
    Post Twenty-one In the previous post James (whitejamest) kindly gave me the heads-up on a set of 28mm rowing figures, which I have on order. Meanwhile I continue faffing around with the barge as the macros reveal further need for touch-ins and finishing touches. 9752 A laser board strip provides the iron strap that protects the stem and bow, and a mooring ring is added to the bow. 9749 I am also in the process of making small section Boxwood pillars to replace the kit provided mdf keel supports which look somewhat clumpy against the delicacy of the barge. One of the things that I noticed about the barge kit was the Helmsman’s area behind the Transom. This measures only 5mm between transom and seat back, a scale 12” which presents some difficulties if a scale helmsman figure is to be employed in the display. A 1:64 scale figure will not fit so I scratched around for an alternative that may fit the bill. 9754(2) I came up with a 1:72 HAT figure from a British seamen set; chopped about and bent legs added from a Preiser 1:87 scale Adam and Eve set, a spot of modelling paste, and the Frankenstein version of a helmsman is created. 9768 Only primed at present I will decide on a colour scheme for his clothing once I have the rest of the crew. 9762 Surprisingly he doesn’t look out of scale, but the acid test will be how he compares with the 28mm ‘rowing’ figures I have on order. I also have on order an acrylic cover for the model, and I decided crew or not, the oars will be displayed out as shown in previous photos. Just waiting delivery of the crew now. B.E. 17/12/2022
  20. Blue Ensign
    Nicely done Hakan, having a well thought out jig that securely holds the hull in the right position, goes a long way to ensuring success. B.E.
  21. Blue Ensign
    That is a beautiful clean construction of the Yawl, very well done. I like that you have replicated a matching wood finish to the gratings and footwalings, excellent effect. Regards, B.E.
  22. Blue Ensign
    Thanks for the heads up, worth a punt, I’ll order a set and see how they are. I hope your yawl build is going well, it is a nice boat kit. Regards, B.E.
  23. Blue Ensign
    Thank you Jason, Håkan, and Mark, making oars is not too bad provided you have the makings and are prepared to accept the odd breakage close to finish of a piece. Post twenty A day’s work completed the oar set bar the fettlin’ which involved inducing a slight curve to the oar blades and adjusting the handle length to a scale 11” (4.36mm) 9718 A further day involved painting the various elements of each oar. 9743(2) I decided to paint the oars the traditional red, with natural handles, and copper blade tips which represent the metal strips applied to prevent splitting of the wood. Tin was often used but I splashed out on copper, it is an admiral’s barge after all. A decision is to be made of how to display the oars, I don’t really want to follow the normal arrangement of top and tailing them across the thwarts, as they would effectively cover most of the internal area. Ideally, I would like to crew the barge with the oars out but creating acceptable 1:64 scale figures is a very difficult ask and there are no period figures commercially available in this pose that I can find. 03399 03411 I was lucky with the Queen Anne barge kit at 1:24 as I was able to convert a couple of Deans Marine figures to represent members of the Royal company of watermen- they started life as sitting US marine figures of the Vietnam era. I can’t envisage making or modifying 1:64 scale figures, so I will have to pass on that idea. An alternative is to place the oars in position as they would be with the crew in place. 9730(2) 9734(2) 9740(2) This arrangement extends the width of the display area to around six inches, so I’ll ponder on it a while and play around with other options. B.E. 11/12/22
  24. Blue Ensign
    Post Nineteen The oars. A set of twelve Pearwood oars are provided in the kit. These are a scale 74mm long equating to a length of 15’6”. However, the kit arrangement is set up for double banking, so the oars would be shorter than those used for single banking. The contemporary model in the NMM gives a good visual impression of the oar/boat length relationship. On this basis the kit oars should be in the order of 90mm length with a loom of 22mm. 9689 The provided oars are laser cut fare and suffer from the usual process simplification of being flat in profile, lacking the round of the shaft and the swell of the looms. The above photo gives the correct configuration, but a lot easier to do at 1:24 scale. 9701(3) It is difficult to lengthen short oars, more trouble than its worth, so the shafts will need to be scratched, altho’ I can use the blades from the kit offering. 9697(2) Imm square stock is used for the shafts, the sections are marked, the shaft rounded below the looms, and the blade is notched to take the shaft. The blade requires thinning down towards the tip and a slight curve induced. Very soft hands are required, the risk of breakage is high. 9710(2) 7912(2) The relative length difference is apparent in these photos. 9706(2) A further eleven oars are now required to make the set. B.E. 09/12/22
  25. Blue Ensign
    A wonderful effect you have created Ron, I love that port side bow wave, great artistry. B.E.

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