Blue Ensign

Neat job Glenn, well done. 👍 B.E.

Post Twenty-eight Completion and thoughts about the kit This two-month mini project is complete. 9953 The barge kit provided me with a filler while I thought about a more substantial project. I have taken it further than I had originally intended, and it would have been nice to have had properly moulded crew figures of the standard of those produced by Vanguard. 9951 The kit is quite a challenge particularly if some of the simplifications are to be addressed. It is rightly classified at the ‘experienced’ level of modelling, as are all the small boat kits in the Vanguard range. 9944 Although I have enjoyed addressing the challenges presented, I would have preferred not to have had to make the hull modification which during the build is risky because of the delicate nature of the construction. Having built an example of each boat type in the Vanguard range I experienced a small sense of disappointment in the design of this kit, not felt about the others. 9945 Still, the exercise has provided me with a heady mix of entertainment/frustration over the past two months, and overall, I am happier at the finish than I was at the start, which must count as some sort of result. 9942 These kits were perhaps not designed with standalone display in mind, there are larger scale boat models more suited for that purpose. Nevertheless, we are lucky to have Chris providing this boat range at 1:64 scale, the level of detail and realism compared with what went before is a major step forward. 9940 As far as I know no one else has attempted to produce a Barge kit at this scale, and for this Chris is to be commended. 9938 I have discussed the kit with Chris, and I understand that he is to re-visit the design in conjunction with his HMS Bristol kit development. I hope that at least some of the modifications and changes I have made will be taken into consideration in any revisions. 9956 Tricky business slipping the cover over the base, only just enough room, I had visions of those delicate oars snapping! 9958 Always tricky taking photos of models thro' acrylic. 9961 The diminutive barge now joins the 1:24 Pinnace, and 1:48 Longboat atop Victory. Thank you to those who have shown interest in this build, if nothing else I hope it has provided some ideas of what can be done at this scale. Time to move on… B.E. 04/01/2023

Not just the crew Haken, junior officers struggled to pay for their uniforms. There is one recorded case where one uniform coat was purchased to be used by several officers, and worn when on duty, or visiting another ship. What was required was prize money to boost the available funds. Post Twenty-seven The final hurdle is how to produce a 9” Admiral; that is a figure that looks ok at that distance, at least to a blind man on a galloping horse. I have no such figure and one would have to be cobbled together. Obviously, a sitting figure, looking like a senior naval officer. My admiral is a man of many parts, the body of a sailor from a Flower class corvette, the lower legs of a Royal Navy Marine, and the head of a French Artillery officer circa 1805. Additions of modelling paste and evergreen styrene strip hopefully complete the effect. 9915 1:64 scale is very small to make bespoke figures, not crafted by a proficient artist and sculptor. Cobbling together a ‘Frankenstein’ Admiral is the best I can do. I think he just about passes muster, even more so under the more generous twelve-inch rule. There was no formal officer uniform design before 1748 and hats were not mentioned in uniform regulations before 1795. The book Dressed to kill by Amy Miller is a very useful reference work for naval uniforms from 1748 – 1857. The fashion around 1750 based on the 1748 regulations included a frock coat with deep turn-back cuffs, long waistcoat, and blue breeches. The coats were adorned with increasing amounts of gold lace according to rank, but the sting was that the wearers bore the cost of the uniforms. 9912(2) The final addition is the helmsman also a product of the Frankenstein school of crew production. 9934 A fellow of slight build, well he would have to be to fit in this barge to work the tlller. 9909 9923 9920 9928 9932 With the crew onboard the boat is surprisingly heavy, hence the photos taken on the cradles. The pedestal stands will require a couple of wire supports outboard midships to keep the barge upright. The final post will see completion of this project. B.E. 03/01/2023

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

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.

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

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.

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

Wow, that must be some sort of record. B.E.

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.

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.

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

Great set of photos Peter, she does look impressive. B.E.

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

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.

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.

Your painting skills are second to none Marc, that stern is magnificent. What a statement! B.E.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.