Blue Ensign

An interesting project and conversion Kevin, she's going to look magnificent when completed, the lighting will make her very special. B.E.

Post One hundred and Sixty-two. Completing the Yawl The third of the allocated boats for Sphinx, it’s nice to come back to it with all the planking having been done previously. 00620(2) I have built this model before but on that version, I rigged her for sail. The Sphinx version is set up for rowing but will be tweaked a little to reflect the layout in the Pandora book drawings. I won’t bore everyone with blow-by-blow details of the construction I covered this in the log below. 18th c Ships boats by Blue Ensign – FINISHED - Vanguard Models -1:64 - - Kit build logs for subjects built from 1751 - 1800 - Model Ship World™ However, having thought that the Yawl would prove to be the easiest of the three to build, having done it before, it has turned out to be the most problematic. I wasn’t happy with the fit if the sternsheets, so I decided to scratch a replacement. 8287 Despite the fact that Lavery notes: The Yawl was unusual in that it was decked throughout its length, in three stages. I opted to use the provided brass etch decking and grating, altho' it did mean drilling thro’ the decking plate to attach the lifting rings. As with my first Yawl build, I reduced the foredeck by removal of the board adjacent to the mast support. 8482(2) With the Yawl I opted to use the kit non-operational rudder assembly, except I did not use the brass etch facings, preferring to laminate the core with 0.6mm Pearwood. The strapping was formed using laser board strip. 3814(2) This Yawl plan from the NMM (ZAZ7122) is set up for six oars which is right for the size and does show tholes set up each side on alternative thwarts. Does the plan indicate that there would be corresponding tholes on the starboard side of the hull? This would suggest that she is set up for double banking, but single banking would also work with this layout with tholes on the alternative thwarts. I have left the kit arrangement as is- set up for six oar double banking. 8465(2) I couldn’t resist seeing how two burly fishing boat skippers would fair sitting double banked on the narrowest thwart. 8501 and at midships, with a space of 5’ 9” It seems to work at 1:64 scale, but enough of this playing around. 8484(2) I used the provided Pearwood oars with the char removed, and with a very limited round applied to the shafts. These are delicate pieces, and the handles particularly will break very easily. At this scale there is very little option to model the swelling of the looms without working the shafts using separate 1mm Boxwood square stuff, something I was not prepared to do for the number involved over the three boats. I opted to paint the oars red as a contrast to the bright finish of the boats. 8502(2) 8506(2) The kit also provides very pretty little grapnels. These were silver soldered together before chemical blackening. 8481(2) 8476(2) The completed set: has taken a fair amount of time to complete the boats, but it’s time I don’t begrudge, they are interesting little projects in their own right. 8488(2) Fully convinced that Sphinx looks better without boats onboard. 8499(2) 8495(2) I will now return to Sphinx to attend to the final finishings. B.E. 22/09/2022

Looking great James, would have loved those lodging knees for Sphinx, would have saved me a whole load of cutting out. Ah well. B.E.

Hello Haiko, I’m pleased that you are finding my log of use. The main yard served as an example of my approach to the fitting and stropping of the blocks used on the yards, but there are differences both in the numbers and sizes of blocks used on the Topsail and T’gallant yards, and you go thro’ the log you will see that I have detailed the blocks used by size and type as I attend to each of the other yards. I didn’t use the kit rigging plans, my rigging was based on Steel’s rigging tables, and the excellent Volume IV of The Fully Framed Model, Rigging a sixth rate sloop of 1767- 1780 by David Antscherl. Regards, B.E.

In the days before the internet and MSW, each edition eagerly anticipated.🙂 B.E.

Nice collection Chris, remarkable similarity to my own library, even down to the old Model shipwright editions. Even now I can’t resist adding to the pile and your fishing boat kits have created a whole new category😊 B.E

Looks good James, realistic finish, I like it. 👍 drip tray a nice addition, I recall I had to make one for Sphinx. B.E.

Thanks Guy's, for your supportive comments, much appreciated.👍 I'll be fiddling with Sphinx for a while yet when I get back from the Lakes. Whether to fit the Hammock cranes or not is one thing on my mind as I look out of the window at Hartsop Dodd, thoughts of model making rarely go away completely.🙄 B.E.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been busily trying to complete the Yawl, which is now all but done. Sphinx is now back in her case whilst we decamp to the Lake District for a spot of hill walking. 8315(2) 8327(2) Deciding how I will display the completed model is something occupying my thoughts. B.E. 09/09/2022

She’s looking great Doug, a fine clean job you’re doing. As far as the head tapering is concerned, Allan is correct in that the head did taper from top to bottom, but as far as the kit is concerned such adjustments may affect the other kit designed features, such as fit of a figurehead, and other features around the headworks. In my humble opinion best left alone unless you’re planning a modification early in a kit build, lest the outcome looks not as good as the original. B.E.

Nice result Rusty, a fine model.👍 B.E.

I just love the sweep of your hull timbers up to the the lower counter, and I think you were right to remove the first go at the counter frieze. I too am a fan of Chuck's paper friezes and they look so good on Winnie, I adapted them for Sphinx. Beautiful work Glenn. B.E.

According to Brian Lavery (Arming and Fitting) skid beams were standard by 1750, initially with iron crutches to secure them, but he indicates that their use on Ships of the line became more permanent by the 1780's. His comments regarding frigates which is more relevant to Winchelsea is that; Frigates were rather slower in adopting gangways and boat booms and do not appear to have them until the early 1800s. I think Chuck's approach of spare topmasts to support a ships boat feels more appropriate, and more aesthetically pleasing in relation to 'Winnie' of 1764. B.E.

Post One hundred and Sixty-one. The Launch – completion 8258 Busy, busy, in the workshop, a case of spot the the boat. 8264 With the wash-boards attached a fair bit of cleaning up is required, but overall I am satisfied that the modification was worth it. 8265 The Rudder The final addition; as with the other boats I put the kit arrangement aside in favour of a working rudder using the typical long pintle at the lower end. 8254(2) The long pintle is silver soldered using a fine brass eyebolt and pin. 8255(2) A brass micro tubing sleeve is used to give support where it fits into the lower stern post. 8266 The long pintle is particularly important in relation to the Launch as to work the Davit the rudder would need to be removed quickly and easily. 8260 8262 If the rudder is shown in place, then the Davit is stored in the Stern-sheets. 8270 If the Davit is shown in place, then the Rudder is not fitted, it would be taken onboard. 8274(2) For display purposes I will have the Davit in place as it is a launch specific fitting. 8276(2) With ten days labour I think I’ve had my moneys worth out of the Launch kit, a lot of modifications in one small hull. 8279(2) Two down, one to go. B.E. 29/08/2022

Thank you shipman, for your kind words and support of my logs. I do enjoy doing this stuff as part of the modelling experience, and it's good if others find it of use. Regards, B.E.

Post One hundred and Sixty. The Launch – ongoing Detailing continues; the thwarts are in place along with the Windlass. The lifting rings have been added to the keelson. 8220 Still to add the thwart brackets. Fitting the brackets is an exercise in frustration; they are incredibly tiny items, seemingly smaller than those for either the Pinnace or Yawl. The only saving grace is that brackets are required for only three of the thwarts, which allows a margin for the inevitable escapees. Before I move onto the wash strakes I needed to decide whether to paint the bottom of the launch up to the waterline. 8221 I had intended to leave the whole hull bright across the range, but I quite liked the effect on the Pinnace, so ivory bottom it is. On the kit the hull is painted white overall up to the wale, but I prefer a bright hull between waterline and wale which provides a nice contrast. Wash-strakes These are formed using planking strips allowing for the oarlock spaces. The blurb says add more lengths of planking along the bulwark top for the oar positions. Easy to say, not so easy perhaps to achieve. There is nothing to support these thin strips and they should follow uniformly the curve of the hull. The kit arrangement is a simplification, presumably due to scale. In reality there would be tholes to secure and take the pressure of the oars, and against which the temporary wash boards would be secured. 8224 To try and add a tad more realism to the set up I fitted strips between the frames along the inner hull to support the tholes. Admittedly I am doing this as an exercise to see if I can, and it does extend the build time which means I don’t have to think about another one.🙄 The thole positions are marked and the process can begin. 8234 The wash strakes at the Bow are attended to first, these are heat treated to follow the hull before fitting against the first thole. 8244 With that done the next thole can be fitted with a 1.25mm spacing, and so on. 8241 8250 I will continue to fit the wash boards and hope it all turns out ok. The danger will be when I come to clean it all up, whether these delicate pieces will hold in place. B.E. 27/08/2022

Post One hundred and fifty-nine. The Windlass This is a tricky fitting to make, the actual length of the Windlass is a mere 28.4mm which has to contain both square and octagonal sections. Steel records the Windlass for a 24’ Launch as being of 8”ø which equates to 3.2mm at scale. I will be using 3mm Boxwood Square stock for the makings. How to begin. When in doubt refer to Chuck; Chapter four of his Medway Longboat Monograph explains the process and fortunately I have his wonderful Medway Longboat at ½” scale, and in the plans is a template for making a windlass. 8184(2) Reduced to 1:64 scale it provides a guide that should prove very useful, provided my eyesight is up to the job. I have made windlasses at 1:48 and 1:64 scales previously but that was some years ago. The templates are glued to the faces of the square stock and it’s then down to how well the octagons can be formed. 8186(2) The stock is supported in a simple ‘V’ jig. 8187(2) I use No11 scalpel blades and micro chisels to form the octagons. 8190(2) I use the No11 scalpel blade to form the rebate. 8195(2) The template certainly simplifies shaping the windlass particularly at this scale, as marking with pencil lines is not so easy on this small area. With the template removed a little more definition is given the the octagonal areas, and the ends formed. 8198 Trial fitting of the windlass into the support chocks. 8201 The Main Thwart is checked against the Windlass position. The remaining thwarts can now be made and put into place. A final thought, given that the windlass is an important feature of both Longboats and Launches, I think a resin version of the Windlass would be a good ‘optional’ fitting for the Vanguard Launch kit. B.E. 25/08/2022

Thank you Kevin, not so lovely just yet, a fair bit of fettlin' to go, but I too love these bijou models, hours of fun at a modest cost, and a challenge thrown in. What more could you want.😀 B.E.

Post One hundred and fifty-nine. The Launch – cont’d Fitting the stern sheets The kit provided part includes the stern-sheets and adjacent thwart as one unit. There is no bench on the aft side against the transom. Victory Launch - note the dis-mounted Davit This may be a design feature to allow easier fitting, which it does, but I am aware that the current launch with HMS Victory also has no transom bench. I chose to include a Transom bench between the two side benches, as per the drawings in the AotS books, Pandora and Diana. 8173(2) The individual seating parts were split up and the cut-away shape common in side benches, was formed. The Davit The kit provided Davit is of a simplified form lacking the sheave in the outer end. I also thought it looked a little under weight. The Davit was used to support the handling of anchors I doubled up on the kit pattern to create a sheave in the outer end, this gave an overall width of 2mm. 8177(3) The Davit supports were re-made using 1.5mm square stuff, I also re-made the thwart adjacent to the stern-sheets, onto which the Davit supports are bolted. 8168 The Breasthook is fitted at the bow along with the first thwart. The remainder will be left until the Windlass is fitted. I made the Fore mast clamp on the thwart with black card rather than use the provided etch. 8170(2) This is also an opportune time to add the wales which further strengthen the hull for handling. More work is required cleaning up the inner hull, these macro shot fill me with horror.😬 I prefer scraping with a wetted sharp blade rather than sanding, the thinness of the planking always has to be borne in mind. 8177(2) The mast steps have been fitted and the Main Thwart made. This is wider by an inch than the other thwarts at 10” (4mm) Before moving on, there is a windlass to make, an interesting little exercise. B.E. 24/08/2022

I like the round pedestal table Chris, any thoughts of creating a seated figure to grace it? B.E.

Post One hundred and fifty-eight. Building the Launch This is the heavy work boat of the set. Lacking the elegance of the Pinnace it does have interest to commend it and I’m looking forward to having a go. The kit includes a simplified davit and its supports, but for some reason is lacking the windlass which is the other important feature of Launches, as it was with the Longboat. I compared the kit launch with the drawings in the Pandora book for a 24’ Launch. The book drawing does indicate the windlass and has two less thwarts (including the stern sheet ) compared to the kit version. 8107 The stage after fitting the ribs provides the first opportunity for revision. The kit provides a brass etch version of the keelson and footwaling which I thought was perfect for replacement with a more authentic boarding. The kit also provides brass etch gratings for the stern-sheet and bow areas. Looking at Launch plans and those for Longboats, gratings did not seem to feature on these boats, and it makes sense that the stern-sheet footwaling was solid to form a stable base for the Davit step. 8110 Replacement footwaling, which at least saves me the trouble of trying to turn brass into wood. 8109 The Keelson is a slightly wider and thicker board that runs down the centre of the footwaling to support the mast steps and lifting rings. The number of thwarts in the kit version is eight including the the one adjoining the stern-sheets. 8119 I am using the design for a 24’ launch in the AotS book Pandora. 8120 I will be using six thwarts which allows for a slightly wider main thwart at midships, and provides room for the windlass. 8111 With the stringers in place temporary thwarts are used to get things ship-shape. 8114 Once again my dockyard figures ensure the thwarts sit level and at the correct height, don’t want their feet dangling in mid-air. 8118 I still get a satisfaction seeing tiny feet planted on the footwaling, all down to Chris’s excellent scaling of the boats. Still a fair bit of fettlin’ to do and a Windlass to make. B.E. 22/08/2022

It's certainly not elitist to advance knowledge of our subject. I accept the limitations of kits, they have to appeal to a large range of potential buyers, don’t frighten the novices, or unduly lack credibility with the experienced, whilst maintaining a reasonable cost/benefit ratio of producing the kits. Chris does wonderfully well to authentically represent the majority of the subject detail, but it was the tweakability of Sphinx that appealed to me. I record the modifications and changes I make in my builds partly on the basis that not everyone has access to the very large reference library I have built up over the years, and giving such detail gives options. Of course many people just want to complete a nice looking kit, and that’s just fine. Unlike myself not everyone has or wants a head stuffed full of 18th c trivia such as: Worm and parcel with the lay, turn and serve the other way. Mrs W definitely thinks I’m weird, but she indulges me in what in the overall scheme of things is a minority interest passion. Movin’ on B.E.

Post One Hundred and fifty-seven A place on the skids? Well my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to try the Pinnace onboard Sphinx. This coincidentally is the twelve month stage from starting the build. I’m warming to the look of the Pinnace on the skids and it doesn’t obscure the upper deck detail. 8090 8092 8086 8085 8081 8075 8083(2) 8074(2) 8078(3) 8071(2) 8070(2) 8063(2) Nothing set in stone at this point, but I have decided that having all three boats on the skids would detract rather than enhance the look. For me, Georgian elegance is why so many contemporary 18thc models only show the Pinnace onboard, it is the most graceful and aesthetically pleasing(along with barges) of the boat complement. B.E. 20/08/2022

That’s a sweet looking boat you have there, Allan. I would agree with your thoughts about the relative numbers and locations of the tholes. I think the kit designs have been influenced by the drawings in the AotS book Pandora by John McKay and Ron Coleman. The boat allocation is the same; 28’ Pinnace, 24’ Launch, and 22’ Yawl. Only the Launch is fitted for double banking on all thwarts, the Yawl is also set up for rowing on alternative thwarts. The boat drawings at 1:48 scale in the AotS book The Frigate Diana, by David White, seem to have the set-up correctly done. Had I been moved to replace the gunwales on the Pinnace I would have off-set the thole positions to reflect the single banking common to this boat type. To correct this on the kit one of the Gunwales would need a slight re-working. I say slight without any knowledge of the technical issues/costs involved in changing the kit parts, but the lack of off-setting was the first thing I noticed on the Pinnace. However, I suspect the finer points of single or double banking are lost on many kit builders, and even if recognised, are of less importance than just getting a nicely made boat, tricky enough with these bijou kits. Regards, B.E.

A reasonable assumption Glenn, stowed on deck all the vulnerable equipment would have been removed. Ps I don’t buy for one minute that you would make a mess of it, remember, I follow your logs.😉 B.E.