Blue Ensign

If you click on the gallery pictures across the top of the page to enlarge it, you won't have the scroll function. You need to click on the build title at the top left of the photo; this brings up all the photo's in the set, enlarge the first one and the scroll arrows will appear. B.E.

WoW it’s like Pegasus on steroids, 11½ feet longer and 3¼ feet wider at full scale. Come on Chantelle. 😉 B.E.

Sounds like a bargain to me, not only do you get the Boxwood version, but the boring stuff has already been completed to a good standard. Hope you get a result. B.E.

Well done Chantelle, quite a mammoth task I would imagine.👏🏻 I hope you are now fully recovered from your leg break and are firing on all four. I look forward to receiving the fruits of your labours in the very near future. Thank you, B.E.

Thanks guys for your support, I do hope I live up to our joint expectations. 🙄 @ WestPort – Thank you, glad my Pegasus build has been of use. @ Greg - I will be using your build of Pegasus as an invaluable reference work for my deck plan layout. @ Neill – matrimonial harmony - Good thinking, assists a build no end. 😄 @ Mark – I’m looking forward to enhancing the exposed deck beams with carlings, ledges, and knees etc; B.E.

HMS Sphinx 1775 Sixth Rate 20 guns ship - 1:64 Scale model from Vanguard. This will be my latest project, a project the size and type of which, only a short while ago, I thought I would not be doing again. I hadn’t counted on Chris Watton’s ability to beguile me in this late stage of my model building career to return to another 18th century square rigged naval ship. However, as Jim’s prototype build developed, I thought what a fine Navy board style model this would make given the detail included in the kit, and importantly proper deck beams, and full run decks unimpeded by hull carcase bulkhead structures. The inclusion of an engraved proper lower deck with hatches and ladderways down to an orlop deck, is a nice touch and opens further opportunities. I will be building this kit as a Navy board style model without masts or rigging, and that way space considerations will not be a big issue. Joseph Marshall paintings of Sphynx / Sphinx held by the Science Museum. (They are available for purchase as prints.) These two perspective paintings by Joseph Marshall commissioned by George 111 will be my inspiration, as was his painting of the cutter Alert for that build. Altho’ delivery is still a week or so away, I am gathering information, and I have some jottings about possible additions/modifications, but I won’t pre-empt the arrival of the kit. I have also ordered the Lines and Profile plan from the N.M.M. (Ref j4272) Apart from providing additional information, these make very attractive art works to my eye at least, and the framed print will join those of Pegasus and Cheerful on my walls. I have also realised that my copy of The 24-Gun Frigate Pandora (AotS series – by John McKay and Ron Coleman) has much useful information relevant to Sphinx. So, as I continue finger tapping on my desk, in eager anticipation of that large box arriving, I will entertain myself poring over the pdf of the voluminous build manual. B.E. 11/08/2021

That's the way to approach a build 👍 B.E.

I replaced the provided (2mm) balls on the Alert kit with 1.5mm diameter ball bearings (natural iron) but it did mean that I had to re-do the shot garlands. 1.5mm balls will be a much better scale fit, with presumably garlands cut to fit, you're leaving me very little to do Chris 😃 B.E.

As I recall, the Margin planks didn’t cause much difficulty. I cut them out in one single strip on the jigsaw having used the deck edge to give me the profile. The margin planks can be put down once the inner planking has been completed. If you do it before, extra width will need to be allowed for the thickness of the internal planks. I marked and cut the joggles into the margin using a scalpel point and micro chisels. B.E.

Looks good to my eye, 👍and as the build progresses and deck fittings are added the butt shift becomes less apparent. I used 4.5mm wide Boxwood strips for the deck planking which is what I had to hand at the time. (Post15) I would otherwise have gone with 3.4mm strips equating to planks of 8.5 inch widths. Regards, B.E.

I'm looking forward to it Tim, I will have some reference guides to the style I am intending, Chuck's Winnie build, and Greg Herberts Pegasus build as detailed in Vol 111 of the FFM. B.E.

I have written only recently that the era of building large 18th century square rigged warships was over for me, feeling perhaps 75 was too old to start such a project, coupled with where to put it issues. However, despite my best resolve I have once again fallen victim to the siren song of Chris’s latest offering. I spent yesterday evening looking at the eye candy photo’s provided by Chris’s fellow conspirator, James, looking for reasons not to wing £665 across to the Forest of Dean. All to no avail, even Mrs W said stop messing about and press the button. So, Sphinx will be my next project, but there will be compromises; I will build her as a Navy Board Style model without masting and rigging, and with much of the decking left off to reveal the wealth of detail provided by Chris. At least with this model, Chris has thoughtfully designed all the below decks detail so I won’t have to gut the innards as I did with Pegasus. In the meantime, back to figure bashing for the barge. B.E.

Thank you Guys, I've now created such books for my last eight builds, it's fairly straightforward to do with the build photo's already on file, they're really an abridged build log from MSW. 🙂 B.E.

That's great news for Chris, providing a much welcome return on his outlay in producing this rather wonderful kit. 👍 B.E.

Postscript Today my latest pictorial build record arrived from the printers covering my Royal Barge build. A few sample pages. 3266(3) 3264(3) 3263(3) 3262(3) 3265(2) I find compiling a record such as this a nice way to wind down from a build before the next one is started. Still undecided about a next main project I am going to continue adding Watermen to the model, a chance to improve my figure conversion skills. My idea is to add a maximum of five oarsmen to the boat if things go well. Cheers, B.E. 05/08/2021

She does have a nice look about her Tim, and incidentally I quite like the look of a model completed with just lower masts and rigging in place, convenient where space is an issue. Congratulations on your forthcoming all important 'project'. 🥂 Later this month it will be 50 years and many models completed in my case, I do hope your wife to be is sympatico with your modelling interests, as mine has been over all these years. 🙂 B.E.

Cutters make fine looking models, and I think you will enjoy the experience of building this kit. Chris has done a great job in simplifying those areas that may present difficulties for those new to kit building, but the main challenge remains the hull planking; take your time with that and make as good a job as you can with the first layer planking as a rehearsal for the top layer. Regards, B.E.

I’ve grown to like Chris’s clear stands, used them on all three of my Vanguard models. They are stylish and don’t detract from the model. I’ve never favoured the pedestals thro’ the keel approach, preferring keel blocks, but that’s just my preference. B.E.

Thank you John for your generous words, glad you liked the Pegasus log, she was a long time in the making, seven years on the stocks, but she remains one of my favourites. 🙂 B.E.

I like the way she's coming together Jean-Paul, very smart, and those wales look excellent. Your below deck cabins will look great with subtle lighting showing thro' the skylight, I look forward to seeing that in the future. B.E.

Thank you, Hubac, Jason, and Mike, much appreciated. 👍 B.E.

Thank you Guys for your generous comments, and a special thanks to Chuck for making all this possible. As for what's next, I have completed six models over the past two years of various scales and types, so I'll wait awhile before I decide. In the meantime I do have Chuck's little Double Capstan kit on the shelf, and I've thought that it may make a nice little addition to the case of my Pegasus model. 🙂 Regards, B.E.

Post Forty-eight Completion I decided I would keep the display simple using the keel support stands supplied in the kit. 2972(2) These were glued to a strip of ⅛” Castello Boxwood 3” x 24” left over from my Cheerful Build. 2973(2) This was dyed Jacobean Dark Oak. I normally baulk at dyeing Boxwood but the piece was handy and in its natural colour was too pale for the scheme. 3009(2) For space saving I have gone with the oar racks arrangement and the whole model fits in a space of 5½” wide by 24” long by 10” high. Not sure whether I will get an acrylic cover to fit over the model at this stage as it is relatively easy to dust. 3007 2975 2983(2) I have re-visited the Oarsman and adjusted his dress. 3012 I recall that Jason (Beef Wellington) suggested:- Think if you can get a little more 'flounce' to the bottom of the jacket to differentiate from the breeches they'll look great. I took his advice and I think the figure does indeed look better. It was also necessary to tweak the arm/hands position to accommodate the loom of the oar. 3014(2) 3030(2) 3020 3021 Not sure I can face the making of another nine oarsmen, but I think I will keep the one with the display. 3003(2) 2995(2) 2998(2) As always there are areas I feel I could have done better but overall I am pleased with the result and have something very nice to add to my collection. Thoughts about the kit This Royal Barge offering from Syren is a very fine thing indeed. An interesting and rather unique subject at a scale that allows for clear detail. This is a kit with many pre spiled laser cut parts, but it doesn’t feel like a kit, and any thoughts of a simple assembly job should be dismissed. Chuck has produced a design that allows the modeller to experience a futtock and frame assembly and offers an introduction to carving decoration. Great care and thought is required throughout and the end result is a model that clearly echoes the splendid admiralty style models displayed partly in-frame. I have thoroughly enjoyed this build and the challenges presented, and have no hesitation in commending this kit to the membership. Thank you, Chuck, for five months of concentration, joy, and a little frustration. B.E 26/07/21

Thank you, Bob, Grant, Glenn, and Derek, your continued support is much appreciated, as are those who visit and 'like' @ Derek, the beauty of Modelspan flags is that you can print off as many as you like and tweak them to size. If you mess one up there's always another. 🙂 B.E.

Just read thro' your log Eric, and what a journey you have been on, and what an excellent result. The model has great presence and I love the natural finish you have achieved. The display is spot on and the figures are a great addition to the overall effect. Love the bow shot with your first figure onboard. Very well done👍 B.E.