Blue Ensign

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post Sixty-nine
 
Stern Facia and Upper Counter
Major items of photo etch come into use next, the Window frames and decorative columns of the stern and Quarter Galleries.
These require priming and painting, but before that they were given a good scrub with washing up liquid using an old electric toothbrush head.
 
The painting will take place with the parts still attached to the fret, both for ease of handling and security.
For priming I am using VMS Metal prep4k. This dries clear on the surface which is a bonus as I am using light colours.
 
I considered whether to paint the window frames white as per the kit or a shade of Yellow ochre.
Most contemporary models don’t show white window frames, and I think they may be a little stark for the effect I’m after.
An ochrery shade it will be.

2417(2)
The frames are painted with Vallejo Ochre Brown (127)
It was also used on the other decorations highlighted with Yellow Ochre(121)
 
The stern of Sphinx is highly decorated both in kit and contemporary painting.
Artistic license no doubt, not reflected on the actual ship, but as I’m giving a nod to those 18th century models, I am happy to include it, but gold paint will not feature on the palette.

2416
The acetate windows (or lights) are fettled to fit without removing the protective cover, and are then fixed into place.
Gluing in clear acetate  always  makes me nervous. I wear surgical gloves and use plastic tweezers for handling.
I ensure there is a snug fit of the panes into the recess and use spots of Vallejo Matt Acrylic varnish applied with the point of a toothpick.

2432
Even so the window ‘glass’ always seem to to have a degree of smearing, which I remove using  a moistened electronics wipe folded over a rounded stick
 
The window frames follow; these really are finely crafted with beautifully scaled window bars.
Careful handling is required once removed from the fret, any trace of the fret nubs is filed away, and I don’t handle the pieces with bare hands.

2438(2)
Again tiny spots of Vallejo varnish are applied to the frame edges only and the piece is pressed into place.

2443
I hope it is sufficient to hold, and I suspect Capt. Grim is thinking the same.

2458
Finally in this section the stern column panel is secured in place.
I found this quite tricky to do getting all the columns in the right position before the ca sets.

2455(2)
Checking out the fit of the resin Tafferel, I will have more thought on this in my next post.
 
I have reduced the use of red on the stern. The Cove was traditionally painted red on the sterns of British ships but I painted the secondary arches containing the stylised Eagles with a blue ground as per the Marshall painting.
I’m quite pleased and relieved that the blue paint tones in nicely with the ground of the printed stern decoration.
 
Work on the stern continues.
 
B.E.
24/01/22
 

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Thank you, Daniel, hope things are good with you.
 
I have not seen any contemporary information regarding the lead of the pendant and I don’t know whether the knot is a modern convention simply to secure the line, or if a further line was eye spliced to the knot, and set up with a tackle.
 
The arrangement on that wonderful Victory model would seem to fulfil most model making requirements.
 
Harland (Seamanship in the age of Sail) covers various mishaps to wheel and rudder and courses of action to counter them. He mentions the pendants in relation to the loss of the rudder head and use for steering. He shows a tackle secured to a beam athwartships, and a jury rig to the wheel on a Frigate.
 
Re: the leather tubes for the lid lanyards; I did the same as you for the stern ports, but for broadside ports, I am thinking of using the sleeves from telephone wire – if I can remember where I have put my supply.🤔
 
Regards,
 
B.E.

Post One Hundred and fifty
 
Completing the ports
The two  enclosed Qtr deck ports remained to be done.
Usual top hinged lids into the Great cabin, and a pair of side opening doors into the Coach and Bed space.

3660
I thought I had done with queries about ports, but I’m not entirely convinced why side opening doors are shown in the position they are, constrained by Mizen chains which only allow  them to open half way.
 
They are a feature usually found in positions above the channels, or at the foremost bow port, where space is restricted.

2231
This shot onboard Victory taken when I blagged my way onto the Poop deck shows similar doors in place.
 
The photo also has other interesting features. Note the tube thro’ which the port lid lanyard goes inboard, and that the port only has one lanyard presumably due it being of lightweight construction over a Qtr deck cabin.
 
The final interesting feature for detail fans is the knot secured on the Mizen channel.
 
This is the reason at the time I wanted to look over the Poop.
The knot secures the Rudder pendant which attaches to the chains and is used to control the rudder should the tiller lines be shot away.
 
Back to INDY..
Notwithstanding the above, the side doors do make a nice feature and provide additional interest to the build, more so if displayed closed.

1901a
I used a normal port lid as it makes more sense to me.
 
Stern Ports
There are two stern ports engraved on the lower counter, the plans show use of provided hinges (PE47) over the patterns, but I didn’t seem to have sufficient to do this, but the Laser board Syren straps filled in nicely.

3794
This is not a very prominent area of the model but that is no reason not to enhance it.
3796
Addition of double lift rings and lanyards complete the effect.

3800
The trickiest part is securing the lanyards thro’ the lifting rings using a false splice.

3799
Getting the needle thro’ the 0.3mm line is a severe test of my aging eyesight.
 

1900a
Still lot to do on this build.
 
B.E.
26/02/2024
 

Thank you Ron, and Allan for your input.

3787
Chris has done a great job on designing and producing the  strops/chain link combinations to allow the fitting of these with the minimum of fuss, and with an excellent result.

3789
The trade-off is that the middle link chains of necessity have a tiny gap that is necessary for linking the strops to the lower chains and is a simplification much appreciated.
 
The middle links should retain that elongated oval shape and personally I don’t think they are improved by either turning them into effectively an iron strap with eyes either end, or  trying to squeeze  the gap together that risks deforming that perfect oval shape.
 
David Antcherl does indeed cover the making of chains from scratch very well, but in this case, and at this scale, even my inner pedant recognises that rejigging the chains is simply not worth the effort of messing with Chris’s excellent set-up.
 
 
B.E.
 

Post One Hundred and fifty
 
Completing the ports
The two  enclosed Qtr deck ports remained to be done.
Usual top hinged lids into the Great cabin, and a pair of side opening doors into the Coach and Bed space.

3660
I thought I had done with queries about ports, but I’m not entirely convinced why side opening doors are shown in the position they are, constrained by Mizen chains which only allow  them to open half way.
 
They are a feature usually found in positions above the channels, or at the foremost bow port, where space is restricted.

2231
This shot onboard Victory taken when I blagged my way onto the Poop deck shows similar doors in place.
 
The photo also has other interesting features. Note the tube thro’ which the port lid lanyard goes inboard, and that the port only has one lanyard presumably due it being of lightweight construction over a Qtr deck cabin.
 
The final interesting feature for detail fans is the knot secured on the Mizen channel.
 
This is the reason at the time I wanted to look over the Poop.
The knot secures the Rudder pendant which attaches to the chains and is used to control the rudder should the tiller lines be shot away.
 
Back to INDY..
Notwithstanding the above, the side doors do make a nice feature and provide additional interest to the build, more so if displayed closed.

1901a
I used a normal port lid as it makes more sense to me.
 
Stern Ports
There are two stern ports engraved on the lower counter, the plans show use of provided hinges (PE47) over the patterns, but I didn’t seem to have sufficient to do this, but the Laser board Syren straps filled in nicely.

3794
This is not a very prominent area of the model but that is no reason not to enhance it.
3796
Addition of double lift rings and lanyards complete the effect.

3800
The trickiest part is securing the lanyards thro’ the lifting rings using a false splice.

3799
Getting the needle thro’ the 0.3mm line is a severe test of my aging eyesight.
 

1900a
Still lot to do on this build.
 
B.E.
26/02/2024
 

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty-one
 
All things brass
A few days taken up with the fitting of deck eyebolts, stanchions, and hammock cranes.
3810
These items are beautifully crafted by Chris particularly the waist cranes with integral retaining hooks and eyes.
 
Cranes also line the Qtr deck bulwark and are placed atop the Qtr deck breast rail.
Before removal from the fret I clean with fine steel wool which aids the subsequent blackening process.

3813
Once removed the Qtr deck cranes needed careful cleaning up to remove all traces of the fret nubs and are then trial fitted to reduce handling later.
They are given an acid bath, followed by the blackening procedure.

3818

3819

3814
I use 0.5mm ø brass tubing to maintain the line whilst progressively fitting the waist cranes.

3815

3816

3817

3823
I did notice that cranes or stanchions are not provided for the Fo’csle rails between the timberheads. 
Should there be, I don’t know. 🤔
Victory was equipped with cranes, and the Sphinx model has stanchions around the Fo’csle.

The contemporary model of Amazon (32) 1773 had stanchions around the Fo’csle between the timberheads.
 
I am inclined to think that 'Indy' may have had them for safety on the exposed Foc’sle, particularly as we know these razees were prone greater rolling.
 
I’ll have a ferret thro’ my spares box and see how they look.
 
 
B.E.
29/02/2024

Post One Hundred and fifty
 
Completing the ports
The two  enclosed Qtr deck ports remained to be done.
Usual top hinged lids into the Great cabin, and a pair of side opening doors into the Coach and Bed space.

3660
I thought I had done with queries about ports, but I’m not entirely convinced why side opening doors are shown in the position they are, constrained by Mizen chains which only allow  them to open half way.
 
They are a feature usually found in positions above the channels, or at the foremost bow port, where space is restricted.

2231
This shot onboard Victory taken when I blagged my way onto the Poop deck shows similar doors in place.
 
The photo also has other interesting features. Note the tube thro’ which the port lid lanyard goes inboard, and that the port only has one lanyard presumably due it being of lightweight construction over a Qtr deck cabin.
 
The final interesting feature for detail fans is the knot secured on the Mizen channel.
 
This is the reason at the time I wanted to look over the Poop.
The knot secures the Rudder pendant which attaches to the chains and is used to control the rudder should the tiller lines be shot away.
 
Back to INDY..
Notwithstanding the above, the side doors do make a nice feature and provide additional interest to the build, more so if displayed closed.

1901a
I used a normal port lid as it makes more sense to me.
 
Stern Ports
There are two stern ports engraved on the lower counter, the plans show use of provided hinges (PE47) over the patterns, but I didn’t seem to have sufficient to do this, but the Laser board Syren straps filled in nicely.

3794
This is not a very prominent area of the model but that is no reason not to enhance it.
3796
Addition of double lift rings and lanyards complete the effect.

3800
The trickiest part is securing the lanyards thro’ the lifting rings using a false splice.

3799
Getting the needle thro’ the 0.3mm line is a severe test of my aging eyesight.
 

1900a
Still lot to do on this build.
 
B.E.
26/02/2024
 

Thank you, Daniel, hope things are good with you.
 
I have not seen any contemporary information regarding the lead of the pendant and I don’t know whether the knot is a modern convention simply to secure the line, or if a further line was eye spliced to the knot, and set up with a tackle.
 
The arrangement on that wonderful Victory model would seem to fulfil most model making requirements.
 
Harland (Seamanship in the age of Sail) covers various mishaps to wheel and rudder and courses of action to counter them. He mentions the pendants in relation to the loss of the rudder head and use for steering. He shows a tackle secured to a beam athwartships, and a jury rig to the wheel on a Frigate.
 
Re: the leather tubes for the lid lanyards; I did the same as you for the stern ports, but for broadside ports, I am thinking of using the sleeves from telephone wire – if I can remember where I have put my supply.🤔
 
Regards,
 
B.E.

Post One Hundred and fifty
 
Completing the ports
The two  enclosed Qtr deck ports remained to be done.
Usual top hinged lids into the Great cabin, and a pair of side opening doors into the Coach and Bed space.

3660
I thought I had done with queries about ports, but I’m not entirely convinced why side opening doors are shown in the position they are, constrained by Mizen chains which only allow  them to open half way.
 
They are a feature usually found in positions above the channels, or at the foremost bow port, where space is restricted.

2231
This shot onboard Victory taken when I blagged my way onto the Poop deck shows similar doors in place.
 
The photo also has other interesting features. Note the tube thro’ which the port lid lanyard goes inboard, and that the port only has one lanyard presumably due it being of lightweight construction over a Qtr deck cabin.
 
The final interesting feature for detail fans is the knot secured on the Mizen channel.
 
This is the reason at the time I wanted to look over the Poop.
The knot secures the Rudder pendant which attaches to the chains and is used to control the rudder should the tiller lines be shot away.
 
Back to INDY..
Notwithstanding the above, the side doors do make a nice feature and provide additional interest to the build, more so if displayed closed.

1901a
I used a normal port lid as it makes more sense to me.
 
Stern Ports
There are two stern ports engraved on the lower counter, the plans show use of provided hinges (PE47) over the patterns, but I didn’t seem to have sufficient to do this, but the Laser board Syren straps filled in nicely.

3794
This is not a very prominent area of the model but that is no reason not to enhance it.
3796
Addition of double lift rings and lanyards complete the effect.

3800
The trickiest part is securing the lanyards thro’ the lifting rings using a false splice.

3799
Getting the needle thro’ the 0.3mm line is a severe test of my aging eyesight.
 

1900a
Still lot to do on this build.
 
B.E.
26/02/2024