Blue Ensign

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
 
 
 

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
 
 
 

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
 
 
 

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.

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.

Time for another update. 
This was something I was looking forward to doing. Not covering up all that work I'd just done, but to turn a corner and be able to do it all again for the next layer in the Indy cake.
 
Before I did that, I needed to add the scale-sized cannonballs to the shot garlands. These are done with liquid CA and some thin-ended paddle tweezers that won't knock the previous ball glued into place.

 
 
 
And with that, it's onto the beams. As the upper side will have some timber showing through the deck cutouts, these were totally cleaned of char. The whole upper face was cleaned also because they look much better for the instruction photos.

 
 
 
There are two lengths of pillar, depending on whether they sit on a deck or on a grate coaming. 

 
 
 
 
All deck beams were painted red, except for the upper side and all the slots. The beam ID is engraved on each beam and this ties in with the engraved number of the deck beam sill. The beams are now slotted and glued into position. Those beams that are supported are continually test fitted with a pillar before being finally glued. Also important to make sure the pillar doesn't push the beam higher than was intended. A steel rule checks this as I go.



 
 
 
The forward beam for the quarterdeck is not only shaped in profile, but also curved across its length. To create this, the beam is made from laminated pear parts, glued together over a jig. When this is dry, the part is cleaned up and fitted into place, sitting atop two of the bitts.

Yard Tyes, Jeers and Halliards
I have now completed stage 4 of the rigging of the Sphinx now that the foremast topsail and topgallant yards have secured to the masts and the tyes and halliards have been rigged. The next stage of the rigging will be to add all the yard lifts, noting I have already added the mizzen yard lifts but they free ends have not been belayed as yet.
 
After the yard lifts have been added the final phase of the rigging will be to add the sheets, tacks and braces. I am still hoping to complete the rigging phase by the end of this month as I am very keen to start work on the Erycina and Saucy Jack.
 
The first three photos below show the current build state of the Sphinx, which I think is looking quite nice.


 

The next few photos are some close ups of the fore topsail and topgallant yard tyes and halliards.
 

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post 90
Cheerful is completed.
An eighteen month journey has drawn to a conclusion.
It is interesting to note that the original was built and fitted out within a twelve month period.
Tempted as I may be to mast and rig her, display constraints rule this out, but it's not like I don't have fully rigged models on display, Pegasus, and indeed a 1:72 scale cutter amongst others.
I am happy to conclude the build with this configuration in the knowledge that there are many  contemporary models displayed in this style.
 
I really have to compliment Chuck for making this posssible with his wonderful plans, accurate  pre-cut hull parts, mini kits, and excellent instructions.
Cheerful as I bought it is an example of a high end PoB kit with beautiful kit specific fittings, a real pleasure to build.
 
 I must also compliment Jason at Crown Timberyard who supplied the bulk of the Boxwood strip and sheet, presented in a very clean and accurate condition.
 
So here are the completion photo's before I slip the cover over the base. The case  wasn't designed for Cheerful but for Pegasus to serve as protection during the long years before she was masted, but it does ideally fit the bill.

9361(2)

9371

9360(2)

9374(2)
A set of 1:48 scale figures stand to provide a human scale to the model.

9376

9380(2)

9365(2)
To provide an Historical link two copper coins of 1806 sit at the head and stern of Cheerful.

9382

9384

9387

9388

9392(2)

9383

9396

9403
Display position yet to be decided;
 
Finally I must  thank those members who have shown interest in this build and for their supportive comments and 'likes'.
 
Regards,  
 
B.E.
 

And more...
 
Knees(?) now added, as well as a painted brick floor for the stove.
 


 
 
 
And the gun carts now have some colour applied to them, as well as ironwork and wheels. Remember, these won't be fitted with barrels until the model is more or less complete.




 
 
 
Capstan finally done.

 
 
 
As are the hand pumps.


 
 
 
No one wants to walk down stairs without a safety rope around them!

 
 
 
And the stove makes an appearance.

 
 
 
And this is Indy up to date. Back in the shipyard tomorrow  

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