Blue Ensign

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Post Eleven
Stern mods continued.
Having studied Chuck’s Winchelsea build which is acting as a sort of proxy plan, I can see where I am going.

01429
All the stern frames have now been adjusted including the two outer frames.

01428
My Proxxon scroll saw is my most used machine, would hate to be without it.

01431(2)

04141(2)
Fully modified stern frames in place.

04131
This results in a gap where the kit rear inner bulwark pattern (214/215) is designed to fit over the original layout.
No matter this is easily rectified.

01432
I have also removed the door as I hope to open up the Quarter gallery.
 
A little more cleaning up and the frames can be glued into place.
 
B.E.
12/09/21
 

Wonderful!

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Ten
Starting the stern modification
The first job is to establish where the Rudder head cover will sit.

04410
To this end it is necessary to temporarily fit the stern post and rudder.

04107
A piece of 12mm Walnut square stock is shaped into an octagon.

04111
The piece is then hollowed out to fit over the Rudder head.

04115
By design or accident, the scale cover fits between the central kit stern frames.

04113
This is purely to assess the position.

04118
The cover will not sit this low in the framing.

04116
This will enable me to work out the height and line of the bench which butts to the cover.

04121
Here the shaping of the inner four frames has begun.

04124
Not sure at present whether the two outer frames will require shaping, I am conscious that the aft internal bulwarks are cut to fit above them.

04122
I am taking things slowly as I’m basically making it up as I go along, having no plans to work to. I need to keep looking ahead to see how the mods impact on stages further along the build.
 
That’s enough headache for one day.
 
B.E.
11/09/21
 
 
 

Post Nine
 
Mulling over a Stern modification.
 
With the deck beams now completed I need to consider the first major departure from the kit.

0244(2)
Those longitudinal deck beams slotted into place perfectly, beautifully accurate laser cutting.
 
The stern frames have a direct relationship to the internal fittings of the Great Cabin.

0242(2)
With the kit arrangement the inboard horizontal extensions form what will be the seat pattern extending from the stern lights. (instr114)
I suspect this is a simplification, but one which under normal circumstances would not be of great concern.
However, as I intend to have very little of the Quarter deck planking in place, this simplification becomes an issue.
The bench seat should be narrower, a little lower, and, in the centre, should be the Rudder head cover.

This shot from Chuck’s wonderful Winchelsea build shows a typical arrangement altho’ with Sphinx the head is octagonal and of smaller proportions.

0240(2)
This means that a quite drastic re-shaping of the stern frames is required, removing the sections that form the bench top and front.
It would then look as it would on a plank on frame set-up.

This photo of Chuck’s Winchelsea build demonstrates the change required.
 
There are drawings of the Rudder cover and bench arrangements in the Pandora book, one internal profile at 1:64 scale, and a plan at 1:128 scale.
I will use these as a guide for my modification.
 
The octagonal Rudder Head cover, which scales to a diameter of 30” (12mm) and a height of 35.3” (14mm) sits between the central stern frames and butts against the back edge of the kit upper deck.
 
The bench seat scales to a depth of 15” (6mm) and a height of 20” (8mm)
 
Stage one will be to modify the stern frames, stage two, extend the deck, stage three, create the Rudder head cover, and stage four, form the bench.
 
I also intend to open up the doorways to the Quarter galleries.
I did something similar with the Quarter Badges on Pegasus. With light being able to penetrate thro’ the gallery and stern lights, the appearance is far more natural in my opinion, and gives a view of the Great Cabin with its chequer sailcloth covering, and Rudder head trunk.
 
In the case of Sphinx the cabin area will also be open thro’ the deck beams of the Quarter deck.
 
It is likely to be some time before I actually get the Upper deck in place, and then it will have to be manually planked to match the part planking of the Foc’sle and Quarterdecks.
 
I will record my progress with this modification in the posts to follow.
 
B.E.
10/09/21


 

Post Nine
 
Mulling over a Stern modification.
 
With the deck beams now completed I need to consider the first major departure from the kit.

0244(2)
Those longitudinal deck beams slotted into place perfectly, beautifully accurate laser cutting.
 
The stern frames have a direct relationship to the internal fittings of the Great Cabin.

0242(2)
With the kit arrangement the inboard horizontal extensions form what will be the seat pattern extending from the stern lights. (instr114)
I suspect this is a simplification, but one which under normal circumstances would not be of great concern.
However, as I intend to have very little of the Quarter deck planking in place, this simplification becomes an issue.
The bench seat should be narrower, a little lower, and, in the centre, should be the Rudder head cover.

This shot from Chuck’s wonderful Winchelsea build shows a typical arrangement altho’ with Sphinx the head is octagonal and of smaller proportions.

0240(2)
This means that a quite drastic re-shaping of the stern frames is required, removing the sections that form the bench top and front.
It would then look as it would on a plank on frame set-up.

This photo of Chuck’s Winchelsea build demonstrates the change required.
 
There are drawings of the Rudder cover and bench arrangements in the Pandora book, one internal profile at 1:64 scale, and a plan at 1:128 scale.
I will use these as a guide for my modification.
 
The octagonal Rudder Head cover, which scales to a diameter of 30” (12mm) and a height of 35.3” (14mm) sits between the central stern frames and butts against the back edge of the kit upper deck.
 
The bench seat scales to a depth of 15” (6mm) and a height of 20” (8mm)
 
Stage one will be to modify the stern frames, stage two, extend the deck, stage three, create the Rudder head cover, and stage four, form the bench.
 
I also intend to open up the doorways to the Quarter galleries.
I did something similar with the Quarter Badges on Pegasus. With light being able to penetrate thro’ the gallery and stern lights, the appearance is far more natural in my opinion, and gives a view of the Great Cabin with its chequer sailcloth covering, and Rudder head trunk.
 
In the case of Sphinx the cabin area will also be open thro’ the deck beams of the Quarter deck.
 
It is likely to be some time before I actually get the Upper deck in place, and then it will have to be manually planked to match the part planking of the Foc’sle and Quarterdecks.
 
I will record my progress with this modification in the posts to follow.
 
B.E.
10/09/21


 

Enjoying the creative approach, it will be fun to watch it unfold.