Blue Ensign

Thoughts about Pegasus
This post concludes my build of seven years, and one I have thoroughly enjoyed, as I have enjoyed sharing this journey with my fellow modellers on MSW.
The  beauty of this model is that it is large enough for detail but not so big that it raises any serious display issues. It is also highly decorative and is placed in the period before the Nelson chequer and austerity removed much of the decoration from Georgian ships.
Victory models are the ‘posh’ end of Amati a bit like Lexus and Toyota, and the basic kit produces an attractive model of this pretty bijou Frigate.
Thanks are due to Chris Watton who designed the kit, and to Amati who produced it. Even so, most commercial kit manufacturers make simplifications to extend the appeal to a greater range of modeller ability, and include somewhat out of scale and generic fittings and Amati is no exception.
Much of the enjoyment for me has been in enhancing the kit by use of different materials and fittings and bashing it about a bit with a fair amount of scratch building.
Apart from the basic skeleton and some of the brass etch, very little of the kit provided material and fittings have been used, and I am quick to gloss over the additional costs involved.
Outside sourced materials and fittings.
Boxwood strips and section
http://www.originalmarquetry.co.uk/product_details_335.htm
Rigging blocks and associated attachments
https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/
http://www.model-dockyard.com/
Rigging line.
https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/
http://home.foni.net/~agondesen/left.htm
Guns
http://www.rbmodel.com/index.php?action=products&group=023
Anchors
http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Fitting_Front.htm
lantern
https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/
Dowels- Ramin for lower masts
Various suppliers - check online
Additional brass etch.
http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Fitting_Front.htm
Scratched modifications
Stern Gallery style and decoration.
Great Cabin interior.
Beneath the Foc'sle deck.
Foc'sle rail and belfry.
Quarterdeck rails.
Head works and Cat heads.
Capstans, Gallows, and pumps.
Hatch Coamings
Swivel gun posts.
Masts and yards.
Scratched additions
Galley Stove, Galley Chimney.
Binnacle, Steering stanchions, and Tiller.
Rudder head Cover, Rudder coat.
Clerestory Style Companion top.
Hatch railings, Gang planks, Fish Davit.
Pinnace and Long Boat.
Swinging Booms, Flag staffs and Ensigns.
Reference Works.
For references I primarily used Steel and the Fully Framed book series by David Antscherl, cross referred to Lees, and Marquardt.
Particularly in relation to Masting and Rigging I used Steel to work out the dimensions and line sizes.
http://www.hnsa.org/resources/manuals-documents/age-of-sail/the-elements-and-practice-of-rigging-and-seamanship/
 I am quite pleased with the end result of my build and there are only a  couple of things I would have done differently were I starting now.
1) I would have reduced the width of the first(Bridle) port to make it narrower than a standard gun port.
2) I would have included the bands of top and butt deck planking on the upper deck.
 I would also hope to improve the finish in some of the areas where my knowledge exceeds my skill to carry it out.

I will finally post some completion photo's in the next few days. 
 Thank you all for following along.
 Blue Ensign
8th April 2017.

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

Proxxon Micro MBS 240/E Band Saw Review
 
Since I posted my new toy on my build log it has been suggested I write a review of this Band saw.
This is really first impressions by a novice user.
 
It may be of interest to those in the UK that the machine was purchased not from Chronos the UK Proxxon dealer, but from TBS- Aachen in Germany. Delivery was very quick, I was able to pay by Paypal, and there was a saving of £52.72 over the Chronos price, including a modest postage charge.
 
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Proxxon/table_top_tools/bandsaw/Proxxon_27172_MICRO_bandsaw_MBS_240/E_i2486_42358.htm
 
A few general shots

 

 

Note the push stick hanging on the side of the machine, this is included.
 

 
First impressions.
This is the largest of the Proxxon tools I have, measuring  19½" high x 15½" deep x 11" wide. (including the motor on the side, and the table) It sits on a base of mdf 1” thick, 9¼" wide x 12¼" deep. The machine feels sturdy, it is quite stable, but portable, and I can pick it up one handed.
As can be seen below it sits comfortably on my desk.


The machine arrived with a standard blade already fitted, and all that was necessary to set it up was to attach the table and get familiar with the operations.
I found it useful to photocopy the exploded views in the manual so easy reference could be made to the parts etc; when reading the text.
 
Changing blades is fairly straightforward but as a complete novice with band saws it would have been comforting to have some sort of tensioning gauge when fitting blades rather than the narrative dire warning:- putting too much tension on the blade can tear apart and damage the device.
How much tension is too much tension, should there be any lateral play in the blade at all or should it feel rigid when pressed from the long side. It seemed to me that there is a range of tensions where I can’t detect differences in performance, but which is the optimum one.
Tensioning is done by degrees using the knob on top of the machine, best done with the cover off where the blade can be felt. I worked on the basis of when there was minimal play in the blade on the long side and the motor ran quietly, it was about right.
Access to the internals is via four Allan bolts to remove the cover which remains attached to the machine via a chain. A hinged door system would have made for quicker adjustments/cleaning.

 

 

The lower running wheel with the drive pulley attached. The wheels have a plastic cover around them over which the saw blade runs. In the photo you can see a brush which clears away bits of plastic scuffed off the wheel. These are replaceable items and I have noticed that the rate of wear changes depending on the tension, but again as a novice user it is difficult to know what is normal for this machine.
 

The machine has quite an efficient dust clearing system using the vacuum cleaner hose attachment.
 
Using the machine.
My initial use was limited to practising curved cuts on scrap wood which it easily accommodated. I progressed to cutting out the keel and false keel for my attempt at a 1:64 scale Pinnace.
 

This is fairly fine stuff using 1.5mm boxwood sheet, and it (or perhaps me) struggled a little with the internal curves given the scale.
I rather think a scroll saw would be more suited to the job, and certainly for the boat frames which are quite small.
Even so this is a very useful addition to the workshop and apart from cutting more complex shapes it will replace my table saw for many jobs also.
 
Here’s the official video of the machine.

Any member who has perhaps more experience in using this particular machine please feel free to comment.
 
B.E.
 
 
 

Love the lighting in that last photo Peter. 👍
 
If space is going to be a serious problem, you could always display her with  lower masts and standing rigging only and without yards. It is an option I had to take with my Victory build due to the space  issue.

 
Regards,
 
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.
 

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.
 

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.

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

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.
 

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.

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.
 

It has been about two and a half weeks of very focused and intensive paint work.  The starboard, forward bulwark is fully painted, and I have the base colors down for the port side.  Here is an illustration of the effect that the walnut ink has in muting the intensity of the base colors:


 
These pictures give a sense of the difference, but the effect is more clearly apparent, in person.  The brown of the walnut ink lends just enough of a green cast to the lighter, cerulean blue to better approximate a period French blue.  It also has the effect of transforming the darker cobalt to more of an ultra-marine shade.
 
The following closeup gives a good sense for the interplay between the darker old gold and the brighter gold used to highlight all of the larger ornaments:

 
It is also more apparent in that picture, the way the ink gets into the moulded depressions of the yellow ocher trim; they dinge-down just enough to have credible depth.
 
While it may or may not have been a feature of actual practice, in the 1680s, I have made an artistic decision to incorporate silver leaf into areas of the ornamental program where it adds emphasis and clarity to the carved works.  Here, I’ve decided to highlight the under reliefs of the acanthus branches:

 
I am pleased with the dolphins, and even used silver to pick-out the eye relief.  One thing to note, this is the one dolphin hancing piece where the hancing moulding is located properly beneath it; on the aft bulwarks, owing to the layout of the sheer steps and the timberhead railings, that is not the case.  I included the mouldings there, anyway, because they added more than they detracted from the overall design.
 
Well, after very much retouching, this is the highest quality brushwork I can produce.  I will methodically continue along this path, right up to the show in October.  At the least, I am hoping to have one full broadside installed.  We’ll see.  It is a very busy summer, and the days and weeks are just ripping by!
 
Today, I am giving myself a little break from painting, and am making the hanging knees that are just visible beneath the break of the quarter deck.
 
Thank you all for looking in!

To say that my self-imposed deadline has lit a fire under me would be an understatement!  It has been a week, now, and I’ve been painting in the day AND in the evenings.
 
At this stage, all of the primary colors are down and I am ready to spray the ink wash before the gilding of the ornaments.  It is all extremely vivid, right now, but these pics will give a sense of how the frieze will come to life on the aft bulwark pieces:
 

 
Yellow ocher, I think, is a good unifier of these three colors as they all seem to play nicely with the yellow.
 
Figuring out exactly how I wanted to highlight the timberheads took a minute, and execution of the painting took many more minutes!
 

 
I wanted to draw attention to the fore and sprit sheet block entry, so I painted it black.  It seemed unlikely that the sheaves, at this time, would be cast bronze, so I painted them a dark wood brown.
 
Merely by padding the thickness of the sheer railing by 1/32”, I have created a much more realistic sense of scale for this detail:
 

 

 
So, I will finish up the wash and ornamental paint for this piece at home.  Incidentally, the dolphin hances will get the same aqua treatment as the figurehead, and this will be a consistent theme that runs through the ship, all the way to the dolphin on the rudderhead.
 
Tonight, I’ll airbrush the red base-coat for the port side bulwark piece, and the whole process will begin again!  Despite my urgency, this is the standard that I will doggedly maintain.
 
Thank you for the likes, comments and for looking in.

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.
 

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.