markjay

Is that HMS Bristol taking shape?

Just messin'

OK, I have just finished what I need to regarding building up the new Speedy hull.
 
These pics will show what has changed. The old Speedy required planking all the way to the top of the bulwarks, also the inner bulwarks. 
 
The new version is completely pre cut from the main wale up, with spirketting added for the inner bulwarks, plus engraved planking and treenail detail for all surfaces. All channels, inner bulwark belaying racks and cleats now slot and glue into place, in pre cut slots, saving the need for pinning and gluing.
 
Please bear in mind that the model shown has no real finishing, no varnish etc. It was used just to add new pictures to the revised manual.
 
I will now spend the rest of the week updating the manual, ready to send to printers, and next week, start cutting the new sheets, so I hope to have this re released in around 2 weeks.

I am spoilt for choice for my next project.

Am working on Speedy V2023 right now, almost completed the overhaul.
 
What started as a simple 'Careening' for this 'slight' redesign has somehow turned into  a 'Middling-Large Repair'
 
Here are the 4 x 1mm laser cut sheets (old kit had half a sheet in total). I just need to do a final check of these parts..
 
(Still waiting for the photo etched sheets to come from Italy for Trial Cutter)
 
ETA, as the Speedy model will be only half built, to replace build pics in the new manual, the second planking is Tanganyika - I prefer this as it only took me 6 hours to plank the hull 

Did the port upper area today

Prebent  planks for the stern
Inch by inch, row by row, so does my Indy grow...
 
did a bit of sanding to even things out
Managed to weather the stern turn pretty well

 
 

This first stage of construction is where Vanguard’s better design just comes into its own. The process for building the ‘skeleton’ of her hull is just so clever and well thought out, avoiding the alignment and warping risks I read about so often with kits from other manufacturers. 
 
Firstly, the bulkheads are slotted onto the false keel, but not glued. Then another piece is slotted on each side of the keel, locking down the bulkheads. As soon as this is done, the structure starts to strengthen. 
MDF tabs are then pushed through holes in all three keel pieces ensuring that these, and the bulkheads are absolutely aligned. 
 
Then the sub-deck is fitted and also held in place with tabs. Further strengthening the structure.  
Then the aft bulkhead is built up, ready to be faired. 
I need to shape this next, but the glue needs to set overnight.
 
Once that is done I’ll add it to the hull with additional longitudinal bracing parts. Once those are in the structure will be rock solid, completely aligned and ready for glue. 

 
 

Sounds very sensible to me Chris.  You have to have a strategic plan for your business to succeed long term.
 
As long as Surprise still goes ahead at the appropriate time, because it will be a winner, I'm certain!  Many of us on MSW will have our own personal wishes and wants from you, so I will confess mine - that you will produce some crew figures for Surprise, not just the main characters.  
 
But above all, I believe we all would be happy to put our personal wishes to one side and support you to the full in ensuring that VM goes from strength to strength.
 
Nipper

Just thought I'd do a little update on my future plans, as they have changed somewhat.
 
Right now, I am working on the 2023 version of Speedy, which will have a few changes from the original kit. This was brought about due to the lack of copper for photo etched copper plating and, at the time of developing Speedy, it was designed for limewood, and not pear. I have re done the photo etched sheets and these new versions are already here with me, ready to go into the revised kits once ready. The new version will have a lot more laser cut pear than the original. I am hoping to have this all done within the next 4-6 weeks.
 
After this, and after very long deliberations, I decided to hold off on Surprise for two reasons. the first is that I would rather wait until copper for PE becomes available again, so I do not want to develop any ship that had copper plating from launch right now. The second reason is that it would be another frigate, so soon after Indy.
 
So, looking at my 'Future Developments' folder, I came across one folder that contained the start of the designs I started in 2019. I even have the 3-d print files for figurehead and stern, which are all paid for. This was meant to be my second kit after Alert - before I realised the material quantities needed for such a kit, and at the time, would have been economic suicide for me. Now, however, it makes sense that it could be my 15th kit, introducing a 2-decker into the range. This 15th kit will be HMS Bristol, a 50 gun 2 decker.  I will continue this project as soon as I have completed the Speedy re designs.

Nice to see a more unusual subject as a kit, Chris!

Thank you!
I quite like doing this one, more of a challenge than a standard hull.
 
Forgot to mention, the drop keels can be displayed down or housed in the hull.

Apart from the buckled MDF part, I also banged the back side bulwarks and split one as you did.
 
Annoying (especially in this heat!) but nothing major. 

Sorry to hear of the accident.   I find that it seems to be rite that there's at least one "oops" moment for every build.  Luckily, as in your case, the damage was fixable.

Minor update but a massive milestone. 
 
Indy's masts are now complete except for a few small details like eyelets. Of course, I'll need to use some ochre and black paint on these before fitting to the hull. Eyeing up the alignment shows that NOTHING needs to be adjusted whatsoever, which pleases me totally! Even the bowsprit slots neatly into the bow and locks into the support post on the deck below. 
 
These masts are LARGE, well, certainly to me as I've never brought a model this size towards completion. After Grecian, this seems gigantic. 
 
Anyway, here are the pics.
 
Oh, I'll need a larger white area when it comes to the finals, as you can see here.
 

Thank you, Nils, and Kevin, and for the ‘likes’.
 
Post Thirty- six
The Black Strake
My plan is to fit the wales, followed by a drop plank, followed by the Garboard plank, followed by lining off and planking the remainder of the hull.
If only it was as simple as those few words.
 
The first task is to fit the Black strake which will fix the line of the wales.
For this I am using 0.8mm x 4mm Pear.

1061
The kit indicates use of 1mm pear, but I used 0.8mm as I think it better reflects the subtle difference in thickness between the wales and topside planking.

1059
I used Vallejo black to colour the strake before fitting but may tone it down using Black/grey, depending on the overall effect.

1056
Masking tape was used to mark the upper line, and Ca was used to apply the strakes.

1048
Onto the wales and a somewhat trickier operation.
 
B.E.
07/06/2023
 
 

What's the hurry, Brian?🤯

And so it begins.  Having arrived back to an empty dry dock in Durham, NC, it was time to fill the vacuum and put the shop to work.  I will do some research and try to add some helpful or informative content to this topic as time permits.  I will say that the kit arrived in a timely fashion, in perfect shape, well packaged and prepared for the builder.  It is a big box, and the parts all look to be of high quality.  The manual is spectacular in detail, and the pieces fit together with amazing precision.  Here is a sneak peak of my progress.

Thanks for the encouragement and comments are welcome. Work done for the day as lots of glue needs drying. Hull supports quite a bit of weight that I placed on the gundeck to dry. Also finished the day by adding the stern supports.
 
Gunports
 
Wei
Weighted deck

 
Stern
 

I know what you mean by clamps!