Jonny 007

So a wee pause is needed on the fairing. One of the bulk heads near the stern wasn’t being touched which meant it was too low. This can create a low spot in the planking is a straight forward fix. Add a bit of plank to the bulkhead, let the glue set and carry on! So Stage one of the fairing is nearly complete. Now I need to start laying a few planks to see where the fine tuning needs to happen. The charred edges from the laser cutter does add a nice guide to where I have made progress. I was thinking of staining it again now before I do the fine tune to again see where I have sanded/shaped and where I haven’t.

Which brings us to ‘where I’m up to now’ One thing I mentioned in my first build was adding extra balsa wood blocks to the bow to help with planking. I struggled a bit here first time up for 2 reasons. Firstly the aforementioned lack of extra blocks and probably (most definitely) poor fairing of the bulkheads. Lets see if I can do better this time around! So, this is where I’m up to. I’ll report back once I have the first layer of planking on. But this picture shows some extra balsa blocks. I might need another layer for the second/third bulkhead but I’ll make that decision once I’ve complete the first lot of fairing. Finally, because everyone likes pictures, her is a picture of how she looks right now. Now, I know some of you will be thinking ‘Start a new log’ but seeing as this is basically just me building the same kit twice, I feel like it’s and extension of this build so that was my decision to just put it back in here. Happy New Year everyone!

Welcome back to part 2 of this build log! Why part 2? I’m glad you asked! I really enjoyed building this first time around. I especially liked the bit where I finished it. So even though I have a Vanguard Sherbourne to build this popped up on Trade Me (New Zealand’s version of EBay) for not a lot of South Pacific Pesos so I thought why not? This kit is virtually exactly the same as the Jolly Boat but the kit does have a few differences. The two most notable differences are: * This is double plank on bulkhead. Jolly boat was just single planking. * This kit comes with no instructions. Well, it does but they are in the form of a CD and the CD doesn’t work in the PlayStation 5. None of our laptops have CD drives in them either so yeah. Luckily I still have everything from building the Jolly Boat including all the plans and this build log. The plan: There were a few things I wanted to do better on my Jolly Boat so hope to make those improvements this time around. But otherwise I’m hoping to build it similar to how it appears on the box. So mostly natural looking wood as opposed to painted. I might add a few bits of paint here and there depending on how the second layer of planking goes! Now, when I say these kits are almost identical here is an example of what I mean and why I’m just going to use the Jolly Boat instructions: Apart from the names, the bits are exactly the same.

Congratulations on finishing your Jolly boat! It’s looks great from the photos. I also really enjoyed building this kit. It’s not perfect but is challenging enough that it made it very satisfying to finally finish it. Any ideas about a next project? The Vanguard Models Sherborne is the perfect next step.

How’s the progress going on this? There are some good build logs help when it comes to adding the rigging details if you need inspiration!

This is the method I used. Was really easy and quick.

A bit of sanding needed I’m afraid! As mentioned mask of the areas to protect the bits you aren’t going to sand.

Nice job on the hull! This was my first kit also. There is an excellent product called ‘Frog Tape’ which is a really good masking tape and a roll will last you a lifetime!

I have just ordered a Sherbourne and I’m pretty excited about it. I have the Caldercraft version in my shame pile. I’ve been wanted to build a Vanguard kit since they started but postage costs to NZ are crazy. (Because the kits are heavy and we are literally on the other side of the planet!) But I am a beginner, Chris is doing us beginners a solid and subsiding this kit for us beginners so I asked the Admiral and got permission to go straight at them. Im excited to finally join the Vanguard and ask respectfully that when I start my build log that I get a couple of you fine boat builders to follow along and help a new guy out. So excited!

HMS Surprise! That’s the best thing I have read on the internet in ages. Just wondering if there are any plans to have a (reliable) distributor in the Southern Hemisphere. I’d love to start building some of your kits but the postage cost from the UK is very high (which you would expect for such heavy boxes). That’s not a criticism, just an observation. Australia is the obvious choice, but there are a few companies here in NZ that stock model boats. Mighty Ape (NZ version of Amazon) could be an option as they already stock a couple of other major brands. Thanks from little old New Zealand.

Hey Sziggy8, Hows the build going? I’ve just got back into building mine after a wee break. Your second planking came out really good! I’ve just started my second planking.

Hi Chris, I’m super keen on building the Nisha and would like to do it with sails. As I am on the opposite side of the planet and shipping is niggly am I better off to wait till they are in stock? Or do I just buy one on Friday and get the sails sent out at a later date? Been following all your builds with great interest and am looking forward to building one of you ships. Thanks

I’m really looking forward to these new kits. As a newbie they look perfect!

Wonderful work so far, hard to believe this is your first attempt at planking! It certainly is a fine looking model and I have it on my “wish list”. I’ll be following along with the rest of your progress. As another newbie I probably won’t have any advice to offer but I will be enjoying watching your progress and clicking the ‘like button’. I do like the idea of painting the top black too. I also dabble in a bit of R/C sailing too. I have a pair of Kyosho Seawinds that are fantastic boats to sail.

The piece numbered 77 in that picture looks as though it will go somewhere near the stern of the ship. Maybe put up a picture of the part of the plans that has #77 in it to help?