AJohnson

Agreed, a very good first layer! 😀

The contemporary model of "Trial" is in good condition and think in this case it is more an "omission" - there a a good number of other discrepancies between the model and plans as already mentioned in this thread and threads elsewhere of same model.

I assume for the examples I have seen, to save space in harbour and/or protect the protruding bowsprit, obviously only an option of smaller vessels with level bowsprits.

Great detailing and research David. For the bowsprit, were these fixed inboard, by that I mean were they ever “run in” like the bowsprits of some fishing vessels (I’m thinking of the Nisha here). Or were Naval Cutters different?

Hi Tony, can I add my thanks for adding the Trial pictures of Trial and other cutters. These are going to be so useful to builders of this kit as David has said. The differences between that contemporary model and the plans have been touched on by a few and Chris has pointed this out of his prototype build log. You could be right, maybe it was a “concept” model for the proposal, as I think one or two of the NMM plans could be, as the title wording is a bit ambiguous and does not state it “is” the Trial, though later plans do state that they are of the recent Trial cutter “built”. All interesting stuff, thanks for sharing.

Good to see you back Dan, tidy masking.

Welcome to MSW

Well done Dan, a great looking model.

That ain’t right a Pup eating a Pup. From the picture all seems well. Looks great to me. 👏

Good start to the second planking Simon. 👍 What do you use for PE primer? I’ve tried a few sprays but they don’t seem to stick, unless I need to clean the PE better. I’m back to using brass blackener this time on my current project.

I built the Nisha and if anything the fairing back to make the full form correct is one area where most of us are too cautious. I think you can trust Chris’s fairing lines on the bulkheads, they did not let me down. It is a bit daunting turning a reasonable amount of the bow and stern into sawdust, but if you take it steady and use some of the planking as temporary guides to see if they bend flat across the bulkheads without strain and gaps underneath you will get there. Good luck, keep us updated. 👍

That looks doable for the planks. If they will bend up to the stern counter without stress then you should be fine. I’m really happy you have found Chris’s little fleet of fishing vessels, I know the ones with guns attract all the attention, but the Saucy Jack etc. are just beautiful little projects and the source history from the likes of Edgar J March is still accessible and if you want to explore the Scottish trawlers then those books are worth a look. Not too bad price wise from the usual online suspects.

Hi Simon, you are off to a great start! These little Vanguard fishing boats are a joy to build and I see you have added some fish for your well; I added some “Cocktail stick” fish to my “Nisha” build, but they were not as nicely painted as yours. Good advice on the stern planking up to the stern counter from @Thukydides, first planking is a foundation so no need to worry on looks just the correct shape, so trialling a few of the second planks is a good investment in time later on. Will follow your progress with interest. 👍

Thank you all for the likes and @Blue Ensign @dunnock @DaveBaxt @mugje @DB789 @Dave_E @RossR and others for your encouragement, it means a lot. Something slightly out of sequence today from the instructions, while I have been building the hull I have also been working on the 3-Pounder Guns and 12-Pounder Carronades, as some thing different to do while waiting for various stages of the hull to dry; be it glue, filler or paint! Here is a sequence of pictures of how I built up the ordinance. As I was flitting between these and going back to the hull I did treat them as separate assembly stages, starting with assembling the Carronades, then the more numerous carriage guns. The printed barrels needed little attention, a rub with a stiff old brush to remove some tiny fibres and drilling the opening just a little to provide deeper holes for looks. These were then painted in flat black, washed in grubby "gunmetal" then dry brushed again in flat black to make them look more like metal. Chris is right they do need painting even though the resin is black, the fines detailing is almost transparent. I did go a bit off-piste with the wheel and axles. Not wanting square axle ends I substituted the ends with some dowel, these were then drilled for a wire axle pin. The ends of the axles were then wrapped in black card to simulate iron bands. Other detailing I added was a bed for the quoin and the quoin itself got a handle of sorts added (lead shot), which was then painted brown. More eyebolts were added, but not sure if I am going to fully rig these little guns as the tackle might look too much for this size armament. I added split rings cut from tiny chain for the Cap Square hinge bolt and the Cotter pin chains; the chains themselves were actually just black thread, I don't have any ultra fine chain to hand, but think they look okay. Back to the hull now and for breaks from that I might jump to the hatches and gratings. Thanks for looking in.

Phoebe would be great, goodness knows the hobby needs an alternative kit to the venerable Diana!

I remember you mentioning that in your bucket list a few months back Chris, are you any closer to deciding which one to do first Phoebe / Amphion or another?

Welcome to MSW

Hi David, yes I’m lagging behind now, but not for want of trying, just other thing get in the way at the moment. I think I have decided I will try and follow RMG Drgs. ZAZ6418 & 6422 as best as my skills will allow. The contemporary model is so confusing in some the deck details compared to the plans available. It would be fascinating to work out the chronological sequence of them all!

Really nice detailing David. I had also noticed the contemporary models scuppers and was thinking about how I could add that. I have some thin lead sheet I might try to use. Your solution looks very effective though.

Well done, congratulations! On to the next project. 👏

Hi All, Latest updates, just added the Bulwark patterns. Many thanks for the likes and the encouraging comments, next stage the deck and inner Bulwark sides.

Figures are looking great Alan, have a great vacation, yeah it’s a bit colder here atm, but nothing compared to continental winter weather!

Good to see you back at the workbench Brian. 😀 If that was my build, there would be one or two sad little bits of mdf framing sitting next to the model from my attempts to wrangle a false deck in! 🤣 Looking good!

Welcome to MSW Eric.

Great detailing you are adding, those last few pictures show your painting off really well, the highlights and shading you do is so good.