chris watton

That is a very neat job, a lot neater than mine!

I think my final pics of my mule belong in this thread, too. Am very much looking forward to seeing what magic Jim works on her... I am currently dong the full parts list (always fun...) and making sure every single part is assigned with a part number for the final production cut files. At this time, I can confirm that for the first 100 kits, photo etched copper plating will be included as standard for this kit, with the only optional extra being the CNC blocks (because not everyone wants masts and rig and most are happy with standard anyway) Some have asked in the past about including the CNC blocks as standard. This would be impossible for the quantities I order. You see, ordering just 30 Indy or Sphinx kits worth of CNC blocks takes literally at least a whole season, with the costs many times higher than standard blocks. So they will always only ever be an option.

I wasn't going to do it just yet, it was way further down the list, but Mary Montagu-Scott, the Trustee of Buckler’s Hard Shipyard Trust, convinced me, so I will have their logo on the kit box too. They are currently excavating the building slip where the Agamemnon was built, and she has big plans for the future of this historical site.

Not all all! In fact, I am always filled with self doubt, wondering if I have done the right thing/gone too far and wondering if each new release will sell. I don't take anything for granted. I just strive to do my best, utilising the knowledge I have accumulated over the decades, and designing the kits in a way that if I were buying it, I would be more than happy with it. The only issue for me is the fact that these complex kits take a very long time to produce due to the sheer amount of cut/engraved parts. But if people enjoy the kits, for me, it is all worth it, as a kit should be a joy to build, not a chore. I don't really know much about this Surprise. My time there seems like many lifetimes ago, and that Surprise is well after my time there. (I was there from 1994 until late 2001, with the Nelson's Navy range starting in 1998 with Diana). Surprise is definitely the largest kit I can do that has no planking at all from the top of the main wale position up, above this, everything is laser cut/engraved - no cutting out the gun ports. For this kit, I have had to order some very expensive pear sheets, 0.8x150x800mm, for the inner and outer bulwarks. As there are no fenders, the parts are full length as there is nothing along the sides to break this up. I think I have another 2 months’ work on Surprise (CAD plans etc. plus I am still waiting for a couple of final things like stern lantern and Aubrey and Maturin) and in the meantime, start production and after this, make a start on Agamemnon, a subject I always meant to revisit and do it full justice. (I hope)

Of course!

The chimney is posable as it is a push fit, you can rotate it however you wish

Yes, the bracket for the 18-Pounder carronades is fixed/pinned to the sill. In the final kit, the middle bulwark patterns will have a small slot at the centre of each lower sill position to take the pin to secure the bracket, with he bracket itself being cut from PolyBak.

My copy isn't arriving until 14th September!

OK, I have now completed what I need to for the designs. The 'mule' is finished, no need to garner any more info from it - and here she is. No varnish, paint and much abused, Jim's model will have much more finesse (and colour). I knew I was close to the finishing line (designs) for this, so I was up most of the night, and then all of today to complete it - now I can relax a little before starting the CAD drawings for plans..

I already have two options - one for the 32 pounder carronades on the main gun deck, and the standard, which will have 24x9-pounder long guns.

I did look for for any evidence a French ship like Unite had them, but found none, so no, no lodging knees. Hanging knees, though. As I am not sure, I was inclined not to include.

All of the range have proper rigging. The term 'Simplified' only refers to the omission of most of the sail related running rigging, like sheets, tacks, clews and bowlines. Rigging directly associated with the spars is always included (lifts, braces, jeers etc.) - and always full standing rigging (shrouds, ratlines, stays etc.). The kits that have 'full rig' (including at least sheets, tacks and clews) are Alert, Speedy, Flirt, the 6 fishing vessels, but have very simple rig anyway, and sail options, Trial, Sphinx, Harpy and of course, Indy. The remainder omits most of the sail related rig (Duchess of Kingston, Grecian, Sherbourne and Adder). However, the extra rig is very easy to add if you wish.

Thank you! The version that Jim will have will be much more refined, the V frames and rails took an age to prefect, and that pic is the result of 4 previous versions that were added, ripped off, copy/paste. For the 5 V frames, I will include as standard 2 full sets on 2mm pear, and a set on 2mm MDF. I do this because the edges and notches for the rails do need bevelling, so perhaps having a set or two to practise on will help. No PE decoration on this one, as I find the PolyBak or thin pear much better, and looks a lot more ‘natural’. I find PE is still better to use for window frames at this scale, however. I have tried to limit the PE to mostly ‘Ironwork’, parts that would have been in some sort of metal in real life – or some parts simply because they would be far too fragile in any other material. Here is a pic of the starboard quarter gallery, just after I added the ‘shingles’ I will now spend the next week or so adding the parts I have already designed to the hull, and then send Jim the remaining laser cut parts, so he will have the full kit. One last decision will be how the stern davits are secured - not 100% sure yet....

Today I received this render of a work in progress for my Aubrey/Maturin scene for my Surprise kit. Here is Maturin, I was asked if this is OK... Also today marks the end of heavy designing for Surprise, with the finalising of the bow area, designs are now more or less complete! Thought I'd never finish them!