chris watton
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Everything posted by chris watton
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Yes, we used the one from La Tourterelle as it is a lot more detailed than that of the Unite/Surprise, It seems the only real difference in overall shape are the flags angled upwards on each side. To make it more or less what the Surprise plans show, it would just be a simple matter of removing the flags. (I always assumed most will use the other figurehead anyway): Another figurehead will be included that is more in line with the fictional version from the novels and film. -
Cheers! I usually don't show too much of this stage, as it is very long and boring, and newly designed parts are usually cut from crappy scrap materials, as they're only used to check fit and ultimately discarded. I am hoping this second hull is the last I need until I cut for the hull that I shall use (fully planked and complete with all laser cut parts) to take pics of the stages for Jim to make the final prototype model and build log on this site - but still quite a long way to go. So, before this goes on sale, the hull has been fully assembled, keel, bulkheads, gun ports, decks, beams etc. at least 5 times to 'tune' the parts as much as they can be - always need a little wiggle room, as some will sand the hull slightly different to others, so have to cover most eventualities.
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For mine, I just sanded the edges and then added the PE (PE-24 R&L) on top
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Checking figurehead in relation to bowsprit, and the fit of the new stove. Pics not too flattering, but this hull is only used as a basis to check important parts and finalising the more important aspects of the hull designs. So now, I know that the whole hull goes together very well, all the gun and upper deck beams fit perfectly, and the bulkheads will give a nice run for the outer planking. Also inner bulwarks shown, these do take an age to get right, due to curves and the amount of upper deck beam slots. These are cut and checked using ply, but kit version will have pear versions, engraved and all positions marks or cut for all inner bulwark fittings - I always hated having to plank inner bulwarks, very awkward and there was always the real chance of some planks splitting or breaking off when filing the ports - not anymore!
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The decks will be 0.8 or 1mm limewood laser cut and etched as standard in the kit, as this is what it will be designed for. however, as I have said before, this does not stop anyone wanting to plank the decks themselves using planking of their choice. They can use either the laser etched decks or printed full size deck patterns on the plans as templates if they so wish. I used to use maple veneer, which was really nice - problem was I could not have enough sheets in a nice neutral colour tone, so reject rate was way too high. All of my kits have pear as the finishing planking for the hull, be it in pre cut or planking form.
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As a rule, double planked. Inner bulwarks will be fully pre cut and etched parts, though. Decks will be laser etched and cut limewood with no ply sub decks needed. I am thinking of just doing a single pear planking for the upper outer hull, and double planked at and below the thicker plank line (roughly where a main wale would start on an English ship) - But not sure yet...
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And back to Surprise. These pics show the checking of the inner bulwark template (no gun port cut outs yet), and how it aligns with the upper deck beams. Once I know the fit is as good as it's going to be, I shall do the next version with gun ports and then check again. (Ply gun deck is not part of the final kit) For this design, I beefed up the bow structure a lot more than usual, as I know this can be a weak point when planking..
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Maybe! Richard Endsor did very kindly produce a set of 64th plans for me. I am not sure yet, the issue I now have is time and space to store stuff that isn't related to my kits in 64th
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Of course I have a source for the stove!
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I did mention that it is from the 17th Century in my post, and is for a future development of a 17th century warship.
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And now for something completely different. When I need other people, more skilled than me in other disciplines, to do work for me for future developments, I like to get these aspects sorted way, way before I start the project myself. Here is such an example, a set of cannons and a 17th Century brick stove/fire hearth, that were sent to me last night and printed overnight, for the very first check of parts – all went together pretty well, I think.
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Wow, yet another wonderfully executed model, Duchess looks fantastic – Love the simple colour scheme and the planking is exceptional! Very well done!
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Second Surprise prototype starting to take shape - again, MDF for beams, as this will be discarded once I have all the info I need from this hull...
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I guess so, with a little tweaking (deck arrangements slightly different)
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Yes, the books, not the movie. If you wanted a Surprise based off the movie, then Sphinx would be a better starting point, as they were designed for the same amount of guns and thus very similar dimensions. Here is the real difference in size between the film version and the real version, the latter being the one above: (The main wale lines for Surprise are erroneous, and will not be on the actual model, being French)
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I have had quite a few enquiries regarding Surprise, asking if it is the film version. No - it is NOT the film version. It is being developed using the original Admiralty plans of Surprise (Unité of 1794, captured 1796) and he sister, the French Sixth Rate frigate Tourterelle (1794) If I were to develop Surprise as per the film, Master and Commander, the hull would be almost 20% smaller, being more Sphinx size, it would be around 18 foot shorter along the gun deck. This is because the film Surprise is that of a replica of a Seaford Class 20 gun ship of the 1750's, somewhat smaller than the actual HMS Surprise - and by the tail end of the 1790's, Surprise was considered very small for a frigate (hence why some refer to her and her sister as corvettes rather than frigates).
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Simply stunning!
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I had my new laser machine delivered and set up yesterday, a few teething problems, but to be sorted. I now have 2 large machines, with the new one picked specifically for the larger kits I have in mind in the future. This is by far the largest investment yet. Damn, I need more space.... Pics are a little too bright, shutter doors were open and sun was shining in!
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Working area not much bigger, 1016 X 610mm compared to the 960 x 610mm of my current machine. However, that extra length does mean I can put 12 x 100x500mm sheets on the bed, rather than 10 sheets, plus I won't have to cut off 50mm off the ends of my larger (1000mm long) sheets to get them to fit. Current machine is an 80 Watt Sealed CO2 Laser, whereas the new one is 100 Watt (my first one, which is being part exchanged for the new one, is only a 40 Watt and a 635 x 458mm work area, so no good for Indy or Surprise, but got me started and it did cut the first few kits fine, if a little slow...)
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Here is my main laser machine cutting a new batch of Sphinx 1mm pear, almost 2 weeks for all parts, but almost all done, so plenty in stock. Laser to be joined by its bigger brother on Thursday! 488484507_9305898869531442_4190020927050223384_n.mp4
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Fantastic work
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I am sure I have already answered this a few posts ago. I have commissioned 3 figures (along with 2 figureheads). 2 figures being Aubrey and Maturin playing their instruments, and another figure with Aubrey in standing pose. Not cheap to commission, but I always had this in mind for Surprise and think they would be cool to add. These are being worked on right now. I know some will ask for more, like Killick bumbling into the cabin with a tray of food, but the ones I am having done are expensive, so perhaps something to add at a later date.
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I wouldn't worry about that slight scalloping, once the first planking is complete, you will need to sand the whole hull, which will smooth out the worst of it. What I see in your pics is quite normal.
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She looks fantastic, Bob, and I love the figures, they give the model 'Life'!
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- vanguard models
- Duchess of Kingston
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I am hoping to have this a couple of hundred Pounds cheaper than Indy. A new box will be needed, a little smaller than Indy, at around 850mm length (largest laser cut sheets will be 800mm) OK, for the main pumps, I cannot run away from the fact that the real thing had 6 hand pumps, 3 per side of the Main Mast. This fact is even mentioned in one of the books I am using for reference. As with the Indy and her hand pumps, I cannot ignore this, so this is what my Surprise shall have as standard. However, I shall try (as in remember) to include an alternatve chain pump set in the kit, to give the modeller the choice. For the main armament, however, I will include as standard 24 x 9-Pounder carriage guns, and offer the 32-Pounder carronades as an optional extra (cannot include both in the kit, as the price would be higher) But, early days yet, still a lot to do...
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