chris watton

3 hours ago, Ronald-V said:

It might follow the same line as the deck planks that will be placed on top? These also taper towards the stern.

You are correct!

I am very happy to tell you that igorcap (igorcap - Model Ship World™) is now my digital carver. Igor has already done the lower quarter drop for Surprise for me, and his first main project for me will be the decoration for my next development, Agamemnon.

Thank you, Igor!

OK, my wife just posted a small parcel to the US.

All that has happened is the postage cost has increased slightly to take into account the new tariff charges, so this charge (10%) means that the postage costs has increased by 10%. A package worth £84 has an additional charge of £8.40 on the postage cost.

ETA - for kits or orders over 800 Dollars, you would have always been paying the duties anyway, as these new tariffs rules only relate to orders of 800 Dollars and under. (we assume, anyway)

3 minutes ago, Y.T. said:

Hi, Chris.

 

Where is your business located? Is it in UK or US? Not clear from your remarks.

UK

This is quite frustrating for us, too, as we have not had a single communication from our carriers about the new tariff rules, and trying to decipher the rules is proving difficult. As far as I am aware, the US is getting rid of the no charge waiver for any product or shipment under 800 Dollars – which would not affect our more expensive kits.

All states in the US seem to have their own rules about what they charge the customer, and the forms I must fill in (some need something called a TSCA form, but only a few states, the majority do not).

But for the new rules that come into effect today, no one has told me anything at all – neither my government or my carriers I use to ship the goods!
 

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.

2 hours ago, Ronald-V said:

Man...a revised Agamemnon...that's going to be an epic kit 🤩

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.

2 hours ago, hollowneck said:

It's true: Surprise has gone from clunky to amazing. Chris' hat size has increased by threefold over the last few months.😂

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.

1 hour ago, Vane said:

We shouldnt judge a 20 year old project too harsh. During the 90s, Caldercraft pushed the bounderies much and was one of the few companies that actually developed new kits. However, its a pity that most old classic manufactureers of shipmodels live on very old kits and have completely stopped making new kits. That is why we all also appreciate and follow Chris and Vanguard models. 20 new kits in just a few years and constantly new designs and solutions. Many was quite disappointed when the Surprise was never released. But now we can look forward to a kit that will soon be out on the market and way better than a kit what was designed 20 years ago.     

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)
 

21 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

 

 

Presumably you have tested a PolyBak  structure is sufficiently robust to stand the  odd inadvertent knock?

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

Of course!

Just now, Pitan said:

That looks beautiful Chris.
Noob question, is that 3d print the stove's chimney?  It seems to point/vent aft.

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

1 hour ago, Blue Ensign said:

I think she's a winner Chris.👏

Can you expand a little on the Carronade fixings, seems to be a bracket pinned thro' the cill, I'm not familiar with that arrangement.

 

B.E.

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.

4 minutes ago, brunnels said:

I watched the new 4K release of Master and Commander last night, now these images..... The wait for release is getting tough to bear lol.  

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..
 

41 minutes ago, uss frolick said:

 

Will there be a main-deck, long-gun option, preferably with French pattern 8-pounders, for us Tourterelle-loving Francophiles?

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.

1 hour ago, Blue Ensign said:

Just a  thought Chris, will you be providing the Lodging knees to the deck beams as you did with Indy?

 

B.E.

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.

17 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

 

A few things to enjoy from the bow image.

Look at the subtle curve of the hull form.

The elegance of the headworks, and graceful sweep of the main Rail.

The provision of double seats of ease.

The hinged bracket for the  Boomkins in the False rail.

The cills around the gunports.

A fine figure for the head.

and knowing that behind the bow the space is properly formed allowing the detailing of mangers and Bowsprit stop.

The Maturin figure, provides the interesting task of getting that subtle patina to the cello surface.

 

Tasty stuff indeed  Chris.👌

 

B.E.

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!

1 hour ago, DB789 said:

Sherbourne is my 11th model boat build and all of them kits from Vanguard due to their excellent quality in terms or design, quality of materials and instructions. 
 

Having just completed Duchess of Kingston I had intended to continue to increase the complexity of my builds with Speedy next, followed by Sphinx and maybe ultimately Surprise. But I was given Sherbourne last year and she’s a very cute little cutter so I’m building her with the plan of developing my skills a little further. 
 

My three key objectives are: 1) attempt to plank her deck rather than use the engraved deck from Vanguard; 2) try yellow ochre paint on the sides of the hull rather than varnished wood; 3 get to grips with wipe-on poly which isn’t readily available made up in the UK and my previous efforts, I think using the wrong thinner, have failed. 
 

I loved building the Vanguard fishing boats and this little boat has a similar feel. 
 

This kit is clearly meant for and ideal for beginners, but is still an exceptionally high quality kit given all the same Vanguard treatment as other kits in the range for a price that is simply far too low for what you get. 19 sheets of plans! Full colour detailed instructions with photos, high quality pear wood and brass PE. This will build into a wonderful little boat. 
 

The first stages are assembling the frames which fit together precisely and create a rock solid core for planking later. These are made of MDF and easily slot together with no breakages. The four timbers at the stern are wood which is nice as they will be the only parts of this structure visible in the finished kit. 
I have been describing Sherbourne as small, but I hadn’t quite realised how small she is. The behemoth next door to her is no ship of the line but merely another cutter Alert (albeit a large one). 
She is even dwarfed by some of the fishers: 

Zulu

Fifie

 

Even the tiny Nisha appears to have a marginally longer, albeit less voluminous hull. 
Size isn’t everything, she’ll be great fun to build. 

 

You would not believe the amount of emails I get from people asking why is the Alert (and Trial) more expensive than the Sherbourne, after all, they say, they are all cutters!

29 minutes ago, Kusawa2000 said:

Chris: I have a bad (and expensive) habit of buying monograph plans from the French Ancre website https://ancre.fr/en/ . I find the French frigates have amazing lines and design and Ancre crew do a amazing job of transposing the old plans into something a modeler can tackle. I suspect you are already familiar with them but I just wanted to let  you know that there are others that also admire the lines and design of these beautiful ships. 

I too have a lot of the Ancre books/monographs, even the French language only ones!

I have a kind of addiction, and it is buying these plans, at times for no other reason than to stare and admire the lines of them for hours on end. I find them fascinating. 

This is one of my latest, it is a particularly beautiful 48th scale plan of the San Josef of 112 guns (reputed to once belong to Emma Hamilton) – and damn do those headrails look nice and simple to transfer into a kit version!

In the same tube, I also had an even bigger plan of Caledonia (120 – but rounded upper bow, so probably never do that one), and 2 for the old Roebuck Class 44 gun 2-deckers. Not sure if I shall ever use them, but I would like display all of them one day, if I can ever sell my house and move to somewhere that has the room in my workshop…
 

2 minutes ago, TJM said:

@chris watton, are you using lase etched pear parts for the decorative columns and border? They look great!

Polybak, (laser etched) same as I use for Indy. Better than using PE.

And as of right now, this is the state of it, where I am up to - stern parts will be completed by the end of tomorrow (designs/laser cut finals) and then I move onto the head rails...

The bow area where the cathead will go will look a lot neater on Jims....