chris watton

The problem is that the parts for masts are also on the PE and laser cut sheets, which also contain hull parts. I have said this before, omission of dowel, blocks and rigging thread would not have much of an impact on the overall kit cost, as around 98% of the costs go into the hull - plus you would still need 7, 5 and 3mm deadeyes for the chainplates. However, for those who do not want dowel, thread and blocks, you can contact me and I will see what I can do - but it will not make much difference to the cost.

I will need to wait until Jim has finished the hull. I will then release. I am hoping to implement pre orders in December and the actual release being in January. By December, I will have all remaining parts I ordered here with me and all laser cut sheets done (I started this before Summer!). I already have the PE sets here, and all castings are done and packed. I should have a pear block and deadeye option available too, by the time of pre order. For those that may ask, yes, the Indy will contain all parts for masts and rig, there are 9 x 980x680mm plan sheets for masts, yards and rig; and all dowel, rigging thread, blocks and laser cut parts are included, as usual.

I just received my paint sets for wood and flesh tones, plus a standalone sunny skin tone colour. Paint – VANGUARD MODELS Yesterday, I started the A3 Indy manual, this is my last big job for this development!

Yes, it must be said, Indy was always designed with red alder planking strips as the deck planking from the beginning. The pre engraved decks option was and is only an optional extra.

Another little update. I am certainly getting quite a few by products from the Indefatigable development - figures, paint sets, and now flag sets. I initially purchased the flag sets as an optional extra for the Indy kit (and they will be), but as I have them here, they are now for sale. I have a red ensign set and a white ensign set. I may get a blue ensign set for completion at a later date. They are: Red or white Ensign (120x70mm) 1707 - 1800 Union Flag (75x50mm) 1606 - 1800 Tricolour Pennant (255x17mm) 1661 - 1850 Flag sets – VANGUARD MODELS And talking of Indy, today I finally completed all plan sets, there are 26 sheets in total, all 680x980mm in size. Next week, I shall start on the manual. And finally, moving on to decks... OK, regarding pre-engraved decks. I need to rethink these due to batch after batch I order being no good. The maple veneer of late is like the picture attached, so is useless for decks, and the maple sheet scrap rate is now way, way too high. I ordered enough 0.8x200x800mm maple sheet to produce 60 Indy kits worth, but in reality, I can get about 15 kits worth from the whole batch, due to knot holes and too much colour variation and/or 'tiger striping' the same as can be seen in the maple veneer pic. I ordered very large sheets (1.5x2.5 metres) of both maple and birch veneer from another supplier, but again, no good for decks due to too strong a contrast in patterns and colours. With this in mind, pre-engraved decks for Indy will be very few. My last option is to try limewood, as this is the most neutral of woods for colour variation. What I do know is that I am done wasting literally hundreds upon hundreds of Pounds on veneer and sheet that I cannot use, hence scrap. With this being a natural product, I have no comeback, so I cannot afford to keep gambling with each order I make any longer. The smaller kits are fine, up to Sphinx size, but for anything larger, it is a problem. I have one more avenue to go down for Indy, and this is with limewood and alder. I have ordered some sample sheets to see if this would do the job.

3 sets? There is only one set of 18 paints. However, I should have a delivery next week for figure (flesh tones) and wood effect paint sets, along with a standalone paint for sunny skin tone.

OK, paint sets now ready: 18th to Early 19th Century Period Ship Colour Set – VANGUARD MODELS Also, I took delivery of the new Victory book by Kerry Jang yesterday: Victory – 100-gun First Rate 1765 – VANGUARD MODELS

I cannot stress enough just how important it is to thoroughly read the text in the instruction manual. Each model has been built twice (at the very least) before it even enters kit form, so we know the methods and parts work well - but this is very dependent on the modeller reading the text that accompanies the pictures in the manual.

I have ordered specific paint sets for figures (skin tones) and wood, plus a stand-alone paint 'Sunny Skin Tone'. But these are with my second order.

In the next week or so, I will be adding an 18-bottle paint set to my range. These will be AK acrylic paints, which can be thinned using ordinary tap water. The set includes all paints used on Indefatigable, but also used on the rest of the range. The bottles shown in the picture are not the ones that will be in the set, I am awaiting shipment of my specially chosen paints from AK Interactive, which is imminent. The set should be more than enough to paint a model as large as Indefatigable.

That looks really good! You're a quick builder!

All kits on the website have the skill level shown now. The fishing boats are Novice and Amateur, with the main middling kits being Experienced, and Sphinx Advanced. Indy will be 'Master', as this is the largest and most complex to date.

Just a little update. We have listened to some customers, not being sure of skill levels for my kits, so we now have skill labels for each kit: I am hoping this helps some modellers. On the Indy side, this is still progressing. Yesterday I received the photo etched sheets (25kg worth), dowels, first planking and red alder deck planking.

Very nice job!

It does actually mention the slots in the manual you have

Jesse, All is correct, please do not start hacking the decks, the ply deck fits more or less perfectly.

At some point, yes. However, I am currently so snowed under I am having difficulty in finding the time to produce all my current stuff! (Not that I'm complaining). Laser cut anchors will be slowly phased out in favour of 3-d printed ones.

Yes

Looking very good, Glenn, you should be proud of that!

I can tell you how tall he is in 64th, around 27mm. Have to guess a little due to hat, but my carver was given full details, including height. No Hardy figure for the foreseeable future. I commission the figures, the captains/admirals especially, for my own developments. As I have no plans to ever develop a Victory again (already done two in the past), I very much doubt I would pay to have a Hardy figure commissioned. When you say 'many' would buy, the hard truth is that I may sell 5-10 Hardy figures per year, taking many years before I even broke even for the cost having the figure sculpted in the first place. Anyway, no more figures for a while, all hands on deck for Indy development...

I do have all of the parts for the four Endeavour boats, including the PE. I am waiting for the boats to be built for the mini instructions, but this will not happen until after Indy is finalised.

I note Jim has compared the hulls of Indy and Victory in previous posts - Here is another comparison, both at waterline level.

Looking good Dan!

That looks really nice!

I just had these arrive for new stock today: Pin Vice and 10pc Drill Set – VANGUARD MODELS I have had my pin vice for over 30 years and have used it for every single model I have built when a powered drill isn't needed. In other news, I finished the Indy masts and yards plans today, just the rigging plans left to do. Plan sheets will be B2 size (980x680mm), and I think around 26 in total.