chris watton
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Everything posted by chris watton
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Cheers! Just completed all the laser cutting for the kits. there are no less than 19 separate laser cut sheets per kit, with half that amount being pear wood. This does mean that first and second planking starts below the main deck level, so not so much of that to do.- 117 replies
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- vanguard models
- yacht
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Yachts are very very nice, and again, one day, if if I manage to make a real living from this, I will have the luxury of choosing more subjects that perhaps demand a lot of (very expensive) suites of shiny brass fittings, like the yacht above would demand. Again, right now, I want to concentrate on the subjects I think people will like most, with the majority of new developments being fresh subjects (not released as a kit anywhere before). I have about 5 or 6 years worth of subjects to tackle already in my 'Future Developments' folder, and range from the 1750's to the first decade of the 19th Century. This is the period that interests me more than any other. I am now back at work (Just got home), so developments will slow down again, as I am back to my two jobs instead of spending all of my time on the one (I really want to do...)
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For this prototype model, I wanted the least amount of paint we could get away with, as the contrasts of the colours with the pear work very well, I think. The pear is a nice colour and closer grained than standard kit fare (walnut/basswood), and I wanted to show this as much as possible. It seems the white, black, red, blue and gold go well with the wood. But of course, the modeller can paint the model however they wish, depending on preference - paint schemes for such vessels should only be treated as guidelines . But I do feel in this instance, the less paint used, the better.
- 117 replies
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- vanguard models
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No problem, I didn't mean to appear curt, it was frustrating not being able to find any real history of the vessel, but it definitely was built for the Duchess of Kingston by Hillhouse of Bristol. ETA - I have attached the nameplate that comes with the stand..
- 117 replies
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- vanguard models
- yacht
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I do like the looks of the xebec, but not on my 'must do' list yet, as there are at least two kits of this out there that make up into very fine models. Right now, I want to develop kits that haven't been done before for a completely fresh range. That is not to say I won't, I probably will if things are successful, but for now, I just want to concentrate on developing from my original 'wish list'..
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In lieu of a name, the actual title I gave the model is 'HM Royal Yacht (built for) The Duchess of Kingston I do not see anything fictitious about that, as this is what is written on the actual plans ETA - This isn't in my Sailing Navy List book too, but the NMM do have the plans, albeit just the one sheet.
- 117 replies
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- 4
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- vanguard models
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I had my 3-d printed samples arrive yesterday for the carronades and 32 and 18 pounder barrels, the 3-d files are now with my resin castor, who will printed them and use them for the masters for the black resin castings. One change I have asked my castor to make is to remove the threaded bar at the rear of each carronade and replace with a hole to which a length of brass will be pushed through to simulate the threaded bar. It is too delicate to cast, and all broke on my 3-d printed samples. I have included a couple of (very bad) pics, showing them on their respective carriages. I am still awaiting the PE for each, most noticeable on the carronade beds, which will have PE rear wheels. There is a 32, 24 and 18 pounder standard carronade, plus an early (1780) 12 pounder, with options for early slide or wheeled carriage - looks very 'stumpy'... Joint bolt and blocks are integrated with the carronade assemblies, and all that is required to fit it to slot them into the sliding upper bed, so no fiddly work required.
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Topgallant shrouds did not have ratlines. At least not British warships, if we're talking mid 18th century onwards. Patrick O'Brian even mentions the lack of ratlines at the topgallant in his book Desolation Island (HMS Leopard)
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Cannot say yet, as the 'other' revisit is a way off. I am back at work now, so time is limited again, dammit, but I have just started designs for my 7th kit, which will have gun ports integrated with the hull frames/bulkheads. Also, today I received my samples (3-d prints at this time, will have the nice resin castings sometime next month) of another 32 pounder and 18 pounder (latter a frigate 18 pounder, but not my 7th kit, that's for later..), plus 18, 24 and 32 pounder carronade barrels and finally a late entry, an early (1780) 12 pounder carronade barrel with trunnions. Will laser cut the carriages for them when I have time and take pics. I have sent PE files to be done, so these will be offered as a complete unit, carriage, barrel and PE parts.
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Nice model - but I apologise, it was one of my very first... For the rigging, I follow the main sources. It is important to note that by the end the 18th Century and most definitely 1800 and after, the crossjack was replaced with a main yard and sail. It is highly likely this practise was used well before 1800, with commanders experimenting with the best set up for their vessels. I am sure all Cruiser Class would have had a main yard instead of crossjack. Flirt would be a grey area, but Speedy would have had the main yard, as this is depicted as it probably looked in around 1800.
- 102 replies
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The rear bulkheads do need severe bevelling for the planks to run smooth. I cannot reduce the bulkhead lines as this would make them too small when bevelled. Bulkhead size and shape is an area I spend a lot of time getting right when first starting any new design - but usually the rear most bulkheads, especially with hull lines as fine as Speedy Class, require a lot of sanding.
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It looks like the rear most bulkhead needs further trimming
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Funny you say that, I much prefer the lines of the Zulu. If they were cars, I'd liken the Fifie to a full fat SUV and the Zulu a more sleek sports car.
- 261 replies
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- muirneag
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Flying Jib Boom (why, when, where?)
chris watton replied to AON's topic in Masting, rigging and sails
According to James Lees, the first issue of a flying jibboom was in 1794. -
All part numbers have since been corrected on the MDF parts, as I found out the problem (to my horror) early early on, but not until the first batch had been sold..
- 261 replies
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- muirneag
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If it helps, I think that all Cruiser Class brigs had a standard armament of 16 carronades (usually 32-Pounders) and 2 x 6-Pounder 'Chase guns'. If you went with this set up, your model would be more accurately depict her real life armament anyway.
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I design kits and only ever use the dining room table, even for a 1.6 metre Victory model!
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I sometimes number the first bulkhead 1, but I feel this should go to the keel as this is the first item you usually hold. Doesn't matter though, as long as part numbers match up to drawings/pics.
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I did design that one, and it is one of only two models that I would like to 'revisit' one day, as I love the lines and the rake. It was actually called HMS Orestes when in British hands, Mars being the Dutch name for this privateer before capture.
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Thanks guys, for the input, much appreciated. I have settled on my next kit, as it is a no brainer. In the meantime, I still have a lot to do for Duchess of Kingston, and Jim is building the second prototype model for me, to make sure it goes together as well as it should, and taking pictures of the building stages. These will be used in the building manual. One thing, though, I am not sure I ever want to revisit stuff I have done before (with just two exceptions), so no Bounty's, Endeavour's, especially/absolutely/definitely no more Victory's. There are still plenty of subjects out there that are perhaps not as well known, but look beautiful when built (Fly being a perfect example). The period between 1770 and early 1780's are rife with such examples, and my initial/intended line up is full of such vessels, new stuff rather than rehashes.. I think I will do a couple more kits like the fishing boats in the future, though, as these have proved quite popular.
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Coronet looks nice. But then, most sea going sailing vessels look nice - but not all graceful like that one.. Here are the sample cannon barrels I received last week. The ones on carriages are a 9-pounder and 18 pounder. The rest are 12 pounder (lone standard and one for an early 32 gun frigate), 24 and 32 pounders. The retail versions will be in black resin, these are grey so I can more easily see the detail.
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Maybe one day, but I need to go through my list of subjects that I will definitely do first, all between 1750 and 1806. I thought yachts were well catered for, as most have a kit of one or more?
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I do intend to do a Leda Class at some point, but this is a large frigate (although smaller than the Lively Class), and will take 10-14 months to fully develop, plus the use of a more powerful laser machine, as bulkhead and keel thicknesses will be twice that of what I currently have. So if I did both Shannon and Chesapeake, this would be 2-3 years of development, and having nothing new to bring out in the meantime. This type of subject needs to be done once I have a healthy range already out. However, the first frigate I have in mind to do will be quite popular, I am sure. Plus I think I can develop this with my current set up. If I were simply designing 'Block Models' like most other manufacturers, then no problem, I could pop out a few new big kits each year. But I don't want to do that, I want develop new stuff with more detail (expanding on my Victory designs) and whenever possible, better materials, and these take a lot longer - but ultimately worth the extra effort, I think.
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Thanks for the comments, Chris, always appreciated. I do know that if I am to design such kits, they will need a 'USP', as I have no intention of treading (very) old ground, and any new 100 foot-ish brig would need to be special. Still not made my mind up about what to do after Duchess...
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