chris watton
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Everything posted by chris watton
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Yes, I will not ship a kit without the box. I have to wait until I get the boxes so I can measure the area and then get the sleeves made. Yes, it means exactly that. The materials used are so expensive it can be nothing else but limited edition. More may be available in the future if I decide to invest in the materials again, but not for a good while.- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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Standard version Flirt is already high spec, with laser cut pearwood and pearwood planking, Keel and bulkheads are 3mm MDF, and lower 2mm deck and stern frames are 2mm birch ply (the 2mm deck was initially meant to be done in 'Ceiba ply', but I decided this material was utter trash, and changed to much stronger 2mm birch ply) . There will be 2mm single blocks for rigging the cannon carriages if you so desire. Master Shipwright version is crazy spec, but will look fantastic, DelF's version of Speedy looks wonderful. Flirt MS will have laser cut keel and bulkheads in the highest quality birch ply, all wooden laser cut parts in 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm boxwood, second planking in boxwood too. Machined pearwood blocks as standard PLUS 90+ 2.5mm 2 hole pear wood blocks for rigging the cannon carriages. This version also comes with the 18' cutter as standard, with 1x2mm boxwood planking. Both versions will have 100 metre reels of Gutterman 0.1mm thread, so there's more than enough for rigging the cannon as well as masts and yards. I changed my mind about the box very late, last week in fact. I am now having the same type as the small Fifie and Zulu, but a larger internal length (520x300x90mm), so the planking strips fit in better, plus I could have two labels for the boxes, one for the standard and one for the MS version.
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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I will update you on that later this week, it does look pretty cool! ETA - Both versions of Flirt will be available to pre order very soon, as everything is almost ready and sorted, after a very stressful couple of weeks organising printing and new size boxes....
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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OK, I have just finished the Flirt box art, ready to be sent to the printers. I now have to wait until I have the plans, manual and boxes done for me. For the Master Shipwright version of Flirt, I have decided to ditch the maple veneer deck due to high scrap rates, so have ordered 1mm thick maple sheet instead. As soon as that arrives, I can do the MS decks. Everything else is done, laser cut wise, and waiting to go into the boxes...
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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It was nothing a little Photoshop masking couldn't fix... lol
- 195 replies
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- lady eleanor
- vanguard models
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I was fooling with you, couldn't resist. MDF has much tighter tolerances, whereas ply tolerances are comical.
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Yes
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Ever seen what happens to the standard cheap ply used in most kits when it's a little damp...
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And I had (finally) my Zulu sail set order arrive today, so all that ordered sail sets for their Zulus will be receiving them within the next week, and anyone who now orders a Zulu and sail set can be shipped together. Nice work of the Fifie, BE, I see these models as a 'blank canvas' for the more experienced, who like to stamp their own mark on the kit.
- 195 replies
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- lady eleanor
- vanguard models
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I know there is a hell of a lot of photo etched parts on Bismarck and Hood, and PE is very expensive..
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I know that I did no less than 31 full size plan sheets plus 114 page A3 size assembly manual for this Victory.
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There is no law preventing you from not planking certain areas, as the hull structure is more than strong enough to not be clad in planking. As for how the kit may be broken up, I have no idea, as I no longer work for Amati. Personally, I would not break the kit up - it would be futile breaking it up into hull and masts/rig, as the former is 95% of the material expense.
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I bought this book the day it was published, and it is £65 very well spent. I bought this and the Sovereign of the Seas book more or less at the same time, and whilst the latter turned out to be a slight disappointment, this book more than made up for it, a top quality book.
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The overall dimensions I have on my master drawings are: Length - 1582mm (includes bowsprit and gaff/boom) Height - 1061mm Width - 590mm (Main yard and stunsail booms) Hull only length - 1066mm I have attached a side cutaway profile of the kit, as the main question people ask is why would they want to buy this over other model kits of the same...
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Yes, I am just waiting for the finished model to complete the box art and manual.
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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The 18 foot cutter will soon be available to buy as a separate part very soon, it will include all laser cut wood, PE and 2x1mm wood strip for the planking, but need to sort out separate instructions for the mini build..
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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There isn't right now. I only had enough materials for a couple. I ordered the boxwood specifically for the Flirt MS edition, but I had a couple of scrap on some sizes, so could only do 18 Flirt MS laser cut boxwood parts, but still had enough for a couple for Speedy (as quantities are different) When I order some more boxwood and I finally receive my pear wood block order, I will do a few more, but because of the cost of the materials used, they will always be very limited editions - I will let you know when I can do some more.
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I have a great wife with a 'Can-Do' attitude! The aim is to one day give up our day jobs and concentrate fully on Vanguard Models..
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Eventually yes, carriages, PE parts and barrel for a complete cannon and carriage kit.
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Yes, Ages of Sail contacted me a couple of weeks ago, and it all moved pretty fast from there. I have been quiet as I am working on finishing Flirt and also in the middle of designs for the 6th kit. I have also given my castor all 3-d files for all sizes of cannon barrels, so I will have samples of each (9, 12, 18, 24 and 32 pounders) next month.
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I have used this for years now, for mast 'iron rings' and anchor stocks. Better scale thickness than copper strip that used to be in the kits I made years ago, and easier to manipulate. I hear what you say about anchor shanks, Bob, but the truth is I do not like white metal castings so much. The flukes I have for Alertand Speedy are only and do the job fine, but I note the hole for the anchor ring is already filled in on some castings, and the customer should not be expected to have to drill it back out. I used the same method of designing the anchors for Flirt as I did Victory, in the latter's case because they were so large. I was more than happy with the result, and they were exact scale and shape. With a little more spraying, the surface can get as smooth as a casting.
- 109 replies
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- Vanguard Models
- Flirt
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Right, before the Flirt release, I wanted to put together a version 2 of the Speedy Master Shipwright edition. I wanted to produce 10 of these very special kits, unfortunately, because of lack of pear blocks due to lockdown, I only have two full kits available. For this version, I have used all the best materials I can get, no expense spared: The 2 and 3mm MDF has been replaced with high quality birch plywood, with the lower deck showing laser etching All pearwood laser cut sheets are replaced with boxwood, and there is an extra 1mm boxwood sheet containing some parts from the 0.8mm ply and the PE sheets, like lower tops and all mast and yard cleats. There are 17 separate laser cut sheets, which include the ladder and gratings sets. Second planking in boxwood Pearwood laser cut heart blocks in case some want to replace the deadeyes for the lower mast stays Not cheap, but it is about as good as I can make it. https://vanguardmodels.co.uk/product/hms-speedy-master-shipwright-version/
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If I ever made Sovereign again, I would still model the round tuck, as the square stern shown in the latest book just doesn't look right. Rudder would be next to useless.
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No need for guilt, as long as you enjoy the build, that's all that matters to me.
- 725 replies
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- vanguard models
- speedy
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