Seb Martingale

Hi Chris,

A fabulous model and a great build by James.

I see a couple of items are covered by the use of waterslide decals. These do have a definite shelf life - I know because of my journeys into plastic modelling.

Would you care to make an estimate of the shelf life of the ones included in the kit?

Regards, Seb.

I have pre-ordered Indy, with pear wood blocks, the maple lasered deck and etched copper plates.

I eagerly look forward to the kits release and despatch.

I crewed on the Sydney based James Craig for a number of years - the photo next to my name was taken from aloft on that ship. Model ship building takes me back to those days - wonderful.

thanks Chris.

On 12/17/2022 at 9:05 PM, chris watton said:

Not easy, but I did make sure I took the lines of the 2 decker in the initial designs for Indy. (well, I had to, as the razee lines show just the profile...). However these 'raw' bulkhead lines are not 'tweaked' to ensure a perfect run of the planks, which is a very big job in itself.

As Royal Yards were rigged 'Flying', they will not be shown on the model with no sails, but there is nothing stopping you adding them!

I have read that English frigates were supplied with three lengths of top gallant masts to enable the setting of Royal yards.

To do this would mean fitting longer topgallant masts than in the kit? Is this correct?

On 12/24/2022 at 9:08 AM, James H said:

I'll do a proper update in a few days, showing coppering, but until then, here's a photo showing the work so far. 

 

Coppering is a fairly quick process, thankfully, and fairly therapeutic. 

 

Indy is really looking great!

Hi Chris,

Is “Indy” going to carry Royal Yards, that would be a magnificent sight!

17 hours ago, James H said:

Furniture is standard. Use it, or not! 

The furniture really enhances the kit. It looks fabulous. Thanks to Chris.

11 hours ago, chris watton said:

Nice update!

 

OK, I can now finally give hard details about release dates and costs.

 

All of the production for Indy is now fully complete, photo etched brass, all castings and laser cut parts. Production started at the start of this year, but I have had to produce a lot of our existing kits in between.

 

The time for each kit for laser cut parts is nine and a half hours. This is only for actual laser cutting time, and does not include removing and setting up each batch of material on the laser table (plus laser/extractor maintenance etc.), so the real time would be more like 11-12 hours dedicated to each kit for laser cutting. There are a total of 51 individual laser cut sheets, and with the (very limited) engraved deck option, 53 sheets and an hour added to that overall cutting time. This is all done on my large laser machine, and for the main construction parts, materials twice the size of Sphinx.

 

Pricing:

 

VM/12               HMS INDEFATIGABLE - £1350
VM/12/PB         HMS INDEFATIGABLE  Machined Pear block and deadeye set - £140
VM/12/Box        HMS INDEFATIGABLE  Boxwood Planking set -£450

VM12/D1          HMS INDEFATIGABLE  Laser engraved deck set -£120

VM12/CP01      HMS INDEFATIGABLE  PE copper plate set  -£150
 

I have stock for 50 kits. (Complete kits with all masting and rigging materials, as usual)

 

For the pearwood block and deadeye set, I have 30 sets in stock.

 

The boxwood planking option includes all hull planking strip, including deck planking, in boxwood. Right now, I have ordered enough for 5 kits, but 2 of the 5 have already been pre ordered. If people want this, I will order more. This is due in January

 

The laser engraved deck option is very limited, due to the sheer amount of scrap wood not suitable for the job. I was meant to have at lease 30 sets, but only have 8.

 

The PE copper option will be available by the time of the kit launch, but is now quite expensive, and did not include in the kit for this reason (copper tape is included, and is what Jim will use). I was not sure I could even get this until a week ago.

 

The kit will be available for pre order next week, with the actual release being mid-late February

Hi Chris,

Other than the plates being pre-cut, what are the differences between the PE copper plate set and the copper tape?

Does Chris Watton have a planned date as to when he will be taking orders for this kit?

I think I read earlier in this thread that the kit might be finalised at the end of this calendar year?