BLACK VIKING

After comparing the quality of Vanguard vs. other companies, I’m not sure I’ll buy anything other than Vanguard going forward (other than a battleship I want to do). I’ve got the Lady Eleanor and the Sherbourne in the queue, and can see myself just working my way up to the multi-mast kits. 

I fully agree when Glenn says "Your sharing is what makes Vanguard special".
 
But, and it's a big but, I also understand how frustrating and sometimes how annoying it must be when Chris is deluged with niggly criticisms when he has spent ages, and probably a lot of money, on designing a part for the model.  Even more so when a big manufacturer attempts to steal the market by releasing an inferior version of the kit first.
 
In the end,  I think the most important things are that VM continues to succeed, and that this forum continues to be a place where model makers can have a discussion with Chris about his kits.  It's the on-going dialogue that is special - and news about new releases can wait until they are ready.
 
Nipper
 

For those who have built your kits, and considering the time, effort, and expense of building a quality ship, they will not be seduced into buying an inferior kit. Those that do so will notice what could have been and that is a horrible realization. Been there done that, will not repeat the mistake!!

Next up is the very elaborate and high-rising stern structure.  The goal is to have something that in some way resembles this:

 
 
The structure causes the stern to be way too tall to fit thru the bottle's neck, so it will be built as a sub-assembly and installed after the ship is in the bottle.  In fact, it will actually be 2 separately built sub-assemblies.   The first will contain the sidewalls and stern wall as well as the deck behind the mizzen mast.  The second will be the 2 balconies and their decking that protrude in front of the mizzen mast.  The 2nd sub-assembly must also be added after insertion because it would get in the way of the main mast when it is folded to stern. 
 
Nothing complicated about the build process - just carving and sanding a number of tiny pieces and fitting them together.


 
 
 
Test fit of the first piece.

 
 
Once I was happy with the fit, I added the side railings, curved stern railing, and some other things to give a hint of the stern area decorative elements from the real thing.  Also, you can see that I did a bit more carving to the descending side wall to make it look more like the real thing.


 
  
 

And here's the finished engine.
 

1/2" scale...
 
It will make a great desk top model.  I am sure you guys have seen the various contemporary models out there.  The "Box" or display varies.  But they are all quite nice/
 

 
 

Time is short with conference play starting for the soccer team... but I can say I am 99% done with the dolphin hance pieces. Basically a little clean up work is left on the brows. I have attempted to avoid the brows being completely smooth, and have tried to leave little furrows and scratches in them if I can just for interest, but the reality is they will be very hard to see.
 

 
Now on the finish the inletting of the rails. Last week, I had figured that I needed to have some sort of "cradle" under the belly of the dolphin; I was visualizing two 1/4 round or two 1/2 round pieces. However, in looking at any old drawings that I can find, as well as what Marc LaGuardia has done, I don't see any evidence of an obvious cradle or support system, other than the railing is simply contoured to the belly of the dolphin. Of course, a 1/100 dolphin hance piece doesn't need a cradle, but I still have it in my mind that a full size wooden hance piece might need to be supported at the belly.
 

 

 
Now, I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so close to being able to start painting! However, when I am done with the dolphin hance pieces, I need to not do any work for several days and just think... for example, I thinbk that I need to have hundreds of holes in the hull properly bored put before painting. Gun port lid ropes holes (1 hole per gun port), gun port tackle holes (4 holes per gun port), the wire insertion holes for the gun port lids (2 holes per gun port), etc...
 
Many of these are already in place, but now that I have the gun tackle bolts from Kris in Poland... that leaves me about 400 gun port tackle holes to do next! Fortunately, the "hard" part is just making an appropriate jig for each of the different gun ports.... the drilling then is very easy and robotic.

I know that people who prioritize quality and accuracy will always choose VM, as you can see from the reactions in the forums. But you'll probably lose some customers who aren't so keen on this and who will opt for a less accurate, lower-quality model (and one that seems rather hastily assembled), only because they find this model available first.
 
It is sad it's happening this way, because the development of a kit is one of the most enjoyable things to watch, but I understand your decision. 🙏

How about:
 
" My next kit will be " HMS XXX " ,  with an image.
 
Six months later:
 
" HMS XXX is now available at Vanguard Models ! "

The differences seem to be mainly on the upper deck arrangements, with hatches in different positions, and the upper bulwarks slightly different, too.
 
For future developments, I shall not be so quick to plaster it all on here. Once a development is near completion, ony then shall I announce it. I would rather not do this as I too get excited telling you guys, but it seems I have little choice.

I got the engine block built and all of the paper parts for the cylinders cut out -- fourteen cylinders at six parts each = eighty-four parts to cut out. After that I started rolling cylinders, but I only got two done before my brain died. 🥴 
 

I think I will wait until Chris s comes out 

As for my model and wood color, it will be more “as launched” than “as salvaged”. I am going to take some creative liberty though and make certain elements stand out more than they would have. Keel, stem and stern posts in walnut along with the wales to contrast against the lighter planking color, still to be determined. As the mast is made up of multiple pieces, I am going to use two different woods with a similar color such as possibly ash and walnut.
 
I also like to model with natural wood colors when possible. As such, something I am considering is using blood wood for the areas of planking that would have been painted red. I’ve done this on other models and I have found it pleasing. 
 
A major reason for this is that I intend this model to be educational. By having key components stand out, it is easier for people to see and understand than if they were all bended together. 
 
Thank you for sharing those recent pictures and videos link Mike! 

I think I will wait until Chris s comes out 

So this looks like the film's ex-HMS Rose/Surprise ...?
 
Edit: I should add that this model looks really cool. Wow, what a scale! This gives a modeler the opportunity to put in a lot of extra details, should they choose. So, kudos to AL on this one. Personally, I'm more of an Admiralty draught purist, but that's my problem ...

I think I will wait until Chris s comes out 

I think I will wait until Chris s comes out 

I think I will wait until Chris s comes out 

Igor's very first job for me was the Surprise lower drop, the rest of Surprise 3-d printed parts was done by another company (figureheads and the Aubrey/Maturin music scene) and a nice fellow from Canada (Lantern, boats, done previously, and stove), and a few things I did myself (like the new pump bodies, rudder fittings and carronade wheels)
 
Igor's first big job for me will be the figurehead, decoration and a few other aspects for the new development of HMS Agamamnon. I suspect this will not be his last job for me..
 
Today I ordered and paid for the production photo etched brass sheets for Surprise, which are being done in Italy and will be ready well before kit release. In fact, all of the Surprise PE copper sheets will be with me this week (ordered those extra early in case there was any issues with supply).

You can see a small trailer now if you go to the youtube page of the video! Will you join us tomorrow? :-)

It ended up being a stopgap propaganda tool. Made for a movie in 1916. 

Ok, got distracted by a little side project 

Nearly ready for paint 

So why bother?

Closing up the tank now