Group Prototype HMS Winchelsea - FINISHED - 1764 - by Chuck (1/4" scale)

[Chuck]

Thanks!!

 

I am working on the gangways now to finish up chapter 11.

 

Almost there...

 

[glbarlow]

I’m so so far from this point. It does look so cool. 

Edited May 11, 2022 by glbarlow

[scrubbyj427]

Remarkable work Chuck! What an incredible project the Winnie has become!

[giampieroricci]

Beautiful!
Looks like a 3D rendered model!!

[dvm27]

Sweet work, Chuck. They're like the perfect carpet that ties the room together.

[Chuck]

Thanks guys...I am having a struggle with deciding how much else to add in the waist.  Should I add boarding stanchions or the skid beam crutches?  They might look out of place.  I was planning on mounting the barge on two spare topmasts and it may look odd with empty skid beam crutches.  It may look even more odd with the skid beams and too busy.   I am not sure how to proceed but will skip ahead to the chapter12 and start work on the stern lantern next.   

 

I dont like adding stuff just for the sake of adding it.  Especially if it makes the model look over crowded and too busy.   The contemporary model is so clean without them.  In fact it doesnt even show the gangboards.  We shall see.   If I follow Amazon it will get so busy with hammock cranes and all the stanchions.   Might be tricky adding the cranes along the qdeck caprail now that the rail is completed as well.  The ships barge may be plenty enough on those spare topmasts.

 

 

 

[glbarlow]

I agree about the too busy part, There are so many nice features there all ready I wouldn’t want to drown them out with hardware for the sake of hardware.  Hammock cranes or crutches would add nothing in my opinion, maybe boarding stanchions. 
 

While historical accuracy is relevant, I believe we are building an admiralty model, not a rendition of a sailing vessel (e.g. no rigging) so what would convince the board to build this vessel, eliminate adding anything would detract from the elegance of the design.

 

Just my two cents, I’ll go back to planking now. 

[Chuck]

Im tending to agree with you and it could always be one of those things that anyone could add on their own and make their model more unique.  I think the barge on spare topmasts may be enough.  

[scrubbyj427]

I think you could go any direction with this. You would really have to start adding tons of crap to spoil this model. I think Amazon looks great and not too busy. But I wouldn’t go past that point. Maybe settle somewhere between Amazon and Winnie contemporary. 

[Chuck]

The stern lantern is a reworked example of what I currently sell as a mini kit.  This one is tweaked a bit but the same concept.  I wanted to try my hand at a fully wooden lantern which means this new mini-kit is all boxwood.  It is delicate.  The old one will look the same but it is made with laserboard elements.   

 

Its your choice really.   The older version will have to be painted or use the windsor and Newton Markers.   I will detail the process to make the new version.....here is the plan...

 

 

There is a secret to making these neatly and cleanly!!!   Want to know what that secret is?

 

 

[Beckmann]

Perhaps: "slow and steady"?

[Oldsalt1950]

Have Chuck make it for you

 

[Hubac's Historian]

6 hours ago, glbarlow said:

I agree about the too busy part, There are so many nice features there all ready I wouldn’t want to drown them out with hardware for the sake of hardware.  Hammock cranes or crutches would add nothing in my opinion, maybe boarding stanchions. 
 

While historical accuracy is relevant, I believe we are building an admiralty model, not a rendition of a sailing vessel (e.g. no rigging) so what would convince the board to build this vessel, eliminate adding anything would detract from the elegance of the design.

 

Just my two cents, I’ll go back to planking now. 

Perfectly well-said.  

[Hubac's Historian]

I would also like to know the secret, but I wouldn't necessarily mind if you made it for me.  Lanterns = scale difficulty to 11.

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by Hubac's Historian

[scrubbyj427]

I’ve been chewing my nails in anticipation for the last four hours, Chuck... what’s the secret?

[glbarlow]

Buy it pre-made.

[Chuck]

4 hours ago, glbarlow said:

Buy it pre-made.

Thats cheating....

 

Like the Capstan and stove there are plenty of little pieces.  But having this made of boxwood really does add a lot to the model if done well.

 

22 hours ago, Beckmann said:

Perhaps: "slow and steady"?

That goes without saying...but for these mini kits there are two other secret weapons.  They may seem obvious but it is often overlooked.

 

First....Keep it clean....Wash your hands thoroughly first.  Like you were going into surgery.   Keeping tiny parts clean is so crucial.   Use lots of sand paper.  Meaning as soon as it gets dirty with char, throw it away.  Otherwise it will just dirty up all your parts.  I went through so much 400 grit sandpaper making the lantern.   Removing the char carefully without getting it on my fingers and spreading it around.

 

Second....magnification....when making these small fittings I use the strongest magnification possible.   You can only see when its 5" in front of you and this helps a lot.  Great for tight joints on small parts and keeping your parts clean.

 

The lantern probably should have been a bit higher but I couldnt bring myself to drill through the boat carving on the stern.   I drilled for the bracket through the water instead.  This proved to be a mistake after looking at it for a while.  So since these pictures were taken I moved the lantern higher and filled the hole in the carving.  Its much better now.   And you cant tell I ever hesitated.

I have a ton more construction photos and will be processing them soon.  But while working on the model I have now fallen so far behind with rope making and other parts I will be very busy for the next week.  So no more building for me.  

 

But this just leaves the headwork.   From the photos of the hull above that is pretty much what the finished hull will look like since you cant see the headrails arent completed.   I have to write chapter 11 as well.

 

Chuck

 

 

[Peta_V]

Wow, that is something and the half Chuck! Looks fantastic. Bravo

[Gahm]

The lantern is a masterpiece of its own! You have a wonderful model there . . . !

 

Thomas

[BubbleHead]

MAGNIFICENT

[dvm27]

Good decision to raise it's location Chuck. I'm betting the Master carvers had the same reticence to pierce the original carving in that location as well!

[druxey]

A guide as to lantern level; the door needs to clear the tafferel or it won't open! Also, it should be at a height comfortable for someone on the deck to place the light into. "Form follows function", as usual.

[Chuck]

Well uh yupp!!!  I decided to make an entirely new lantern.  I tweaked it yet again.  There were two things bugging me.  Not that I wasnt happy with the old one but I know I would see those two issues for eternity.

 

SO first I reduced the overall diameter.  The heght was fine.  But it was a bit to fat for my tastes.  I reduced it to 95% of what it was.  Just a wee bit.  In addition I reworked the design to move the vent on the roof aft slightly.  Previously it was in the center of the hex.  That is incorrect and kept bugging me.  The vent should be on the same diagonal as the aft edge or main axis of the lantern.

 

That was challenging to design but building it is no different.

 

Here are some photos of the revises lantern which to my eye looks more to scale and better.  I hope you agree although it may difficult to see such small changes.   I am my own worst enemy with this stuff.  Its also higher on the transom as we spoke about.  I used the contemporary models of Amazon and the princess Royal to get a good sense of the height.  The door can easily swing open to service the lantern and its easily accessible. It takes a good full day to make this lantern and mount it.  Although much quicker this last time around.  I have made six in all.  There are a lot of failures you guys dont see.

 

 

 

[Stuntflyer]

Nicely done, Chuck. Can’t wait to see your Winnie tomorrow.

[glbarlow]

Well done! I know it was a small size change, but it looks a lot better as it sits now.  I'm still not sure how I'll feel drilling through that carving - but fortunately its a really long time for me before it's an issue. The real question "is the candle real?" 😄

 

Edited May 13, 2022 by glbarlow

[Chuck]

Here is the updated drawing for the lantern..

 

And a look at the Amazon stern.  Which is beautiful.   Note it has three lanterns but the Winnie only has one.

In comparison to my simplified version.  How the heck did they make this stuff way back then?

 

 

[Trussben]

Wow Chuck, that looks amazing and just shows what a talented designer you are.

[James G]

Hi Chuck! I’m planning on starting the Winnie sometime over the next few weeks. Will be building in cherry. This probably will be a multi -year project for me. Are you planning on supporting this model over the next several years with the laser cut packages you offer? I’m concerned about getting invested in it and that resources could dry up before I finish. Could you please provide some feedback? Thank you!

[Chuck]

Unless I drop dead I will be continuing to make parts for a long time.   And if I ever decide to stop many years in the future I will find someone to cut parts for all my projects.  I plan on handing the keys over to the chocolate factory  "Willie Wonka"  style at some point.   Pass out golden tickets in Syren bars, LOL.  No joke...

[hollowneck]

On 5/14/2022 at 7:20 AM, Chuck said:

In comparison to my simplified version.  How the heck did they make this stuff way back then?

Teams. More than one "specialist" pro worked on the Navy Board models according to several pro model maker sources. The teams also had to "crank" these models out for their clients (typically the ship building companies competing for Admiralty contracts). Many fingers make light work.😄