chris watton Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share #1651 Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) Another little update. Since the beginning of 28th September until last week, we had builders here to convert our garage into a proper unit, split into two rooms, one room for the laser cutting and raw materials, and another for packing (and gym...). They did quote 2 weeks, but it was over 5 weeks. We have a new roof, floor levelled and walls skinned in OSB boards, including the partition. All new shelving arrived yesterday, so this week we are fitting the rooms out. Next Monday my new laser machine arrives, so I will be able to develop much larger kits (Sphinx is the largest I could go with my current machine, unless I split the keel, and I prefer not to do that if at all possible) I now have all Vanguard Models kits in stock, after a nightmare couple of months chasing suppliers up with my orders (notably, photo etched brass). As I have mentioned, because of the headaches this has caused me lately, my next three kits are having the photo etched sheets produced locally here in the UK. They cost more, but then again, all photo etch suppliers are increasing prices anyway, due to shortages of raw materials. Right now, I am laser cutting the Nisha and Erycina production parts. Today I received the 3-d printed castings for the kits, as well as sample sail sets for each. The production versions are being made now, so will hopefully be ready in time for the kit releases. I have read all the build logs, most notably the Sphinx logs. When designing/developing Sphinx, my design philosophy for this kit (aside from wanting to develop kits that I would want to buy) was to make the build as painless as possible for builders who were used to kits like Fly, Vanguard, Duchess etc.. So intermediate modellers. I wanted to include cut parts that are never really included in older kits, where these parts are either left off altogether, or the modeller needs to make them from strips of wood or blocks of wood. All they then need is final finishing and, in some cases, like the quarter gallery, all three edges require shaping. But for the most part, if the parts are not painted, the top and bottom edges need slight filing/sanding to remove the char, which, being laser cut, I can do nothing about. Sphinx will still take a while to build, but a lot of that time should be cleaning up pre cut parts, and not making them from scratch. In summary, wooden model kits are not designed to fall together when you shake the box (as many allude to Tamiya), but each part still needs to be worked on and test fitted multiple times, and maybe adjusted, before fitting. Sphinx takes 8 hours to produce each kit. I have said before, if I designed each kit like most other mainstream manufacturers, I could honestly produce a dozen or so new kits per year, as there's really nothing to them. But where is the fun/challenge in that? When we get time, we will add a section on my website, grading each kit according to the experience required to build each kit. Cheers, Chris Edited November 2, 2021 by chris watton CaptnBirdseye, DelF, Nunnehi (Don) and 29 others 27 5 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBirdseye Posted November 2, 2021 Share #1652 Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) Great Idea Chris 👍 Mind you, i suppose the grading is subjective. Having been following most (if not all) the Sphinx builds, a lot of people are saying that with a little patience it's buildable by all skill levels. That's a testament to your design skills. Wishing you the best of luck with this new phase. RB Edited November 3, 2021 by RockinBudgie hollowneck, BobG, Ryland Craze and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasseji Posted November 2, 2021 Share #1653 Posted November 2, 2021 1 minute ago, RockinBudgie said: Great Idea Chris 👍 Mind you, i suppose the grading is subjective. Having been following most (if not all) the Sphinx builds, a lot of people are saying that with a little patience it's buildable by all skill levels. That's a testament to your design skills. Wishing the best of luck RB I second that, this Kit is designed in such a Superb way, that even on a low skill level and with little patience one can achieve a passable result which might be okay for some builders (and especially until now i havent encountered any real showstoppers which might result in this kit not getting finished) Of course, the more skill and patience you bring, the better the end result but in the end it's up to the builder what level of quality they want to achieve and if some just want to "slap it together" just to have a personal feeling of achievement, then that was perhaps not your intention, but i wouldnt berate anyone for that Canute, thibaultron, BenD and 5 others 8 Jacek Current Build: HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models 1/64 On Hold/Parallel: Lady Nelson - Amati/Victory Models 1/64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted November 2, 2021 Share #1654 Posted November 2, 2021 Sounds promising and is also excellent news for us builders, Chris. Canute, Ryland Craze, chris watton and 2 others 5 Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted November 2, 2021 Share #1655 Posted November 2, 2021 9 hours ago, chris watton said: Since the beginning of 28th September until last week, we had builders here to convert our garage into a proper unit, split into two rooms, one room for the laser cutting and raw materials, and another for packing (and gym...) Be sure and give us a photo tour when you are all set up. Ryland Craze, Canute, mtaylor and 4 others 7 Bob Garcia "Measure once, cuss twice!" Current Builds: Hms Brig-Sloop Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models Pen Duick - Artesania Latina 1:28 Completed: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Co. Member of the Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share #1656 Posted November 10, 2021 Still working on new work unit (ex garage), still needs proper wiring for sockets and lights, and insulated doors. Both people are coming tomorrow to size up and give quotes - and, all being well, my new laser arrives on Friday! In the meantime, me and Jim have been busy with Erycina and Nisha, the next two kits in the range. Jim just sent me these pics, the hulls for both are now fully complete, and masts, rig and sails won't take too long. I will have both of these available to buy before Christmas. The PE is being produced now, here in the UK, and I have a little more to do on manuals, which again, are printed here. I think Jim has done a fantastic job on these. I will eventually finish my Erycina prototype and keep it for my own display... Erycina has the green upper bulwarks, and Nisha has black. Still laser cutting production sets for both as I type! Matt D, Dean77, Haliburton and 37 others 33 7 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted November 10, 2021 Share #1657 Posted November 10, 2021 Beautiful work. Canute, AJohnson, chris watton and 5 others 8 Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted November 10, 2021 Share #1658 Posted November 10, 2021 Rock on, Chris. Everything I've seen or heard that comes out of your shop looks great. AJohnson, BobG, chris watton and 4 others 7 Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted November 11, 2021 Share #1659 Posted November 11, 2021 Gorgeous boats! Canute, chris watton, thibaultron and 1 other 4 Bob Garcia "Measure once, cuss twice!" Current Builds: Hms Brig-Sloop Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models Pen Duick - Artesania Latina 1:28 Completed: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Co. Member of the Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BranPie Posted November 11, 2021 Share #1660 Posted November 11, 2021 Oh, those are beautiful! I think at least one of them will be be on my “to do” list… BenD, mtaylor, Canute and 1 other 4 Cheers, Pieter Current build: Polaris (OcCre, 1:50) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpalmer1970 Posted November 11, 2021 Share #1661 Posted November 11, 2021 They do look good ! chris watton, thibaultron, Canute and 1 other 4 -‐-‐-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Build Hayling Hoy 1760 - First POF scratch build Completed HMB Endeavour's Longboat by Artesania Latina Completed HM Armed Cutter Alert by Vanguard Models Completed 18ft cutter and 34ft launch by Vanguard Models Completed Pen Duick by Artesania Latina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Greig Posted November 12, 2021 Share #1662 Posted November 12, 2021 Wow, these two look fantastic, I think they will be popular. Lines, colours all look very attractive. mtaylor, chris watton, thibaultron and 1 other 4 Completed builds; Caldercraft Mars; Vanguard Alert, Amati Revenge On the shelf; Vanguard DOK & the Sphinx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 12, 2021 Author Share #1663 Posted November 12, 2021 39 minutes ago, Malcolm Greig said: Wow, these two look fantastic, I think they will be popular. Lines, colours all look very attractive. Thank you! I am hoping to have full colour printed boxes for these new smaller kits (350x200x50mm) made in time for release. But as these will be printed in he EU, nothing is certain, so my contingency plan is to have a few box labels made, and fit the kits in the Fifie and Zulu box for the first batch. Have said before, I would love to have full colour printed box tops for all kits, but as my products are relatively low volume, the prices in the UK for printed boxes is comical, adding about 25-30% of the overall kit cost! KentM, Ryland Craze, thibaultron and 6 others 7 1 1 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thukydides Posted November 12, 2021 Share #1664 Posted November 12, 2021 3 hours ago, chris watton said: Have said before, I would love to have full colour printed box tops for all kits, but as my products are relatively low volume, the prices in the UK for printed boxes is comical, adding about 25-30% of the overall kit cost! Speaking personally though the boxes do look nice, I would much rather the kits were cheaper than they had a fancy box. At the end of the day when the kit is build, the box will just end up in the garbage. That being said I can understand your dilemma wanting every part of the product you make to look like it is made with care. thibaultron, chris watton, hollowneck and 2 others 5 Current Builds: HMS Perseus (Scratch) Completed Builds: Type VII C U Boat (HobbyBoss); HM Cutter Alert (Vanguard Models) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share #1665 Posted November 13, 2021 That's little Nisha complete, thanks to Jim Hatch. Just Erycina close behind.... DelF, ccoyle, GrandpaPhil and 28 others 25 6 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niwotwill Posted November 13, 2021 Share #1666 Posted November 13, 2021 Nice, Nice, Nice when can I buy one? Will mtaylor, Canute, thibaultron and 1 other 4 Current Build: Erycina 1882 Fishing Trawler by Vanguard Models 1:64 scale Syren by pearwill Model Shipways 1:64 scale On Hold: HM Cutter Cheerful Syren Shipmodel Scratch 1:48 scale 1776 Washington Row Galley scratch scratch from NRG plans #121 1:48 scale Completed Build: Charles W. Morgan by Artesania Latina circa 1988, Lowell Grand Banks Dory 1:24 scale by Model Shipways, Norwegian.Sailing Pram 1:12 scale by Model Shipways, Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack 1:24 scale by Model Shipways Member Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share #1667 Posted November 13, 2021 Will be sending files for plans, manual and box art to printers next week, so I shall have a better idea when I can release it then. Still laser cutting the parts for Nisha and Erycina, but that will finish Monday. Ryland Craze, KentM, BobG and 6 others 9 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share #1668 Posted November 15, 2021 And here is the completed Erycina! jpalmer1970, Nunnehi (Don), VonHoldinghausen and 33 others 31 5 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigie65 Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1669 Posted November 15, 2021 Added to Christmas list, better be nice now. chris watton, Canute, mtaylor and 1 other 1 3 Cheers Craig Current Build HMS Indefatigable Erycina - Vanguard Models Finished: HM Bomb Vessel Granado - Caldercraft, HMS Pegasus - Victory models, Nisha - Vanguard Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1670 Posted November 15, 2021 Both exceptionally nice-looking subjects. Congrats to you and James -- what a great team! KentM, hollowneck, thibaultron and 5 others 8 Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share #1671 Posted November 15, 2021 Cheers! Nisha and Erycina are kits 8&9, with 10 coming not too long after. 11 or 12 will be a very large one for next year - too large for laser engraved decks, so more 'Old School'.. ccoyle, VTHokiEE, Canute and 13 others 14 1 1 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTHokiEE Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1672 Posted November 15, 2021 Beautiful kits! I can't keep up with your output but I do enjoy watching the development and build log's of others! thibaultron, mtaylor, Canute and 3 others 6 Current Build: HM Sloop Echo 1781 (First Scratch Build) Previous Builds: HM Cutter Alert, Sharpie Schooner, Chesapeake Bay Flattie, Half-Hull (NRG) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1673 Posted November 15, 2021 3 hours ago, chris watton said: Cheers! Nisha and Erycina are kits 8&9, with 10 coming not too long after. 11 or 12 will be a very large one for next year - too large for laser engraved decks, so more 'Old School'.. Oh...now you're teasing us! Any hints about what's to come? thibaultron, Canute, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Bob Garcia "Measure once, cuss twice!" Current Builds: Hms Brig-Sloop Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models Pen Duick - Artesania Latina 1:28 Completed: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Co. Member of the Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share #1674 Posted November 15, 2021 I think another one or two small kits, then a very big development, from the sublime to ridiculous.... I haven't even started the designs for the next big kit, but have laid quite a lot of groundwork for it, and it is something I very much look forward to starting, as it was always on my first list of subjects I want to do, and one of the first set of plans I bought back in 2019. For now, all laser cut parts for Nisha and Erycina have been done, and box art almost complete. I just have Erycina manual to complete - I say 'Just', it's still a lot of work - but I anticipate all work being completed in the next three days. BenD, thibaultron, p.hoek and 10 others 11 2 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasseji Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1675 Posted November 15, 2021 is number 11 or 12 going to be a sister of an unspecified Kitten-Named Ship ? Canute, mtaylor and thibaultron 3 Jacek Current Build: HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models 1/64 On Hold/Parallel: Lady Nelson - Amati/Victory Models 1/64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share #1676 Posted November 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, Jasseji said: is number 11 or 12 going to be a sister of an unspecified Kitten-Named Ship ? HMS Fluffy! mtaylor, Canute, hollowneck and 2 others 1 3 1 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasseji Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1677 Posted November 15, 2021 (edited) 45 minutes ago, chris watton said: HMS Fluffy! i am soooo tempted now to paint my Sphinx in a Hello-Kitty theme Edited November 15, 2021 by Jasseji Canute, mtaylor, hollowneck and 2 others 2 3 Jacek Current Build: HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models 1/64 On Hold/Parallel: Lady Nelson - Amati/Victory Models 1/64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigie65 Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1678 Posted November 15, 2021 @chris wattonIs Erycina the same type as the Vigilance that sits in Brixham harbour? mtaylor, Canute and thibaultron 3 Cheers Craig Current Build HMS Indefatigable Erycina - Vanguard Models Finished: HM Bomb Vessel Granado - Caldercraft, HMS Pegasus - Victory models, Nisha - Vanguard Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share #1679 Posted November 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, Craigie65 said: @chris wattonIs Erycina the same type as the Vigilance that sits in Brixham harbour? I cannot say as I have never seen or heard of the existence of Vigilance. mtaylor, Canute and thibaultron 3 Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigie65 Posted November 15, 2021 Share #1680 Posted November 15, 2021 (edited) https://vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk I have seen her a few times when on holiday in the West Country, but have only just realised it might be the same type as your lovely Erycina Edited November 15, 2021 by Craigie65 mtaylor, chris watton, Canute and 2 others 5 Cheers Craig Current Build HMS Indefatigable Erycina - Vanguard Models Finished: HM Bomb Vessel Granado - Caldercraft, HMS Pegasus - Victory models, Nisha - Vanguard Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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