Duchess of Kingston 1798 by glennard2523 - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64 - Royal Yacht by Glenn Shelton

[Glenn-UK]

8 minutes ago, DWright said:

I'm in on this build log too Glenn.  I just ordered the kit last week, and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

 

Cheers,

 

Darrel Wright

It is a very well designed kit, everything fits together so well so far. 

[Glenn-UK]

1 hour ago, DWright said:

I'm in on this build log too Glenn.  I just ordered the kit last week, and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

 

Cheers,

 

Darrel Wright

It is a very well designed kit, everything fits together so well so far. 

[Glenn-UK]

Hit my first snag this afternoon, when I realised I had failed to fit the fore mast supports (2 x 15a) to the bow patterns 15 prior to their installation to the false keel.

 

The inner longitudinal strip (16) needed a bit of modification work in order to retro fit missing mast supports.

 

Thankfully this mofification has not affected the hull integrity and will be hidden from view after the 1st planking has been completed.

 

[James H]

Whilst it's a straightforward model to build, the design complexity really calls for all those instruction stages to be followed, and many in the sequence suggested too. 

 

That was a nice save in getting those parts in before you planked that hull later.

[Glenn-UK]

4 hours ago, James H said:

Whilst it's a straightforward model to build, the design complexity really calls for all those instruction stages to be followed, and many in the sequence suggested too.  

Totally agree James. When I discovered the two left over pieces my initial reaction was I wonder when they need to be fitted and scanned ahead in the manual. I was gutted when I eventually discovered I had missed fitting them prior to adding part 15

[James H]

It happens. 

 

Look at the part numbers on these early stages. If low numbered, you can guarantee they are needed very early on.

[Rustyj]

Hi Glenn, Great save. Those little buggers were hiding on you. 

 

Beware when your placing the fore deck. The two vertical pieces circled in your picture below are fragile and can be bent or snapped off if your not careful placing the fore deck. As least if you have heavy hands like me. Keep up the good workmanship!

 

 

 

 

[Jim Rogers]

It would be great if an abbreviated checklist came with the written instructions.

 

[James H]

8 hours ago, Jim Rogers said:

It would be great if an abbreviated checklist came with the written instructions.

 

Can you explain what you mean?

[Glenn-UK]

Stage: Hull Construction

Build instructions: 45-46 & 50-59

Task: Adding fore and aft decks, temporary cross beams and final stern and bow patterns

Parts: 1a – 8a, 18 – 20, 19a, 19b, 19c, 42 & 43

Time Spent: 20 mins

Status: Complete

Build Notes: This was a straightforward assembly process, with no problems encountered. I started by gluing the two stern quarter filling patterns (20) in place on the outside of the two outer stern patterns (32).

 

I then added the 2 bow patterns (18) and the 2 sets of stern patterns 19, 19a, 19b and 19c

 

 

I applied plenty of wood glue to the bulkheads and false keel and with relative ease the fore deck (42) was added. Initially the was a slight bit of bowing but after a quick check I noticed that the deck had not fully engaged with one of the locating slots. Once that was fully clicked in to place the deck locked into place.

 

 

I then repeated the process for the aft deck. I added a couple of pins to the outside edge of the deck where it sits on bulkhead 9 for good measure.

 

The temporary cross beams (1a – 8a) were a nice tight fit, I only had to use a clamp to hold 8a in place.

 

 

Using a 8mm dowel (not the 8mm dowel supplied with the kit) I decided to check if the dowel would pass through the mast support patterns (14a and 15a). This is easier to check before the hull planking is added. Indication marks were added to the temporary dowel for future reference when the actual masts are ready to be fitted.

 

 

I now believe the basic hull structure is complete and ready for the fairing process. I must congratulate Chris Watton for his work; the design has been well thought out and quality of the material supplied is very good. The build instructions are easy to follow with plenty of good quality photos.

[Jim Rogers]

5 hours ago, James H said:

Can you explain what you mean?

Yes, I wrote Technical Documentation for Torpedo Maintenance. The Technical Manual would have in depth procedures whilst the checklist would be abbreviated. Example the technical manual would explain that part 15a should be installed in bulkhead 15 after removing char and test fitting. It would explain any placement processes. The checklist would say: Install 15a (para 3.1) . Using a checklist means steps don’t get missed in the verbiage.

[James H]

2 minutes ago, Jim Rogers said:

Yes, I wrote Technical Documentation for Torpedo Maintenance. The Technical Manual would have in depth procedures whilst the checklist would be abbreviated. Example the technical manual would explain that part 15a should be installed in bulkhead 15 after removing char and test fitting. It would explain any placement processes. The checklist would say: Install 15a (para 3.1) . Using a checklist means steps don’t get missed in the verbiage.

I don't want to hijack this log at all, but this is in the manual I wrote:

 

[Glenn-UK]

11 minutes ago, James H said:

I don't want to hijack this log at all, but this is in the manual I wrote:

 

The instructions are clear as day and follow a nice logical sequence. Mine was a simple error. After pre fairing the parts as instructed I simply forgot to fit the mast supports as I had put them away for safe keeping. Old age I'm afraid.

[James H]

24 minutes ago, glennard2523 said:

The instructions are clear as day and follow a nice logical sequence. Mine was a simple error. After pre fairing the parts as instructed I simply forgot to fit the mast supports as I had put them away for safe keeping. Old age I'm afraid.

I get moments like that too and I'm 50!

 

Carry on! 🤣

[Glenn-UK]

43 minutes ago, James H said:

I get moments like that too and I'm 50!

 

Carry on! 🤣

I'm 12 years your elder James.

[rafine]

How do you think I feel Glenn, I've got 19 years on you.

 

Bob

[Glenn-UK]

I am currently working on fairing the hull. This is going to take a few hours before I'm happy with the end result. I am using a mixture of thick and thin sanding sticks and some 220 grit sand paper. I'm also using a thin planking strip and my illuminated magnifier to check the fit, especially where the decks sit with bulkheads. 

 

I was planning on using my dremel for some areas but it suffered a catastrophic failure when I had to create a space to retro fit the fore mast supports.

 

After 3 hours effort I have completed fairing the starboard side and I'm about halfway through fairing the port side.

 

I have found where stern pattern 19, 19a, 19b and 19c are located is the most time consuming and awkward area to fair.

 

The other time consuming part is fairing the bottom edge of bow pattern part 15.

 

Time and patience is my friend at the moment 

Edited November 16, 2020 by glennard2523

[chris watton]

That's looking good, Glenn, sanding looks spot on.

[Glenn-UK]

13 minutes ago, chris watton said:

That's looking good, Glenn, sanding looks spot on.

Thanks Chris. It is a slow process with plenty of checks as I progress to make sure I have faired enough at each key point. James did provide me some useful advice as well.

[Glenn-UK]

Stage: Hull Construction

Build instructions: 60 - 66

Task: Fairing of the hull

Parts: N/A

Time Spent: 240 mins

Status: Complete

Build Notes: I took my time with this task. I used a mixture of my standard and thin Flory standing sticks and 220 grit sandpaper. I found it necessary to check the fairing with some planks, especially where the deck and bulkhead meet and at the stern area where patterns 19, 19a, 19b and 19c are fitted. I lost count of the times I thought it looked OK only to discover a plank would not lay true over between bulkhead 12 and 13 and around the stern patterns (19, 19a, 19b and 19c).

 

I also found checking the fairing with my illuminated magnifier to be beneficial, especially for the bow area for bulkheads 1 to 3 and bow pattern 15.

 

After about 4 hours work I was finally happy with fairing and I think the hull is now ready for the next stage of the build process which will be to add the bow pattern (49) and to bend the two bulwark patterns (45). Due to the nature of the pear wood it is essential that the bulwark’s, which will be soaked in hot water for approx. 30 mins) are allowed to fully dry out during the bending process as this type of wood does expand when wet and will return back to its original size once it has fully dried out.

 

Build Photos

Outer Stern Pattern 20

 

Stern Patterns

 

 

Bow Area

 

Bow Bulkheads

 

 

Stern Bulkheads

[Glenn-UK]

Stage: Hull Construction

Build instructions: 67-70

Task: Bow and Bulwark Patterns

Parts: 45 (x2) & 49

Time Spent: 10 mins

Status: Complete

Build Notes: I did a test fit of the bow pattern (49) As it was a very good fit I removed it and brushed on some wood glue to the contact areas and slotted the pattern back in place. Although I didn’t think the bow pattern needed clamping, I did use a couple of clamps to ensure the part remained properly aligned whilst the glue cured.

 

The two bulwark patterns (45) were then soaked in hot water. After 30 mins I removed then and clamped then around a round jar to get the required bow shaping. They will now stay clamped for approx. 22 hours which will give the patterns plenty of time to fully dry.

 

 

 

I jumped ahead to have a look at the next task, after the completion of the 1^st hull planking. I decided to remove the fore and aft keel parts and test fit them to the hull along with the stern post assembly. (build instructions 75 – 78). I was pleased with how these parts looked when dry fitted and they will now be stored away for safe keeping. I was tempted to assemble some the desk items, such as the cannons, gallows and main mast bits, bilge pumps, hatchings, etc. but I have resisted the temptation as I need to spend a bit of time with my Robert E Lee build project.

 

[DWright]

It looks terrific Glenn!   As I await  the arrival of my kit I have read James' log twice and your log at least twice.  The detailed information you have noted is invaluable, and truly underscores the value of a good build log.

 

I do have a question.  I have always removed the laser char, particularly on bulkheads where planking will occur, to assure complete bonding of the planks.  Do you, or anyone else, feel this practice is necessary with this kit?

 

Thank you,

 

Darrel

 

 

[James H]

Just now, DWright said:

I do have a question.  I have always removed the laser char, particularly on bulkheads where planking will occur, to assure complete bonding of the planks.  Do you, or anyone else, feel this practice is necessary with this kit?

Thankfully, there's zero reason to do it except for aesthetics for visible edges.

 

Chris Watton did a test on this theory a long time ago and there was no weakness in a joint still carrying char.

[Glenn-UK]

1 hour ago, DWright said:

 The detailed information you have noted is invaluable, and truly underscores the value of a good build log.

 

 

 

I keep looking at James's log and I lost count the number of times I have read the manual. I'm glad you are enjoying my build log.

[Glenn-UK]

Just a quick update now the two bulwark patterns (45) have fully dried out after been clamped for 22 hours.

 

Port Bulwark Pattern

The port side bulwark pattern fitted like a dream, as can be seen in the following pictures. It has not been glued and pinned in to place just yet, as it needs it starboard buddy to be ready for action!

 

 

 

 

Starboard Bulwark Pattern

I had a minor mishap with the starboard bulwark pattern.  I do not know how much longer I can use the " having a senior moment" excuse.🤔

I think the following picture will show why I should be nominated for the MSW "Numpty of the Week" award. 😂.

Needless to say the pattern is once again in hot water for 30 mins in readiness for another overnight session with the clamps.

 

[James H]

Been there, done that! 🤪

[chris watton]

12 minutes ago, James H said:

Been there, done that! 🤪

Me too, more times than I dare say...

[Edwardkenway]

Oops, it happens to us all at times. The port side looked very fine.

[Rustyj]

Yes we all have had that moment. I used a hair dryer to accelerate the drying time to just an hour with no ill effects.

[Ryland Craze]

I could not figure out what happened.  I studied your starboard picture and it finally hit me.  My "senior moment" for the day.😊