Mario Pires Posted February 20, 2021 Share #1 Posted February 20, 2021 I have recently came back in to this hobby again, after a long absence. Finally I could set up a small area on the storage room. There is no heating though so I have been waiting for the last few months to start.... And speaking of that after several months of reviewing options, the Zulu Lady Isabella from Vanguard Models caught my eye. Such an elegant boat, I am planning to make build it with the optional sails and with the red/black/white color scheme. I am not sure if other patterns were common, I could not find pictures of Zulus still sailing. Here is the workspace BobG, Andyrew, Rik Thistle and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted February 20, 2021 Share #2 Posted February 20, 2021 A lot of old sailing workboat designs found second lives as pleasure craft, so I'm sure that taking liberty with the kit's rig and color scheme is not unprecedented. chris watton 1 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Hawker Hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted February 20, 2021 Share #3 Posted February 20, 2021 I have this model on the shelf so I'll be following along. It's a wonderful model. Good luck! chris watton 1 Quote 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...
Rik Thistle Posted February 20, 2021 Share #4 Posted February 20, 2021 Mario, There are excellant Vanguard Zulu builds on this website, with some of those builds having many extras added by the builders. You will not be disappointed in your choice of Lady Isabella...looking forward to your 'build'. regards, Richard Quote Current build: U.S. Army K51 Radio Truck with K52 Trailer - 1944 - MiniArt - 1:35 Next build: PM Research Crank Shaper - late 1800s - 1:12 Part finished: HMS Flirt (MSE) - 1782 Vanguard Models - 1:64 Finished: Archer anti-tank gun Diorama - 1944 -Tamiya 1:35 : Churchill MkVII tank Diorama - Tamiya - 1:35 - 1944 : Sherman Firefly Tank Diorama - Revell - 1/76 - WWII : Humber MkII Scout Car Diorama - - Revell - 1:76 - WWII : PM Research Drill Press - 1895 - 1:12 : PM Research Milling Machine - late 1800s - 1:12 (est) : Stuart Engineering Lathe - late 1800s - 1:12 (est) : Stuart Beam model steam engine - 1770s onwards - 1:12 (est) : Stuart 10V model steam engine circa 1920s - 1:12 (est) : Lady Eleanor Fifie Circa 1900 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 : Dallas Cutter 1815 - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted February 20, 2021 I will certainly have a look at other possibilities for the color scheme ! For now I am eager to start. The kit is wonderful, the manual is very detailed and the step by step instructions are super clear. I made the right choice. I also got another kit from Vanguard Models, the Flirt which I hope to build in the future, but it seemed prudent to start with a smaller kit.... The first step is the superstructure. I only had some issues with the small pegs, but all fits very well. I assembled it first for a dry fit: here from the top After certifying it was all ok, I then assembled it again and then glued it. Tomorrow I plan to start working on the keel structure. Did not do much today, but it was a great feeling 🙂 chris watton, BobG and yvesvidal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) Made some progress on the hull construction. The bevelled inserts (parts 16-19) were a bit difficult to slide in, and I had to remove a bit of the glue overflow that had accumulated when I glued the bulkheads in order to make it fit. Here is the structure before adding the main sub deck. I noticed the sub deck was marked with the number 26 not sure why as it is listed as part 33FT. I had some trouble in installing it as I was afraid of bending it, but it did snap into place, though one of the bulkhead tabs snapped out. These will be removed later anyway. Will post a picture tomorrow as I only did a dry fit of it this evening. Edited February 21, 2021 by Mario Pires yvesvidal, BobG, chris watton and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) The hull is almost ready for planking. I will still need to do a few checks before starting that. It will be my first planking ever, and I look forward for it. While I make a pause to breathe before planking, I have been looking at the possible color patterns for this model. I came across the beautiful Fifie The Swan, launched in 1900, restored and re-launched in 1996, at a venerable age of 96, as a training ship. It has a beautiful bright green/white/red pattern which caught my eye. I am also toying with the idea of not having all of the sails hoisted, but so far I have not found clear pictures of a Zulu with the sails down and its respective rigging. Any recommendation on a book is welcomed. I saw some praise on Sailing Drifters from Edgar J. March, , but have not decided yet. Edited February 23, 2021 by Mario Pires chris watton, JpR62, BobG and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Ensign Posted February 25, 2021 Share #8 Posted February 25, 2021 Hi Mario, you can't do better than the Edgar March book when it comes to Sailing Drifters. As far as the sails arrangement is concerned, if the sails are down so are the yards, there are some old photos in the March book. This is the Reaper with the Fore lug yet to be raised. This is an old shot of a Fifie and a Zulu leaving port. Cheers, B.E. Mario Pires, Rik Thistle, BobG and 3 others 6 Quote Current Build: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-164-scale Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ finished 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ finished HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) Thanks B.E., this is very helpful. I reached out to a few booksellers for Sailing Drifters so hope to get my hands on a copy soon. Edited February 25, 2021 by Mario Pires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) In the meantime I finished the first and second planking. I am glad I choose the Zulu to start with and not a bigger model, as I did a few too many mistakes along the way. Still I am happy with the final result. This was my first ever exercise in planking, and I learned a lot while doing this. These are some photos of the first planking, I will post photos of the finished sanded 2nd planking tomorrow. Edited March 8, 2021 by Mario Pires BobG, Rik Thistle and chris watton 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted March 16, 2021 (edited) In the meantime I have been struggling with the paint job. First because shops have been closed is not easy to find the right paints online, specially because I was looking for spray cans and could not find the right color tone for oxide red here in Switzerland. I did find this one but was not acrylic and I did not want to work with solvent based paints. After a lot of searching I found the range of paints Liquitech in an online art materials shop. But I could only find white matt in a revell brand While I waited for the package I finally received the book Sailing Drifters. This is truly a book about courage, and a story that should be told. Is quite amazing. Edited March 16, 2021 by Mario Pires chris watton and Rik Thistle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted March 16, 2021 (edited) I decided to paint the Zulu in its Black/white/red scheme. I wander what is the right sequence for masking and painting but I just followed the manual and painted the hull red with the Liquitex spray can. This paint is quite nice, it flows easily and has no strong odour. I did 6 coatings..... sanded in between..... but still could not achieve the smooth surface I saw in other logs..... When trying to use wood filler I found it adhered very poorly to the surface, and so did not really worked. I wander what is the best technique here, but of course making a better planking job than mine would help. I did feel the hull was polished and smooth but there were still irregularities in the surface due to planks not fully even. 😉 After this I tried to add the white band but this was really not okay. First I found the Revell spray paint had a very strong chemical smell, and it did not flow as well as the Liquitex. It also dried considerably slower, and tended to creep in in the masking. At the end I decided today to recoat once more the red bottom, and will paint tomorrow the black upper part FIRST before spraying the white - I also in the meantime got a Liquitex Satin white, so this hopefully should go better. Above you see the pictures of the hull painted red before I had applied the white paint. Below is also the rudder. More to it tomorrow .... Edited March 16, 2021 by Mario Pires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted March 29, 2021 I have been progressing slowly, but here are some pictures of where I stand today. BobG, Rik Thistle, GrandpaPhil and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ras Ambrioso Posted March 31, 2021 Share #14 Posted March 31, 2021 Mario, after the paint, your planking doesn’t look too bad. I am building a Fifie and have trouble planking it. i blame the poor fairing of the frames. But, in reality, these boats were built by poor people and I’m sure their planking wasn’t that smooth. So, keep up the good work and I’ll be following your progress. Quote Ras Current builds: Stern Paddle Wheeler ZULU-1916-1/48 scale Previous builds: Freccia Celeste-1927 350cc racing motorcycle-1:9 scale-Protar kit Boeing B17F- 1/72 scale- Hasegawa kit HMS Mimi-scale 1/24-Fast Motor Launch Amapá 1907-1/64 scale-Brazilian Customs Cruiser Scottish Motor Fifie. 1/32 scale. Amati kit Patricia. Steam powered R/C launch. 1/12 scale. Krick Kit African Queen. Steam powered R/C launch. 1/24 scale. Billings ki Emma C. Berry. Sailing fishing smack. 1/32 scale. Model Shipways kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted April 1, 2021 Hi Ras, thanks for your kind words. I made a lot of mistakes so far, but I feel happy with the progress, definitively learning a lot with this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted August 31, 2021 Share #16 Posted August 31, 2021 Hello Mario, have you been able to make any more progress on your boat? Quote 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...
Mario Pires Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share #17 Posted January 23, 2022 Thanks for the question Bib. It has been a while a post an update. I have been busy with many other things and id not progress much. I have picked it up again last month, and am at the stage of planning the rigging. I attach some pictures below of the current status. BobG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share #18 Posted January 23, 2022 Here is where the model stands AJohnson, chris watton, bruce d and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share #19 Posted January 23, 2022 (edited) I am planning the rigging now. The kit plans are not detailed enough for someone like me, as this is my first model, but I have been looking at pictures of other logs, and searching on youtube for inspiration. I will not dye the sails, I like the colour they are now. Edited January 24, 2022 by Mario Pires chris watton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted January 23, 2022 Share #20 Posted January 23, 2022 She looks really good, Mario! chris watton 1 Quote 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...
Mario Pires Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share #21 Posted February 5, 2022 Started the rigging. As the Zulu is my first model it is taking me time to understand what and how to do. Saw a few videos in youtube from a fellow building the Santissima Tridinad on how to make a knot around a block, and many others on different rigging techniques. The Zulu rigging is ver simple, but still quite a challenge to me. bruce d, chris watton, BenD and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted February 5, 2022 Share #22 Posted February 5, 2022 That does look really nice, Mario. I think I prefer this model with the fully painted hull. BobG 1 Quote Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted February 5, 2022 Share #23 Posted February 5, 2022 She's looking real nice. Sorry I was only just alerted to this log by @chris watton. You'll find this one an easy rig too. Looking forward to seeing her complete. BobG 1 Quote SAY NO TO PIRACY. SUPPORT ORIGINAL IDEAS AND MANUFACTURERS. KEEP IT REAL! On the bench: HMS Indefatigable - 1794 (production prototype), Vanguard Models - 1:64. On Hold: HMS Winchelsea Double Capstan - Syren Ship Models - 1:48 Finished US Baltimore Armed Privateer Schooner Grecian 1812 (prototype) - Vanguard Models - 1:64 'Zulu' fishing boat, Vanguard Models - 1:64 Fifie' fishing boat, Vanguard Models - 1:64 HMS Flirt 1782, Vanguard Models - 1:64. Duchess of Kingston c.1780 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 HMS Sphinx 1775, Vanguard Models - 1:64 ERYCINA - Plymouth Ketch-Rigged Trawler 1882, Vanguard Models - 1:64. 'Nisha' - The Brixham 'Mumble-Bee' - Vanguard Models 1:64 'Saucy Jack' fishing boat - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Ranger 'Barking Fish Carrier' - 1864 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Indeterminate: Tender Avos - Master Korabel - 1:72. H.M.S. Victory (production prototype) - Amati - 1:64. HMS Granado 1742 (cross section) - CAFModel - 1:48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share #24 Posted February 6, 2022 thanks Chris and James for for the encouragement. I think the Zulu is perhaps one of the best models to get into this hobby. Learning a lot. chris watton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Pires Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share #25 Posted July 30, 2022 I finished the model, bringing it to a level I was not really certain I could, but it ended up to be a fantastic engaging project. I have learned quite a lot. As mentioned earlier my first attempt of building a model was with an Artesania Latina model ship (the Zuiderzee Dutch Botter) - this was back in the early 80's, and I could simply not do it. Zulu has been my second foray in this hobby. I believe this Vanguard kit gives a great deal of confidence to entry level modelers, and I must say without a quality kit like this I could not have done the job. Of all the steps in the process of building this model, rigging was the one that I had the most difficulty. And this model has a simple rigging. There are a lot of helpful videos on how to do things, but what I can say is that I have a great deal of admiration for people that can pass lines through microscopic blocks.... I have a few ideas for a next project, still with a Vanguard model. I have Flirt and the Royal Yacht. I don't have Saucy Jack but looks a nice model. ccoyle, bobandlucy, Bowline and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Ensign Posted July 30, 2022 Share #26 Posted July 30, 2022 Well done Mario, she looks good.👍 Nothing like completing a satisfying build to encourage you onto the next. B.E. Mario Pires 1 Quote Current Build: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-164-scale Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ finished 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ finished HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted July 30, 2022 Share #27 Posted July 30, 2022 Beautiful model, Mario! Congratulations! Mario Pires 1 Quote 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...
ccoyle Posted July 30, 2022 Share #28 Posted July 30, 2022 Very nice! Congratulations! Mario Pires 1 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Hawker Hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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