HMS Sphinx 1775 by mtaylor - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[ChrisLBren]

Hi Mark,

Or you could go with 1/36th and build the Amarante if you're not scared of some carving.  Personally I love the larger scales and this is one of Gerard's best.  It about 34 inches unmasted.  

[glbarlow]

Hope you’re doing better Mark.  I’m really enjoying building Winchelsea, it’s a journey for sure. 1:48 is a great scale, somehow everything seems more realistic at the larger sized. And as you note, easier on the hands with the larger pieces. 
 

Whatever you do I wish you the best!

[Keith Black]

 Mark, find that which makes you the happiest and run with it. May God grant you a healthy life and many many years of enjoying whatever brings you joy. 

[TBlack]

2 hours ago, Keith Black said:

 Mark, find that which makes you the happiest and run with it. May God grant you a healthy life and many many years of enjoying whatever brings you joy. 

My sentiments exactly. Furthermore, can I point out that you, Mark, have had quite a few hurtles to get over recently, and you've done it with grace and style. An inspiration for us all.

Tom

[mtaylor]

Thanks for the advice and comments everyone.    To carry one with Sphinx, I am working a bit outside the instructions at this point and sorting processes and methods out.  Hopefully, I'll have it completed by the end of the year as long as nothing else gets in the way.   I'll update once I have some real progress.

[mtaylor]

Finally... back in the shipyard and making progress.  Been a bit of long haul to get here.  Foredeck furniture is "mostly" done.  Still need to do the catheads, but currently doing eyebolts on the quarterdeck.  I will admit that 1:64 is currently pushing the limits on my eyeballs so the next one is going to be 1:48 unless the eye doc has a solution.  Seems I don't meet Medicare requirements for new lens in the eyeballs.   <sigh>  But we'll see where that goes in due time.

 

 

 

[gjdale]

Nice to see you back at the bench Mark. Your Sphinx is looking great.

[mtaylor]

Thanks, Grant.  It's a bit dusty.. need to clean that off but I'm pretty happy at this point.

[Old Collingwood]

So  good to see more  progress  my friend,   she  is  looking  really nice   -  looking forward  to seeing more.

 

OC.

[Gus M]

Looks great, is a beauty, admirable work, congrats, glad to see you work again in this beauty 

[Glen McGuire]

Echo what everyone else says above - great to see you back at it, Mark!

[FriedClams]

Me too Mark - good to see you back and watching for future updates.

 

Gary

[mtaylor]

Finally, after too much time spent on "life things" and some experimentation, I'm making progress.   Ship's wheel, binnacle are finished and dummy masts in place (not clued) but still need some paint.

 

I painted the wheel to look like wood mostly.   I didn't like the color scheme in the instructions.  I then wasted a lot of time trying figure out how to glaze the binnacle.  Tried numerous ways but even though the glazing looked good to my eye, it prevented the panels sitting flush with each other and "shelving".

 

My next step is to back up and get the catheads installed.   I had to wait on some new blades as I wanted something a bit sharper and longer lasting than the X-acto blades I was using.   So... on-wards....

 

[Glen McGuire]

The wheel and binnacle look great, Mark!

[Keith Black]

 Mark, she's looking grand. 

[FriedClams]

Excellent Mark - you're back at it. Looking good.

 

Gary

[mtaylor]

Do to too much RL, it's been slow going.   But here's an update.   I've finished "stocking the fore deck and the aft deck and added the timberheads and to the aftdeck, the railings also.   I'm showing her with stubmasts as there's no place to do full masting and rigging and then have a place to display her.  At least this way, I can have a proper display. 

 

Still a ways to go yet with the works/carvings around the bow, the stern lights, etc.

 

[Kevin]

she is looking great

[Beef Wellington]

Looking very nice Mark, good to see you back at her.

[DaveBaxt]

Fantastic looking Sphinx Mark. Sorry I have not been here lately. The blue and gold paint work is absolutely amazing and you are obviously very artistic. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing your progress.

Edited May 25, 2023 by DaveBaxt

[mtaylor]

Thanks for the comments and likes.

 

Dave, I didn't use gold paint but followed what they did historically or at least reportedly... yellow ocre as it was "cheap".

 

Slowly making more progress but nothing photo worthy.   I've hit a small self-inflicted issue with the various stanchions and hammock cranes as the paint (brushed not airbrushed) on the wood filled the holes for mounting <facepalm>. I have the plans out and taking careful measurements and poking around with a pin.  Hopefully I can get these nstalled in the right places.

[mtaylor]

Almost there....  hand ropes on the foredeck and hammock cranes added and "rigged" and roping around the quarterdeck ladderway. Stern lamps in place.  Basically fiddly bits and touch up.  Starting on the stand.

 

[Glen McGuire]

Looks fantastic, Mark!  Beautiful work.

[Keith Black]

 Good to see this one on the cusp of completion, nicely done, Mark. 

[mtaylor]

Well, it's finished unless I move into a bigger apartment.   Been an interesting journey as I've re-learned much that I lost and also also learned many new things like PE, painting, It is a great kit though I think I could do better since I won't have to relearn some things from scratch.  

 

For now, I'm headed back to Belle Poule after I take a few days to clean up the shop, pack up all the parts I didn't use and put them away.  Oh.. clear my head and raise a brandy in self toast.

 

Here's the pics.  Kindly ignore the dust as like I said...need to clean up the dust, etc.

 

[Glen McGuire]

Congratulations on a superb build, Mark!  So well done.

 

I greatly admire your perseverance and I join you in your toast with a Texas margarita (or 3)!  🍹🍹🍹

[Keith Black]

 Congratulations, Mark. Well done!

[Kevin]

She looks fantastic, Congratulations

[Blue Ensign]

Congratulations Mark, on completing your Sphinx despite the physical challenges you have had to endure.

No easy task, these things are hard enough as it is.

I admire your perseverance, well done.👍

 

B.E.

[AJohnson]

Congratulations on finishing this one! 👏