HMS Flirt by Dfell - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[glbarlow]

As Chris points out, his kits are designed for a broad range of skills to build. Tapering of the stem could lead a modeler to far more problems that it’s worth. I’m not sure the worth of frequently pointing out small variances in a kit that make little difference to most. It’s perfectly understandable why the instructions would not suggest this modification.

 

I have completed the hull for Chris’ Flirt and in fact I did taper the stem, because I was reasonably comfortable doing it. At this scale, unlike the stem on my Winchelsea, it’s barely noticeable. 
 

Let kits be kits.

[allanyed]

 

Hi Doug,

My apologies to you if my question offended you in any way.  It was never meant as a criticism of you and your excellent workmanship.  

Allan

Edited September 7, 2022 by allanyed

[Dfell]

Hello Allan

No worries - certainly did not take it as a criticism - in fact I have learnt a little more about these ships. Thank for looking at my build and the discussion that came from it.

 

Regards

 

Doug

[allanyed]

Thanks Doug,

No matter kit or scratch, each project seems to be a never-ending learning experience for most of us so we can do a better job in the future.

Allan

[Dfell]

Hello - just a small update. Hull planked for Cutter - not easy. Used rubber bands wrapped around hull with toothpicks under rubber bands where they were not exerting enough pressure to hold planks in place. Mainly used PVA glue on the edges of the planks so they're not glued to the Bulkheads - super glue used on ends of planks and on the last few planks near the keel

Some initial sanding and a little filler but little more will be done prior to spraying hull white.

 

As a lot of people have said these Cutters are bit of a project just on their own.

 

Thanks for looking in and appreciated the comments previously left.

 

Regards

 

Doug

 

 

Edited September 16, 2022 by Dfell

[glbarlow]

I do not like planking ships boats, such a pain. You’ve done a very nice job of it.

[Dfell]

Hello - Ship's boat all done. Not too keen on it as it has turned out rather dull / dark compared to others. Stained the wood as there was various shades / colours that did not seem to go together.

Anyway here it at various  stages.

 

 

 

 

 

Dry fitted onto deck

 

Bit of a disappointment with my work - may change my mind to include it.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Regards

 

Doug

 

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Dfell

[glbarlow]

The boats are more difficult to construct than the ship, for me anyway. Yours looks just fine. I made the decision early not to include it on Flirt and Winchelsea. 

[hollowneck]

35 minutes ago, glbarlow said:

The boats are more difficult to construct than the ship, for me anyway. Yours looks just fine. I made the decision early not to include it on Flirt and Winchelsea. 

Same for me on difficulties with these small boats in the kits.

 

Vanguard has provided an excellent solution for those who would like to include a small boat (or more) with their ship - without the demanding and critical skills needed to fashion a decent-looking small boat; these small craft (in small scales) are very challenging to construct.

 

Here is a link for the Vanguard 3D-printed, resin boats offered in hulls only or complete "mini kits". I will also add that the prices are quite reasonable, especially for those who are in the U.K. as the Royal Mail cost is a pip.

 

https://vanguardmodels.co.uk/product/clinker-hull-boats-3d-printed/

 

Here is a photo of the launch I made with a Vanguard 3D printed resin hull. I scratched wood pieces to simulate the boat's interior elements and used some of the laser cut pear parts in the larger kit (HMS Sphinx). This pic from my WIP Build Log and not a final arrangement.

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by hollowneck
added text re: cost

[Dfell]

Hello glbarlow and hollowneck - thanks for the comments and the reference to the 3D resin hull. I have already ordered another 18ft cutter from Chris to have another go but the resin hull does looks good. Maybe the seating etc might fit the resign hull - if it does will get one. Will ask Chris if you can combine the two.

You do make the cutter look good hollowneck but then again you make everything look good. Have been following your work with the sails on your build. Incredible. Likes of you and Blue Ensign certainly make us mere mortals try harder 🙂

 

[glbarlow]

1 hour ago, hollowneck said:

3D printed resin hull.

I made four. the hard way for my Vanguard. It’s doable without the resin hull cheat, just not all that fun. 
 

I think yours look fine as is. You’ve captured the wood color nicely. 

[hollowneck]

3 hours ago, glbarlow said:

I think yours look fine as is. You’ve captured the wood color nicely.

Doug, I agree with Glenn, your boat looks fine with your Speedy. I suggested the resin ones from Vanguard as a "bookmark" possibility for future model projects. I should point out that Chris' 3D-printed clinker hull "cheaters" have molded in ribs, thwart rails and a tapered keel to the transom - so no fiddling with making and mounting these details. I also like that the clinker overlaps are partially visible in the boat's interior.

BTW: Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

[Dfell]

Hello - a bit of a step forward. Masts and Bowsprit all shaped and most blocks added. Am sorry to say I have painted the Masts and Bowsprit as the colour of the wood varied, a lot darker lower half. Hopefully this isn't seen as a sin . Realise this is the nature of wood and my mistake in matching the dowels up to use. Most sections of Masts are dry fitted as well as the Bowsprit for removal during rest of build.

 

 

Various other views

 

 

 

Thank you for looking.

 

Regards

 

Doug

[captain_hook]

Very nice work!

[Dfell]

Hello - a small update. Have redone the Cutter. This time the wood colouring is better. Did not double up on the seat brackets just keep them as a single piece.

Also, as can be seen have started the Shrouds.

 

Thank you for the previous 'Likes' and your comment captain_hook - all appreciated.

 

Regards

 

Doug

 

 

 

 

[whitejamest]

That is some very sharp work on the cutter! 

[kiwiron]

Wow, very nice Doug. Great to see your work again.

[Dfell]

Hello - further progress. All Yards / Bowsprit Yard / Gaff and Boon Yards shaped, rigged etc.

 

Boomkins shaped and dry fitted with pins.

 

Lower Shrouds completed. Used hooks at the ends of the Catharpins to fix onto the Futtock Staves.

Had a problem with identifying the correct size thread as it was very difficult to distinguish between 1.0 and the 0.75. and I only had what looked like half the amount of the 1.0, labelled H thread. It looked possible slightly thicker than the 0.75 but when both pulled tight the labelled 0.75 looked thicker so this is what I used for the Lower Shrouds and also there was more of it. I did ask Chris for some more 0.75 but did not hear back - it was over the Christmas hols. So I have used what was marked as 1.0 thread on the Upper Shrouds and just had enough. The labelled 0.75 was much thicker than the other thread I had left from previous builds but the texture was different so I kept to the supplied thread for the Shrouds as it looked better. Everywhere else I used the other left over 0.75 black thread.

 

Looks like there's a mark on my camera lens which needs to be sorted.....

 

Thank you for looking,

 

Regards

 

Doug

Edited January 17, 2023 by Dfell

[Oldsalt1950]

Very nice Doug.

 

Jim

[Dfell]

Hello - Upper Shrouds completed. Kind of  wished now I discarded the supplied 1.0 and 0.75 thread and used previous thread left over from other builds as there is no difference between the two sizes of the supplied thread possibly the Upper Shrouds may look wrong. 

 

 

 

 

Next the Ratlines - so maybe some time.......

 

Thank youOldsalt1950 for looking and your nice comment. 1950 was a good year........

 

Regards

 

Doug

Edited January 29, 2023 by Dfell

[Blue Ensign]

She's looking very nice Doug, well done, I like your new cutter.👍

 

B.E.

[glbarlow]

Enjoy seeing a Flirt at this stage. Very nice work.

[Dfell]

Hello - few steps forward. Ratlines etc done although have made another bad decision on use of thread. Used black sewing cotton instead of what was instructed. It started off okay but then realised the black cotton thread was varying in thickness and was getting fuzzy but as I was over half way decided to continue. Yards attached with Parral Ribs and Beads although there is no reference to which Beads are needed for the Main Boom and Driver. Used the largest Beads for the Main Boom - there was also a packet of wooden Beads which I assumed were for builds which were not being painted.

Thanks for looking and the 'Likes' - much appreciated. Thank you

 

Regards

 

Doug

 

 

 

 

[glbarlow]

A fine looking model, well done!  Excellent display stand work as well.

[Dfell]

Hello - more progress. All Stays and Preventer Stays etc installed, plus Crowsfeet. The instructions suggest to use F-14 and 15 which are larger Parral Beads for the Mouse but I had used them for the Main Boom and Driver Boom as the plans did not say which beads to use on them although the plans showed larger beads on the Booms. So had to make the Mouse with turning some dowel. Also found out what the wooden beads were used for - they are Thimble blocks for the Topgallant Mast Stay. At fault for not studying the plans further ahead.

 

 

 

Bowsprit Stays.

 

 

Thank you for looking.

 

Regards

 

Doug

 

 

[glbarlow]

Really well done!  Not only the model, your photography is exceptional. You should be justly proud of such good work.

[aliluke]

Hi Doug

Just found your log. Beautiful work on what looks like a fantastic kit. I have some VM ship boats - for my HMS Fly - plus the VM Alert on the way to me. I'll aspire to your level of craft and clean building skills when I tackle these!

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[Dfell]

Hello Alistair

It’s good to see you back and you’re going to finish your superb Fly.

Thank you for your lovely comments - you are being too generous but much appreciated especially coming from someone whose work is up there with the best.

Like you I also make model plane kits - Guillows - balsa wood and tissue paper.

 

Regards

Doug

Edited March 29, 2023 by Dfell

[navarcus]

Would the bitts which the anchor cables are wrapped around come apart when the anchors need to be dropped?

[Dfell]

Hello navarcus - wouldn’t think they do. Other rope lines are attached. You need to ask someone with more knowledge than me  - I can see why you’re asking but not sure how the anchors would be handled easily. The anchor rope wrapped around bitts - just followed instructions.

 

All the best

 

Doug

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Dfell