HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 by Fred Healey - FINISHED - 1:48

[glbarlow]

On 3/19/2023 at 4:00 PM, reilly said:

Would this cutter carry a 16ft or 18ft cutter on deck

I seriously doubt it would carry a cutter at all, way too big, maybe a jolly boat towed behind. These were fast ships that mostly worked in local waters, a ships boat wasn’t essential would think. As you can see from the deck there is not really a place to easily store one. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by glbarlow

[jfhealey]

I've tried making a few Tom Lauria rope coils. The methodology for making coils seems pretty foolproof though I had poor results with white glue - I used diluted Titebond - and much better results with small amounts of carefully placed CA. The problem I have is getting the coils to lie naturally. I can't see a solution to that at the moment. Still, they don't look to bad. I will certainly settle for them. About another dozen to make and Cheerful will be done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian B]

I think the coils look super---don't knock them-- you did a good job on a great build.

[glbarlow]

The last step of my process for my Cheerful coils was basically to crush them with my fingers, a little squeeze, a little bend. They ended up looking pretty natural. Not sure how that would work with TiteBond, might be worth a try. 

[scrubbyj427]

Those coils look great Fred, very convincing.

I used to make them a similar way but once placed on the model I would place an appropriate sized dowel at the bottom of the coil that was weighted, then I would apply diluted PVA or poly and simply wait for them to dry, extremely tedious but it gave the impression of gravity doing its job very well.

[jfhealey]

Thanks chaps. I think when all the coils are done I won't be so focused on the ones I presently cannot get to sit as I would like them to sit. I think in any ways these coils are the hardest bit of the model. I will try your weighted dowel trick JJ. I would certainly like the coils to be more "up and down" rather than circular and that might be the answer. At the moment I am experimenting to see what works for me.

Fred

[dvm27]

Had a similar problem until, after positioning as you have done, I painted them with a diluted white glue solution and placed a weight against the bottom, This holds the bent over lower part in position while the glue sets.

[jfhealey]

Thank you Glenn, JJ and Greg for the advice on achieving a realistic look to the rope hanks. I may yet have a further fiddle around with them but for the time being I think I'm going to call my Cheerful finished. Here she is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have yet to make a base. That's next up but I'm also thinking about my next project. These are the contenders.

1. Finish the Winnie I started a while ago. I have two issues with that. First some parts I made are just not good enough and will bug me hugely. Secondly I have come to the conclusion after much thought that I prefer fully rigged models.

2. Start over with Winnie, scatch building as much as I can, but make provision for masts and rigging and avoid the mistakes I made on the last Winnie. I think I can make the masts. For the hull I have all Chuck's hard work and expertise though I would like to scatch build as much as I can.

3. Stretch myself and try my hand at a scratch build - I wonder if either Speedwell on bulkheads rather than frames or a Swan class sloop are within my skill range. I have the David Antscherl / Greg Herbert for the latter. I think frames are probably too complex for me however. I don't have their  2 volume Speedwell books which include building Speedwell on bulkheads which may be build-able by me: at least I can have a go. I think I'll get the books and have a think about things.

 

In the meantime: thank you Chuck for Cheerful. I loved building her.

 

All the best everyone

Fred 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Le Wol]

Fred, your Cheerful is excellent! Speedwell on bulkheads sounds like a great idea.

[Toolmaker]

Hi Fred, I really like what you have accomplished here and I will be extremely happy if I can match your standards with my own build. You are just finishing and I am just starting out which is great for me as I can use your example (along with a couple of others belonging to builders represented on this very page) to inspire me along the way.

Thank you

Paul

[glbarlow]

Wonderful work Fred, definitely a result to be proud of. Very well done, fine craftsmanship in the details that separate Cheerful from other models. You’ve done a great job.

 

While I’d like to see you back at Winchelsea and if you decide Speedwell is too much as a full scratch consider Vanguard models like Sphinx or Indy for fully rigged opportunities. I think Chuck’s intends to rig his Speedwell, but I imagine that’s a ways down the road. 
 

At any rate I look forward to following you next project. 

[Thistle17]

I had missed your posting of this build earlier. It is truly lovely!!!!

I stopped my Winchelsea build for a number of reasons recently and went back to my Cheerful. It has so much merit as your build loudly proclaims.

I will pick up the Winchelsea again as soon as I finish ny Cheerful after an unsatisfying start on the her. I made a number of mistakes as well and I think that has a lot to do with one's mindset about the project. From the looks of your work you are capable of any path you choose.

Joe

Edited April 26, 2023 by Thistle17

[jfhealey]

Thank you both Pauls, Glenn and Joe for your kind words.

 

I have looked closely at Vanguard models. Both the Sphinx and Indy  look as though they make up to wonderful models but I would like to go in the other  direction - scratch building as much as I can  - whereas Chris's models appear (I've never seen one - only looked in on the build logs) to contain many pre-cut patrs for assembly. I'm sure they still reward the skilled and patient builder but, as I say, I want to reverse the semi-scratch building path that  Cheerful takes you down. I'm also sold on 1/48 rather than 1/64.

 

I have placed my order with Seawatch for both volumes of the Antscherl/Herbert Speedwell book. Wish me luck!

 

Fred

[Ryland Craze]

Congratulations on finishing your Cheerful.  Your attention to detail and your craftsmanship made this model quite impressive.

[scrubbyj427]

Beautiful work Fred! Congratulations on your cheerful, she’s a wonderful achievement! Looking forward to your next build, whatever it may be. A fully rigged Winnie would be very cool to see.

[Pirate adam]

This turned out really great Fred!  I think the Speedwell will be a great build.  Looking forward to it.

 

Adam

[Saburo]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey Fred. Thank you for sharing this build with us and the inspiration it's given me. 

            Bill

[jfhealey]

Thank you gentlemen for your very kind remarks which are warmly appreciated. It is very rewarding when model builders, both beginners and those with far more skill than me take the time to look in and post a like or a comment. Thank you.

Fred 

[archjofo]

I would also like to congratulate you on completing this beautiful model.

[jfhealey]

Thank you Johann. Coming from a master craftsman your kind words mean a great deal to me.

Best wishes 

Fred

[Erik W]

Fred,

 

I'm not sure how I missed your Cheerful build.  As others have said, you did a great job!  I'm part way through planking my Cheerful's deck now.  Your build is an inspiration.

 

Erik

[jfhealey]

I Know you are part way through planking your Cheerful Erik - and a superb job you are making of it. I will start planking the deck of my Winchelsea soon and I fully intend to follow your meticulously careful lining out. I can see you are well on the way to a fantastic result.

Best wishes

Fred 

[oakheart]

On 4/10/2023 at 3:28 PM, glbarlow said:

These were fast ships that mostly worked in local waters, a ships boat wasn’t essential would think

The revenue cutters on the south coast of England did indeed carry boats, they are used for boarding suspect boats for searching.

I did read a very interesting article about how on a pilot cutter the boat could be launched single handed. I will see if I can find it again.

 

Tim

[oakheart]

1 hour ago, oakheart said:

interesting article

I apologise, It was very rude of me not to mention Fred's wonderful build here, I will certainly be using some of the ideas here on my own cutter.

 

For anyone who's interested I found the article.

By Malcolm Darch in his book Modelling Maritime History

Chapter 3: MARGUERITE-A Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter.

"A pilot's life was a dangerous one as ships had to be boarded day and night in all weather conditions. This was usually achieved by the cutter hailing the incoming vessel and asking the master to stop his ship and create a lee from the weather.

The apprentice would make the dinghy or 'punt' as they were known, ready to be hauled over the port rail of the cutter (the Bristol cutters having higher rails used a gate).
This was done by removing the ropes or 'gripes' securing it to the chocks on deck and most important of all, tying the bow line or painter forward of the rigging.
The helm was lashed momentarily after the cutter had been sailed into the sheltered water behind the ship, though keeping a good distance away, as the vessel was being blown sideways towards them.
The man who had been at the helm would assist in launching the punt stern first and then return to his station, while the pilot and apprentice clambered aboard the 12 or 13 foot clinker boat and the one oar carried was skilfully used over the transom by the apprentice to scull them to the waiting ship.
A ship's ladder would normally be hanging down the vast wall of wood or steel which rolled menacingly above. The pilot waited for the right moment and would grab the ladder as the ship finished her roll towards him and before she started back up again.
The punt would then be sculled away to be retrieved by the one man left in the cutter who would be attempting to heave his vessel to in the same position as before, enabling the apprentice and himself to haul the punt aboard.
Some punts carried a strop secured fore and aft to which a burton was tied which travelled from the mast head, and this helped recovery. The job of the man left in the cutter was made a little easier by having most of the sail controls led back to the self-draining cockpit which was situated aft of the companion hatch. These vessels really helped to pioneer the way toward designs used by today's single-handed sailors.
The whole operation was extremely dangerous on a wild winter's night, with often the added menace of snow squalls."

 

Tim