HM Cutter Alert by flutlo6180 - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[flutlo6180]

A couple of productive days in the shipyard where I finished the frieze work and the rest of the outer hull. My first attempt at placing the draft markings had them spread too far apart as shown in the first picture, so I removed them and reinstalled.  You can see the results in the finished hull picture.

 

 

 

With the outer hull complete except for the rudder, I moved on to the shot garland and cannon.  To get the shot garland at a consistent 3mm height above the deck I made a small jig which also made it easier to adjust the lateral position and press the pieces into place for the glue to set.  I decided it would be easier to glue the cannon balls to the shot garland before placement and that sequence worked out well.

 

 

 

Then I assembled and placed some of the cannon on the port side to see what how it all looked together.

 

 

I am pretty excited and overall pleased with how Alert is coming together. My challenge now is that I and want to spend more time on the build then on other items around the house that require my attention. 

 

[flutlo6180]

With the rudder installed the outer hull is essentially complete and marks a significant milestone for this build. I was worried about getting a good alignment when installing the assembly but I'm pleased with the final look.

 

 

Getting started on the deck fixtures starting with the winch assemble.

 

 

Final installation including the pin rails and pins.

 

[Thukydides]

Great progress. Just a minor comment. It appears to me that you are missing one of the hinges (the very top one) on the rudder. There should be one in that indent right where the rudder enters the counter. Also it is hard to tell from the photo but it looks like they might be upsidedown and not in far enough (though I may be mistaken on this as the resolution on the photo is too low to be sure).

 

See below for a close up picture of my alerts rudder.

Edited July 10, 2023 by Thukydides

[Thukydides]

How is the build going Ken? Any updates to share?

[flutlo6180]

My grandson got to my build last August and broke off the transom, both port and starboard upper rough tree rails, and the transom knees which was quite disheartening to say the least. I had to walk away for what turned out to be an extended break before I got back to the shipyard to rebuild the damaged pieces.

 

I started on rebuilding in late November and am overall pleased with the effort. Here are the photos of the rebuild.

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, the swivels were not installed. 

 

I'm glad to say that I am reenergized and excited to be working on shaping the mast pieces, bow sprit, and the main and driver booms (and thinking about the next build).

Edited February 25 by flutlo6180

[Thukydides]

Welcome back. Good to see you at it again. The damage sounds incredibly frustrating. Good job on sticking with it and getting the repair done.

 

You might want to take a look at the crutches as I can't tell for sure from the photos you have, but the bottom of the should connect to the curved piece on the side (I forget it's name). There appears to be a gap on your pictures.

Edited February 25 by Thukydides

[flutlo6180]

On 2/25/2024 at 3:35 PM, Thukydides said:

You might want to take a look at the crutches as I can't tell for sure from the photos you have, but the bottom of the should connect to the curved piece on the side (I forget it's name). There appears to be a gap on your pictures.

Thanks, and good eye. There is a gap which I hadn't thought about before your comment. I will work on addressing the issue - it would be a shame to leave it as is after all the effort on the rebuild.

[flutlo6180]

Closed the gap by the port transom crutch, 

 

and worked on building the mast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm now working on shaping the bow sprit, booms and yards, and looking forward to starting on the standing rigging.

 

[flutlo6180]

Continuing to make progress with both the main and driver booms complete.

 

 

 

Finished shaping the yards and installing the fittings prior to painting.

 

 

And began installing the shrouds.

 

 

After having to rebuild the stern, I am concerned about breaking something as I make progress on the rigging.  I have decided to build as much of the main mast as possible with the mast separate from the hull as that approach affords more flexibility to get a better orientation for building while I am still working on developing my skills. My intent is to get the shrouds tied to the mast and the yards installed before I step the mast and finish the rigging. 

 

[flutlo6180]

Completed painting the yard and attaching the blocks.

 

 

I discovered that one of the shrouds shorter than I wanted and I suspect it will make it more challenging to connect the line properly to the deadeyes. Replacing the shroud now seems like my best way forward, and once that step is complete I will start affixing the yards to the mast.

[flutlo6180]

Finished redoing the mast shroud lines. 

 

 

and installed the bowsprit and shroud lines.

 

 

 

 

 

[Thukydides]

You are making quick progress. At this rate you will pass me soon.

[flutlo6180]

10 hours ago, Thukydides said:

You are making quick progress.

Thanks. Your craftsmanship is far above my level and I find that wanting to work too quickly is often one of my challenges.  Being able to see the finish line has motivated me to find more hours for the build. 

[flutlo6180]

The first item of rigging is complete with the driver boom install. I rigged the boom with the mast off the hull which turned out to be a good idea.  During my first attempt at raising the boom I realized that the parrels would not slide above the lower mast cleats and the block for the main yard so I had to remove the block and retie the parrels.  With the boom in position, I wound up running the line the wrong way through a couple of blocks and had to pull the line back and rerun through the blocks in the correct orientation.  Redoing my work was much easier without the mast stepped. The sheets for the boom are hanging loose for now.

 

 

 

I did change my mind and decided to step the mast prior to installing the yards. With the mast seated I am now working on rigging the main shroud deadeyes. The results of my first attempt were dreadful so I did some quick research on rigging deadeyes. That led me to a picture of a deadeye rigging jig in a post in the Masts, Rigging and Sails forum by hornet (https://modelshipworld.com/uploads/monthly_01_2017/post-1505-0-68284800-1483318896.jpg).. I had the materials on hand and made one of my own. 

 

 

Using the jig to place the upper deadeye in to position, grabbing the shroud line with hemostats just above the deadeye and resting the handle base of the hemostat on the chain plate was a much easier approach.

 

The end result turned out much better than I had anticipated.

 

With the deadeye connected to the shroud I connected the two together in 0.5mm rope.  I'll clip the rope later.

 

 

The building sequence in the manual seems to show the shroud cleats installed after all the shrouds are connected. I think it may be easier to install the cleats after I finish connecting each shroud and am wondering if there are any drawback to using this sequence. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 23 by flutlo6180
typo

[Thukydides]

Looking good.

 

I realize this is a somewhat minor point but the bottom sizing is done with the ends of the shrouds heading in opposite directions. See below picture below (note as I was using cable laid rope the direction is reversed from what you would do with your shrouds).

The next two seizing would be as you have done them. Also the way you tie them off is to pull the end through the gap and wrap around under so it holds it. Again see below picture.

You can't see it in the picture but the bottoms loop goes under the lanyard coming through the gap to secure everything.

 

None of this is necessary, but if you want to make it look a little more authentic these are some small adjustments you can make.

[flutlo6180]

16 hours ago, Thukydides said:

None of this is necessary, but if you want to make it look a little more authentic these are some small adjustments you can make.

Thanks.  Your pointers are very much appreciated and are helping to build my catalog of knowledge and repertoire of techniques.

[flutlo6180]

On 3/23/2024 at 2:04 PM, Thukydides said:

the bottom sizing is done with the ends of the shrouds heading in opposite directions

Based on Thukydides guidance, I've started to redo the deadeyes.  Doing so did mean I needed to replace several shroud lines and I am finding it less daunting that I originally thought to be working on building the mast while it is stepped.

 

 

With all the rework I've done on this build it seems like I am building her twice, but I am learning a lot and enjoying the journey.

 

 

[Thukydides]

Good job that is looking much better. Even though it sucks in the moment you won't regret going back and doing it right.

[allanyed]

Nice neat work! 

One small thing, some blocks look to be upside down so the lines are running under the sheave and over the tail rather than over the sheave and under the crown.

Sketch may be more clear than words.  You can see that on a real block there is no room for the line to run under the sheave.  For our purposes and scales these openings are usually just another hole drilled as the line covers it as it runs down but still the line should be in the upper holes.

Allan

 

Edited March 28 by allanyed

[flutlo6180]

10 hours ago, allanyed said:

some blocks look to be upside down

Thanks Allan! I appreciate the explanation and the sketch which does make it much clearer.  You are correct, I've installed all the blocks thus far the same way - upside down. As you say, it is a small detail, and I'm not sure if I will go back and redo them, but I will give that some thought, Regardless, I will make the change going forward.   

[allanyed]

Hi Ken

IF you do decide to change them, it would probably be easier to unrig the lines and open the upper holes then re-rig rather than removing the blocks and reinstalling.   

Allan

[flutlo6180]

20 hours ago, allanyed said:

IF you do decide to change them, it would probably be easier to unrig the lines and open the upper holes then re-rig rather than removing the blocks and reinstalling.   

Thanks again Allan,

What a great suggestion which puts my decision in an entirely different light. I'm going to give your approach a try.

 

 

[Cathead]

One of the things I love and occasionally fear about this hobby is the opportunity for constant learning. It can be both maddening and rewarding to recognize a need or desire to improve on something one's already done! You're doing a great job of keeping this balance in stride and your work looks great!

[flutlo6180]

1 hour ago, Cathead said:

You're doing a great job of keeping this balance in stride and your work looks great!

Thanks for the kind words Eric!  One of the things I love about this forum is the support and encouragement that keeps me motivated and helps me to improve.

[flutlo6180]

FINISHED!! While I haven't posted in a while I have continued to work on the build and finished it yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed working with the Vanguard Alert 1777 kit.  The build instructions and photos were excellent and overall at the right level of complexity for my capability level.

 

Thanks to everyone who dropped in and provided comments and encouragement during my journey. I am especially appreciative for the advice and tips provided along the way. I learned so much and I am pleased with the results.

 

I am looking forward to applying what I learned with Alert to the Fair American after I tidy up the shipyard.

 

 

Ken

 

 

 

[Thukydides]

Congrats, great job.

[Knocklouder]

Congratulations,  Nicely done !!

[Ronald-V]

Excellent result! Congratulations and enjoy your next project  

[DB789]

Congrats - she looks super.

Dan

[ccoyle]

Beautifully done! Congratulations!