Saucy Jack by Glenn-UK - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64 - A Barking Well Smack

[Glenn-UK]

001 - Starting Point

As I have some free time between painting and sanding my Erycina hull I thought I would have a look at the Saucy Jack. This looks to be a nice small and relatively simply project to build. As with all my previous Vanguard Model projects I get a warm feeling when inspecting the kit box and its contents. Once again everything appears to be of a very high quality (materials, build manual, plan sheets, etc.). I do not expect to make much progress with this build in the short term as I will be mainly working on the Erycina.

The temporary stand was a very simple item to construct. I did opt to remove the laser char from the visible edges even though there is no need to do so.

I then released a few parts from the MDF sheets and did a dry fit assembly. Everything slotted together very well, without any issues. This dry fit will have to be disassembled so I can fair the bulkheads and the planking edge patterns to the guidelines provided. Once the hull is fully assembled and before I start the planking phase the hull will require a final fairing process.

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

002 - Hull Build Stage 1 Completed

All the stage 1 hull parts are ready for a dry fit assembly.

All the above parts slotted together very well.

The hull was then disassembled, and the bulkheads and planking edge patterns were put to one side ready for the pre fair to the marked lines.

Using a rotary sanding took the bulkheads and planking edge patters were beveled to the marked line.

The hull was then reassembled in stages. The bow and aft planking edge parts were glued in place. After the deck was added the Fish Well parts were glued in place. Once all the bulkheads, the longitudinal hull brace and stern frame patterns had been properly fitted diluted titebond glue was brushed into all the joints. The hull will now be left to full cure overnight.

You will note in the following photo that I did remove the laser char for the fish well top edges.

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

003 - Fitting Deck

The assembled hull had been left for 18 hours to allow time for the glue to fully cure. The deck was then added to the hull. It is essential to ensure the deck edges are fully engaged with all the locating slots on the bulkheads. With the deck fully engaged I then brushed a diluted titebond solution to the joints.

With the deck glued I then moved on to gluing the 3 off fillers to the outer stern frames.

I then dry fitted the Stern Counter Frame and Stern Patterns (Lower. Middel and Upper).

There is quite of bit of sanding required to get the required shape to the bow area, can be seen from the build manual photo. I have been debating if I should glue these filler parts in place or to do a pre-fair before fitting. When I built the Sphinx, I did mark and pre-fair the bow and stern filler patterns before fitting which I think this made the final fairing process much easier.

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

004 - Hull Fairing

With the stern counter frame and frame patterns (lower, middle and upper) fitted I spent some time fairing the hull, using a mixture of florey sanding sticks, 120 grit sandpaper and my Amati sanding block.

 

I am reasonably happy with how the hull looks. I will now spend some time checking how various planks will lay to make certain the fairing process is complete, especially around the stern area.

 

 

[Craigie65]

Wow you are keeping busy!  Nights must be drawing in in Scarborough 

[Glenn-UK]

14 hours ago, Craigie65 said:

Wow you are keeping busy!  Nights must be drawing in in Scarborough 

I was not intending to do as much work on the Saucy Jack, but the painting phase of the Erycina means I have some free time at the moment.

 

Also having plenty of free time is one of the joys of retirement, although my wife and I are looking after our youngest Grandson (18months old) so there will be little or no shipyard time this weekend.

[MaxC]

Wow, you're going like a steam train Glenn! You're clearly going to be finished way before me, so I'll be keeping an eye on your progress.  Great work so far. 
Max

[Glenn-UK]

005 - Adding the bulwark patterns

I am not making too much progress on this build at the moment as I am pressing on with the Erycina build. All I have done to the Saucy jack is to add the two bulwark patterns. I did soak and bend the patterns to shape before gluing in place. I think this was a mistake as I did end up with some unwanted curling of the patterns. Thankfully I was able to correct this. The Saucy Jack is now ready and waiting for the first layer of planking.

[Glenn-UK]

006 - Start of the First Planking

Now that I completed the Erycina build I can now turn my attention to completing the Saucy Jack. I have decided that I am in no hurry to complete this build, given the timescale for the release of the Indy kit, which is my next planned build.

 

The Saucy Jack is ready for the first planking layer. Having checked the kit supplied planks, which should be 5mmW by 1mmD I noted that quite a few of the planks were nearer 0.7mmD, and the rest seemed to be around 0.9mmD. Whilst this is not an issue with the first planking, I have decided to use some of my existing stock of planking material which does measure 1mmD.

 

Starting with the first plank I cut an angle and then sanded a camphor to the underside of the plank edge, to match the angle at the stem post, as can be seen in the photo below.

It would be better if the plank was bent to follow the curve around the bow. With the plank laying across the planks I was able to see where the plank bend should begin, as indicated in the photo below.

I marked the start of the plank bend on the reverse side of the plank. The start of the bend mark can be seen on the 10-line on the photo below.

I do have a planking bending tool which, by scoring the underside of the plank, creates the required bend. I have opted to use my heated plank bender tool for this project. The planks are soaked in hot water for a few minutes and then bent with the application of heat to the underside of the plank.

With the bend applied to both the left and right-side top planks they were clamped to the hull to allow time to fully dry out before they are ready to be glued in place. I am more inclined to try and fit the first plank as one continuous plank rather than in two halves.

[Glenn-UK]

007 - 1st Planking Continues

With the first plank in place I moved on to adding the next plank. Once I trimmed the both the right and left-hand planks, they were soaked in hot water for approx. 10 minutes and then bent so they followed the shape around the bow. They were then clamped in place to allow the planks to fully dry out.

 

To continue with the planking progress, I then trimmed, soaked and bent the garboard planks.

When the first plank in place I added a stealer at the stern to fill the gap.

[Glenn-UK]

008 - Mast, Topmast, Boom, Gaff and Bowsprit

As I wait for the arrival of some more Titebond Original glue the planking task has been put on hold. The Titebond should arrive later this week, as the delivery has been delayed due to the current Royal Mail postal strikes.

 

I jumped forward in the build process and ended up making the mast, topmast, boom, gaff and bowsprit. I used my Proxxon mini lathe to shape and taper the dowels. I have added all the blocks, cleats, eyebolts and thimbles. In the photo below you will note the blocks are not shown on the mast eyebolts. I have dipped into my collection of pear blocks rather than the kit supplied blocks.

I then moved on to start building some of the deck items, as can be seen in the next few photos.

In the photo below I am checking the windlass side panels will fit in the deck slots, once the laser char had been removed. The resin windlass is currently being painted. I have also built the capstan, but I did not take a photo.

 

[Glenn-UK]

009 - 1st Planking Completed

I have now completed the 1st planking and the hull is now ready for sanding smooth. I have added a selection of photos showing the un-sanded planked hull.

I have also taken some photos with the deck items placed on the deck.

I had originally painted the windlass a wood walnut colour. As I was not happy with the end result and repainted using a flat green colour and I think it looks much better.

 

[Glenn-UK]

010 - Prework for getting a smooth hull after first planking.

I was not intending to post again until I had completed the hull smoothing process. Then I remembered that my wife and I are looking after some of our grandsons over the next four days so I will have very limited time, if any, in the shipyard.

 

This afternoon I started to sand the hull smooth, using some 120-grit sandpaper. After an about an hour the hull felt smooth to the touch and looked very smooth. I decided on a belt and braces method to be absolutely sure. After taping the hull, so only the first layer of planking was visible, I gave the hull a very light spray with white paint. This will highlight any problem areas with the hull, not readily noticeable to either sight or touch.

 

As can be seen in the first collection of photos below the hull does not look too bad but there are a few areas which needs a bit of attention.

I mixed up a filler solution, which comprised 50% wood filler, diluted with water and 50% titebond original. Using a paint brush the filler solution was applied to the hull.

Once it has had time to fully cure, I can sand the hull again so all of the paint and excess filler mix can be removed leaving a nice smooth hull which is be ready for the second planking layer.

 

The assembled windlass was test fitted to the hull. I did manage to break one of the two cleats. I will have to search my other kits to see if I can find a suitable replacement, as I have been unable to repair the damage. I think using the flat green paint was the correct way to go when painting the resin part.

[wool132]

Thanks for your informative post before being off with your grandsons! I'll be sure to give this a go when I get there on the Zulu. Neither my Fifie nor my Nisha planking was as smooth as what you've got.

 

By the way, you wouldn't happen to know anything about a penguin suit, would you?

 

Have a good time!

 

Jonathan

[Glenn-UK]

12 minutes ago, wool132 said:

Thanks for your informative post before being off with your grandsons! I'll be sure to give this a go when I get there on the Zulu. Neither my Fifie nor my Nisha planking was as smooth as what you've got.

 

By the way, you wouldn't happen to know anything about a penguin suit, would you?

 

Have a good time!

 

Jonathan

Hello Jonathan

A light spray of white paint really does highlight the problems. It is not strictly necessary for the first planking as the real smoothing is done once the second planking has been added. I thought I would try it after the first planking to get a better base for the second planking as I'm in no hurry to complete this build.

 

I might be missing something obvious sorry, as I do not understand the penguin suit reference.

[wool132]

I'm thinking that the first planking surface is a great testing ground for surfacing since it will be covered up by the second planking.

 

As for Penguins, I've nabbed the wrong Glenn - sorry!

("Glenn Shelton followed in a penguin costume..." in an article on the Dalby Parkrun in The Scarborough News, circa 2017)

 

Jonathan

 

[Glenn-UK]

On 11/30/2022 at 10:39 PM, wool132 said:

I'm thinking that the first planking surface is a great testing ground for surfacing since it will be covered up by the second planking.

 

As for Penguins, I've nabbed the wrong Glenn - sorry!

("Glenn Shelton followed in a penguin costume..." in an article on the Dalby Parkrun in The Scarborough News, circa 2017)

 

Jonathan

 

Hello Jonathan

That would have been me at Dalby Parkrun as I do run there most weekends. I have no memory of running in a penguin suit, however but my wife does remember.

Edited December 2, 2022 by glennard2523

[wool132]

That brings up an interesting point.

 

I remember reading somewhere that the writer Guy de Maupassant ate lunch every day in the Eiffel Tower restaurant. A waiter said that he must really like the tower and the de Maupassant said "No, It's the only place I can eat lunch and not see the damn thing!".

 

If you're inside the suit, you're just running along as usual (maybe a little warmer) and you can't see it but to those outside it is a memorable event. 🙂

 

I'll stop going off topic now.

 

Jonathan

Edited December 2, 2022 by wool132

[Glenn-UK]

011 - Smoothing and Rabbet Patterns

As detailed in my last post I had sprayed the hull with a light coating of white paint and then used a filler solution as required. I was able to find a couple of hours in the shipyard today so I proceeded to sand the hull so the white paint and excess filler could be removed. The end result is that I now have a smooth hull which is ready for the second layer of planking.

I added the rudder post without any issues.

The final task was to add the outer rabbet patterns to the stem post, keel and rudder post. I used all my clamps when adding these patterns and the patterns lined up perfectly when the various locating pins where inserted.

[Glenn-UK]

012 - Second Planking

I have made more progress with the Saucy Jack build and I have now completed the second planking. I have to admit that with all the models I have built this is, by far, my worst attempt at the second planking phase. I had a perfectly smooth hull as the base and I bent and shaped the planks as they were fitted. Despite all that I ended up with a very clinkered bow section and the stern area was not much better. 

 

I have now decided on a painting scheme that, once the second planking has been filled and sanded smooth, should not show the errors of my second planking. The upper bulwarks will be painted flat green down to the upper rail. Both the upper rail and main wale will be painted black. The area between the upper rail and main wale will be painted white. The area below the main wale will also be painted white down to the water line. Finally the area below the water line will be painted with red oxide.

 

The pictures below show I have masked the hull and then sprayed it with white primer to highlight all the problem areas, noting this is the second iteration as I had already painted, filled, sanded and repainted the hull before these photos were taken. The photos still show the level of my poor workmanship in respect to the second planking. It is now a case of more iterations of sand, fill, paint, sand, fill, etc until the hull looks and feels smooth so in the end no one will be any the wiser. This will take a few days to complete as I have to allow time for the paint to dry before the filler mixture can be added. I then have to allow time for the filler mixture to cure before I can start sanding.

 

 

[Craigie65]

Hi Glenn,

I found the planking on this one a bit more challenging.  Did you taper the planks as well as edge bend? I struggle with getting the taper right.  Each time I think I understand where I have gone wrong, but by the time I am ready to plank a new model I have forgotten the lessons learned.  

 

Looking forward to seeing the colours you have chosen. 

[Glenn-UK]

30 minutes ago, Craigie65 said:

Hi Glenn,

I found the planking on this one a bit more challenging.  Did you taper the planks as well as edge bend? I struggle with getting the taper right.  Each time I think I understand where I have gone wrong, but by the time I am ready to plank a new model I have forgotten the lessons learned.  

 

Looking forward to seeing the colours you have chosen. 

Hello Craig

I did not edge bend. I have tried edge bending a few times on other models but I have found normally just tapering the planks is more than good enough. It may have gone better if I had followed Chucks method for tapering and edge bending the planks. In the past I have used wood glue and map pins when adding the second planking layer to very good effect. This time I used Gorilla Gel super glue which seemed to cause me no end of problems. I think I ended up with more glue on my fingers.

 

I am confident that once the hull smoothing and painting process is complete it will be OK.

 

[wool132]

4 hours ago, glennard2523 said:

In the past I have used wood glue and map pins when adding the second planking layer to very good effect. This time I used Gorilla Gel super glue

I recently bought some Gorilla Gel super glue to use instead of wood glue when I start my Zulu planking.

 

Hmm...

 

Jonathan

[Glenn-UK]

5 minutes ago, wool132 said:

I recently bought some Gorilla Gel super glue to use instead of wood glue when I start my Zulu planking.

 

Hmm...

 

Jonathan

It is certainly much quicker using Gorilla Gel and I know plenty of other builders use super glue without any issues. I think I need to refine my method, probably trying to glue a plank in smaller sections rather than trying to glue a full plank all at once.

 

Glenn

[Craigie65]

I use Veloset, which is a relatively fast setting woodglue.  Find it gives you plenty of time to work the part, but sets quickly enough to see some progress. I buy it from Wonderland Models in Edinburgh, but I am sure it must be available elsewhere.

[DB789]

She’s looking great Glenn. I found the planking on this boat harder than all the other Vanguard fishing boats, except the Zulu with her raked stern post (and I’ve yet to build Ranger). Luckily I think I just about got away with the bare wood above the waterline without filling (although plenty below). Probably wouldn’t have met the exacting standards of the more experienced builders on here, but I was happy.

 

I really look forward to seeing the colour scheme - she’ll look very different. How will you paint the etched lettering on the stern? I struggled with that. 

[Glenn-UK]

2 hours ago, Craigie65 said:

I use Veloset, which is a relatively fast setting woodglue.  Find it gives you plenty of time to work the part, but sets quickly enough to see some progress. I buy it from Wonderland Models in Edinburgh, but I am sure it must be available elsewhere.

Titebond Original (with map pins) is good as it grips fairly quickly. Also Super Phatic is a good fast gripoing glue which is a mix of wood and super glue. I will check out Veloset, thanks for the heads up.

[Glenn-UK]

1 hour ago, DB789 said:

She’s looking great Glenn. I found the planking on this boat harder than all the other Vanguard fishing boats, except the Zulu with her raked stern post (and I’ve yet to build Ranger). Luckily I think I just about got away with the bare wood above the waterline without filling (although plenty below). Probably wouldn’t have met the exacting standards of the more experienced builders on here, but I was happy.

 

I really look forward to seeing the colour scheme - she’ll look very different. How will you paint the etched lettering on the stern? I struggled with that. 

With a bit of sanding the bare wood finish might have been ok. I really liked the red oxide used on the Eyrcina below the water line with a white strip above, so I'm just extending this a bit for the Saucy Jack. I've not thought about the stern painting as yet. I have a good set of paint brushes, so hopefully with a bit care I will be OK. Time will tell.

[Glenn-UK]

013 - Deck Fitted

Just a quick update. I have now fitted the deck which was a good fit once the laser char had been removed from the edges. I have also test fitted the inner bulwarks support patterns and deck items. I did have to trim the ends of the support patterns for a good fit.

 

I have opted to paint the inner bulwarks support patterns black as I think it will be a nice contrast to the bare wood inner bulwark patterns. They have been spray painted and once the paint has dried they can be glued in place. I am also working on painting the upper stern counter area. The top of the inner upper counter pattern has broken away but it can be glued back in place, when the outer upper stern counter pattern is fitted.

 

The hull smoothing process is still ongoing but is looking a lot better. Once I have fitted the inner bulwark support patterns and outer stern counter pattern I will commence the final phase(s) of the hull smoothing and painting.

 

[Glenn-UK]

014 - The Painted Hull

I have almost completed the hull painting phase. There is just a little bit of touching up along some of the edges. It is not my finest work but I do like the colour scheme. I was undecided about is the bottom of the hull should be red oxide and the bit above the water should be white, but opted for a white hull finish below the water line. I do like the black finish applied to the inner bulwark support patterns. 

I decided the stern counter would be painted flat green with the upper outer stern counter painted black. Before the outer upper counter was fitted I applied a scarlet paint wash over the engraved name. On reflection I think I should have gone for a white wash infill. I might experiment with a fine point to see if I can apply a white infill. I still need to tidy up the outer edges and fit the decorative pattern in the gap above the engraved name. The lower stern counter pattern did split on the left hand side  when it was fitted, as can seen.