36 Foot Admirals Barge by Blue Ensign – FINISHED - Vanguard Models – 1:64 scale

[Wintergreen]

I like the attention to consequence of details, meaning the oars are obviously too short for single bank, as you say. So, what do to? Keep the originals and pretend like it's nothing or go the extra mile and manufacture new oars that fit the setup. Probably some kit builders would ignore and stick to the provided set.

 I like the extra mile you took, B.E. 🙂 

And I would even say that the oars score on the druxey-scale 😉 

[mtaylor]

9 hours ago, Wintergreen said:

And I would even say that the oars score on the druxey-scale 😉 

I'm in agreement here.  This entire build is great.

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you Jason, Håkan, and Mark, making oars is not too bad provided you have the makings and are prepared to accept the odd breakage close to finish of a piece.

Post twenty

A day’s work completed the oar set bar the fettlin’ which involved inducing a slight curve to the oar blades and adjusting the handle length to a scale 11” (4.36mm)

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A further day involved painting the various elements of each oar.

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I decided to paint the oars the traditional red, with natural handles, and copper blade tips which represent the metal strips applied to prevent splitting of the wood.

Tin was often used but I splashed out on copper, it is an admiral’s barge after all.

 A decision is to be made of how to display the oars, I don’t really want to follow the normal arrangement of top and tailing them across the thwarts, as they would effectively cover most of the internal area.

Ideally, I would like to crew the barge with the oars out but creating acceptable 1:64 scale figures is a very difficult ask and there are no period figures commercially available in this pose that I can find.

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I was lucky with the Queen Anne barge kit at 1:24 as I was able to convert a couple of Deans Marine figures to represent members of the Royal company of watermen- they started life as sitting US marine figures of the Vietnam era.

 

 I can’t envisage making or modifying 1:64 scale figures, so I will have to pass on that idea.

An alternative is to place the oars in position as they would be with the crew in place.

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This arrangement extends the width of the display area to around six inches, so I’ll ponder on it a while and play around with other options.

 

B.E.

11/12/22

 

[Wintergreen]

Looking good B.E.

 

I remember that druxey mounted the oars in position on his barge he build here a couple of years ago and it looked really nice.

Another option is to stove three-four inside and the rest on a neat little stand beside the boat. You'll figure it out I'm sure 🙂 

 

[whitejamest]

A lot of fantastic looking work here. I am working on Vanguard's 22 foot yawl right now, drawing heavily on your excellent build log for guidance, so I have a sense of how tight these spaces are! 

 

As for the question of rowing figures, I'm not sure how precise a fit these would be scale-wise, but it is an option worth considering: 

 

https://www.stonewallfigures.co.uk/shop/28-mm-napoleonic-navy/sailors-rowing/

 

28mm is a gaming scale, and depending on the manufacturer's whims could work out to somewhere between 1:64 and 1:56 or so. I have not purchased anything from Stonewall Figures before, so I couldn't say if their models tend to run on the small or large size for the scale. 

[Blue Ensign]

Thanks for the heads up, worth a punt, I’ll order  a set and see how they are.

I hope your yawl build is going well, it is a nice boat kit.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty-one

 

In the previous post James (whitejamest) kindly gave me the heads-up on a set of 28mm rowing figures, which I have on order.

Meanwhile I continue faffing around with the barge as the macros reveal further need for touch-ins and finishing touches.

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A laser board strip provides the iron strap that protects the stem and bow, and a mooring ring is added to the bow.

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I am also in the process of making small section Boxwood pillars to replace the kit provided mdf keel supports which look somewhat clumpy against the delicacy of the barge.

 

One of the things that I noticed about the barge kit was the Helmsman’s area behind the Transom. This measures only 5mm between transom and seat back, a scale 12” which presents some difficulties if a scale helmsman figure is to be employed in the display.

A 1:64 scale figure will not fit so I scratched around for an alternative that may fit the bill.

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I came up with a 1:72 HAT figure from a British seamen set; chopped about and bent legs added from a Preiser 1:87 scale Adam and Eve set, a spot of modelling paste, and the Frankenstein version of a helmsman is created.

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Only primed at present I will decide on a colour scheme for his clothing once I have the rest of the crew.

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Surprisingly he doesn’t look out of scale, but the acid test will be how he compares with the 28mm ‘rowing’ figures I have on order.

I also have on order an acrylic cover for the model, and I decided crew or not, the oars will be displayed out as shown in previous photos.

 

Just waiting delivery of the crew now.

 

B.E.

17/12/2022

 

[mtaylor]

I'm surprised that the helmsman would be in that position.  Seems very cramped and not very ergo friendly as far as being able to change sides while steering.  But he does look the part there.

[Blue Ensign]

The position is correct Mark, as shown on these contemporary models.

 

Even so , the  space on the kit version does seem a little tight to get a scale figure in, something  I doubt was intended when Chris designed the model.

 

In the examples shown above the helmsman is very close to the stern bench,  I imagine great care would have to be taken not to the knock the large Tri-corn/ Bi-corn hats from the heads of their high ranking passengers.

 

B.E.

 

 

[Morgan]

I don’t know what your figure painting skills are like BE, but the dark monotone figure works well for display purposes, it shows off the barges purpose but doesn’t detract from it.  Perhaps have a dark monotone crew first and see how it works, I think it could be quite interesting.

 

Gary

[Blue Ensign]

Thanks Gary, I think we'll quickly pass over my painting skills, but I've used the  silhouette  approach on my Fishing boat models, and for scale figure representation on  my Cutter Cheerful build.

As you say it doesn't detract from the model, and it surely avoids the trouble of painting all those little beggars.

 

I will certainly try the primer only approach first.

 

B.E.

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty-two

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A new Boxwood stand has been made that raises the boat a little higher than the kit provided cradles.

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The oars can’t be properly fixed until I decide about the crew.

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A baseboard has been prepared to suit the acrylic cover, designed to fit over the whole display to protect the outboard oars.

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A cover is necessary with this type of display.

 

Until the crew arrive, I can’t progress the build.

 I last heard that they were somewhere in Cornwall and I’m beginning to suspect they may have been seduced by smuggling gangs, where the rewards are greater and life  easier than service in his Britannic Majesty’s Navy.

 

A few more days and I'll have them listed as 'Run'

 

B.E.

21/12/2022

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Blue Ensign

[Wintergreen]

What a huge improvement regarding the support for the barge!

I take it that the display case and baseboard still needs some finishing touches, but, very nice indeed.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty-three

The base over which the cover is placed is made of 3-ply plywood, it just happened to be lying about.

Although given the w-o-p treatment the finish looked, well, unfinished.

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I thought about painting the base but one of the contemporary barge models (above) had a hessian covering which gave me the idea of using baize, a posher alternative, and something I had used to line the case of my Cutter Cheerful build.

Speaking of Cheerful I love that model in all its Boxwood beauty and silently thank Chuck for providing the makings every time I walk past.

 

So Blue baize it is.

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I think the dark blue goes well with the ochre red, the Boxwood stand will remain as is.

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Stuck down with diluted pva, ironed, and trimmed with a scalpel, job done.

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The cover will need cleaning up for final fitting, constant handling has taken the clarity from it.

 

B.E.

23/12/2022

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty- four

After nine days the crew have arrived and a motley crew they are, Vanguard figures they certainly ain’t.

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White metal figures, as rough as rough can be, they make the Amati range look classy.

On the left is the basic figure (the heads are separate) the figure on the right I have started to clean-up.

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At this stage the figure has been thinned down the legs separated, and a head drilled and fixed to the body.

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For scale, the figures are a bit chunky, but they sit on the thwarts ok. The figure I have started to fettle already looks a better fit, but a long way to go.

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In their basic form the figures certainly won’t pass muster so it’s down to my fettlin’ efforts on the test figure to determine whether I can retain the will to live with the prospect of twelve to do.

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This  screen shot  shows apparently  how they should eventually look but they bear little reality to the raw figures.

 

I have little experience with these 28mm gaming figures, but I pity those that do if this is the standard of stuff they have to work with.

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I will persevere with the one I’ve started and see how I go.

 

B.E.

29/12/22

[realworkingsailor]

If you could get the figures to look right, I think they would be a nice addition to your barge.

 

But is it just me, or do the screenshot sample figures you posted look vaguely like “The Who”?

 

Andy

[James G]

Looks like they all lost their heads and ate too much during the holidays!

[whitejamest]

Hm, they do look a bit rough and chunky. Sorry to put you down a false path, but thank you for posting detailed photos of them. 

[Blue Ensign]

Not a false path James, they seem to be the only game in town as far as scale rowers are concerned.

I still hope I can make a passable  job of them, fingers crossed it's not a forlorn hope!

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty-five – fettlin’ the crew

Working these figures is hard on the fingers, drilling out the flash between the legs, holes drilled to secure the heads to the bodies, drilling and filing of the hands to fit over the oars.

The figures are then filed to reduce their bulk, to make them a better fit.

After a couple of days, the basic figures are complete, and an opportunity to get an impression of how the set up would look.

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I think it’s going to work, a little more fettlin’ of the individual figures, and then a chemical black wash.

 

B.E.

31/12/2022

 

[Wintergreen]

Yep, looking good there, they are.

Of course a lot of work and sore fingers, but worth it. 

Adding a crew makes the whole piece more alive, I like it.

 

[whitejamest]

Seems like they were a lot of work to knock into shape, but the effect of all the rowers in position is actually extremely attractive. 

[allanyed]

Very well done model BE.   Your research time has paid off to be sure, including the work you put into the shape of the oars.   Great job!!

Allan

Edited January 1, 2023 by allanyed

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you Hakan, James, and Allan, and for  those who have looked in and 'liked'

 

Post Twenty-six

The chemical blackening didn’t work on these metal figures, so priming and painting was necessary.

I have decided to paint the figures in life colours albeit using a muted palette. More fiddly and time-consuming than simple silhouette painting, but I though it better suited the overall effect.

Admirals and Captains were known to kit out their boat crews in matching clothing, and sometimes headwear, all at their own expense.

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I started with blue shirt tops, but had some doubts, so I changed to a natural undyed colour which I like much better.

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This also accords with the contemporary models.

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The crew need fixing to the thwarts to provide stability when arranging the oars, I used spots of ca for the purpose.

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Altho’ the barge is set up for twelve oarsmen I have settled for ten, which I think is the most aesthetically pleasing. The foremost position is very cramped, and the aftermost involves the oarsman sitting in the stern sheets.

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An Admirals Barge need an Admiral, and this will be the next task.

 

B.E.

02/01/2023

[Wintergreen]

Good choice having the crew to change from blue to off white shirts. The blue didn't blend well with the red lining. Lucky they had extras 😉 

Yes, I've read that too, that the crew had to supply their own garments and clothing. Harsh, when you're already poor and called for duty by demand of the Admiralty.

[Blue Ensign]

Not just the crew Haken, junior officers struggled to pay for their uniforms.

There is one recorded case where  one uniform coat was purchased to be used by several officers, and worn  when on duty, or visiting another ship. What was required was prize money  to boost the available funds.

 

Post Twenty-seven

The final hurdle is how to produce a 9” Admiral; that is a figure that looks ok at that distance, at least to a blind man on a galloping horse.

I have no such figure and one would have to be cobbled together. Obviously, a sitting figure, looking like a senior naval officer.

My admiral is a man of many parts, the body of a sailor from a Flower class corvette, the lower legs of a Royal Navy Marine, and the head of a French Artillery officer circa 1805.

Additions of modelling paste and evergreen styrene strip hopefully complete the effect.

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1:64 scale is very small to make bespoke figures, not crafted by a proficient artist and sculptor. Cobbling together a ‘Frankenstein’ Admiral is the best I can do.

I think he just about passes muster, even more so under the more generous twelve-inch rule.

 

There was no formal officer uniform design before 1748 and hats were not mentioned in uniform regulations before 1795.

The book Dressed to kill by Amy Miller is a very useful reference work for naval uniforms from 1748 – 1857.

The fashion around 1750 based on the 1748 regulations included a frock coat with deep turn-back cuffs, long waistcoat, and blue breeches. The coats were adorned with increasing amounts of gold lace according to rank, but the sting was that the wearers bore the cost of the uniforms.

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The final addition is the helmsman also a product of the Frankenstein school of crew production.

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A fellow of slight build, well he would have to be to fit in this barge to work the tlller.

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With the crew onboard the boat is surprisingly heavy, hence the photos taken on the cradles.

The pedestal stands will require a couple of wire supports outboard midships to keep the barge upright.

 

The final post will see completion of this project.

 

B.E.

03/01/2023

 

[Wintergreen]

Wow!

I guess the crew was already used to be ruled by a "Frankenstein" even before they were selected for rowing duty 😄 

What a little gem you have produced B.E. 

Hat or no hat, off should it be for your accomplishment 🙂 

[mtaylor]

Admiral Frank came out looking great as did the rest of the crew.  

[Blue Ensign]

Post Twenty-eight

Completion and thoughts about the kit

This two-month mini project is complete.

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The barge kit provided me with a filler while I thought about a more substantial project. I have taken it further than I had originally intended, and it would have been nice to have had properly moulded crew figures of the standard of those produced by Vanguard.

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The kit is quite a challenge particularly if some of the simplifications are to be addressed. It is rightly classified at the ‘experienced’ level of modelling, as are all the small boat kits in the Vanguard range.

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Although I have enjoyed addressing the challenges presented, I would have preferred not to have had to make the hull modification which during the build is risky because of the delicate nature of the construction.

Having built an example of each boat type in the Vanguard range I experienced a small sense of disappointment in the design of this kit, not felt about the others.

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Still, the exercise has provided me with a heady mix of entertainment/frustration over the past two months, and overall, I am happier at the finish than I was at the start, which must count as some sort of result.

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These kits were perhaps not designed with standalone display in mind, there are larger scale boat models more suited for that purpose. Nevertheless, we are lucky to have Chris providing this boat range at 1:64 scale, the level of detail and realism compared with what went before is a major step forward.

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As far as I know no one else has attempted to produce a Barge kit at this scale, and for this Chris is to be commended.

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I have discussed the kit with Chris, and I understand that he is to re-visit the design in conjunction with his HMS Bristol kit development.

I hope that at least some of the modifications and changes I have made will be taken into consideration in any revisions.

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Tricky business slipping the cover over the base, only just enough room, I had visions of those delicate oars snapping!

 

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Always tricky taking photos of models thro' acrylic.

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The diminutive barge now joins the 1:24 Pinnace, and 1:48 Longboat atop Victory.

 

Thank you to those who have shown interest in this build, if nothing else I hope it has provided some ideas of what can be done at this scale.

 

Time to move on…

 

 

B.E.

04/01/2023

 

[whitejamest]

A beautiful result, with a great deal of visual interest for such a small piece. All the extra work you put into it to enhance the details really paid off.