Chris Watton and Vanguard Models news and updates Volume 2

[glbarlow]

I’d say go with the plans, however from a model perspective six of typical hand pumps around what appears to be the mast would result in a very crowded look and likely make rigging more challenging than it needs to be so my input is chain pumps. They are a nice look on a deck.    …..later after the refit, seeing his men jammed together trying to pump out water Aubrey replaced the hand pumps…

[chris watton]

Chain pump housings it is, as this will be Aubrey's Surprise (as I am assuming this is what the majority would like to model her as...)

 

After all, who really wants a carronade frigate...

Edited October 15 by chris watton

[Morgan]

Looks the same as the pump configuration for L’Unite, see photo, upper or gun deck and lower or berth deck.

 

Perhaps for expediency they just kept the same pumps.

 

But if this is the fictional Surprise then I’m sure Chain Pumps are mentioned, or perhaps I’m just thinking of the film!

 

Gary

 

 

[AJohnson]

I agree with the comments so far, if you are going to do the fictional Surprise, might as well go “all in” and have chain pumps to match the books and film. 
If someone really does want to model the factual Surprise/L’Unite then scratching a few hand pumps not too difficult. 

[Clark]

5 hours ago, chris watton said:

Hopefully in a couple of weeks, once we have time to sort through the pallet.

I'm curious then.

[Mike_H]

Well, what fantastic news to return to.  Waiting for HMS Surprise (as told by PO'B) is what has stopped me from building a frigate, so I will be all-in for this.  My birthday is in May, so if you could have her released by then, that would be dandy, thanks!

[James H]

On 10/27/2024 at 11:22 PM, Mike_H said:

My birthday is in May, so if you could have her released by then, that would be dandy, thanks!

 

😆

[chris watton]

There will a light set as an option for Surprise, and soon for Indy and Sphinx:

 

I already have these is stock, not yet added to site yet, though.

 

The set includes 10 candle-effect LED lights, 4 continuous lighting LED lights, a battery holder for two AAA batteries and another one for a button cell, a switch, 8 meters of red and black cable, half a meter of heat-shrink sleeve and one meter of tin.

 

[brunnels]

6 hours ago, chris watton said:

There will a light set as an option for Surprise, and soon for Indy and Sphinx:

 

I already have these is stock, not yet added to site yet, though.

 

The set includes 10 candle-effect LED lights, 4 continuous lighting LED lights, a battery holder for two AAA batteries and another one for a button cell, a switch, 8 meters of red and black cable, half a meter of heat-shrink sleeve and one meter of tin.

 

 

 

As someone completely ignorant on lighting in models, I am assuming you have to install these as you build the model and it isn't something you can add afterwards?  Since my Quarter deck and forcastle are already closed on my Sphinx it's probably too late to add.  Love the product though, will go great with my future surprise kit.

 

[HardeeHarHar]

7 hours ago, chris watton said:

There will a light set as an option for Surprise, and soon for Indy and Sphinx:

OMG, I am so glad my Sphinx build has proceeded at such a slow pace I can get a light kit (save me one, I’ll buy it as soon as it goes available!!)

[chris watton]

11 hours ago, brunnels said:

 

As someone completely ignorant on lighting in models, I am assuming you have to install these as you build the model and it isn't something you can add afterwards?  Since my Quarter deck and forcastle are already closed on my Sphinx it's probably too late to add.  Love the product though, will go great with my future surprise kit.

 

I have never added lights to any of my models, but I will assume they need to be installed as you build the model.

[chris watton]

1 hour ago, Vane said:

We can always have lenghty debates on historical records on the exact measurements, guns and colours on various ships. I always see these types of discussions in forums on plastic kits debating the exact right colour match for Olive drab or German gray. The answer is often that nobody really knows. The records are not that detailed and quality was not as exact as it is today so things varied.  You can always build the model in the way you like it. "Rivet counters" usually makes a fool out of themselves when they try to lecture really good model builds by pointing out things that may perhaps not be 100% correct. To me its the overall presentation that matters. 

I am quite sure that the upcoming Surprise will not be 100% correct... but I am also 100% sure that it will be the best version that you can buy on the market and it will be based on quite alot of research and thought.           

You can never ever please everyone, so there's no point in trying, it is futile. I have been designing for over 30 years now, and it was/is/will be always the same. All I can do is ensure all fundamentals of the actual vessels are as correct as they can be. The modeller can then do whatever they want and fit it out however they want - and paint it however they want. From my own personal perspective, I think the paint shade arguments are mad, as surely this is dependent on the mix of the paint and then add to that, weathering when out at sea!

 

I haven't done much designing over the past few weeks, I have been ill (3 weeks now, dammit)! and all my time and energy has been taken up producing kit parts, as orders have been quite healthy! I have put Indy out of stock for a while, as I need to re stock on the laser cut parts. These do take an age to produce. However, all Harpy production is complete, and I am now just waiting for Jim to complete the prototype. I am just about to complete another run of Sherbourne laser cut parts, and after this, I need to re stock Indy laser cut parts. With so many kits now, I need to really stay on top of stock!

Edited November 1 by chris watton

[James H]

Ok, I've pruned this topic, but left Chris's last post where he quotes Vane. Vane's post was pertinent.

 

From here, let's get back to usual business and not sermons from old, dusty journals on the minutiae of armament on 18th century seafaring vessels.

[BrochBoating]

4 hours ago, chris watton said:

I haven't done much designing over the past few weeks, I have been ill

 

Hope you're well again soon Chris.

 

3 hours ago, James H said:

From here, let's get back to usual business and not sermons from old, dusty journals on the minutiae of armament on 18th century seafaring vessels.

 

Here, here. If you don't like kit items change them

 

[James H]

I have one of the lighting sets here, and they are very nice. 

 

Here's a photo.

 

[chris watton]

For those that have been asking for a smaller boat, I listened, and have this little cutie almost ready to produce, a 14 foot yawl! Am yet to print the first one, but the STL file looks good, so don't envisage any problems with it. Would suit smaller vessels like cutters or something like Endeavour.

[Mike_H]

On 11/1/2024 at 10:44 AM, chris watton said:

as orders have been quite healthy!

That is what we want to hear!  For a small business, cash-flow is king, and we need this small business to flourish.  

 

I seem to have missed the "dusty discussions".  Shame (not!) 😆

[chris watton]

I have some progress renders of a replacement for my old Admiral's Barge, a 32 foot 'Shallop', which I have had commissioned. This will be a 3-d printed hull and laser cut pear parts.

 

Also having a 28 and 32 foot pinnace done, which are almost ready, I am told - I will then be able to offer full sets for both Indy and Sphinx

 

Edited Tuesday at 01:47 PM by chris watton

[Blue Ensign]

Looks much improved on the original, Chris, 👍and I like the clinker planking. Had you considered the centre plank running between the thwarts which was a typical  feature of  barges/shallops of the 18th century?

 

B.E.

[chris watton]

2 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

Looks much improved on the original, Chris, 👍and I like the clinker planking. Had you considered the centre plank running between the thwarts which was a typical  feature of  barges/shallops of the 18th century?

 

B.E.

There is no centre bench shown on the drawings used for this one.

 

Also, if a centre bench is added, this means that the grain would be going the wrong way for the thwarts, making the whole part very fragile.

[oakheart]

On 11/3/2024 at 7:16 PM, chris watton said:

Would suit smaller vessels like cutters or something

This may well be better for my Speedy.

[chris watton]

I have just finished printing the 9 boats I have, I do have another 3 coming soon (28 and 32 foot pinnaces and 32 foot barge barge, making 12 different boats in 64th)

 

I am just laser cutting the wood parts for each and all will be online soon (A pic shows the 24 foot cutter with main laser parts dry fitted)

 

The yawl is quite tiny, just over 68mm long!

Edited Thursday at 01:06 PM by chris watton

[Thukydides]

Very nice Chris. These are a great addition to your line of boats.

[AJohnson]

They look great Chris, as you know I'm wrangling one of your 18ft. wood Cutter models for Sparkler at the moment.

It is a great challenge and will look fine when done, but my skills mean it won't match the fine detail in your boats above.

[HardeeHarHar]

Hey Chris,

Which of the 9 boats would you recommend I purchase for installation on my Sphinx?  I'll place an order upon receiving your advice, and include the new figures at the chart table too!  Thanks for the assistance, and I hope you are feeling much better now.

Cheers,

Brian

[chris watton]

Just now, HardeeHarHar said:

Hey Chris,

Which of the 9 boats would you recommend I purchase for installation on my Sphinx?  I'll place an order upon receiving your advice, and include the new figures at the chart table too!  Thanks for the assistance, and I hope you are feeling much better now.

Cheers,

Brian

Still ill, won't go away, cannot get rid of this damned cough...

 

OK, for Sphinx, once I have my pinnaces ready, I shall be offering a full set for both Sphinx and Indy. Sphinx has the 22 foot yawl, 24 foot launch and 28 foot pinnace, and Indy has an 18 foot cutter, 2 x 24 foot cutters, 26 foot launch and 32 foot pinnace. I should have the pinnaces within the next week or so.

 

For Alert, a 14 foot yawl or 16 foot cutter would suit. Those two would be fine for any of the smaller kits.

 

I will still always offer the laser cut plank on bulkhead boat kits, I just wanted there to be a choice with a pre made hull, as most of the boat hulls, apart from the launches and pinnaces are clinker.

[HardeeHarHar]

19 minutes ago, chris watton said:

cannot get rid of this damned cough...

 

Argh, that is sad to hear Chris.  Take it slow and take care of yourself, and hopefully you will cough the bug out soon.  I believe it would make the most sense to wait until you have the pinnace available, and then place a single order for all 3 boats and the figure kit, so that we keep the labor and shipping costs to a minimum.  If my line of thinking is amiss, please advise =), until then, I'll try to make some progress on the Sphinx while I can!

Best regards, and get well soon my good man.

BT

[robdurant]

4 hours ago, chris watton said:

Still ill, won't go away, cannot get rid of this damned cough

Hope you're feeling better soon, Chris. It's draining coughing all the time.

 

Amazing what's possible with 3d printing now. Those ship's boats look fantastic.

[chris watton]

...And talking of boats, I have just had a couple of new renders for my 32 foot 'Shallop'. Looks like the laser and 3-d print files will be ready to send to me soon!

 

This would suit modellers who only wish to display one boat on their model, I think.

[Craigie65]

Gorgeous!