Chris Watton and Vanguard Models news and updates Volume 2

[Kusawa2000]

15 hours ago, chris watton said:

The decks will be 0.8 or 1mm limewood laser cut and etched as standard in the kit, as this is what it will be designed for. however, as I have said before, this does not stop anyone wanting to plank the decks themselves using planking of their choice. They can use either the laser etched decks or printed full size deck patterns on the plans as templates if they so wish.

 

I used to use maple veneer, which was really nice - problem was I could not have enough sheets in a nice neutral colour tone, so reject rate was way too high.

 

All of my kits have pear as the finishing planking for the hull, be it in pre cut or planking form.

Chris: Many thanks... just what I wanted to hear! 👍

[chris watton]

Checking figurehead in relation to bowsprit, and the fit of the new stove. Pics not too flattering, but this hull is only used as a basis to check important parts and finalising the more important aspects of the hull designs. So now, I know that the whole hull goes together very well, all the gun and upper deck beams fit perfectly, and the bulkheads will give a nice run for the outer planking.

 

Also inner bulwarks shown, these do take an age to get right, due to curves and the amount of upper deck beam slots. These are cut and checked using ply, but kit version will have pear versions, engraved and all positions marks or cut for all inner bulwark fittings - I always hated having to plank inner bulwarks, very awkward and there was always the real chance of some planks splitting or breaking off when filing the ports - not anymore!

[scrubbyj427]

The fit of parts looks really good Chris!

[Ronald-V]

Really cool to follow the design progress! 👌

[glbarlow]

I agree with Ronald, fun to see the design process as it develops. So much thought required for every step.

[chris watton]

2 hours ago, glbarlow said:

I agree with Ronald, fun to see the design process as it develops. So much thought required for every step.

Cheers!

 

I usually don't show too much of this stage, as it is very long and boring, and newly designed parts are usually cut from crappy scrap materials, as they're only used to check fit and ultimately discarded. 

I am hoping this second hull is the last I need until I cut for the hull that I shall use (fully planked and complete with all laser cut parts) to take pics of the stages for Jim to make the final prototype model and build log on this site - but still quite a long way to go. 

 

So, before this goes on sale, the hull has been fully assembled, keel, bulkheads, gun ports, decks, beams etc. at least 5 times to 'tune' the parts as much as they can be - always need a little wiggle room, as some will sand the hull slightly different to others, so have to cover most eventualities. 

[François de Saint Nazaire]

Hello Chris,

I confirm it's a pleasure to be backstage. Regarding the figurehead used for testing, I assume it's the original ? When you mentioned it matches the original, did you mean the one from La Tourterelle

?

 

Thanks in advance.

[chris watton]

1 minute ago, François de Saint Nazaire said:

Hello Chris,

I confirm it's a pleasure to be backstage. Regarding the figurehead used for testing, I assume it's the original ? When you mentioned it matches the original, did you mean the one from La Tourterelle

?

 

Thanks in advance.

Yes, we used the one from La Tourterelle as it is a lot more detailed than that of the Unite/Surprise, It seems the only real difference in overall shape are the flags angled upwards on each side. To make it more or less what the Surprise plans show, it would just be a simple matter of removing the flags. (I always assumed most will use the other figurehead anyway):

 

Another figurehead will be included that is more in line with the fictional version from the novels and film.

[François de Saint Nazaire]

Thank you Chris.

 

Don't forget your French followers 😉.

For me, it will always be 'La Tourterelle' (The Original), even though I really like the novels by Patrick O'Brian.

[chris watton]

OK, I added the upper deck beams, all fine, and then added my one off special 0.8mm ply deck, ready for next stage of development.

[Kusawa2000]

51 minutes ago, chris watton said:

OK, I added the upper deck beams, all fine, and then added my one off special 0.8mm ply deck, ready for next stage of development.

I do like how you are opening up the spar deck to the lower gun deck. Just gives it additional neat detail to the hull!

[chris watton]

3 minutes ago, Kusawa2000 said:

I do like how you are opening up the spar deck to the lower gun deck. Just gives it additional neat detail to the hull!

The deck openings will be a little different for the finished model, as I need to make sure there's enough depth for the 18 Pounder carronades to sit.

[mgatrost]

15 minutes ago, Kusawa2000 said:

I do like how you are opening up the spar deck to the lower gun deck. Just gives it additional neat detail to the hull!

That last photo really gives you a sense of the scale. 😮

[Kusawa2000]

6 minutes ago, chris watton said:

The deck openings will be a little different for the finished model, as I need to make sure there's enough depth for the 18 Pounder carronades to sit.

Chris: Good point. You will might have to sacrifice the eyebolt for the inhaul tackle but as mentioned having visual access to the gun deck is a great addition to the kit.

[chris watton]

36 minutes ago, Kusawa2000 said:

Chris: Good point. You will might have to sacrifice the eyebolt for the inhaul tackle but as mentioned having visual access to the gun deck is a great addition to the kit.

Cheers - although this has been the case (visual access to the deck below) with Sphinx, Indy and Harpy - but this will be the first with no ply sub deck at all. Assembly more than strong enough to not need a sub deck.

[hamilton]

Following the prototyping process is such a treat!! Thanks for sharing this with us Chris!! Does way more than build excitement for this kit!

hamilton

[Nipper]

Chris

 

From your last photo I see that you get your Easter egg on Good Friday.  I have to wait until Easter Sunday!

 

Nipper

[chris watton]

6 minutes ago, Nipper said:

Chris

 

From your last photo I see that you get your Easter egg on Good Friday.  I have to wait until Easter Sunday!

 

Nipper

Me too! Will eat it whilst watching Ben Hur tomorrow!