HMS Indefatigable 1794 by Blue Ensign - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64 scale

[Blue Ensign]

Thankyou Theo, 

The Top and butt planking went well, but were I to do it again I would fit that first, after the margin plank.

That way I could better work out the planking arrangement after the centre strakes had been fitted.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-two

Looking at the Guns -part two

The barrels

The Main armament consists of 24 pounder long guns, 9½ ft Armstrong pattern versions, reproduced in resin which is the way to go in my opinion. Saves all that brass blackening and includes details such as the touch vent and monogram.

1654

24 pounder Indy gun in the raw.

The barrels contain the monogram which can be seen to be there, but difficult to see in detail, except for the cartouche which surrounds it.

This surprised me a little as the monogram on the much smaller 9 pounder guns (Sphinx) seemed much better defined, and to my eye look better without a cartouche. Was there ever a cartouche?

5849

Nine pounder Sphinx guns.

 

A small issue maybe for the 24 pounder guns on Indy where this detail will be mostly hidden from close view, but the two 12 pounder Foc’sle guns will be fully on show.

 

There is an alternative should I be motivated to use it.

Syren produce delightful little George 111 fibre board monograms in two sizes.

 

1719

Here is one attached to a damaged 24 pounder, I do prefer the look, but I’ve spent enough time on the guns, and I’ll live with the 24 pounders as is. I will use the alternative Syren monogram detail for the two fully visible 12 pounders.

 

Finishing the barrels

5934(2)

With the Sphinx guns (above) I simply washed, dried, and sprayed with fixative before treatment with weathering powders, I used Revell rust, dark brown, and deep black.

 

Buffed up and the gun was good to go.

 

1659

Not sure that will work with the Indy guns, using this treatment the finish is not satisfactory, and I am concerned about the visible  striations  running along the barrel.

 

Plan B

1675

The gun is gently cleaned up using 600 grade paper between the reinforcing rings, and painted with Vallejo Black, much improved I think.

1677

1680

1683

1684

So paint and weathering powder it is.

 

B.E.

14/08/2023

 

[davyboy]

Hi Maurice,looking very good indeed. A question if I may,what is the purpose of the wedge shaped item behind the trunnions ? I have never seen anything like that before in any pix or drawings. A cap square it is not.

 

Dave 

[Blue Ensign]

 

Thanks Dave,

It is a representation of a (part) of a cap square  designed to be seen from above and aft when fitted on the ship. Chris has designed the carriages with tabs to allow fitting in deck slots for security. The barrels are fitted later thro' the ports so as a practical matter proper cap squares cannot be fitted.

 

I have in mind to tweak matters a little as I am not using the tab system.

 

Cheers,

 

M.

[davyboy]

Thank you for the explanation Maurice,a kit modification,makes sense I guess. Epoxy will be a must then when fitting guns through the ports. The words "tweak matters"intrigue me. I'm fitting Speedwells' guns just now,5 port guns fitted and pinned to deck,stbd 5 in progress. No guns being fitted in ports #3. Twice I've knocked off the break (sp) pumps trying to fit guns there,end of story empty ports.

 

Rgds,

 

Dave  

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-three

Guns, guns, and more damned guns.

Busy days down at the Gunwharf with production in full swing.

1698

1707

1703

The guns were given a further coat of Vallejo black to ensure that none of the unwanted striations showed through.

1705

1725

Chris  was thoughtful enough to include a spare carriage set, and a number of spare wheels and other bits  to cater for any mishaps.

Just as well, in my case a couple of wheels did ping off into the ether during over enthusiastic de-charring, never to be seen again.

1728

At last, all but two guns more or less finished.

The casting of two of the guns failed, and replacements are hopefully en-route from the Foundry.

 

Still some tidying up to do, before a trial fit aboard Indy.

 

B.E.

16/08/2023

 

 

[chris watton]

Post is awful, your barrels were posted two days ago!

[hollowneck]

30 minutes ago, chris watton said:

Post is awful, your barrels were posted two days ago!

Poor fellows, CW & BE: two days expected delivery in the U.K. In the American colonies it could be two WEEKS.

[Blue Ensign]

Blimey Ron,

Do you mean the Pony Express no longer runs?

 

B.E.

 

 

[AlanDavison]

Cor blimey what a tidy work station. I’ve just declutter mine and it’s still a mess!

[Blue Ensign]

Thing is Alan, you can’t see what is just out of shot, tidy it ain’t. I enlarged my work area to take on Indy and the clutter has expanded to fill it.🙄

 

B.E.

[mtaylor]

15 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

Thing is Alan, you can’t see what is just out of shot, tidy it ain’t. I enlarged my work area to take on Indy and the clutter has expanded to fill it.🙄

 

B.E.

Ah.. the old saying about clutter expanding to fill space.   I think we all have that problem.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-four

Still with the guns

It’s the tweaking that takes the time, adding modified ring bolts, highlighting the missing cap square elements, and touching up the paintwork .

Even so I have not made the additions  I included on the much smaller guns I fitted on Pegasus, such as pin and chain fastenings for the cap squares, and truck keys.

1099

The hinge bolts for the cap squares are already moulded onto the Indy 24’s  but I added the  forward part using thin Fibre board.

1100

I also gave an impression of the missing trunnion cap by  painting the gun trunnions with a line of Vallejo Black/grey.

1103

I think the effect passes muster given the viewing angle available with the guns in place.

1105

The quoin handle shows up nicely on this shot, and is clearly visible with the gun onboard.

1106

The macros do pick up some flaws, but at normal viewing they look ok.

The issue of the square axle/round hole remains, but doesn’t stand out with the guns in place on Indy.

1767

1768

1771

These chunky guns do look impressive lined up along the expanse of the Indy gun deck.

1764

1760

I don’t intend to rig the guns  and will glue and pin the carriages thro' the bed to the deck.

 

Not quite the end of the gun story, I have another session when I get around to the carronades, and the remaining 12 pounder longs.

 

Moving onto the centre line fittings now.

 

B.E.

17/08/2023

 

 

 

[chris watton]

There really sin't a lot of difference, size wise, between the 24 and 32 pounder barrels, the latter being a tad 'fatter', and that's it, as they're the same length.

[hollowneck]

4 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

These chunky guns do look impressive lined up along the expanse of the Indy gun deck.

I'm also envisioning more than one hundred pressed sailors (not including the "powder monkeys"), scurrying about on that deck to handle the guns! Whilst peering thro' various gunports on close inspection with my high-intensity LED mini flashlight, it will be quite impressive to see all these well-crafted smashers, that I may completely overlook that none have their breeching ropes or tackle...

[hollowneck]

23 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Blimey Ron,

Do you mean the Pony Express no longer runs?

 

B.E.

 

 

Nope, it disappeared in the early 21st century here in the Wild West... We now have Amazon Prime: express, same-day delivery - as long as you order in the AM...

[Blue Ensign]

23 minutes ago, hollowneck said:

…….. that I may completely overlook that none have their breeching ropes or tackle...

I’m following in the pure tradition of Navy Board style models, Ron,

Well that’s my excuse anyway..😉

 

B.E.

[allanyed]

Your build continues to be of the highest order, kudos. 

 

 Have you seen the recent posts on carriage and trucks starting at post #66?  https://modelshipworld.com/topic/34538-gun-carriage-questions/page/3/#comments    You may find it interesting. 

Thanks for continuing to share your build.

Allan

Edited August 17, 2023 by allanyed

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you, Allan,

I have seen that interesting thread;

As with much that concerns our interest there are more questions than answers. I note that although Brian Lavery (Arming and fitting) has a lot to say about carriages, construction detail of trucks is absent.

I am content to accept that both solid and composite trucks were both in use during the 18^th century, but in terms of my Indy build at 1:64 scale, I am happy to use the composite trucks provided.

If nothing else they add a little interest to an otherwise plain fitting.

Regards,

 

B.E.

[chris watton]

It really is no big deal. I have many books that show the extra detail on the carriages, and many books that do not.

 

If you prefer plain wheels for the carriages, it is simply a case of a very light sanding to remove the light etched detail, or even simpler, just fix the wheels so the detail is on the inside.

 

Either way, the choice is there.

[allanyed]

4 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

I note that although Brian Lavery (Arming and fitting) has a lot to say about carriages, construction detail of trucks is absent.

Hi BE

Unfortunately the same goes for the Caruana volumes which many consider the most complete single source of RM Ordnance from the 17th into the 19th centuries.

3 hours ago, chris watton said:

It really is no big deal. I have many books that show the extra detail on the carriages, and many books that do not.

 

If you prefer plain wheels for the carriages, it is simply a case of a very light sanding to remove the light etched detail, or even simpler, just fix the wheels so the detail is on the inside.

Hi Chris,

Could you please give us the names of some of these books that show the built up trucks, it would be really appreciated.  I prefer the look of these built up trucks but so far have had no success in finding any source based on contemporary information that shows this for the 17th, 18th or early 19th centuries. 

 

That you offer options in your kits is really a great idea.   

 

Allan

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty- five

Bulwark and Centre line fittings.

The bulwark fittings are attended to next; repetitive, and not the most exciting aspect of a build.

1798

Fifty-two ring bolts to make-up and blacken.

1804

Boring as the process is, I think ring bolts look so much better than simple eyebolts and are the proper connection for the breeching ropes.

Cleaning out the bulwark receiving holes is an awkward exercise using a 0.8mm drill and pin vise. Because of the close proximity to the deck I am careful not to transfer any blackening from the iron work to the deck during fitting.

1806

A set of cleats are fitted along the bulwark to take various lines, the larger ones for the tack/ sheets.

 A set of additional holes are required to be drilled thro’ from inboard to outboard. This represents what would be the fixed blocks, to take the sheet and tack lines.

1811

The Riding Bitts went together beautifully, the Main bitts less so.

1816

As can be seen here my modification allows for a view down thro’ three deck levels, to the Orlop, giving the impression that all deck are fitted out.

 

The slots of the cross pieces to the Main Bitts were a loose fit over the uprights leaving a gap of around 0.7mm. Not too much of a problem if the item is to be painted, but I intend to leave the cross pieces unpainted.

1807

I used small pieces of Pearwood strip to resolve the issue.

1808

The posts will be painted red, and the cross pieces left natural.

 

Bowsprit step.

The kit Bowsprit stop is attached to the underside of the first upper deck beam (UD1)

This is intended to fit in a deck slot forward of the Topsail sheet Bitts, a simplification which for practical purposes has no relevance if the kit is assembled as an oob build.

1827

In practice the Bowsprit stop should fit between the Fore topsail sheet bitt posts and take a mortise to accept the  Bowsprit heel.

 

I made a new Stop cut from 4mm Boxwood sheet. This is glued between the Topsail sheet Bitts which are fitted now rather than much later in the build.

1819

An angled tenon is cut into the Bowsprit end to fit the stop.

This is relevant to my build because my Foc’sle deck will mostly be missing, and I intend to add manger boards which run from the bitt posts.

I did a similar modification on my Sphinx build.

1825

1826

1828

I now have the Stove, Capstan, and pumps to make up.

 

B.E.

20/08/2023

 

 

[Kevin]

lovely work

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-six

Deck fittings cont’d

Pumps.

The Elm tree pumps are made up using octagonal shaped sections and laminated brass etch for the iron work.

1831

This little assembly project is surprisingly time consuming.

The pump sections are tricky little beggars to char clean whilst maintaining a sharp octagonal profile.

The etch laminations were secured with ca which mars the surface for blackening.

It took repeated scraping of the etch to remove ca overspill to get a uniform cover.

1844

1150

One thing missing from the pumps is the discharge pipes which are easily added.

I used short lengths of brass tubing around 1.5mm ø

 

Capstan(s)

I made up both Lower and Upper Capstans, and they are a delight to assemble with precise and clean fitting.

1839

One thing I would have liked in the kit is an etch or laser board  ring to represent the iron reinforcing ring around the trundle head top.

3534(2)

This shot of the Syren Capstan at 1:48 scale shows what I mean.

1840

I haven’t checked but I hope the Upper capstan follows thro’ on the Qtr deck and aligns with the barrel. 🤞

 

I made a small error in assembling the Capstan, the knowledgeable will spot it, the not so, perhaps not.

The Capstans will be fettled and painted later.

 

The final and most complex item is the Brodie Stove which is up next.

 

B.E.

23/08/2023

 

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-seven

The Stove.

The Brodie stove is a nicely detailed resin model complete with chimney, condenser, and drip tray. Additional etch is provided for detailing such as the spit chains, lifting rings,

I have constructed stoves using a wood core and etch panels, (Sphinx), all wood versions (Syren) and as with the beautiful Syren version this is all about painting and weathering to get a realistic look.

9150

The 'Syren' Stove at 1:48 scale, with the 'Vanguard' Cook, a perfect combination.

I enjoy doing this sort of thing, and it makes a pleasant change from the repetitive elements of the build.

 

I am using Vallejo Black/grey for the base coat followed by  weathering powders.

1852

The etch is chemically blackened before fitting.

When it came to the rods for the spit I couldn’t quite relate to the given sizes 0.8mm and 0.4mm, all I could find in the kit box was 1mm and 0.7mm.

I found 0.6mm suited best for the upper chain rod, and I used 0.7mm for the two lower rods.

1854

Assembly of the chain mechanism is a delicate business that tested my eyesight to the limit, but the result is excellent particularly at 1:64 scale, kudos to Chris for the design.👏

1858

I didn’t want to over-weather the look. A light touch using Black, dark brown, and a touch of slate grey to represent ash marks, I thought sufficient.

1859

The sharp eyed may notice something missing from the condenser jacket.

Wearing the wrong specs I mistook the water inlet and overflow pipes for sprue and cut them off.😒

 

I wonder if the condenser should even be shown as ‘iron’.

I note that on the Victory Brodie, the condenser is shown as made of copper, which sort of makes sense given the purpose.

I may re-visit this.

1862

One other thing that caught my eye were the taps for the boiler drain. Something very Victorian about the cast valve taps (Parts BS8), so I omitted them.

1143

1866

I did think about adding a few whistles and bells to the stove such as rails and swinging arm to the range grate, but decided it was not worth the effort given the scale and ultimate view.

 

Onwards,…

 

B.E.

24/08/2023

 

[Nipper]

B.E: I really like the Syren stove you did, with the presumably later addition of Chris' cook - a lovely job.  I'm not able to devote as much time to the shipyard as you, but even so I too love to find little digressions.  I'm always on the look-out for potential "bells and whistles" to divert me and add to the fun.

 

Thanks for the detailed log as always - there's always something there for me to learn from.

 

Nipper

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you Nipper, I do enjoy taking the photos and writing up the log, a diversion from the more repetitive  tasks of a build. Being long retired I can devote as much or little as I fancy, and with our poor summer this year, I have been grateful for the  interest.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

Post Sixty-nine

Capstans

I decided to add ‘iron’ reinforcing rings to the capstan trundle heads.

For this I used my dividers to cut rings from thin black card. I sprayed the card with matt varnish before cutting to reduce the risk of rough edges.

1887

The rings were marked with the iron fastenings; fitting these corrected my initial error, as I was able to re-position the capstan bar retaining pin holes.

 

Manger Boards.

There are rules about Manger Boards concerning their heigh and shape. They fit against the bulwark at the outboard end, and against the Bowsprit step legs, inboard. They are higher outboard and cant down inboard.

For practical purposes I have scaled the height to fit over the spirketting.

1868

1879

The Manger boards are fairly simple to make, cut from some scrap 1mm Boxwood.

1878

1875

1883

They will be clearly visible thro’ the Foc’sle deck beams, so worth adding on a ‘skeletal’ version such as mine.

 

1876

Picking thro’ my scrap box I came across this little fellow, a six pounder carriage from the cutter Alert.

Hard to believe these two are the same scale.

 

Movin’ on.

B.E.

26/08/2023

 

[allanyed]

On 8/24/2023 at 6:26 AM, Blue Ensign said:

I wonder if the condenser should even be shown as ‘iron’.

I note that on the Victory Brodie, the condenser is shown as made of copper, which sort of makes sense given the purpose.

I may re-visit this.

Good catch!   Regardless, the printed resin stove really looks nice.  

Allan

[Thukydides]

3 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Picking thro’ my scrap box I came across this little fellow, a six pounder carriage from the cutter Alert.

Hard to believe these two are the same scale.

It really is amazing how much bigger indy is. I am currently working on Alert’s guns and I don’t think it really occurred to me till I saw this picture how much smaller they are.