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

[Blue Ensign]

Post One Hundred and Sixty-four.

 

Countdown to completion – still counting

I am still fretting about the inclusion of fittings for an Ensign staff.

 

The kit doesn’t include the fittings and few contemporary models show them.

I don’t have any specific evidence for the type used on ‘Indy’, but she would certainly have had them.

I lean towards a more substantial set-up than a simple block and cap-square fixed to the tafferal, given her origin as a Sixty-four.

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This is the set-up on Victory and the double knee fixing between the flag lockers would transfer well to the Indy.

A block sits atop the standards, recessed for the staff and is fitted with a cap-square.

A corresponding fitting (the step) to take the heel of the staff sits between the standards on the deck.

 

Nothing to be lost by having a play around and using bits of Boxwood, I cobbled together an Ensign support for ‘Indy’.

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Fairly straightforward, two standards and a top cut out on the scroll saw, the trickiest part cutting the mortises to fit over the standard tops.

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A simple jig aids the assembly.

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The completed item, the Cap-square made from a piece of brass fret will be blackened before fitting.

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Steel conveniently gives the sizes of Ensign staffs by rate.

For a Sixty-four = 38’ x 6¼” ø @ scale 181mm x 2.5mm ø

         50 gun     = 36’ x 6” ø    @ scale 171.5mm x 2.4mm ø

         44 gun     = 35’ x 5⅝” ø  @ scale 166.7mm x 2.2mm ø

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There is very little difference at scale, I used 3mm dowel for the staff and will adjust the length to suit my eye.

The staff will require a degree of taper and the fitting of a truck.

 

A satisfying days’ work - I’m inclined to keep it. ☺️

 

B.E.

02/04/2024

[Thukydides]

I like the setup, it has some heft to it and fits nicely between the flag lockers.

 

In terms of the use of them, it does seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. There are examples from the 1790s of ships both with and without the ensign. I suspect it probably was based on the views of the commander though I have noticed that earlier contemporary paintings 1770s tend to have more of them than the later ones post 1800s. Now this is just a qualitative assessment based on the limited pool of ship paintings I have been looking at.

Edited April 3 by Thukydides

[Blue Ensign]

 My understanding is that In the days before the driver boom the Ensign was routinely worn on the staff when at sea, as the Mizen lateen yard was not inhibited by its presence.

With the introduction of the driver boom the Ensign was worn at the Gaff  when at sea, but an Ensign staff was used when in port or at anchor.

 

Many Navy Board style models do not show the fixings but were I intending to fully mast and rig 'Indy' as a bare stick model, I would have fitted the Ensign to the staff.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[allanyed]

BE

The Construction and Fitting of English Ships of War, pages 108-110 go into this is some detail.  There were either two or four transom knees depending on the size of the ship.  (He also mentions there were exceptions with some ships having an odd number of knees based on contemporary models.)   In short the transom knees (standards) were to add strength to the transom as well as give support to the tabernacle for the flag staff as you show on your model. The fore and aft arm was sufficient to span 3 deck beams and the vertical arms terminated just below the taffrail.  

Allan

[Blue Ensign]

Post One Hundred and Sixty-five

Thank you, Allan, the kit didn’t include any standards to support the transom, but I note that Alex M has included five in his drawings of the Anson following conversion to a Razee. He also includes an extended central standard to support an Ensign staff tabernacle.

 

I did think about following his example but decided that the double arrangement looked more aesthetically pleasing to my eye.

I think the inclusion of such an item is a reasonable assumption to make, and the set up on the Indy kit almost begged the inclusion of the arrangement as I have modelled it.

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Onwards,

 

B.E.

04/04/2024

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post One Hundred and Sixty-six

My version of Indy is effectively completed now and with some serious moving about of models within my workroom/office, I have found room to house Indy in the prominent position she deserves, and without encroaching on other areas of the house.

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She has displaced Norske Love which now has a new position vacated by Alert which also has a new location.

e2008a

Had I completed the masting on Indy it would be in the order of that of Norske Love which is of a slightly smaller scale of 1:70.

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Norske Love has received a well overdue clean, having endured all the dust created during the construction of ‘Indy’.

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Not quite ready for the glass cover to be on yet, but at least the issue of ‘where are you going to put that’ is now resolved.

As a bonus the lower profile of Indy compared to Norske love will allow me to re-arrange the wall Pictures and perhaps get one of Indy.

 

I have decided to have a further dabble with the boats, and have started assembly of the 26’ Launch, pity not to make them up as they are provided with the kit.

 

B.E.

06/04/2024

 

[Glenn-UK]

Congrats on completing a superb build.

[Ronald-V]

What a wonderful result! And she looks great on her new spot!  

[rlb]

Congratulations, B.E.  She looks great.

Ron

[TJM]

Absolutely fantastic! Your work is a huge inspiration! 

 

TJM

[Thukydides]

Congrats on another fantastic build.

[Moonbug]

Lovely, lovely work BE!  It's been a pleasure watching the progression of your builds over the years.

 

I'm curious -  you mentioned sprucing up the Norse Love - what's your cleaning method? I too prefer some of my ships to be 'exposed' instead of in cases. I use a combination of gentle air and a soft, wide paint brush.  What about you?

[WestPort]

Congratulations, another great build that will continue to inspire and inform others.  

[glbarlow]

Well done B.E.  Congratulations on another superb model. Always a pleasure following your logs. What’s next up?  

[ccoyle]

A wonderful model and another equally wonderful build log to go with it! Congratulations!

[Blue Ensign]

Cheers Guys, I will do a set of completion photos before I encase her, but the wooden framed glass case is  very heavy compared to my previous  acrylic covers, not very convenient for multiple  off and ons, and all the associated risks involved.

 

@ Bug - A lot of the deck fittings are removeable including the rope coils, so these are taken off when cleaning.

I simply start at the top;  firstly cleaning the rigging lines, then the masts and yards, using a soft paintbrush.

For the dust on the decks I pick it up with a soft brush and suck the dust with a hand held vacuum (Dyson) I finish off the outside of the hull.

 

Considering she has been uncased for many years she comes up pretty well, takes around 3hours + to do it.

2007a

Here she is stripped down for cleaning, built at a time before the availability and quality of fittings we have today she still remains one of my favourites.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

 

[Blue Ensign]

12 minutes ago, glbarlow said:

Well done B.E.  Congratulations on another superb model. Always a pleasure following your logs. What’s next up?  

 

Thank you Glenn, I'm going to finish off the Indy boats; doing well so far, I've already snapped the stern post of the Launch twice in fitting the Transom.🫤

 

After that it's back to Syren, to finish Chuck's wonderful Medway Longboat.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

 

[Rustyj]

Another superb build! It was a pleasure to follow along with you and your log will be used by many who follow!

[DB789]

Congratulations on another stunning model. I’ve learnt so much following your builds! 

[Kevin]

wonderful work well done

 

[yvesvidal]

9 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

I see that you ended up not installing the anchors on the ship. Your stand is beautiful and I love that blue color picturing the oceans.

 

Yves

[jpalmer1970]

Thank you for another fantastic build!

[hollowneck]

Congratulations, B.E. A stunningly beautiful model. Your plinth is an excellent platform for her display.

[ECK]

Great work. Always learn a few tricks following your build.

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post One Hundred and Sixty-seven

 

The 26 ft Launch - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Altho’ the main work on Indy has been completed, the overall display requires further work.

Building the Launch continues my work on the boats. I like the Launch because it offers opportunity to add detail such as the windlass.

I have been here before as I made up the 24’ Launch for Sphinx. This didn’t however guard me against breaking the stern post (twice) during the fitting of the transom.

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Again, I thought it prudent to add little support pieces to the build board to reduce any flexing during the fairing business. These small boats are delicate and require gentle handling particularly in the early stages.

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The fairing went ok.

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Regrettably, the stem broke in two places along the planking slot during the testing of the first planking strip, hardly touched it Gov’ner, and the repairs didn’t hold.

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I suspect it was a combination of the inherent weakness related to the planking slot, plus possible grain run of the stem.

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I did think about replacing the stem element, but removing the frames from the base resulted in what our American friends may describe as FUBAR.

 

Sadly, Indy will be without her Launch, but stuff happens – right.

 

B.E.

07/04/2024

 

[mtaylor]

Sad about the launch but the ship looks fantastic and this has been a joy to follow along.

[hollowneck]

I Hate It When That Happens.

No biggie. Only you will miss the "extra" boat, B.E.

If you insist, I'd recommend getting one of Chris' superb 3D ones; a mix n' match selection...save the pear wood pieces for Christmas Holiday kindling.

[chris watton]

I am hoping to have most of my boats in 3-d print resin form at some point, I have a talented guy working on these, one at a time, for me - starting with another cutter, as clinker planked boats are much more difficult to make from wood.

 

And very well done, BE, Indy looks gorgeous, a real credit to your skills! 

Edited April 8 by chris watton

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you Mark, and Ron,

 

It still rankles Ron,  moving onto the 24' Cutter, we'll see how well I can mangle that one.🫤

 

B.E.

[Mirabell61]

Congratulations B.E. to your HMS Indefatigable,

It`s wunderbar !

 

Nils