HMS Sphinx by KurtH - Vanguard Models - 1/64 - First POB Model

[Ronald-V]

Looking good! We are at the same point in the build now, I will also start with the decorative rails now 👍

[KurtH]

Thanks Ron!  Your work on the quarter galleries is really amazing!!

[KurtH]

Quarter gallery filled then painted:

Rail patterns:

1. Sheer rail pattern

2. Waist rail pattern

3. Sheer and waist rail pattern

The pin holes provided in the rails and in the hull were critical in being able to place the rails in place quickly and accurately before the glue set.

 

Rail patterns installed:

Side fender patterns (left), and chess tree patterns (right)

Fender and chess tree patterns installed:

Current state of play:

It is time for me to step away from this build in order to do my yearly video job.  I expect to resume work late in July.

 

Edited June 5 by KurtH

[SaltyScot]

Very nice!

[KurtH]

1. Rudder and the two outer patterns.  This will make the usual sandwich arrangement  providing detail which I would not be able to as neatly achieve on my own.

2. Sandwich glued and clamped.

3. PE brass gudgeon and pintle straps.

4, PE straps installed on the rudder using brass pins thoughtfully provided in the kit.  These are cut short so that pins can be inserted from both sides.  Steady hand needed to insert these.

    Loctite CA gel control used here.  I like this glue as it can penetrate well, yet is easy to control.

5. PE brass gudgeon/pintle hinge patterns and PE spectacle plate.  These hinge patterns are two dimensional, but enable precise alignment when installing the rudder; a fair tradeoff I would say.

    I was not planning on being able to turn the rudder anyway.

6. Hinge patterns and spectacle plate installed on the rudder.  I dry fitted the rudder on the model after each pattern was glued in before the glue set to insure proper alignment of the pins.

    PE brass horse shoe and fish plates.  These have been painted copper (Vallejo Copper), and look more like copper to my eye than they do here.

Now to install them.

[Ronald-V]

Looking good! The straps that go on the hull are a bit of a fiddly job, working on it now  

[KurtH]

Thanks Ronald.  I will watch what you do with great interest.  I was thinking of not inserting the pins where the depth numerals will go.

[KurtH]

Horse shoe and fish plates installed.  Copper paint was applied to the pin heads with the sharp point of a bamboo skewer:

Rudder glued in:

Installation of the gudgeon straps is proceeding..  Precise alignment of the straps is challenging for me due to their tendency to shift slightly while i am inserting the first two pins.  This may take a while.

[ERS Rich]

Yes, tedious….

[Ronald-V]

On 7/29/2025 at 5:16 PM, KurtH said:

Thanks Ronald.  I will watch what you do with great interest.  I was thinking of not inserting the pins where the depth numerals will go.

Yeah i'm not sure if I will use the depth numerals at the stern, it all seems to be getting in each other's way there. But I'm not quite sure yet.

[KurtH]

Gudgeon straps installed and painted:

As you can see, I did not insert pins where the depth numerals will go.

Yeah, I know, the quarter galleries need touchup.  That will be done when work on finishing them begins.

Next will be installation of the channels.  Gluing in the pins will require great precision, as the holes provided are very close the rails.  Wish me luck.

[Ronald-V]

Great job! I'm having a lot of trouble getting the pins into the straps, getting a grip on the head of the pin and then getting it into the hole without using too much CA...really not fun

[KurtH]

Thanks Ronald!   I appreciate the compliment!  I use small pliers with serrated jaws to grip the pins.  I have lost a few into the space between spaces.

Edited yesterday at 05:04 AM by KurtH