TJM Posted December 1, 2023 Author #31 Posted December 1, 2023 (edited) Thank you for all the likes and encouraging comments, it is very motivating! @mugje, thank you for your kind words! I don't fret about the prospect of many hours of work, but I have an analytical nature and can't help looking at the 'data' and extrapolating! 😁. Lack of perseverance has never been a problem for me - I may need a break at some point, but I will get through it in the end. And I am enjoying it! I did not start up this hobby to be fast! @Thukydides, ahh that is interesting! I first thought that it would look weird at the bow until I realised that my lack of knowledge on ship construction and terminology may make me misunderstand: is the bow not considered part of the keel? What I think you say is that the butts should always be vertical (perpendicular to the horizontal keel, as you say), but since the planks dont run horizontal except at midships, the angle is not generally square, especially at stern and bow where the plank deviates most from horizontal. Is that correctly understood? @bigcreekdad, much appreciated! TJM Edited December 1, 2023 by TJM Thukydides and Ronald-V 2 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
Thukydides Posted December 1, 2023 #32 Posted December 1, 2023 37 minutes ago, TJM said: @Thukydides, ahh that is interesting! I first thought that it would look weird at the bow until I realised that my lack of knowledge on ship construction and terminology may make me misunderstand: is the bow not considered part of the keel? What I think you say is that the butts should always be vertical (perpendicular to the horizontal keel, as you say), but since the planks dont run horizontal except at midships, the angle is not generally square, especially at stern and bow where the plank deviates most from horizontal. Is that correctly understood? Yes you have it. By keel I am referring to just the straight bit along the bottom. So if you took the ship of the cradle and laid it flat on the desk the angle for the butts should be square with your desk. Ronald-V and TJM 2 Quote Current Builds: HMS Perseus (Scratch) Completed Builds: Type VII C U Boat (HobbyBoss); HM Cutter Alert (Vanguard Models)
TJM Posted December 1, 2023 Author #33 Posted December 1, 2023 34 minutes ago, Thukydides said: Yes you have it. By keel I am referring to just the straight bit along the bottom. So if you took the ship of the cradle and laid it flat on the desk the angle for the butts should be square with your desk. Great, thanks! Thukydides 1 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
allanyed Posted December 2, 2023 #34 Posted December 2, 2023 16 hours ago, Thukydides said: Yes you have it. By keel I am referring to just the straight bit along the bottom. So if you took the ship of the cradle and laid it flat on the desk the angle for the butts should be square with your desk. I agree for most ships, but the keels of the the Alert and Flirt are not flat. It rises both fore and aft. Not noticeable by most so not a big deal, just something a bit different. ZAZ4631 at RMG Collections https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-84422 PDF below Allan Flirt keel line.PDF TJM and Thukydides 2 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
TJM Posted December 4, 2023 Author #35 Posted December 4, 2023 Log entry 10 I am continuing with the second planking, and managed another 2 planks on either side. I had a small bump where the plank did not run all evenly (slightly too much taper in one location over a few planks), but I think I have rectified it now, with a slightly unorthodox plank shape. Not very visible, so I am ok with it. TJM The Gimps Chimp, BLACK VIKING, Mr Whippy and 6 others 9 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted December 9, 2023 Author #36 Posted December 9, 2023 (edited) Log entry 11 I have managed to get another 4 planks on either side and I am now close to halfway in the second planking. I think I will now have to re-measure the remaining gap to ensure that I cut the planks to the right size to avoid weird shapes at the end. This is what my Flirt looks like now: TJM Edited December 9, 2023 by TJM The Gimps Chimp, RossR, Theodosius and 4 others 7 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted December 21, 2023 Author #37 Posted December 21, 2023 (edited) Log entry 12 I have not had much time to work on my Flirt lately, both due to various Christmas obligations, and recently due to illness - it is estimated that 20-30 % of the Danish population is currently down with either flu, covid or other such, and I think I got a mild case of covid (third time now), so I have not been up to much! Anyways, I did manage to remeasure and mark the hull and add a few planks. I am reasonably happy with how it has turned out so far, though there is definitely room for improvement for future projects. I am now missing 7 planks on either side to complete the second planking below the master plank. It should be another 5 hours of work or so, with my current speed. TJM Edited December 21, 2023 by TJM JacquesCousteau, Theodosius, CiscoH and 7 others 10 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted December 27, 2023 Author #38 Posted December 27, 2023 (edited) Log entry 13 Phew, this feels like a bit of a milestone: second planking below the master plank is done! While not perfect I am satisfied with it as a first attempt. I will see how it looks when I sand it and decide if I want to keep it unpainted. I think I will. I also removed the upper bulkheads with a small modelling saw and painted a bit, as per the manual. Now I am ready for gluing on the laser etched deck and do the planking on the inside bulwarks. This marks the 38 h mark of the build. Time really flies when you are having fun, but 25 of those hours were spent planking and I am now looking forward to a more varied part af the build! TJM Edited December 27, 2023 by TJM JacquesCousteau, CiscoH, Glenn-UK and 10 others 13 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
Thukydides Posted December 27, 2023 #39 Posted December 27, 2023 (edited) Looking great. If you thought planking was unvaried, just wait till you get to the ratlines 😄. Edited December 27, 2023 by Thukydides TJM and Mr Whippy 2 Quote Current Builds: HMS Perseus (Scratch) Completed Builds: Type VII C U Boat (HobbyBoss); HM Cutter Alert (Vanguard Models)
TJM Posted December 28, 2023 Author #40 Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) 10 hours ago, Thukydides said: Looking great. If you thought planking was unvaried, just wait till you get to the ratlines 😄. Yes, I know 😬! Actually, the whole rigging business is what I dread the most! All those blocks and deadeyes! Not so much due to the time effort needed, but more because I am completely clueless! And the fact that my full size drawings are in German will not help either 🙄. I have somewhat compensated by buying Lennarth Petersson's book on rigging of model ships as well as Kerry Jang's book on model ship building, where Flirt's sister ship Speedy is heavily featured, especially in the rigging sections. I hope this will help me along (I know there are rigging differences between Flirt and Speedy, but I am thinking more about the techniques used than where the lines actually run), but nothing but practice will fix my fumbling fingers - I am not normally good friends with thread, and there is a lot of it on a model line this... 🤭 Edited December 28, 2023 by TJM Thukydides, Mr Whippy and Knocklouder 3 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
wmherbert Posted December 28, 2023 #41 Posted December 28, 2023 Remembering to drill out blocks before installing them and to run a little CA glue on ends of lines before trying to push them through blocks really helped me. Bill Mr Whippy and TJM 2 Quote
TJM Posted December 29, 2023 Author #42 Posted December 29, 2023 13 hours ago, wmherbert said: Remembering to drill out blocks before installing them and to run a little CA glue on ends of lines before trying to push them through blocks really helped me. Bill Thanks Bill, will do! Mr Whippy 1 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
Ronald-V Posted December 29, 2023 #43 Posted December 29, 2023 Lovely second layer of planking you did there TJM 1 Quote Currently working on the HMS Sphinx from Vanguard Models
TJM Posted December 29, 2023 Author #44 Posted December 29, 2023 7 hours ago, mugje said: Lovely second layer of planking you did there Thank a lot! Ronald-V 1 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted December 29, 2023 Author #45 Posted December 29, 2023 (edited) Log entry 14 I have now planked the inner bulwarks. The planking itself went easyly, but cutting out then gun ports took a while! The pear wood is not so easy to work with here! I may sand them down a bit more and repaint, as the finish may be a bit too rough as it is. Then, to repeat the exercise on the outer bulwarks and finish the second planking... TJM Edited December 29, 2023 by TJM The Gimps Chimp, Glenn-UK, JacquesCousteau and 4 others 7 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
allanyed Posted December 31, 2023 #46 Posted December 31, 2023 On 12/29/2023 at 4:34 PM, TJM said: but cutting out then gun ports took a while! Do you draw in the ports then drill a series of holes just inside the line first? Makes it much easier. A key hole blade on an Xacto handle is also a big help at times. Allan Ryland Craze 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
TJM Posted January 1 Author #47 Posted January 1 Hi Allan, I have tried a few things, but not drilling out most of the lines before cutting. I will give it a try now with the ports in the outer bulwark planking. Mr Whippy, Ryland Craze and Knocklouder 3 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
jereremy Posted January 2 #48 Posted January 2 Looking great! Nice to have someone else currently working on this kit to compare notes. Although now it feels like I’m cheating with my English manual and sheets. Happy to send some photos of the rigging sheets in English, if that would help. TJM 1 Quote Jeremy Current build: HMS Flirt
TJM Posted January 2 Author #49 Posted January 2 3 hours ago, jereremy said: Looking great! Nice to have someone else currently working on this kit to compare notes. Although now it feels like I’m cheating with my English manual and sheets. Happy to send some photos of the rigging sheets in English, if that would help. Thanks! I do have the manual printed in english, so only my full size plans are left in German. But I will reach out if I run into trouble with them! BR TJM Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted January 3 Author #50 Posted January 3 Log entry 15 I have now added the last 5 planks on both sides. I first sanded with 120 grit and was very pleased with the result. There were, as expected small gaps between planks here and there, and I had gathered the sanding dust, so I mixed it with pva and filled the gaps. However, I discovered that the pva I use does not sand very well! It smears instead of being removed and it took quite an effort to remove the excess filler, even though I added very little and wiped it off the hull itself after application. But after a few hours, I had a nice hull sanded with 240 grit. While there are minor issues here and there, it turned out better than I had hoped! I think I will keep it unpainted - this looks good enough for me. The only really bad issue is at the stern, where I had to use a bit of filler. It does not look that nice. But I think I will have to live with it as it is. I will now open up the gun ports and then it is time for some varnish of some sort. I thought I had a satin polyurethane, but it is matte, and I think that will not be the best. I will find some satin polyurethane varnish and make som tests. But I found my airbrush, so I have the option to spray varnish, if I want to. TJM Theodosius, rcweir, DB789 and 4 others 7 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted January 5 Author #51 Posted January 5 (edited) Log entry 16 Gun ports have now been opened. Thanks @allanyed for the tips, it worked well, though I am happy that I only had 22 openings this time around. Doing this on a 74 would have been a chore! Now my lack of knowledge of ships shows itself: what is ther purpose of the small holes between the gun ports? I also added the wales, which went easily and sanded everything (though a bit of touch up may still be needed here). Oh, and as you can see, I couldn't resist lining up the 7 guns I have assembled while glue has dried in various steps of the build so far! I have the other 7 painted as well, just need the final glue up. Now for trimming the wales at the stern and adding the keel! BR TJM Edited January 5 by TJM Theodosius, DB789, Mr Whippy and 6 others 9 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted January 10 Author #52 Posted January 10 (edited) Log entry 17 Quite af few things have happened since the last update: I attached the keel and filled the gap between the keel and garboard plank with scrap strips af planking: Now that changes the profile! I then masked off around and painted the wales. To avoid paint running under the masking tape, i primed with varnish to seal the edges of the masking. Then I primed black, but inspired by the brilliant Sphinx build by @Blue Ensign, I decided to paint in a slightly lighter shade than all black. I tried with Vallejo black gray, but found it a tad too light. It looked a bit too gray instead of 'light black', if that makes sense! So I mixed it with black in a 2:1 ratio and liked the result better. The edges are highlighted with the neat black gray, though the effect is very subtle. The masking worked great and I had very few touch ups to do when I removed the tape. I got some nice, crisp lines which I was very relieved to see! Then a few details were added along with some paint touchup around the gunports and this is now the state of my Flirt: It is slowly starting to look like something! TJM Edited January 10 by TJM Ronald-V, Thukydides, Theodosius and 4 others 7 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
Theodosius Posted January 11 #53 Posted January 11 I realy like how you used a to-scale length for your planking strips. That adds a lot of authencity! 🙂 TJM 1 Quote
TJM Posted January 11 Author #54 Posted January 11 7 hours ago, Theodosius said: I realy like how you used a to-scale length for your planking strips. That adds a lot of authencity! 🙂 Thank you! 😊 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
TJM Posted January 15 Author #55 Posted January 15 Log entry 18 A fair bit of progress. I have added the gunwales, painted the blue section and added the swivel gun post timbers. I also added the stern post and the rudder (not glued in yet). With the painting, I am trying to not use all flat colours, by adding a bit of shadows with washes or adding som edge highlights. As a long time miniature painter, I have a bit of an aversion to flat colours, especially on areas with surface detail (like hard edges). I think I may go over the blue and clean up a few things, but overall I like the look. I also went for a much lighter and less saturated blue than the manual, as well as a darker, more muted yellow. It is Vallejo blue gray and yellow occre respectively for the base colours. BR TJM Thukydides, ccoyle, Ronald-V and 6 others 8 1 Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
Thukydides Posted January 15 #56 Posted January 15 Looks great. As a fellow miniature painter I approve of the use of edge highlights. TJM 1 Quote Current Builds: HMS Perseus (Scratch) Completed Builds: Type VII C U Boat (HobbyBoss); HM Cutter Alert (Vanguard Models)
CiscoH Posted January 15 #57 Posted January 15 (edited) I think the smaller holes are oar ports. these ships apparently could be rowed, if you were desperate enough. great planking and paint job Edited January 15 by CiscoH TJM 1 Quote
TJM Posted January 16 Author #58 Posted January 16 8 hours ago, CiscoH said: I think the smaller holes are oar ports. these ships apparently could be rowed, if you were desperate enough. great planking and paint job Really!? Wow, that must have been tough with a 200 ton boat! Thanks for the compliment! Quote Current Build: Danish Light Frigate 'Christiania', based on HMS Sphinx kit by Vanguard Models Completed Build: HMS Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models - 1:64
wvdhee Posted January 21 #59 Posted January 21 Really looking nice! I am thinking of doing this one as well, but I don't want the instructions in German 😬 TJM 1 Quote Walter. Current build: Thinking about it Finished build: HMS Flirt
Glenn-UK Posted January 21 #60 Posted January 21 18 minutes ago, wvdhee said: Really looking nice! I am thinking of doing this one as well, but I don't want the instructions in German 😬 The manual comes in English as standard. The ,build manual is also downloadable as from the web site vanguardmodels.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Flirt-Construction-Manual.pdf Quote Glenn (UK)
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