HMS Harpy 1796 (production prototype) by James H - Vanguard Models - 1/64

[James H]

HMS Harpy - 1796

HMS Harpy was a Royal Navy Diligence-class brig-sloop, launched in 1796 and sold in 1817. She was the longest lived vessel of her class, and the most widely travelled. She served in both the battle of Copenhagen and the British invasion of Java, took part in several actions, one of which won for her crew a clasp to the Naval General Service Medal, and captured numerous privateers. The Navy sold her in 1817. (from Wikipedia)

 

Prototype

It seems like an age since there was something new on my bench for building. HMS Indefatigable's construction was slightly punctuated by Grecian, but as now I'm idle again and in need of doing something useful with my time, Chris sent over his latest, HMS Harpy, for me to build up and create the material for the manual!

 

Chris shipped this out in a typical Grecian/Adder size box and there's quite some weight in this one, even without the plans and eventual manual. The box already seems packed out, and as usual, Chris's boss, Chan, has properly packed everything so nothing was broken.

 

There are FOUR sheets of MDF in this kit (two x 2mm and two x 3mm), for creating the hull framing and the construction cradle. Again, the hull is designed so you can more or less build it dry, align and tweak as necessary, and then apply your glue to a now perfect hull.

One sheet of 0.8mm ply is supplied for the main deck that sits under the engraved deck. Here you'll find the stern transom and counter, and the inner sandwich for the bulwarks.

 

Here are the engraved lime decks.The main deck has optional parts to fit into the cutouts...should you feel the need to add them, and another engraved deck sits on the MDF sub deck, creating the ship's lower deck. The whole lower deck area will be festooned in engraved details too. This should look quite special. The upper deck beams are authentically placed and the lower ply support deck won't be seen at all on this build. 

 

Three 1mm pear sheets are included. These contain parts for the mast tops, keel/prow/rudder sheathings, and at the bottom you'll see all those engraved walls for the lower deck area. There's also a cabin or two included in that mix. Also note the engravings on this kit are enhanced too.

 

 

Three sheets of 0.8mm pear contain the wales, anchor stock facings, outer bulwarks and various stern, bow pieces etc. 

 

 

Two more 0.8mm sheets contain the inner bulwarks, gunwales and parts for the mass, such as the fish etc.

 

 

The upper sheet here is a 2mm one, containing the actual keel, prow and rudder post, rudder, carronade trucks, bitts, catheads, trestle tree parts and cutter mounting frames. The lower 0.6mm sheet concerns itself with numerous details for deck furnishings, stairways and parts for finishing the cutter. The cutter itself will be supplied as a beautiful and accurate 3D-printed part, so no more having to plank small boats for this one. You will have options for mounting the cutter....either use the deck mount parts, or hang over the stern on davits.

 

 

Two 1.5mm sheets are included, containing anchor stock parts, as well as channels, cleats, cannon carts, grates, shot garlands, and various parts from bow to stern. A single 3mm sheet has parts for a small number of deck beams, gaff and boom ends, chimney and main hatch frames etc. Lastly, the 4mm sheet contains the main deck beams, coamings, mast caps.

 

Lime planking is used for the first layer, as is normal, and pear will be used for the second layer. You also see dowel here for masting and a quantity of brass rod is also supplied.

 

 

Three photo etch sheets will be supplied with this release. You'll recognise many parts here, from eyelets, decor, ship's wheel, strops, trestles etc.

 

 

And here is the rig pack! I'm still firmly in rig mode from Indy, and the anaesthetic hasn't yet worn off!

 

 

A box of fittings holds the anchors, blocks, ship's stove, laserbak rudder hinges, cannon and carronades/carronade wheels, parrel beads, thimbles, brass pins, cannon shot, and black cartridge paper.

 

I'll make a start on Harpy tomorrow eve, but there'll be no sanding until Indy has gone. She's still sat on my bench and I don't want to get that dusty!

 

 

[Kevin]

what a great start to another fantastic build

 

[ccoyle]

Oh, heart (and wallet) be still!!

[James H]

Oh, there's a roll of 6mm copper tape included for the coppering. 

 

IMHO, this stuff is very satisfying to apply, as well as quick and easy.

[AJohnson]

Will be following along, I have got a CC. Snake in stock that I have always managed to avoid doing for over ten years now, not sure this is going to help! 🤭

Edited Tuesday at 08:55 PM by AJohnson

[brunnels]

Looks like the start to a great kit, can't wait to see the progress.

[Ronald-V]

Exciting!

[TJM]

Very exciting, I'm really looking forward to this build log!

[James H]

Time for an update. Work on this started on Wednesday and up to the close of today, the ply main deck is now down. Let's look at the abridged build process!

 

As always, the first task is to build up the cradle. Nothing complicated here.

 

 

 

The first three bulkheads are engraved to provide a rough gauge for bevelling. As Indy is still in my room, I decided to use sanding sticks to even the parts. Ideally, you should use a rotary tool on medium speed. 

 

 

All bulkheads are now fitted, except for the last one, #17.

 

 

To lock the bulkheads into place, doublers are slotted either side of the bulkheads, and then locked into place with pegs. This also strengthens the keel, whilst allowing a very slight wiggle to the bulkheads. NO GLUE IS APPLIED anywhere until later. 

 

 

To provide additional deck support and further solidify bulkhead positions, longitudinal strips are now slotted across the top of all bulkheads.

 

 

The MDF sub-deck is fitted with an engraved deck section representing the lower deck. This is then sat in place and MDF pins used to secure this in place.

[James H]

Continued...

 

I now do the same with the rear lower deck, and again, pinned into place. I have glued the engraved decks to the MDF first as it provides a good opportunity to use weight to hold them flat while they dry, instead of using clamps. 

 

 

 

Now onto the lower deck sidewalls. Note that these are numbered for the eventual upper deck beams. Because of this, these are positioned so the engraved text is facing outwards. Once in place, more pins are used to lock these walls in situ.

 

 

A series of formers are now slotted into the bow to help create the shape. These are bevelled before fitting.

 

 

And now parts 1E are glued into position to create the beak of the main deck.

 

 

Some glue is now used to build the stern cabins.