HMS Harpy 1796 by Blue Ensign – FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64 scale

[AON]

As important, could someone explain how the anchor could be raised (man handled) in such a short distance between the hawse pipes and the forward grating when the capstan is way back aft?

Seriously, I'd like to know.

I don't understand.

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you, Alan,

I can’t reconcile the set-up either.

Such an arrangement seems more appropriate to smaller vessels where a windlass is used to raise the anchor and also act as the riding bitts.

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This arrangement on my Pickle build makes more sense, altho’ I did puzzle about the use of Navel pipes in that era, but visually it worked for me.

 

Thanks for chipping in Richard, your Harpy is looking very good.👍

The photo’s indeed clearly show the problem, how is the cable to be handled in that short space. The large cable rising vertically thro’ a very small grating so close to the stove, just doesn’t sit right to my eye.

Using the Riding bitts does involve using the bitt post as well as the cross piece.

 

As you gain knowledge of the subject over the years it becomes harder to ignore apparent discrepancies but then find you can’t resolve them because of gaps in historical information.🙄

The Harpy set-up is a mystery to me, but I will dodge the issue by not fitting anchor cables. Were it fully decked I would have run the cables down thro’ the Main Hatch.

 

To keep things in perspective this is a minor fitting on the model that doesn’t detract from the overall appeal of Harpy.

I have made many changes to my kit for my own interest that the casual eye wouldn’t even notice.

I very much doubt that in many years ahead nautical historians will be poring over my model wondering why did he do that!

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

 

 

[Richard44]

18 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Thanks for chipping in Richard, your Harpy is looking very good.

Thanks for the compliment Maurice.

[Blue Ensign]

Post 104

At this point I am attending to small additions and tweaks as the model nears completion.

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The stanchions and guard rails are added to the Mast tops, a perfect fit with nicely shaped rails in Pearwood.

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The Iron horse has been added to the transom.

I am still pondering whether to add limited rigging to the booms and fit the sheets.

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I added Entry steps stanchions, not sure if they were indicated on the plans, but I have a lot of these items in my spares box.

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The Rudder chains are added but I have omitted the pendents.

The chains of 1mm size were in my chain stock.

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I had to re-visit the stern davit rigging which had become twisted. Attaching the boat is like working one of those Fairground crane grab machines, multiple goes, but at least success is obtained eventually.

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The one major job remaining is attaching the Ratlines, what deep joy.

 

 B.E.

04/08/2025

[hollowneck]

Looking excellent, Maurice.

Indeed, the ecstasy of toiling with ratlines awaits you. Suggestion: you can avoid this task by simply threading and weaving more sweeps between the shrouds...you've got a good start on the port foremast!🤣

[Blue Ensign]

Ah if only it were that simple Ron, all the best riggers set up with oars don’t you know.😉

ps that’s oars with an ‘o’ not a ‘w’

 

M.

[Timmo]

I'm extremely late to the party BE but have enjoyed cathcing up on your fine build. Harpy looks great.  What a superb line of kits Chris has now and you more than do them justice. 

[Blue Ensign]

Thank you Timmo, Chris's design talent give modellers at all skill  levels the best chance of creating highly detailed and beautiful ship models.

I just love 'em.

 

B.E.

[chris watton]

That is gobsmackingly good!

[SaltyScot]

On 8/6/2025 at 7:12 AM, chris watton said:

That is gobsmackingly good!

 

I could not have put that any better! It has been a minute since I looked in and you have made some amazing progress, Maurice. Truly a joy to behold sir.

[Blue Ensign]

Post 105

Rattlin’ down.

There are different approaches to this repetitive task;

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I only use a card template to work out the number of lines.

For me a card behind the shrouds is more of a hindrance than help.

I prefer to fit them by eye using a 5mm planking strip to gauge the spacing.

 

For the Ratlines I am using Syren 0.20mm line which is pretty spot on for scale size. It is dyed before use, an approach I recommend; the suggestion that it be dyed after fitting is a high- risk undertaking.

 

The kit arrangement shows ratlines across all shrouds for the full length.

Steel however indicates that for the first six lines top and bottom, ratlines are omitted to the first and last shrouds.

Whether this was applicable to all vessel sizes is not clear, but on Harpy I don’t think that would be a good look, particularly on the Fore shrouds.

I will extend the Ratlines across all shrouds.

The Top ratline is 5mm below the futtocks and the bottom starts just above the shroud cappings.

 

I have also belatedly noticed that Steel indicates that on brigs the aftermost Main shroud was served to give protection from the main boom.

 

It has been over five years since I last did this task and it feels more tiresome than I remember, an indication no doubt of increasing decrepitude, and decreasing vision sharpness.

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I begin the procedure by attaching lines with a (5) line spacing. This helps keep the shrouds in shape.

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My Topman Bob has served on many ships, and is a valued crew member for gauging the rattlin’

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One of Chris’s figures is a reasonable fit for a Helmsman.

Pinned to the deck, he provides a human scale reference for the model.

I have positioned the Binnacle just forward and to Port of the wheel, the suggested kit position makes no sense.

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There is a lot of deck interest provided for this model thanks to the excellent fittings provided in the kit.

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The build is nearing completion, only a little tidying up, and tweaking here and there remains to be done.

 

B.E.

18/08/2025

 

[SaltyScot]

If this is how your work looks when you are hampered by "decrepitude"as you so put it, what would it look like if you were not 🤔 A work of art, Maurice, seriously.

[hollowneck]

8 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

My Topman Bob has served on many ships, and is a valued crew member for gauging the rattlin’

Pray tell, does Topman Bob have a twin brother I could convince to jump ship?

[Blue Ensign]

 Sadly not Ron.

A bit of a time traveller is Bob, think Outlander.

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He began his journey as an able seaman serving on a Flower Class Corvette  circa 1940.

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He was next sighted working as a rigger on a 14 gun sloop of war circa 1776. This was around 2013 in our time.

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In 2020 he was to be found serving on the Cutter Alert circa 1777.

 

Bob’s current muster on Harpy is likely to be his last, but you never know with time travellers.🤔

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

Post 106

Completion

After eight months of fairly concentrated work this project is now complete.

This has been an interesting kit to make and one that has taken more time than I had initially imagined.

I had a lot of questions in my mind about certain details and fittings etc; for which there is scant information, and which remain unanswered.

Even so, Chris has done an excellent job of creating ‘Harpy’ which makes up into a very attractive model with lots of deck interest.

A fine addition to the Vanguard range of kits.

 

The completion Photos (part 1)

These are the full hull shots that will feature in my usual build Photo book.

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The display stand has been completed, I do like keel blocks as part of the support, a design that has featured in several of my models.

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Part  2 will cover the close-up shots.

 

 

B.E.

20/08/2025

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post 107

Completion photos part 2

Close-up shots.

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B.E.

20/08/2025

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

Well done on completing a fantastic looking model, one you can be really proud of. 👏👏👏

[Ronald-V]

You have once again delivered a beautiful model B.E. 

 

Very well done! 👏 And your build logs are always helpful and a joy to read  

Edited Wednesday at 03:37 PM by Ronald-V

[Knocklouder]

Congratulations  . I would not be "Surprise " if old Bob got one more in him. Very nicely done Sir.

Bob  M.

[Thukydides]

Another fantastic model and build log complete.

 

I really quite like the presentation you have gone for here with the topmasts struck.

[hollowneck]

On 8/19/2025 at 3:15 AM, Blue Ensign said:

A bit of a time traveller is Bob, think Outlander.

Aha! time traveller Bob must have a Sassanach and a Bairn waiting at home, whatever the century.

Congratulations Maurice, you've done your typical amazing work with Harpy. Another aspirational, top-drawer Build Log.

[ECK]

Lovely work and I always learn something following your builds!

[Rustyj]

That's some wonderful workmanship and I really like the presentation!

[dvm27]

Congratulations on the completion of yet another fine build, B.E. A very clever presentation as well, saving you a lot of vertical space!

[dunnock]

Another great model and really like the presentation. Thanks too for the clear and very helpful log

David 

[gjdale]

Congratulations on completing yet another fine build B.E. As usual, your build log is both interesting and informative. Thank you for the care and effort you put into producing these logs - they are an inspiration to us all.

[glbarlow]

Another excellent model BE, congratulations!  I have followed your detailed and instructive logs for years now, they were a constant reference for me for my own Pickle and Pegasus. I like the display and the partial matting, a unique presentation. I have the goal to create a book on my Winchelsea, inspired by your creating one for all your models. looking forward to what’s next. 

[Desertanimal]

Beautiful build BE! 
Your work is exemplary and your logs are a joy to watch. Not to mention the wealth of information they contain. 
I really like the display you chose. 
Chris

[Ryland Craze]

Congratulations B.E. on this beautiful build.  I love the way the model sits on the keel blocks.  I have enjoyed following your build log.

[SiriusVoyager]

Very nice work!