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

[Blue Ensign]

Post 12

More patterns to add.

The final action of this section is to add the stern counters and Gunport patterns.

0272

The lower counter is fitted first, I soaked this piece before clamping into place.

0276

The Upper counter follows; I did need to tweak this a little to follow the run of the Lower.

0285

0286

The lower counter includes the discharge hole for the Port side seat of ease, quaintly described as the ‘Necefsary’ on the Adm Plan.

 

Gunport patterns

0304

The forward end was soaked, clamped around a tube, and given the heat treatment.

0295

The parts can then be dry fitted along the hull.

0297

There is a guide-line on the pattern to match with the line of the ply sub-deck, to maintain the ports at the correct level above deck.

0337

On this basis, where the pattern reaches the stern I found it sat just below the level of the stern deck cabins. Not entirely sure if this is correct, but there is not a profile drawing of this stage on the plans. The Manual photos would suggest perhaps not, but not very clear on this particular aspect.

 

Still, I am where I am, and I need to maintain the gunport levels.

 

The Starboard side pattern was fitted using pins and pva.

It goes without saying that glue is not applied to the bulkhead extensions, but I did glue against the side of the stern cabins, and the forward end into the prow slot. Diluted glue was then run along the joints below the sub deck. Before pinning I Painted glue on the bulkheads below the subdeck.

0306

0311

The Portside was fitted 24 hrs later, but firstly I checked that the sides were level with each other. Once satisfied I pinned and glued as before.

0336

0343

Some tidying up and then onto planking.

 

B.E.

28/12/2024

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post 13 – unlucky for some

In Post 11 I mentioned the potential hazard of snapping the keel. This turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

0314

Manoeuvring with the model in the Keel clamp it happened. Re-attached with pva I hope the repair holds until I fit the outer panels.

0320

Styrene provides a useful support when inverting the model.

0345

I took the pre-caution of adding temporary boards to protect the False keel during the next stages.

0333

The Fiddle head at the prow which also split earlier has been removed for safe keeping.

These set-backs are minor and won’t have a lasting effect on the model.

 

B.E.

29/12/2024

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post 14

Onto First Planking

For the past week I have been busy planking the hull.

The Gunport patterns have been fitted and trimmed to fit the stern counter and I’m liking the look of her.

My younger modelling self of the 1970’s/80/s would be amazed  to get this far in only three weeks of work.

 

First Planking.

This is in 5 x1mm Limewood and the kit provides a good standard of timber.

I have covered my first layer planking method in my previous builds, so I won’t go fully into it here.

Suffice to say I use a combination of taper, edge bend, bevel, tick marks, and eye.

035

033

Having completed seven strakes down from the Gunport pattern, the Garboard strake is fitted using a wider 7mm limewood strip.

038

040

046

041

This is followed by the adjacent plank using 6mm strip.

 Planking continues….

 

B.E.

05/01/2025

[Blue Ensign]

Post 15

Completion of first planking

I am now planking alternate strakes from wale down and keel up.

071

My usual approach is to get a final spiled plank beneath the round of the hull.

078

As I proceed, I can see that the stern area would require more planks than the standard 5mm midships planks, resulting in the need of several stealers to fill in.

As it turned out I‘ve needed to adopt a combination of techniques to get the hull planked. Tapering, Edge bending, spiling, drop planks, and even a stealer at the stern.

086

088

I used a drop plank at this point.

090

091

096

093

The final piece of the jigsaw is a stealer and the first planking is complete.

097

Note; the stealer doesn’t end in a point but is squared off and cut into the adjoining planks against a frame.

Not critical on a first layer, but it should be the arrangement on a show layer should stealers be required.

0100

I am fairly well content at this point, not an arrangement I would accept as a single planking display, but as a base for the second Hardwood layer it is fine.

0104

I am pleased to note that even at this rough stage the hull conforms well to the build cradle.

Time to clean up the hull.

 

B.E.

08/01/2025

 

[Blue Ensign]

Post 16

Sanding the hull

For this I am using flexible sanding blocks and papers. I start with 120 grade papers.

0105

I decided not to use the B&D Mouse sander, seemed overkill on a small hull like this and Limewood is fairly soft to sand.

Indefatigable it ain’t.

Where there were hair gaps between the strakes pva was run in, sand dust sprinkled on, and then sanded in.

0121

I finished off with 180 paper.

0122

0123

0119

0120

0107

The hull seems to have scrubbed up nicely, I’m still amazed when I reach this point that it looks as good as it does given the state before sanding, but the display planking will be a job of a different calibre.

 

The next stage involves fitting the lower stern boards.

0115

These are pre-printed 0.8mm patterns that should just sit above the first planking layer, presumably to meet the second Pear layer.

0116

Worth checking before the hull sanding stuff is put away.

0112

0126

The sanding job has taken around 3 hours, but I will review my efforts tomorrow as a final check.

I will apply sanding sealer to the hull but it’s far too cold in these ‘ere parts for outdoor work, so that will have to wait.

 

B.E.

09/01/2025

 

 

[James H]

39 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

These are pre-printed 0.8mm patterns that should just sit above the first planking layer, presumably to meet the second Pear layer.

 

On the prototype, this was done as with the other ships. The was sanded flush to the lime, then the second layer sits atop that.

 

[Glenn-UK]

58 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

I will apply sanding sealer to the hull.

 

Your planking is very impressive. What sanding sealer are you planning to use?

[Blue Ensign]

Thanks for the  'heads up'  James,  I wish I'd known that an hour ago ! 😉

 

B.E.

[Blue Ensign]

5 minutes ago, Glenn-UK said:

Your planking is very impressive. What sanding sealer are you planning to use?

 

Thank you Glenn, I've had the tin for years - it says on the label Manufactured for J Perkins.  They are a very old Model Company, and they still supply it.

Thoroughly nasty stuff,  care needed when using it.

 

B.E.

[James H]

2 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

 

Thank you Glenn, I've had the tin for years - it says on the label Manufactured for J Perkins.  They are a very old Model Company, and they still supply it.

Thoroughly nasty stuff,  care needed when using it.

 

B.E.

 

I used that stuff all the time when I was building flying models. You needed good, er, ventilation.

[Blue Ensign]

Preferably on top of the Pennines with the wind at your back.😃

Edited 6 hours ago by Blue Ensign