HMS Surprise 1796 (prototype) by James H - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[James H]

8 hours ago, Pitan said:

Question.  
When not in action, would the gun carriages in the captain's cabin be stored facing fore or aft, rather than out to the side?
At the moment, they seem to be blocking access through the cabin doors while Aubrey and Maturin are relaxing with their music.

Prob artistic licence, simply for display convention. A bit like the figures 😆

[AlanDavison]

When a sea and not in action, all gun ports would be closed, gun quoins would be removed and canon and carriage lashed securely to the bulwark to prevent movement.

Models are nearly always shown with canons run out as this enhances the appearance of the model.

As an aside ships boats were often towed, especially when the ship was in action as it reduced the possibility of desertion or splinter injuries. 

[Daniel M]

5 hours ago, AlanDavison said:

as it reduced the possibility of desertion or splinter injuries

 

I remember reading somewhere that the boats where towed to keep them safe during action as they could have been damaged more easily if they were stored on deck and to safe time when they are needed because they are already in the water, but I don't know if this is true.

[Pitan]

On 10/20/2025 at 11:27 AM, AlanDavison said:

As an aside ships boats were often towed, especially when the ship was in action as it reduced the possibility of desertion or splinter injuries.

There are lots of paintings with boats being towed, even in peacetime.
Reasons include those given, but it also gave more space on deck, and helped keep the hull timbers wet, thus avoiding shrinkage and reduced the risk of leaks.

Didn't Aubrey once put a mix of (potential) mutineers and good men in a towed boat?
An uncomfortable experience.

[AlanDavison]

Another thing as well. Most ships boats had masts and sails as well as oars. But masts and sales are seldom included in kit form. Something to be considered in future kits?

[LED]

'Vanguard Models' has a very nice filter under it's 'Models' flyover menu option.  They skill rate their kits to 'Novice', 'Amateur', 'Experienced', 'Advanced', and 'Master'.

I am thinking of trying out a wood kit.  I found VM because of their skill rating and much appreciate it.  I am looking at the 'Grecian 1812' - which is in the 'Amateur' level.  BTW, I found this build log from ModelKits.com.  He has a nice box opening review.

Where would this kit fall?  I am guessing a bit higher than 'Amateur' - but, there is always hope🤪

[bjolin]

It was mentioned somewhere that it probably would end up in the Advanced category, far from certain though. I'm currently working on the Sherbourne, and long term plan is to take on the Grecian next, after that would be Adder followed by the Duchess and then eventually ending up with the big Surprise. If you're planning on building a Vanguard models kit I strongly suggest taking a look at the ModelKitStuff  youtube channel, lots of excellent coverage of their kits there.

[palmerit]

2 hours ago, LED said:

'Vanguard Models' has a very nice filter under it's 'Models' flyover menu option.  They skill rate their kits to 'Novice', 'Amateur', 'Experienced', 'Advanced', and 'Master'.

I am thinking of trying out a wood kit.  I found VM because of their skill rating and much appreciate it.  I am looking at the 'Grecian 1812' - which is in the 'Amateur' level.  BTW, I found this build log from ModelKits.com.  He has a nice box opening review.

Where would this kit fall?  I am guessing a bit higher than 'Amateur' - but, there is always hope🤪

I bet Advanced as well at least. The 'Novice' kits are still quite challenging - not just from Vanguard - if you've never built a wooden ship. My first build was the Sherbourne. When I was first thinking about getting a wooden ship model, I was using my knowledge of Lego models (lots of experience with my boys getting Lego models for years - even now into their 20s) and plastic models (which I had built a bunch as a kid). With a Lego kit, nearly any adult would be able to build the most difficult 18+ model, maybe with a few do-overs with the most challenging Technics model. With a plastic kit, most adult would be able to put together a mid-level plastic kit. The lowest level plastic kits are for 8 year olds. With wooden model ships, novice still means a lot of learning and weeks or months of working on the build. I took a year to build the Vanguard Sherbourne - but that was because in parallel I built the three novice models from the Model Shipways Shipwright series. Check out the Modelkit Stuff build of the Sherbourne. I bought the Duchess (Experienced) as my second model, but then I decided to instead first build three of the Vanguard fishing boats (two are Novice, one is Amateur). I'll probably do the Grecian next - I just really like its look. Then I'll do the Duchess. 

[LED]

I'm watching some builds of various 'Vanguard Models' as I type.  I see what you two are speaking about.  I might go novice just to ensure success.

All in all, the kits seem really well built and the instructions seem first rate - but, flubbing things is an expensive lesson 😄

I think the Sherbourne might be a good fit for me.  Got to get the tools, the skills, and I want a success.