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

[Daniel M]

6 minutes ago, James H said:

There are times I'm too mentally (and physically) drained to operate properly

I feel you. Most days I have to go to sleep after work because I'm just too tired, so most of my hobby work is done on weekends.

[knightyo]

Same here.  Due to a stressful job, nothing very productive gets done in the evenings anymore.  All of my hobby time is now done on Saturday or Sunday morning after my first cup of coffee, before the Admiral wakes up and assigns me my duties for the day.

 

Alan

[Pelk]

16 hours ago, James H said:

 

There will definitely be an update this weekend. Surprise is under paint and I've been working on exterior stuff, so that's what you'll see next. Coppering is imminent too. Initial production will be circa 100 kits, but that's a rolling production as when things get down to low numbers, then you can guarantee the next series of parts are being produced. 

 

James,

 

You are just full of good news. Thanks so much for the speedy reply. You have done a beautiful job thus far, and I look forward to seeing more.

 

I'm really glad to hear about the rolling production run. Thanks again for the inside scoop.

 

-P

[James H]

Update time.

 

Surprise is now under paint and the next step will be coppering with PE plates. Here's some photos showing the work recently done.

 

To start with, the hull was prepped with Tamiya white primer, and any defects were then sanded back, filled, sanded and then re-primed to make sure all was good. This is a little tedious when you believe that all is good first time around and then find you have a couple of days work to sort it 😆 After the priming and fettling was complete and the gun ports etc. masked off, AK's Ochre paint was airbrushed over the model. I used my new Gaahleri for this and it works real nice with this paint, just over 50% diluted with water. 

 

 

The ochre was then masked off and black was sprayed onto the hull. Normally, I'd do this with the AK paint, but as I'm to a deadline, this was speeded up by using Games Workshop's 'Chaos Black' in a rattle can. I can also get an immediate even finish with a very slight sheen which helps me with further masking.

 

Back onto the bow, with these parts glued to the (as yet unfitted) V-frame assembly. This is then removed and the latrines fitted before being sprayed in the same black as the hull.

 

 

This is now finally glued to the hull and the catheads finally glued into position. 

 

The cathead knees are then fettled and glued into place.

 

...then the various bow rails are added.

 

 

I can now turn my attention towards the galleries and stern. The model is masked off and the various rails are airbrushed in ochre. It's far easier to mask the hull and then paint the rails than it is to do it the other way around. The 3D gallery drops and the roof trims are also painted.

 

LaserBak is used for the roof shingles. This is FAR superior to photo-etch as then can easily be cut and manipulated. Also note that the windows, frames and columns are now in situ. 

 

 

There's a reason I haven't added the wreath decor to the upper stern at this time. The gun port doors you see here are only there if you wish to model your Surprise with them closed. I don't intend doing that, and will show them open. As these will be removed, I didn't want to cause any fragility when I turn the hull upside down for copper. That decor will be added later. Some windows have been shown in the open position too. You have a choice here.

 

Here is the hull as it currently stands. 

 

More when I've done the coppering.

[James H]

@Pelk

 

Just for you! 😆

[Maid of the Mist]

Goodness me....

 

This reminds me that in the end I'm just a boy.  I still love bright colours, and that black and yellow contrast is sublime.  If I can figure out a workspace, this model is gonna be mine one day.

[chris watton]

Looking great in her colours, first time I have seen her like this, too, and I do like the way the engraved areas are still easily seen through the paint - I was worried it would not be seen...

 

And those PolyBak parts do look better, and easier to work with than the usual PE parts

Edited 3 hours ago by chris watton

[kurtvd19]

Jim:

Looks great!

 

I always use an airbrush so the fine details can be seen and not hidden by thick paint.  Long ago I was very good with brushing paint onto my 1/25 scale cars but I lusted after an airbrush.  Got my first airbrush for Christmas when I was in 8th grade (1960).  I had a great uncle who modeled HO railroad stuff and his brass locomotives where my inspiration for airbrushing.  When HO scale rivets are not hidden under paint the results are great so I figured if I could paint my model cars using an airbrush my finishes would be much closer to scale thickness and would show the details others hid under paint.  Remember the time period I am referring to.

When I see people using brushed on paint today and if they ask my advice I tell them to get a decent airbrush and learn to use it.  Airbrushing can make such an improvement in the finish of the model.  But, one must practice like anything else and that seems to be something so many just can't seem to do.

 

Take care,

Kurt