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

[limsm2]

Ah, it was just a simple jig! I remember that the deck beams weren’t that thick when I saw Chris’s Surprise prototype last time. Thanks for the explanation. I’m preparing for Sphinx after Speedy, but it seems I’ll probably need to build Surprise first.

[chris watton]

9 minutes ago, limsm2 said:

Does “tang” in I used tang refer to Tanganyika, or does it have some other meaning that I’m not aware of?

 

Also, the deck beams look quite thick—what could be the reason for that?

Yes, Tanganyika, I use this because it is much cheaper than pear (as my model will be thrown away), and it is easier to plank with, being much softer. This means I could plank the whole lower hull in one session. Only have it in 1x4mm though, and the kit second planking is 1x5 pear, so I had to use more planks....

 

You can see the upper deck beams below the jigs, not sure why you would think those jigs would be beams!

[limsm2]

7 minutes ago, chris watton said:

Yes, Tanganyika, I use this because it is much cheaper than pear (as my model will be thrown away), and it is easier to plank with, being much softer. This means I could plank the whole lower hull in one session. Only have it in 1x4mm though, and the kit second planking is 1x5 pear, so I had to use more planks....

 

You can see the upper deck beams below the jigs, not sure why you would think those jigs would be beams!

Haha, that’s true. I was looking at it on my phone without zooming in, so I probably didn’t see it properly.

[Jase]

4 hours ago, chris watton said:

I just removed the masking tape after adding the second planking to my 'pre-prototype mule' (planking took a day and sanding half an hour, but I used tang). Again, I must stress that this is very rushed, so apologies...

 

 

Thats rushed!

[chris watton]

8 minutes ago, Jase said:

Thats rushed!

It did take a full working day....

[scrubbyj427]

38 minutes ago, chris watton said:

It did take a full working day....

If I can complete 4 full strakes in one day I feel like I was moving fast! This is amazing you did this all in one day! 

[Kevin]

great start @James H Thank you

[James H]

All those loose bulkheads can now be locked into place.

 

To do this, we use doublers, either side of the keel, inserted from above and then pinned into position, all the way through all three keel layers. 

 

 

After this, we add stability to the outer portions of each bulkhead, initially with these three pieces, inserted on either side of the keel.

 

More longitudinal bracing is added, and it won't be the last.

 

More later.

[James H]

There are two sub-decks to fit. These add a whole load of rigidity to the hull, as well as securing the longitudinal beams in place. Again, the decks aren't glued at this stage, but instead they are held in place with a series of pegs that slot through the bulkheads, at upper deck height. 

 

 

The forward, main deck section now receives the same treatment. 

 

 

Each deck section is then fitted with an engraved lime faux deck. For these, I just added glue around the edged and centreline, and held them in place with clamps until set. Clamps will remove any threat of deck curling at the edges.

 

Even though this place will barely be seen, the deck gets the full grates treatment, and even a set of ladders leading down into that little orlop area. 

 

The bow now has a little attention. You'll see here, and from Chris's photos, that this is a little different to previous designs. 

 

 

More later.

[chris watton]

Finalising the upper deck pattern now that bulkhead tabs have been removed, bowsprit fits like a glove..

 

 

[Ronald-V]

Looks amazing!

[chris watton]

Final pic of gun deck before upper deck is added to the old mule...

[Lieste]

Am I seeing a Hermaphrodite build? Carronades to larboard and guns to starboard?

[chris watton]

12 minutes ago, Lieste said:

Am I seeing a Hermaphrodite build? Carronades to larboard and guns to starboard?

Just making sure all options for the final kit are fine

[Lieste]

I think it is an excellent idea. That was the reason I assumed for a 'throw-away' build... make sure that both options are buildable and correct/refine any problems as you make one quick'n'clean build.

[chris watton]

1 hour ago, Lieste said:

I think it is an excellent idea. That was the reason I assumed for a 'throw-away' build... make sure that both options are buildable and correct/refine any problems as you make one quick'n'clean build.

That's what my build is all about (It is, after all, still in the design and development stage) 

Edited August 7 by chris watton

[EspenT]

Fantastic. Can we still hope to find it under the Christmas tree this year?

[ccoyle]

39 minutes ago, EspenT said:

Fantastic. Can we still hope to find it under the Christmas tree this year?

 

Not for the red side -- you guys get coal. 😉

 

[James H]

7 hours ago, EspenT said:

Fantastic. Can we still hope to find it under the Christmas tree this year?

I'm doubting it. 

 

August is almost done for me due to my holidays, and after that, there's 4 straight months to Christmas. Not a lot of time for me to completely finish and rig a model of this size, and for the kits to be made, plus the manual etc. to be made and delivered.

[James H]

The hull is coming along quite quickly, so I'm almost catching myself up on updates.

 

As you can see, this is quite abridged, and I'm more showing key elements of the work so you can see the main progression. Remember, at this stage, I haven't even flipped the hull over and painted in glue. Allowing some movement at this stage can be helpful in ensuring that anything not quite seated, should be able to joggle itself. Also, aligning the bulkhead ears with the longitudinal strips will also help to positively and accurately ensure that everything else is correct.

 

Here you see the hull with two full length longitudinal beam sat across the bulkheads. As well as being another alignment tool, these also serve as the footings for the gun deck beams. Those strips are also engraved with the gun deck beam numbers, so you'll have no problem identifying which beam locates where. 

 

 

 

The beams are all cut from 4mm pear and are numbered. You can tally these with the numbers on the strips I just mentioned. These can all now pop into place with glue. This is about 2/3 of the beams you will need to fit. 

 

With all the beams securely glued into place, more longitudinal strips slot in across the deck beams, as well as per parts through which the masts will fit. 

 

 

The bow on Surprise is quite round, so we'll do things a little differently here. The bow starts with the foremost posts being built and installed. The small doublers on the outside of these will provide a point for the bulwarks to positively connect to, while the bowsprit will fit through the blanked off hole that glues between those posts. I'll leave the blank in place until the bulwarks are complete. 

 

 

The bow is formed from these pieces, plugged radially int the bow base, as shown here. 

 

These are then bolstered with reinforcement strips, including the hawse hols positions. If you look carefully, you see the port side one installed. Also note that three more longitudinal external strips have now been installed on each side, with the upper two providing the top and bottom to the gun ports we'll now add.

 

The gun port parts are all unique to their particular position. The longitudinal strips have the gun port vertical part number engraved onto them...GP1, GP2, GP3, etc. Here, GP1 and GP2 are fitted, creating a complete gun port.

 

 

And STILL the majority of the hull elements aren't glued! 

 

More later.

 

 

[James H]

I've worked quite quickly here, so I thought I'd bring you totally up to date with work on this.

 

This does mean my next updates will be in real time, with some work on furniture and fittings while the hull sits on my shelf. I'm also aware that because so much of the skeleton is built at once, that you may need to look closely at the photos for the changed. I'll eventually add some arrows on a good number of these pics, so it's evidently clear as to what you're looking at. This photo shows the hull with all the cannon ports installed. A total breeze to do this. Just remember that every vertical port piece is unique to its position. 

 

 

I now focus on the stern. These parts are very obvious. Note the inner, middle, and outer engravings, and all will be fine.

 

The blank panels can now be removed from the stern bulkhead, allowing the previous parts to be fitted. Just take care with the strips protruding at the rear. These are quite strong, but exercise caution. 

 

These parts are now slotted into their respective positions and glued. 

 

Another two horizontal strips now sit atop the previous ones (slotted into the bulwark ears), from bow to stern. You can see the deck beam positions engraved on them.

 

The quarter gallery doorways are now installed.

 

Note another horizontal strip fitted to the outside of the rear bulwark ears, strengthening that area.

 

NOW....we can glue! Your keel should be 100% straight by now, so it's time to solidify the hull by painting in some slightly dilute wood glue into the various joints and seams. I now leave this to set for a number of hours, while I edit the photos and do this update.

 

Here is HMS Surprise as she currently looks. She's sleek and very impressive!

 

 

More, when I've created the content 🤪

 

[Oboship]

What a construction !

[Ronald-V]

Love how the main gun deck runs all the way to the bow!  That's a nice improvement in comparison with the previous kits.

[chris watton]

10 minutes ago, Ronald-V said:

Love how the main gun deck runs all the way to the bow!  That's a nice improvement in comparison with the previous kits.

Bow area is always an issue, more so with built up forecastle bulwarks. My mandate to myself with this was to try and make this area as strong as possible to help minimise possible distortion that often sets in with such curves around the bow, with some areas looking more angled than curved. But damn that area was a nightmare.... (As in trying to do this so that it is easy for the modeller to understand and build up).

 

I am so overdue designing a kit with a nice simple beakhead bulkhead!

Edited August 8 by chris watton

[LoydB]

That frame looks rock solid, I love all the bracing.

[James H]

1 minute ago, LoydB said:

That frame looks rock solid, I love all the bracing.

I can definitely say the frame is solid!

[Ronald-V]

2 hours ago, chris watton said:

Bow area is always an issue, more so with built up forecastle bulwarks. My mandate to myself with this was to try and make this area as strong as possible to help minimise possible distortion that often sets in with such curves around the bow, with some areas looking more angled than curved. But damn that area was a nightmare.... (As in trying to do this so that it is easy for the modeller to understand and build up).

 

I am so overdue designing a kit with a nice simple beakhead bulkhead!

Weird thing is...it's not even visible most of the times  ...but still it's a cool design thing!  

[Jase]

17 hours ago, chris watton said:

Bow area is always an issue, more so with built up forecastle bulwarks. My mandate to myself with this was to try and make this area as strong as possible to help minimise possible distortion that often sets in with such curves around the bow, with some areas looking more angled than curved. But damn that area was a nightmare.... (As in trying to do this so that it is easy for the modeller to understand and build up).

 

I am so overdue designing a kit with a nice simple beakhead bulkhead!

Maybe a D-Day landing craft next Chris 😬

[Kevin]

1 hour ago, Jase said:

Maybe a D-Day landing craft next Chris 😬

or maybe def not

 

[James H]

On 8/9/2025 at 7:29 AM, Jase said:

Maybe a D-Day landing craft next Chris 😬

Chris loves a bluff bow.