HMS Grecian 1812 by Glenn-UK - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[Glenn-UK]

I am starting another Vanguard Models kit, this time I am going to build "The Baltimore Privateer Schooner Grecian". Grecian was an American schooner launched in 1812. During the War of 1812 she received a letter of marque. The Royal Navy captured her on 5 February 1814 and took her into service as HMS Grecian.

 

I think this will be an interesting boat to build given the sleek lines of the hull. I am also thinking about trialing some different ideas during this build process such as trying out the 3D printed blocks and deadeyes from Syren. I am not sure about the green paint finish but I do like the way @ECK Grecian looks so it still a definite maybe. At the moment I am more inclined toward using the AK11817 RLM 65 (1938) Grey or the AK11180 Imperial Blue instead.

 

The shipyard has had a good clean and tidy up and is ready now ready and waiting for me to start work on the Grecian.

The kit finally arrived this afternoon.

I thought I would start this project with building the 20 foot cutter.

It seems to be a simple task. There is a 3d printed hull and a 1mm wooden sheet with all the fittings.

Before painting the hull and fittings I thought it would it be a good idea to test fit the fittings. The floor and rear floor both seem to be a good fit.

The bow knee and/or hull will need a bit of fettling as the 3D printed bulkheads appears to be preventing the bow knee from sitting on the ledge. (Post Amendment The knee is located at the top and not on the ledge)

I have similar issue with fitting the stern sheet (rear seat).

The various thwart seats seemed to be a good fit however the thwart / seat knee will require a slight adjustment.

 

Edited Tuesday at 05:25 PM by Glenn-UK

[Ronald-V]

Wish you all the fun with this new build Glenn!

[palmerit]

This one is on my list - not (yet) in my stash. 

[Craigie65]

Will pull up a chair, if you don’t mind?

[Glenn-UK]

Welcome to all the followers.

[Knocklouder]

Good Luck on this build, I am in !!

Bob  M. 

[Dr PR]

The Grecian was a beautiful ship. It will make a beautiful model!

 

Be careful working with the thin pear wood, especially with the rear seats and thwart. That thwart is cut across the grain, and it will break very easily (I speak from experience)!

[Glenn-UK]

I have spent a bit more time working on the 20ft cutter today.

 

I made a cardboard template of the stern sheet (rear seat). Once I was happy with how the template fitted I was able to adjust the actual part so it was a good fit.

Next I removed the top section of the leading 3D printed bulkhead (red arrows in the photo below) to aid the fitting of the bow knee.

When sanding the laser char from the rudder the tiller arm did break off into several small bits. I was able to make a replacement tiller  which was glued in place. You cant see the join in the photo below which is taken part way through the painting process, as the tiller arm will be painted white later on.

I have also started to paint the oars, noting the ends will be have a white tip added, as indicated by the red arrow in the photo below.

The boat fittings are now ready to be fitted, noting I will need to touch up the white bits on the oars and to also add the white tips.

The hull has been painted white, noting the top outer section will be painted green.

I have painted the internal hull withe a dark brown. It does look a bit chocolatey but I think it will pass muster when all the deck fittings have been added.

I have fitted bulkheads 1 -16 to the keel. The keel inner patterns have also been fitted. I have not fitted the locating pegs which will be the next task.

I was a bit concerned with the fitting of bulkhead 5 which sits proud of the top of the keel, as can be seen in the photo below. I did check and confirm the bulkhead was fully seated and when I looked at a photo on Jim's prototype build log I noted his looked the same - phew!

 

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

I have finished building and painting the 20ft cutter. As you will note I have added the white tips to the oars. I am really pleased with the end result.

The tiller housing comprises an inner and outer pattern which have to be aligned and glued together. I took great care to ensure the parts were properly aligned and once I was happy the parts were clamped whilst the glue cured.

I then moved on to adding the hawse bolsters to the hawse patterns and the outer patterns to the rudder. I used some pins to ensure the ruffer outer patterns were correctly aligned.

Next I assembled the catheads swiftly followed by the bread hatch. Finally I built the skylight frame. In the photo below the skylight window frames have be placed in position but they are not glued in place as I have not decided on the finally colour scheme for the deck items.