Duchess of Kingston 1798 by Glenn-UK - Vanguard Models - 1:64 - Commission Build

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log - Day 27 (10^th & 11^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 46 – Ships Wheel

My time in the shipyard is very limited this week therefore I am tackling some small tasks such as the ships wheel assembly.

 

The ships wheel is made up from 5 PE parts which were glued together, using a 1mm rod to ensure everything was aligned.

 

Next the cable drum assembly, comprising three wooden parts were glued together, once again using a 1mm rod to ensure everything was aligned.

 

I then painted the drum and ship wheel a dark walnut colour, as can be seen below.

 

 

The two end panels have nice some laser-etch lines and I decided, as this is a royal yacht, to embellish these with some paint.

 

In the photo below I have taped the two panels so the centre section can be painted royal blue and the second photo shows the end result, noting I had already added black paint the top section.

 

 

In the next set of photos more tape is used so I could add a red outline to the blue insert.

 

More tape was then added so the external edges of the panels could be painted dark walnut.

 

Test fit of the ship wheel assembly, noting the ship wheel assembly has not been glued together

 

Task 47 – Main Rail Thoughts

Before I glue the main rails in place I thought I would experiment with some different finishes.

 

This is the current natural wood finish. It looks Ok but I think it would look better if it were a bit darker in colour.

 

Gold, look nice but I am not convinced this is the best option but would fit in with the opulence of a royal yacht.

Leather, this looks OK but I am not sure this colour really complements the red and blue.

 

Dark Walnut, again looks OK but I think it is too dark.

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 28 (16^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 48 – Main Rails and Gunwales

Adding the main rails has been a bit of nightmare as I made a schoolboy error by applying a coat of tung oil to the hull. This meant that when I was ready to add the main rails it was difficult to get the to hold, once dried. The rails are now in place and hopefully they will now stay in place.

 

Next the gunwales were added. They were painted black before they were fitted. Once fitted I decided to paint the upper bow and stern rail black.

 

 Photos

Current status of the build

Bow area main rails

Midships main rail

Stern area

Gunwales