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

 

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 29 (17^th - 18^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 49 – Painting the Hull

I went off the reservation with this task *** the build instructions are to leave it a plain wood finish above the water line and a painted white hull below the waterline. This is exactly what I did with my previous DOK build and it does look great.

 

However, on this build I decided to experiment with a different paint finish. I really like the Plasti-kote Red Oxide finish I have used on some previous build. I also liked having a thin white band for the waterline.

 

With the waterline drawn I added some masking tape above and below the waterline and added a white band. After a couple of coats of white paint, the tape was removed. A new thin strip of tape was then placed oved the painted waterline. I then added three coats of red oxide paint below the water line. I opted to decant the paint from the spray can and apply with a paint brush. I also added a different paint finish above the water line (leather).

 

The finished paint scheme is shown below. Whilst it may not be in keeping with how ships of this period looked I quite the colour scheme, noting it may not be to everyone’s taste. This paint scheme is probably more common for fishing boats.

 

Next task will be to add the wales.

 

[Ronald-V]

I think it's a nice color palette as a whole...it all fits together well

[Geordie Tyne]

I think that colour scheme is well thought out and applied. Some very nice warm tones at work.
 

Regards

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 30 (19^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 50 – Upper Stern Counter

Once the wales had been glued place I moved on to adding the upper stern counter pattern which was a relatively straightforward task. I did apply the red paint before this part was glued to place.

 

 

Task 51 – Test Fitting Hull PE Patterns

The main cabin decorative window comprises two PE parts. I had previously sprayed these parts with gold paint. The lower PE part window frame area then needed a red outline and window frames painted white.

 

 

Using the pin holes to correctly align these two parts (not glued for the time being) a test fit was undertaken. I was happy with how this looks.

 

 

 

I then glued the 4 off window frame PE parts to the side windows and test fitted the window surround patterns. Again, everything looks good. I will need to fill the gaps in the planking

 

 

 

Next I decided to test fit the gun port surrounds.

 

 

With these decorative patterns temporarily in place the build is starting to look like a royal ship fit for a duchess.

 

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 31 (24^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 51 – Upper Stern Counter

Over the last few days I have been adding the various items to the upper stern counter.

 

The first task was to add the white painted window frames. Next the window surround PE part was added. This had been painted gold with a white crest.

 

The next item to fit was the 3D printed surround. The part was soaked in hot water for 15 seconds and then clamped to the stern counter for 1 minute so the bend could be added. The bent part was then dropped in cold water to cool off. The part was then painted imperial blue. Once the paint had dried the various raised shaped were painted gold. Once I was happy with the painted part it was added to the upper stern counter.

 

Next I added the various rails, which had been painted gold.

 

Finally, the final PE pattern, which had been painted white was glued beneath the upper rail.

 

As can be seen in the photo below a little bit of paint touch up work is still required.

 

Task 52 – Figurehead

The figurehead has now been painted and test fitted.

[Ronald-V]

Nice paintwork Glenn 👍

[Glenn-UK]

33 minutes ago, Ronald-V said:

Nice paintwork Glenn 👍

Thanks

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 32 (29^th Dec 2025)

 

Task 53 – Hull Decorations

I have now started to add the PE decorative patterns to the hull. I am coating each section of the hull with a thin coat of polyurethane varnish. I then wait for a few minutes to allow the varnish to get tacky before placing the PE pattern in place. Once the pattern has been positioned and being held in place by the varnish, I then apply a top coat of varnish. So far, this method seems to be working really well.

 

Photos

 

 

 

[Ronald-V]

I'm not so far of beginning to apply the decoration on the Sphinx i'm building...nice to read how you are doing it! Sounds like a stress free method, will keep this in mind. Tnx!  

[Glenn-UK]

22 minutes ago, Ronald-V said:

I'm not so far of beginning to apply the decoration on the Sphinx i'm building...nice to read how you are doing it! Sounds like a stress free method, will keep this in mind. Tnx!  

It works well, pe parts can be adjusted when first positioned and no nasty ca overspill issues

[palmerit]

2 hours ago, Glenn-UK said:

I am coating each section of the hull with a thin coat of polyurethane varnish. I then wait for a few minutes to allow the varnish to get tacky before placing the PE pattern in place. Once the pattern has been positioned and being held in place by the varnish, I then apply a top coat of varnish. So far, this method seems to be working really well.

Do you think using shellac would work just as well?

[Glenn-UK]

1 hour ago, palmerit said:

Do you think using shellac would work just as well?

Possibly, but I have no experience with shellac. My thoughts are you just need something which is clear when dry and will provide some level of adhesion when as it dries.

[palmerit]

15 minutes ago, Glenn-UK said:

2 hours ago, palmerit said:

Do you think using shellac would work just as well?

Possibly, but I have no experience with shellac. My thoughts are you just need something which is clear when dry and will provide some level of adhesion when as it dries.

I might experiment with some scrap pieces of PE and wood when I get back home.

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 33 (07/01/26)

 

Task 54 – Bow Rails, Catheads and Decorations

Following on from my last post the remaining hull decorations were added successfully.

 

Once that was done it was time to add all remaining details to the bow area. The various rails were added along with the catheads, hawse hole bolsters & brackets and figurehead.

 

Once that was done the the various bow decorative patterns were added.

 

I then decided to add a bit more colour to the stem post by painting the area below bow rail and above the water line red.

 

Now that this work is complete, I can move on to adding the rudder.

 

Photos

The first two photos show the current build status, the Duchess is stating to look more regal, noting I do have some PE decorative crowns to add between the upper wale and gun ports

 

 

 

Now a picture show the decorative bow area head on. The lower right-hand wale fit to the stem post is not very good

 

Finally two photos showing the right and left bow area. I opted to paint the bow rails gold.

 

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 34 (09/01/26)

 

Task 55 – Fitting The Rudder

I had built the basic  rudder assembly a few weeks ago. The first task, when fitting the rudder, was to add the rudder pintle strips along with shortened pins (simulated rivets) in the various pintle strip holes.

 

The photo below shows a test fit of the rudder, noting the pintles had not been added at this point.

Next I painted the rudder so it matched the hull colour scheme and then I drilled rudder so the pintles could be fitted.

 

I did have to slightly enlarge the rudder opening to the deck area so the pintles could be inserted into the stern post.

 

The final task was to add the pintle strips along with shortened pins to the hull. The paint on the hull strips is still wet in the photo below. I may need to add another coat or two. The hull pintle strips are incorrectly set as I mistakenly aligned then with the rudder pintle strips rather then the pintle part which is inserted in to the stern post. It is not an issue for this build but would be for someone knows how the should be aligned.

I also have added the crown decorations between the gun ports

 

 

 

[Glenn-UK]

Build Log – Post 35 (12/01/26)

 

Task 56 – Cabin Bulkhead Installation

The cabin bulkhead had previously been assembled and painted. It was a simply task to glue this assembled part in place.

 

With the bulkhead in place I did a test fit of the rail assembly. This will be fitted later on in the build.

 

I decided to paint the upper deck inner bulwarks red. I think this enhances the upper section. I will paint the rudder housing assembly black which will add a nice contrast, once fitted.

 

Task 57 – Hull Steps

There are 5 steps per side hull which were glued in place. I decided to paint this steps the same colour as the hull.

 

Task 58 – Channels

There are 5 channels required per side. Each channel was carefully lined up with the locating holes on the hull. I marked the channels with the position of the holes and drilled holes. These were then fitted with small 0.5mm brass pins and test fitted.

 

The front rails were then glued to the front edge of their respective channels. Once that was done the channels were painted black and then glued in place.

 

Task 59 – Spiral staircase and Domed Canopy

The domed canopy base was glued to the 3-D printed domed canopy. The assembly was then painted gold before it was glued in place.

 

The previously assembled spiral staircase was also glued in place.