Newsworthy updates from Chris Watton

[Bummer!]

This is awesome. I feel the drool dribbling down my chin every time I see those construction pics!

I only wish that I could afford this model when it's released.

Do you know if Amati needs a "beta-tester"?   

[chris watton]

I have decided that I want to develop a super detail heavy frigate next - haven't done one since my first PoB design, Diana. (Have done Surprise, but that doesn't count, too small)

 

Any suggestions?

 

(would prefer one without solid front bulwarks - they just look nicer and more interesting...)

[Kevin]

HMS Anson (1781)

 

in 1/64 scale opened up so we can see inside

Edited June 14, 2013 by Kevin

[Jaxboat]

Here is one: USS Independence. She was the first ship of the line for the US Navy launched in 1814. She was latter razeed. She was big and fast especially after she was cut down to a frigate. She also was around for a long time. She was burned for her fittings in 1915

Jaxboat

[Padeen]

Chris,

I am more and more impressed by this kit! Thank you so much for making us salivate in anticipation! 

As for a frigate... hum... 1/64 scale and... well... I think any you pick will suit me, being a frigate! If you may design one outside Her Majesty's service, maybe Lafayette's Hermione (or is she too small)?

[realworkingsailor]

This may not be a frigate, but what about HM Snow "Ontario"?

 

I've seen kits of brigs, cutters and ships, but never a proper snow...

 

I think the circumstances of her loss would be of equal interest to the British, Canadians and Americans.

 

Just thinking out loud

 

Andy

Edited June 14, 2013 by realworkingsailor

[chris watton]

Thank you, guys. A snow! hmm. I am thinking of revisiting the Cruizer Class but at 48th scale at some point.

 

I think anything other than a USS Constitution won't sell that well (outside the US, that is ), and that subject is well covered - although I don't think there are any large scale versions...

 

The problem with HMS Anson is that it's a raze, and doesn't have the classic frigate lines - plus it has a poop...

 

I like the names of:

 

Apollo/Euryalus Class - 1798 (36 guns)

 

Boadicea Class - 1795 (38 guns)

 

Artois/Apollo Class - 1793 (38 guns)

 

Leda Class - 1794 ( 3 8guns)

 

Arethusa Class - 1778 (38 guns)

 

Something like that...

 

(I did once suggest the Indefatigable - but Sergio, my boss, couldn't even pronounce it.. lol) 

[realworkingsailor]

Just in case I've really piqued your interest:

 

http://www.shipwreckworld.com/articles/shipwreck-explorers-discover-1780-british-warship-in-lake-ontario

 

Andy

[st george]

1/48 Cruizer Class sounds good

[Beef Wellington]

Chris, before I saw your last post I was going to suggest the Leda class, interesting option to go with the traditional or modified stern in one kit.

[overdale]

Does it have to be 18th century..?

 

There are some truly beautiful mid to late17th century small warships and that period seems to be seriously neglected by manufacturers.

[Artificer]

Chris

 

How about the 46 gun HMS Unicorn (launched 1824)? The ship is currently berthed in Dundee and so research should be easy, the only downside being that she was never fitted out with masts but information is available. I was thinking about scratch building at 1/48th but a kit would be a better option.

 

Dave

Edited June 15, 2013 by Artificer

[Artificer]

Chris

 

As you mentioned the Leda Class frigates I have another suggestion. How about HMS Trincomalee, she is berthed in Hartlepool and has been fully restored so there must be plenty of information available.

 

Dave

[Kevin]

 http://www.frigateunicorn.org/hms-unicorn

 

i had forgotten all about her

[Decoyman]

I vote for HMS Phoebe (1795).

 

 

She seems to have had her bulwarks raised at some time and there is a model at NMM Chatham (http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66546.html) showing her in this condition, but her original lines look elegant (http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/82450.html). There is also a framing drawing available (http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/82464.html - useful for the super-detailing?).

 

She has an interesting and eventful history, including being Nelson's signal ship at Trafalgar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Phoebe_(1795)).

 

Most importantly (for me) she has the same name as my daughter, so I have been toying with making a model of her for some while!

 

Rob

[chris watton]

Lots of food for thought, I do like the name Phoebe.....

[Beef Wellington]

Chris

 

As you mentioned the Leda Class frigates I have another suggestion. How about HMS Trincomalee, she is berthed in Hartlepool and has been fully restored so there must be plenty of information available.

 

Dave

 

Dave - both Trincomalee and Unicorn are Leda class frigates, the latter having the modified stern which is not quite as attractive as the earlier Trincomalee.  I have a personal connection with Unicorn as we used to have our wardroom functions on her (can probably guess from my avatar!).  The other benefit of Unicorn is that she is arguably the most original of all the ships of sail simply because she never came out of ordinary so has never had any restoration work done on her.

[Jaxboat]

How about HMS Shannon? It has a US as well as a British connection.

[chris watton]

So - either a Leda Class or Artois Class frigate - the earlier ones are prettier (from a aesthetic point of view) with the exposed forecastle timberheads instead of the plain looking planked bulwarks..

 

Anyway, I have now added all of the cannon and depth markings to Victory (which is starting to get very dusty again...

 

 

..And I have just realised that I haven't made the carronades yet..

 

 

I received my updated quarterdeck bulwark hammock cranes with the cannon barrels and boats. I re designed them after studying the pictures I had taken of the real thing, and realised they had brackets holding them into position on the insides of the bulwarks, like this:

 

 

I haven't rigged any of the cannon at all for this model. This is because I can never get them to look quite right, and when taking close ups, all you see is the stringy bits. Plus of course, I'm crap at rigging them anyway.....

Edited June 15, 2013 by chris watton

[realworkingsailor]

**Walks in, has a look at the latest posts... gazes at the newest pictures...nods knowingly and walks away quietly, innocently, whistling "Let it snow, let it snow let it snow"**

 

 

[Kevin]

Leda Class HMS Melampus  - well i have a start in respect i have the rigging book based on her http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article/rigging-period-ship-models/8653

[ccoyle]

My vote is for HMS Shannon.  She's a Leda-class frigate with historical significance on both sides of the pond (albeit for opposite reasons).

[chris watton]

My vote is for HMS Shannon.  She's a Leda-class frigate with historical significance on both sides of the pond (albeit for opposite reasons).

Shannon sounds like a good bet - I just hope there are good plans available....

[Beef Wellington]

Shannon sounds like a good bet - I just hope there are good plans available....

 

I hope so Chris, HMS Shannon would be fantastic, and I can't believe much modification would be needed to make others of the class either (bit like the Vanguard/Belerophon/Elephant kit), and surely would be more of  a commercial bet with Trincomalee having been restored as well.  Now, how quickly can I get one? 

[flyer]

Hi Chris

 

Your Victory looks a truly wonderful ship.

However her size could somehow reach a ‘critical mass’ in the eyes of the admiralty when discussing where to berth the finished model.

 

Therefore a smaller model of a heavy frigate would probably fit better in many a household. Although Shannon is somehow similar to Diana there are still quite a few points in her favor besides those already mentioned: Not only has she British and American connections but also French – her lines seem based on those of the captured French frigate Hebe. http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14775.0

And the fact that she was also mentioned in Patrick O’Brian’s books won’t really reduce her chances for a commercial success.

 

Perhaps a kit variant to build Hebe would also be possible (albeit I have no idea of their relative sizes).

 

I only hope that you find somebody to produce the kits for all your splendid models. There is still Bellona and didn’t you also build a Cutty Sark?

 

Keep up the good work.

Cheers

Peter

[Kevin]

HMS Shannon

 

She has quite a bit of history behind her - i hope you go for it Chris

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Shannon_(1806)

[chris watton]

I hope so Chris, HMS Shannon would be fantastic, and I can't believe much modification would be needed to make others of the class either (bit like the Vanguard/Belerophon/Elephant kit), and surely would be more of  a commercial bet with Trincomalee having been restored as well.  Now, how quickly can I get one? 

If I can find enough details for the class, especially Shannon, that is what I shall do - a Leda Class frigate. Hope there are good lines and profiles, deck layouts etc.

 

Hi Chris

 

Your Victory looks a truly wonderful ship.

However her size could somehow reach a ‘critical mass’ in the eyes of the admiralty when discussing where to berth the finished model.

 

Therefore a smaller model of a heavy frigate would probably fit better in many a household. Although Shannon is somehow similar to Diana there are still quite a few points in her favor besides those already mentioned: Not only has she British and American connections but also French – her lines seem based on those of the captured French frigate Hebe. http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14775.0

And the fact that she was also mentioned in Patrick O’Brian’s books won’t really reduce her chances for a commercial success.

 

Perhaps a kit variant to build Hebe would also be possible (albeit I have no idea of their relative sizes).

 

I only hope that you find somebody to produce the kits for all your splendid models. There is still Bellona and didn’t you also build a Cutty Sark?

 

Keep up the good work.

Cheers

Peter

Thank you. Bellona will be released, as will the Cutty Sark, Revenge and Golden Hind. I work for Amati, so they produce them. Unfortunately, we also do a lot of part work (magazine) developments, and they have, at times, taken production priority - hence the delays and backlogs caused with some of my finished work. (in-between the standard kits, I have developed a Japanese sail training ship, the Black Pearl with half the hull open to show the innards of the ship, the ocean liner France and have had a hand in a Bismarck and a few others). It is very good news that I have been left alone for quite a while to develop the Victory without having to break off to do other stuff, which is usually the case.

 

As for the size of Victory, to be honest, I am thinking of making one for myself, but just having stump masts or flag staffs instead of the full masts and bowsprit - saves a lot of space and still looks quite impressive..

 

HMS Shannon

 

She has quite a bit of history behind her - i hope you go for it Chris

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Shannon_(1806)

Thank you, Kevin.

 

Ah ha:

 

http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/84700.html

 

Have emailed the NMM for a pro-forma for lines, profile and deck drawings...

Edited June 15, 2013 by chris watton

[Jaxboat]

Hi Chris,

Just a question. One of the many things I liked about your shop website was a section on what was in devlopment at Amati. Did you do thta yourself or was it someting thtawas put out by Amati?

Jaxboat

[chris watton]

Hi Chris,

Just a question. One of the many things I liked about your shop website was a section on what was in devlopment at Amati. Did you do thta yourself or was it someting thtawas put out by Amati?

Jaxboat

That was my idea and I updated it. I guess I can just use this site to do the same - not to advertise kits, I'm not really into that at all, but just to show new and upcoming developments.

[Jaxboat]

HI Chris,

That would be very welcome!

Best

Jaxboat