HMS Sphinx - Vanguard Models 1:64 by Ronald-V

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T08:06:12-0500

dockattner said:
You are showing us very nice work, Ronald. I'll also pull up a chair.

Your welcome Paul! And thanks for the compliment

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T09:40:12-0500

Dry-fitting to ensure all parts of the cabin/stern parts are properly aligned. Naturally, it is important that everything is straight and symmetrical for a good appearance.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T09:44:01-0500

Installing the gunport outer hull planking. These are large laser-cut pieces of pear wood (4 parts per side). Not easy to install, but the end result is beautiful

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T09:48:13-0500

Only the rear gunports had gunport sills. I added these to the rest as well, on the underside and sides of the gunports (then used the Caldercraft red ochre again). I found clothespins quite handy for clamping them in place while they dried after gluing.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T09:54:06-0500

Because I needed multiple widths for the boarding of the top layer... I ordered extra material from https://hobbymill.eu/
Very satisfied with the service. Beautiful material and a good guy. We exchanged a few emails to choose the right color tone that was as close as possible to the color of the kit materials.

Pearwood for the hull and boxwood for the decks.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T09:57:06-0500

Here the sternpost has been installed (with the extra piece of pear wood so it fits together well later) and the first drop plank has been placed. These go just below the wales, and from here we will lining off the hull again.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:00:14-0500

Aligning again... naturally I've had some practice by now... and I'm starting to understand it better and better.

Paying as much attention as possible to what looks good in terms of lines

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:04:04-0500

Planking process...I marked the edges of the planks with a pencil so that you can see the individual planks later when the oil is on them. You can't see much of it yet right now.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:05:40-0500

Installing the garboard strake...the more difficult plank

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:06:50-0500

First side closed!

IMG_20240709_162615571 - kopie - kopie.jpg

Y.T. · 2026-05-08T10:08:11-0500

It is very interesting how Vanguard models are coming together. Looks as very good quality model. So they finally changed the keel and bulkheads material from some kind of pressed paper (I forgot the brand name) to a quality plywood? Your assembly skills are superb.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:09:22-0500

Hull planked and sanded...it was so exciting what came next. I did take a sneak peak what it could look like when i put some water on the wood.

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:13:13-0500

Y.T. said:
It is very interesting how Vanguard models are coming together. Looks as very good quality model. So they finally changed the keel and bulkheads material from some kind of pressed paper (I forgot the brand name) to a quality plywood? Your assembly skills are superb.

Thanks for your compliment! No the inner construction is made of MDF...to be honest, I haven't had any problems with this at all. It sands incredibly easily, and I think you can maintain very precise tolerances regarding construction. The only thing you need to watch out for is, of course, to use a good dust mask when sanding this. I hope I didn't make the mistake of typing plywood somewhere? Because that is not what is in the kit.

Corsair · 2026-05-08T10:16:55-0500

An absolutely wonderful planking job !

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:17:14-0500

After all this, the oil was applied (polyurethane lacquer mixed with thinner). This was applied with a cloth, 4 layers if I am not mistaken.
I was very happy with the end result and glad that it wasn't so bad that I needed to paint the hull white afterwards haha

The planking process took me 4 months

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:17:44-0500

Corsair said:
An absolutely wonderful planking job !

Thank you so much!

dockattner · 2026-05-08T10:21:14-0500

Outstanding, Ronald! Bravo!

Y.T. · 2026-05-08T10:22:26-0500

Ronald-V said:
I hope I didn't make the mistake of typing plywood somewhere? Because that is not what is in the kit.

No, Roland-V. You did not type "plywood" anywhere. I mistakenly took MDF for plywood on the pictures. I personally never built models with MDF but am familiar with the material. MDF I used soaked water very easily . It was easy to brake compared to plywood. Repairing it was close to impossible. Basically I did not like the material.

Y.T. · 2026-05-08T10:24:42-0500

Yes, Roland. I am very impressed with your final planking. This is an art very few are able to profess. How did you do your plank side bending?

Ronald-V · 2026-05-08T10:26:21-0500

Y.T. said:
No, Roland-V. You did not type "plywood" anywhere. I mistakenly took MDF for plywood on the pictures. I personally never built models with MDF but am familiar with the material. MDF I used soaked water very easily . It was easy to brake compared to plywood. Repairing it was close to impossible. Basically I did not like the material.

I understand. I've read it more often, it indeed seems to be the case with this wood... you either love it or you hate it.