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Thanks. 
HMS Blandford 1:48 POF Modelship Dockyard [COMPLETED BUILD]
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
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- 151
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- 88
Good luck with your Blanford build, I am sure it will be as sweet as your other kit builds!
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- Dec 16, 2016
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Hello and welcome to my build log. First I would like to thank you for the nice reception I received from so many of you, I hope that you won’t be disappointed.
I’ll start with the usual ‘what’s in the box’. When I first opened the kit I must confess that I was initially quite under whelmed, as this type of kit is new to me I didn’t really know what to expect, I somehow thought that it would be more appealing. I sat down and had a cup of tea then pondered on it a bit. I considered the fact that normal kits as we know them are filled with goodies; there is the large amount ply or MDF bulkheads and false keel, usually three bundles of planking, loads of dowels and cord. There is the usual tray of fittings, blocks, deadeyes etc all displayed to give that wow factor when the box is opened as well as some pretty appealing box art, this is what we’re used to but take all that away and there is nothing, but I realised that this is where this kit starts and looked I at it differently.
There were several bundles of sheet pear, each bundle labeled as to its designated use, ribs, decking, hull etc each bundle was tightly packed and was shrink wrapped separately so it didn’t look like much and you couldn’t see the quality. However once I opened the ribs bundle it took on a new life, what had appeared not much was in fact sixteen sheets of very nice pear in various thicknesses, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, all the sheets were completely taken up with all the rib sections neatly laser cut, many hundreds of them! each rib numbered for identification, now I did get the wow factor. Those of you who have already experienced the quality of this type of Chinese kit will know what I mean when I tell you that this is proper quality stuff, better than anything that I’ve had before. As recommended I won’t open the other bundles until they are needed. Also there is a large bundle of good quality ply for assembling a building jig, this is also neatly laser cut and has all the guides and numbering clearly engraved into the surface, this looks like it might be a nice little project in itself and will ease me into the build. There is a sheet of photo etch, some incredibly intricate carvings, nice brass canon barrels, some nice sharp mouldings, lantern, stove etc, two 1:1 plan sheets – side and top views and of course the instruction manual. This is printed on A4 sheet, about 60 pages and looks quite detailed, it is contained in a sturdy plastic folder. I have heard that the instruction can at times prove difficult to follow but I’ll have to see for myself, it was recommended that I download their online manual which is again about 60 pages and is more detailed.
I also have Peter Goodwin’s book The 20 gun ship BLANDFORD, a very detailed overview of the ship, this might help overcome any difficulties that may arise.
I will mention a member Keef, ( Keith ) who has posted an excellent build log of this model, we have been in touch and he will thankfully help me when needed, so from time to I’ll be referring to his build.
Just a note of interest I have sailed on the replica of HMS Blanford, The Grand Turk, in the 90s, I’ll mention that sometime in my log.
Ken
I’ll start with the usual ‘what’s in the box’. When I first opened the kit I must confess that I was initially quite under whelmed, as this type of kit is new to me I didn’t really know what to expect, I somehow thought that it would be more appealing. I sat down and had a cup of tea then pondered on it a bit. I considered the fact that normal kits as we know them are filled with goodies; there is the large amount ply or MDF bulkheads and false keel, usually three bundles of planking, loads of dowels and cord. There is the usual tray of fittings, blocks, deadeyes etc all displayed to give that wow factor when the box is opened as well as some pretty appealing box art, this is what we’re used to but take all that away and there is nothing, but I realised that this is where this kit starts and looked I at it differently.
There were several bundles of sheet pear, each bundle labeled as to its designated use, ribs, decking, hull etc each bundle was tightly packed and was shrink wrapped separately so it didn’t look like much and you couldn’t see the quality. However once I opened the ribs bundle it took on a new life, what had appeared not much was in fact sixteen sheets of very nice pear in various thicknesses, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, all the sheets were completely taken up with all the rib sections neatly laser cut, many hundreds of them! each rib numbered for identification, now I did get the wow factor. Those of you who have already experienced the quality of this type of Chinese kit will know what I mean when I tell you that this is proper quality stuff, better than anything that I’ve had before. As recommended I won’t open the other bundles until they are needed. Also there is a large bundle of good quality ply for assembling a building jig, this is also neatly laser cut and has all the guides and numbering clearly engraved into the surface, this looks like it might be a nice little project in itself and will ease me into the build. There is a sheet of photo etch, some incredibly intricate carvings, nice brass canon barrels, some nice sharp mouldings, lantern, stove etc, two 1:1 plan sheets – side and top views and of course the instruction manual. This is printed on A4 sheet, about 60 pages and looks quite detailed, it is contained in a sturdy plastic folder. I have heard that the instruction can at times prove difficult to follow but I’ll have to see for myself, it was recommended that I download their online manual which is again about 60 pages and is more detailed.
I also have Peter Goodwin’s book The 20 gun ship BLANDFORD, a very detailed overview of the ship, this might help overcome any difficulties that may arise.
I will mention a member Keef, ( Keith ) who has posted an excellent build log of this model, we have been in touch and he will thankfully help me when needed, so from time to I’ll be referring to his build.
Just a note of interest I have sailed on the replica of HMS Blanford, The Grand Turk, in the 90s, I’ll mention that sometime in my log.
Ken
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- Jun 17, 2021
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Wow! That's a lotta ship model!
But then you are used to complex builds: Sovereign of the Seas, Royal William and Amerigo Vespucci.
But then you are used to complex builds: Sovereign of the Seas, Royal William and Amerigo Vespucci.
Looks like a good-designed and well-made kit, and your hands are itchy to start assembling. Wishing you lots of patience and good luck! I am impressed with the boxwood carving. Can you make some larger photos by chance?
Ken and Peter, thank you both for your service. I’m a retired tv news cameraman and have had many experiences interacting with police detectives and other specialists. Awesome group of people. Your models are another side of awesomeness and deserve a place of honor in your home. Personally, I can’t seem to get build logs done for a variety of reasons but that hasn’t stopped me from appreciating what you and the other members here have accomplished. One further point… I get the same questions from my wife about “needing” another model and “where are you going to put it?” Thanks again for sharing.
Ahh...the aroma of laser cut wood wafting across the UK landscape...
"
This is a bit of a non sequitur but it's amusing to discover that quite a few of my fellow retired Detectives seem to frequent these pages. "
And Us retired criminals!
This is a bit of a non sequitur but it's amusing to discover that quite a few of my fellow retired Detectives seem to frequent these pages. "
And Us retired criminals!
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2016
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- 1,094
- Points
- 493
Hi Paul, I’ve yet to savour that dubious pleasure. However opening that first bundle of pear was a treat, I’ve never worked with pear before, mainly walnut which makes me sneeze, what a pleasure to the senses the pear was, almost like sex in a box. Ken
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Hi Jim, yes you’re right, it looks very well made, it get’s the thumbs up from me. As you’ve guessed I can’t wait, I’ve already played about dry fitting some parts to get an idea of the fit and am impressed. The bundle marked carvings does look amazing in detail, as it’s still wrapped I can’t tell what it’s made from, I’ll wait until I unwrap it before I photograph it again, if you want it fairly soon let know. Ken
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- Dec 16, 2016
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Hi Rob, welcome to my log, I hope that you enjoy it. The only criminals I notice now are the world’s politicians, but I shan’t go down that rabbit hole. Ken"
This is a bit of a non sequitur but it's amusing to discover that quite a few of my fellow retired Detectives seem to frequent these pages. "
And Us retired criminals!
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2016
- Messages
- 1,094
- Points
- 493
Hello and welcome to my build log. I must say that I’m surprised but pleased to see so many of you showing an interest and giving your likes and kind comments.
Before I start I’ll mention my criteria for the build. Those that have followed me already know this, I enjoy building models of all kinds but boats are my favourite, I am not an expert on historic and accurate detail of boats and I do not want to go down that route, I just want to make a model from what is supplied in the kit and make a good example of the subject that I can be proud to display and have fun along the way, so no super detailing here, you should look at Jack Jagers version of this kit for that, he even has rats in the bilges.
So off we go. I have made up the build cradle. This is made up from very good quality 3mm ply sheet, the parts were laser cut and were easily detached, you can see from the pics how comprehensively they are marked up, every detail you could imagine. There was only a completed view of the cradle in the instructions with no guide as to its assembly, there were quite a number of parts but after a short scratch of the head it was fairly easy to figure out. It went together without a problem, after a light file of the laser burn everything slotted together perfectly, nice and snug, no loose or tight spots, the fit could not have been better. One feature that I liked was that at critical joints there was a doubler that was pegged into place pulling the pieces securely together, a nice thoughtful touch, this has made up into a very sturdy structure. Thinking that this was going to be my workplace for some time I gave it a coat of Danish Oil to keep it pristine looking.
My thoughts are that if the rest of the kit is as accurate as this I’m in for a treat. I’ve started the keel but that’s for my next post. Ken
Before I start I’ll mention my criteria for the build. Those that have followed me already know this, I enjoy building models of all kinds but boats are my favourite, I am not an expert on historic and accurate detail of boats and I do not want to go down that route, I just want to make a model from what is supplied in the kit and make a good example of the subject that I can be proud to display and have fun along the way, so no super detailing here, you should look at Jack Jagers version of this kit for that, he even has rats in the bilges.
So off we go. I have made up the build cradle. This is made up from very good quality 3mm ply sheet, the parts were laser cut and were easily detached, you can see from the pics how comprehensively they are marked up, every detail you could imagine. There was only a completed view of the cradle in the instructions with no guide as to its assembly, there were quite a number of parts but after a short scratch of the head it was fairly easy to figure out. It went together without a problem, after a light file of the laser burn everything slotted together perfectly, nice and snug, no loose or tight spots, the fit could not have been better. One feature that I liked was that at critical joints there was a doubler that was pegged into place pulling the pieces securely together, a nice thoughtful touch, this has made up into a very sturdy structure. Thinking that this was going to be my workplace for some time I gave it a coat of Danish Oil to keep it pristine looking.
My thoughts are that if the rest of the kit is as accurate as this I’m in for a treat. I’ve started the keel but that’s for my next post. Ken
Hi Ken. Happy to see you on another project, and I will follow you with great pleasure. But where is your Acquarama?
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So far a good advertisement for the kit maker. Bodes well. A lot more than I can say thus far for most kits I have built, even the good ones, like Model Shipways.
I've pulled up my rocker and have my
in hand.
Pete
A lot more than I can say thus far for most kits I have built, even the good ones, like Model Shipways.I've pulled up my rocker and have my
in hand.Pete
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- Dec 16, 2016
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Hi Enzo, I’m very pleased that you’ve joined the crew for the voyage. I’m afraid the Riva has sailed off into the sunset and is now gracing someone else’s home.
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- Dec 16, 2016
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Hi Peter, Like you I’ve had my share of poor kits. This one has got off to a promising start but I’m still in the honeymoon period and only time will tell, fingers crossed.So far a good advertisement for the kit maker. Bodes well.
I've pulled up my rocker and have my
Pete
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- Dec 16, 2016
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Hi Learner. Thanks for visiting my log and for your encouragement. I too hope it’s another successful build, I’ll do my best.
