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

The process of applying the wales. This was quite a tricky item since it is one large piece of thin laser-cut pear. But soaking it in water long enough and then using (lots) of extra small nails, especially on the bottomside, everything turned out fine. Since it was going to be painted afterwards anyway, I could use small nails here to secure it and fill the holes later. Before I glued it in place, I had already painted the sides so that I wouldn't really have to touch them once it was attached to the hull.

Cool engraved details are the "hook and butt" planking in the wales (that's why you need to paint it with caution and don't use to much thick layers of paint)

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At some point, I decided to lay the deck myself after all. The kit comes with a fine laser-cut deck, but to make it a bit more my own, I replaced it with individual boxwood planks. Also new to me was having the planks taper fore and aft, just like on the contemporary models. This was new to me and took some figuring out, but it actually works the same way as with the hull. Aligning with a piece of tape, etc., so less difficult than I thought. The tapered ends are virtually invisible on the main gun deck since they will be hidden under the upper decks, but I used them purely for practice so I know how to do it on the visible upper decks. As you can see, I also replaced the checkered floor in the captain's cabin and extended the main gun deck planks into it. Just as an aesthetic choice. A rug will probably be added later. (The captain of this ship was less pretentious.)

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It will still take a while before the deck is oiled... but to see a little preview... I dampened the deck a little bit and was very pleased with how it will look later. :D
I really love the yellowish color of the boxwood combined with the dark pear... I think it's a beautiful color palette.

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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

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Probably best planking I’ve ever seen in a build log!
 
Your planking, hull & decking is exquisite. The Swiss Pear & boxwood combo works really well - complementary harmony in wood hues.
 
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