HMS Winchelsea 1764, 32 gun Frigate, POB 1:48 scale, Syren Ship Model

[trussben]

I'm currently building the HMS Winchelsea, a 32gun Niger class Frigate in 1:48 scale from Syren Ship model and thought I would start a build log on the site, I noticed there was not a kit review of this model so I thought I would add one as well before my log.

https://syrenshipmodelcompany.com/hms-winchelsea-1764.php

The model is based of the original plans and the contemporary NMM ship model in the classical 1:48 scale, and was created for builders who want a stepping stone between normal kits and scratch building.
The kit itself is available in chapters which is nice so you don't have a huge outlay $$ in the beginning and you can purchase or scratch build whichever parts you like, for example chapter 1 includes all the laser cut Bulkheads and parts for the skeleton OR you can print them out and glue to your own plywood and cut them out yourself, a nice choice to have.
The Prototype is being mainly built using Alaskan Yellow Cedar ( AYC ) OR Cherry along with some boxwood, which helps to keep the cost down a little bit as its a very large model of almost 40" long.
Plans are downloadable so you can take them to your local UPS/Fedex print shop to get them printed at full 1:1 scale and don't have those 'folded in several places' ones that we are used to.
There are lots of very well designed and beautiful laser cut pieces and printed friezes, mini kits of capstans/ships stoves/Chain Pump assemblies and stern lantern, Gorgeous Cast resin Figurehead and other decorations AND extremely well written and pictorial instructions for each chapter can be downloaded in English.
So far from everything I've seen and IMO its among the best currently available designs on the market.

Here are some pictures of the Prototype under construction courtesy of the owner, and I will start my own log so you can follow my progress.

 

[trussben]

Here are a couple more pictures of where the prototype build stands today, you can see the Forecastle rails, catheads, bitts, Gratings/comingsformast collar and the breasthook all installed.

 

[trussben]

Also - Here are some pictures of the Contemporary model from the NMM that this kit/build is based on.

 

[Uwek]

It would be interesting to see also the content of the kit and not only advertisement photos made by the manufacturer?
Please show us some photos of the real content of the kit you received with your box

 

[trussben]

Hi Uwek,

The chapters come in plain non descript boxes, but the parts are well packed and protected. When I purchase the next installment that I will need which will be Chapter 4&5 I will post a pic of the packaging materials for you to look at.

 

[Hedley]

Looks like a high quality kit, with nice materials and fittings.

 

[donfarr]

THE DECORATIONS ARE PAPER DECALS UGH, UGH, WHAT HAPENED TO THE REST OF YOUR POST YOU CAN PM ME IF YOU WANT. GOD BLESS STAY SAFE YOU AND YOURS DON

 

[Philski]

I'm currently building the HMS Winchelsea, a 32gun Niger class Frigate in 1:48 scale from Syren Ship model and thought I would start a build log on the site, I noticed there was not a kit review of this model so I thought I would add one as well before my log.

https://syrenshipmodelcompany.com/hms-winchelsea-1764.php

The model is based of the original plans and the contemporary NMM ship model in the classical 1:48 scale, and was created for builders who want a stepping stone between normal kits and scratch building.
The kit itself is available in chapters which is nice so you don't have a huge outlay $$ in the beginning and you can purchase or scratch build whichever parts you like, for example chapter 1 includes all the laser cut Bulkheads and parts for the skeleton OR you can print them out and glue to your own plywood and cut them out yourself, a nice choice to have.
The Prototype is being mainly built using Alaskan Yellow Cedar ( AYC ) OR Cherry along with some boxwood, which helps to keep the cost down a little bit as its a very large model of almost 40" long.
Plans are downloadable so you can take them to your local UPS/Fedex print shop to get them printed at full 1:1 scale and don't have those 'folded in several places' ones that we are used to.
There are lots of very well designed and beautiful laser cut pieces and printed friezes, mini kits of capstans/ships stoves/Chain Pump assemblies and stern lantern, Gorgeous Cast resin Figurehead and other decorations AND extremely well written and pictorial instructions for each chapter can be downloaded in English.
So far from everything I've seen and IMO its among the best currently available designs on the market.

Here are some pictures of the Prototype under construction courtesy of the owner, and I will start my own log so you can follow my progress.

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Nice looking kit! Love the detail.

 

[Hedley]

Don, did the original ship have some painted decoration as well as carving?
I edited my original post cos I started to ramble on and did not want to hijack anyone's post.
cheers

 

[Uwek]

A short info related to the painting decals or papers.
Often such ships, especially war ships and not the Royal barges and yachts, had more painted ornaments on the hull - it was much cheaper than real carved ornaments. Such paintings were not only cheaper, but also reduced the weight. In addition they could be repaired after action easier than real carvings.
So if such paper decals are prepared in a good way........ and as shown the contemporary model is showing also real paintings

A big help to build this model are also the bigger number of drawings which are available at the NMM

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/object?vessels%5B0%5D=Winchelsea%20%281764%29

also available are several other drawings of the Niger class, means the sisterships of the Winchelsea. For me surprising is the fact, that this ship was used as the basis and not one of the more interesting (historical) one´s of the same class. I guess it was because of the existing contemporary model, which was build 1772, means 8 years after her launch. And you can read, that this model was an "advertising" model to encourage George III’s and the Prince of Wales’s interest in the navy.

Winchelsea (1772); Warship; Fifth rate; Frigate; 32 guns | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

The first ships of the same class, HMS Stag, HMS Alarm and HMS Aeolus were already launched 1758, so 6 years before the Winchelsea (1764). And it took additional 5 years until 1769 when she was commissioned - and the model was build in 1772, so already 15 years after the drawings and the design was made by Slade - At this time (1772), the Winchelsea was already not the state of the art any more.......

But beautiful ......

Only an idea - maybe it would be interesting to show with this kit the HMS Alarm - Copper-sheathed in 1761, she was the first ship in the Royal Navy to have a fully copper-sheathed hull. And she had a much more interesting history....... just an idea

HMS Alarm (1758) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

There are a number of really good 18th C. kits now available, but this is by far the best and most attentive to authentic detail, IMO.

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

Great care was taken to design a head structure that is as complete and nuanced as seen on the original dockyard models. I have seen the prototype at the NE Joint Clubs Mtg, and it is truly impressive. If I had room to display it, I would build this kit, myself.

 

[Maarten]

This is indeed a lovely kit with a hudge amount of details. The paper freeze is a good solution to the original painted ones. If you properly glue these and cover with a layer of clear varnish they are very realistic.
Would love to see more kits of this quality coming from the EU or the US.

 

[trussben]

Hi Maarten,

As you bring up the paper frieze's, I print them out and spray with Krylon Fixatif to stop them from being affected by glue or water.
Then after they are attached to the hull i brush a thin coat of Testors Dullcoat on top of them to finish.
I personally think that they work well, look excellent and are a way better solution than some others that I have seen.
I believe a lot of the contempory models had the friezes that were painted onto paper and then added to the model just like we are doing - I just I cant paint worth a damn.

 

[tedboat]

A very nice, detailed model, and you are giving it full justice in your build!

Ted

 

[trussben]

Some people were interested in seeing what a chapter delivery from Syren looks like, here are some pictures of the Chapter 5 delivery that I just received.

 

[trussben]

Chapter 6 parts are the laser cut Gun carriages, assembly jig and the beautiful black resin cast cannons ( even have the GR monagram on them ).

 

[trussben]

Now we are starting to get to all the beautiful laser cut parts from Syren again, here are chapters 7&8 parts in the box, and chapter 7 parts spread out so you can see what’s included, just beautiful.