Galley Stove for an 18thc Naval vessel.

This is a re-post of a 'filler' project I completed in 2022.

A short-time build but an enjoyable one.

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This is a rare sight in my office and not one that can stand for long.

When I started Sphinx I had the idea of including in the display case a larger model of the Galley Stove.

I did the same with the Double Capstan, where I had previously made the 1:48 scale Syren model (ex-Winchelsea)

There is a very nice stove included with the Sphinx kit.

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but of course, it is largely hidden beneath the Foc’sle deck.

For this display stove I am again using a 1:48 scale kit from Syren also ex Winchelsea.

This is an all-wooden kit, no brass etch involved, and the main challenge will be turning wood into iron using weathering powders.

So, the trick is to turn this….

… into this

Chuck’s stove

If I can achieve a finish close to that produced by Chuck, I will be well satisfied.

The stove for Winchelsea is designed to fit beneath the Foc’sle deck and detail has been simplified as much of it would be hidden from view.

My version will stand as a model open to full view and therefore added detail will be required.

The proposed additions will consist of:

Lifting rings

Side rails

Back plates for open hearth

Drain cocks polished brass (1mm)

Fire grate

Pot arm

And maybe a few other things that come to mind as I progress the build.

B.E.

22/10/2022

Post two

The basic assembly is fairly straightforward, just need to ensure that all the parts are properly aligned.

The trickiest build areas for me were assembly of the chimney (the narrow sides need to go inside the wider sides) and the forward end of the hood has an aft slope which needs to be sharply cut to reflect a ‘metal’ appearance.

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The hood slope angle was taken from the plan, marked on the piece, pared down using a scalpel blade, and sanded to finish.

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I may yet change the configuration of the chimney.

The first modification is to add the fire grate.

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Conveniently provided by a section of the kit fret. This is fitted from below.

A piece of black card will be used to make the ash tray that sits below the grates, not that this will be seen.

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Black card is also used to form the back plate to the open hearth.

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The aft end of the stove is modified to give a more realistic impression of the boiler drain cocks.

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Brass cocks, yet to be fitted with the valves.

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At this point I have used double sided tape to secure a small square of wood to the base of the stove, primarily to protect the delicate legs from damage.

A small block also provides a convenient grip to hold the stove during painting and working.

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The hood has been attached to the stove body along with the connector for the still.

A little cleaning up and it will be ready for a first coat of black paint.

 

B.E.

23/10/2022

Post Three

The next task is to detail the oven doors.

Laserboard straps are provided to represent the door furniture, but these can be enhanced a little by adding hinge and latch representations.

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Pieces of styrene strip are used for the purpose, sanded to shape post fitting.

One of the trickiest fittings to make is the  hinged pot arm which sits inside the open fire grate.

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Would have been much easier to fit this before completing the open grate.

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The brass drain cocks for the two boilers have now been completed.

Two coats of paint have been applied, I am using Vallejo acrylic Black Grey  for the paintwork.

I think this gives a better scale colour than full black.

From around nine inches it doesn’t look too bad at this stage, but the macro eye tells another story.

It will need more attention before I move onto the next stage.

 

B.E.

24/10/2022

Post Four

The Spit support cranes are delicate pieces that require gentle handling. Laser cut from wood they are susceptible to breaking of the spit iron support cradles.

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Fortunately, a couple of spares are provided.

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Having secured one crane, the second is tweaked to ensure the spit is horizontal before the pva sets.  (A further tweak is evidently required)

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That’s better!

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From this point on care is required not to catch the spit cranes as they will surely snap off.

The next stage is to fit the pulley mechanism for the spit.

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These are laser cut assemblies supplied in three different sizes to suit individual builds.

These are also delicate fittings requiring soft handling to avoid breakage.

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Fitting the spit assembly is a tricky business.

The stove does need to be securely held, and the spit iron held in place whilst the upper spindle position is marked.

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Once in place I secured the non pulley end with a spot of ca beneath the iron.

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Detailing will continue in the next post.

 

B.E.

26/10/2022

Post Five

Work continues to add detail that wouldn’t  be clearly visible on a stove installed on a model.

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Lifting rings, top rails, and pot lid handles, are prepared.

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The access hatch to the lower chimney/flue is added.

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With the basic structure now complete I move onto the weathering, and hopefully turn wood into iron.

 

B.E.

27/10/2022

Post six

Playing around with weathering powders is great fun.

I used powders from two brands, Revell, and Vallejo. Revell - Dark brown, Rust red; Vallejo – Slate grey.

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I think I will tone down the rust a little, no self-respecting cook would be happy with the state of that stove.

I do like the ash effect in the grate tho’.

The beauty of weathering powders is that they can be endlessly tweaked at least until interest or patience wane.

 

Moving on to the display base preparation.

 

 

B.E.

28/10/2022

Post Seven

Making the display base.

I utilised part of the kit display base but decided to put it on a deck setting.

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The brick design is washed over with Vallejo Black/grey.

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It is glued to a 1.3mm thick rectangle of Boxwood, which will then be planked also using Boxwood strip.

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The planked base is glued a thicker 3mm piece of Boxwood sheet to counter any risk of curl.

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The basic display base, work in progress.

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The deck boards are finished with wipe-on-poly.

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The ‘rust’ element on the stove has been toned down.

 

Next time I will be looking at dressing the display.

 

B.E.

29/10/2022

Post Eight

Dressing the dio.

No Galley display should be without a cook, and thanks to Chris Watton, a cook complete with wooden leg, at 1:48 scale, is available to give scale effect to the Galley Stove.

For this dio I will be painting the figure, not one of my favourite or best skilled talents, but needs must.

I have used Vallejo paints throughout.

The following pics show the figure after the colours have been blocked in, and the macro is used to torture myself with the deficiencies in my skill.

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I am using a fairly muted palette, the one splash of colour being the cook’s red headscarf.

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At this stage no washes, or highlighting has been applied, but overall, I am happy with the colour scheme applied.

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Still a way to go, the macro reveal where touch-ins are required.

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The base of the figure will have been removed in the final version.

 

B.E.

30/10/2022

Post Nine

Completing the Galley display.

I think I over did it with the washes.

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Mrs W cast a critical eye and opined that he is far too grubby for a cook, even one with only one leg.

She is correct of course; in fact the Navy was obsessed with cleanliness and the crews were required to wash and keep their kit in good repair for which time was set aside.

So, in the interests of good discipline cook was ordered to wash both himself and his kit and present himself for inspection.

 

A walk around the Galley.

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Some of the equipment for cleaning out the grate was added to the display.

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I am quite pleased with the outcome.

B.E.

01/11/2022

Post10

The Galley Stove display is currently within the case of my Indefatigable build, it was always my intention to include it with a ship build to demonstrate what couldn't quite be seen on the ship.

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I hope folks have enjoyed seeing this little project, I have certainly enjoyed myself over the past couple of weeks, and my thanks go out to Chuck for his Stove kit.

It strikes me that a nice little display at 1:48 scale could be made up simply using other combinations of the fittings available at Syren.

 

Cheers,

 

 

B.E.

06/07/2026

An informative read and a cracking display. Thank you for posting this project.

I agree that a display of various fittings at 1:48 would be an interesting sight.

Regards

Geordie

Thank you Geordie, I enjoy doing these little side projects, and they take up hardly any room.

The Syren double capstan is another nice little project.

Regards,

Maurice

Another lovely project.

Regards

Geordie

Just wonderful. I love the Ship's Cook figure with his peg leg, and I know from experience how hard it is to paint these things. Figure painting is a whole other hobby with its own set of skills... maybe a step too far for me. But yours is spot-on... and surely he couldn't stay too clean preparing food so close to the stove? If I even try to knock up a chilli on my home cooker, I end up covered in tomato juice and a dusting of spices.

Thank you Mowzer, figure painting is not my strong point either, but I do try to follow what the experts say. I think the use of washes adds a lot to the end result.

Treasure Island has a lot to answer for with one legged cooks, but I don’t recall LJS looking particularly grubby except perhaps for Parrot shite down his shoulder😉

Ps you must smell pretty fragrant after a cooking session😊

Beautiful job on this mini kit. The display on a planked deck really adds to this model.

Thank you Ryland, Chuck did a great job in creating the Winchelsea stove

Maurice.

So good! Well done sir! I love the weathering, especially the ash in the stove.

Cheers,

Todd

Thank you, Todd.

Maurice.

Your stove looks great! I especially like the additional details you added. I just completed the stove on my Winnie build a day or two before you posted this. Almost makes me want to build another.

Steve