Putting this log down as a placeholder as I'm desperate not to miss the party! 🥳

But I won't be starting my Surprise just yet, I have to finish off these two builds first:

HM Gun Brig Sparkler 1797 - Vanguard Models - 1/64

HMAV Bounty 1787 - Caldercraft - 1/64

One because I simply need the bench space, but secondly, knowing me, if a go off and start Surprise, they will languish up on a shelf somewhere for ages, maybe never seeing the light of day again - it's been sixteen years since I started the Bounty as it is! 🤭

So to get things rolling, after our faithful hounds (Mylo & Nyx) guarded it for me, I've spent a wonderful evening unpacking and drooling over all the lovely contents.

I'll post these in batches, as that box was stuffed full of goodies!

Next batch of pictures, the engraved deck look great, no sign of intrusive wood grain to distract from the fine engraving.

Those sheets just kept on coming and coming, no wonder the Courier grunted as he put it down on the front step!

I’ll reserve my seat now, if you don’t mind.

I think your doggies are giving you puppy eyes to get this one started. 😂

Enough with the Wood! - Last lot before the fittings!

1 minute ago, Craig M said:

I’ll reserve my seat now, if you don’t mind.

I think your doggies are giving you puppy eyes to get this one started. 😂

Don't Craig - Iron Will required!..... 😬

Last batch of contents porn!

The 3D parts are amazing and delicate, I hunted out Aubrey and Maturin, they really are nice, and the cabin furniture of course, go to need to up my miniature painting for those! The personalised name plate is a lovely touch, as is the coaster for my mugs of tea!

I opted for the machined blocks as this will be rigged and depending on how Sparkler goes I will be adding sails, as I did on Nisha & Trial.

Now it’s your turn to tempt me with the ship’s boats, Andrew!. Definitely going on my shopping list.

The machined blocks look top class.

9 minutes ago, Craig M said:

Now it’s your turn to tempt me with the ship’s boats, Andrew!. Definitely going on my shopping list.

The machined blocks look top class.

Go on, you know you want to! 🤣

Oh I do! But not quite ready for them.

Many building Surprise, will have this wonderful book by Brian Lavery and Geoff Hunt on their shelves (or more recently not on the shelves! 😆) and be using it for inspiration. I've had this book for years and imagined what a model of the Surprise would be like, for a long time there was hopes Caldercraft would get around to releasing theirs's but they never did for some reason, so back on the shelf it went, un-thumbed, until Chris said Vanguard were going to release a Surprise! - Oh joy!

So we have all had plenty of time to look over the wonderful paintings of Surprise by Geoff Hunt and two in particular appeal to me, one of her rounding Cape Horn and the other from the cover of "Blue at the Mizzen". Perhaps something based on these two is where I'm thinking of going in my minds eye, reduced or storm sails and white lower masts, a lovely details showing how Hunt was painting, well aware of the "fictional" dates in which O'Brian's Surprise was making waves! - We shall, see, I have time to think on this... 🤓

Welcome to the group build.

A quick mention to Vanguard Models @Chris Watton I received a little parcel today of things I didn’t know I needed!

Thank you, I would not have known for months!

I to received the same package 📦

My wife missed them out of all pre order kits, so every pre order customer will be getting this little package.

Her rum ration has been stopped for two weeks as punishment....

51 minutes ago, Chris Watton said:

Her rum ration has been stopped for two weeks as punishment....

Are you sure that’s wise?? 😳