HMS Surprise Build Log - Preamble

Welcome to my build log of the Vanguard Models HMS Surprise.

 

After much consideration I opted for the non-fiction version which will be fitted with 24 x 32-pounder carronades. I also opted to add the option for the machine block set.

 

There is much for me to ponder before the kit is released, in terms on how I plan to tackle this build. I have a few ideas with doing some of the build out of sequence, such as mast and yard construction and assembly. These will be nice filler tasks to undertake whilst I am waiting for glue to dry or paint to dry, etc.

 

For me one of the most time consuming and onerous tasks is seizing the various blocks, especially those that require additional items such as eyebolts, thimbles, hooks, etc.

I also plan to make a detailed set of notes related to the various belaying points. The key aspects for me to consider include:

• Detailing which deck, platform, masts, etc are fitted with eyebolts and blocks as it it better to add these blocks to the eyebolts before they are fixed in place.

• To get a clear picture of the rigging lines / routes and to note any potential difficulties with access, belaying, etc.

• To identify if there are any potential duplicated / difficult belaying points and to reallocate where necessary.

 

As @Chris Watton has stated which is essential “The only real crucial steps are at the beginning, for the main hull structure, which does need to be followed.”

 

And what @Jim H states as the prototype builder is exactly what is required for his build log “I want the workflow to be practical and not to trip anyone up. I want that flow to draw the builder in and to help them be inspired by their own success as they build their ship.”

 as they build their ship.”

Welcome Glenn....so nice to have you aboard. And thank you for adding your build log.

Carronades are definitely easier to built that cannon.

9 minutes ago, Glenn-UK said:

Agreed apart from the ringed side PE parts.🤣

Er, yes! Still, I'd rather to that than have to align the sides and fore/rear on carts equally.

After downloading the HMS Surprise manual from Vanguard Models my bank account took a bit hit 😂as I decided to:

• order planking material from Hobbymill. Alaskan Yellow Cedar (1st Planking) and Pearwood (2nd Planking).

• order replacement rigging thread from Ropes of Scale

The tighter tolerances with the planking strips should make for a neater planked hull requiring and should hopefully require less sanding and filling. The service received from @Wahka_est at Hobbymill was excellent, and I would highly recommend his service. I was also able to track the shipment from Estonia to the UK and it safely arrived today. The received planking strips look amazing. The tolerances are very tight indeed (within +/- 0.1mm). I can see little or no colour variation which is an added bonus. As an added extra Vahur very kindly also included a sample black hornbeam 2mm sheet. I am sure I can make use of this.

The normal thread that is supplied with these kits does tend to have a fluffy nature. This should not be an issue with the Ropes of Scale thread I have ordered. As @Chris Watton pointed out to me which I totally agree with "having special thread for a commercial kit would be economic suicide, plus the fact the sets would take literally years to produce for the quantities I need"

I ordered a complete set from Ropes of Scale, with the exception of the 0.1mmD & 0.25mmD natural thread and the 2mmD natural thread (Anchor hawse). This is due to be delivered by Royal Mail on 2nd July. I did have an unexpected additional cost with this order, which was a 20% customs import duty as the value of the goods was over the £135 threshold.😥

Finally I did buy a few bits and pieces for Syren (@Chuck ) which arrived today. The thimbles are great when adding beckets to rigging blocks. I am not sure if I will use the closed hearts, depends how I get on with the kit supplied ones (which are normally self assembly). Finally the toggles might be useful for some rigging tasks. In the past I have simply used some rigging thread stiffened with ca glue when making toggles. I am not sure if these toggles will be required for this build. I will have to study the rigging plans on receipt of the kit to find out. I thought it was worth getting some in just in case.

Thank you Glenn for kind word as trust!

Cant wait to see them on your ship!

Br

Vahur / Hobbymill.EU

My order for a rigging threads from Ropes of Scale, arrived this afternoon. This is the first time I have upgraded the rigging thread for a kit and I am looking forward to using it in due course.

This is the details of what I ordered.

And now a photo of the threads received.

Wow, you are really prepared and ready to go. By the time I open my box you’ll be at the rigging stage 😂🤣

Lucky you!

I hope you can sleep tonight 🤣

Very nice. I can't wait to follow your progress.

7 hours ago, Glenn-UK said:

The plan is to go slow and steady with this build

With all the excitement, you will have finished the planking before the week is out, surely? 😄

 

Good luck with the build, Glenn.  Looking forward to following your progress with model no.1

Admins please! - Shocked, please spare our blushes! 🤣

POST 1 - ARRIVAL

The HMS Surprise kit has finally arrived, and it looks amazing. It is a beast of package, as can be seen.

 

A big thank you to Chantelle Watton who has worked tirelessly over the last few days to ensure the kits have been been packed and shipped. She is a superstar and deserves a pay rise.

 

Congratulations to @Chris Watton for designing another showstopper, and without doubt his Surprise kit will become a worldwide best seller. It is a testimony to his talent and work ethic in designing models to the highest standard possible.

 

The build manual is very detailed and contains a multitude of high-definition colour photographs, taken by @Jim H as he constructed the prototype model. Jim has set a very high bar for the rest of us to follow.

 

The kit also includes 19 detailed plan sheets to further assist the modeller with both construction and rigging. The laser-etched part numbers on the wooden sheets are another welcome feature, as are the laser-etched guidelines on the bulkheads, which will help during the pre-fairing stage. The use of 3D resin printed items, such as some of the item listed below, has been well thought out and enhances the quality of the kit material provided:

 

·       Figurehead

·       Lantern Set

·       Brodie Stove

·       Anchor

·       Cannon / Carronade Barrels

·       Captain Aubrey Figure

·       Captain Aubrey/Maturin Set

·       Hand Pumps

·       Quarter Gallery Drops

·       Small Boat Hulls

 

I intend to take as much care as possible throughout this build, so my progress will be, at times, very slow. No doubt I will still make a few mistakes as the build progresses.

 

The shipyard has had a good clean and tidy up and is ready for me to start work on building HMS Suprise. The shipyard has been restocked with supplies, with all the key essentials tools and materials required for this build.

 

Getting a new stock of craft knife blades from Amazon proved to be challenge due to their new age verification rules, whereby they no longer accept debit cards for payment, it must be a charge card.

 

The white panels shown in the photo below will only be used when taking photos. When I am busy with the modelling activities they will be removed. A quick check shows the working surface is level in both planes.

 

This should be a great build.

Have fun and a lot of succes.

I see there is a chair in the back so i will follow every step you make!

Sjors

I told you you'd get yours before the Americans! :)

The 'Eagle' has landed!!

Nice to see these finally out there. Can't wait for the build.

On 6/30/2026 at 2:28 PM, Glenn-UK said:

Finally I did buy a few bits and pieces for Syren

I have tow, I am also trying the new thimbles they are great.

6 minutes ago, Jase - Modelkit Stuff said:

I have tow, I am also trying the new thimbles they are great.

I have asked Chan to send you the manual, plans, mouse and parrel beads when she gets a second...

I am glad the experts gets a head start so I have someone to follow for inspiration.

POST 2 – STUDY OF RIGGING PLAN SHEETS

This post details some of the work I have undertaken this afternoon with regards to digesting the information contained in the mast, yard and rigging plans (sheets 10-19), as it was far too warm to start work on the model in the shipyard (conservatory) this afternoon as it was like a sauna due to the current heat wave in the UK.

 

On previous builds, I have always seized the blocks after completing the masts and yards, which has proven to be both time-consuming and somewhat tedious. Therefore, I intend to make better use of any downtime whereby I can seize the various rigging blocks, so I have stock available when I am ready to construct and rig the masts, yards and bowsprit.

 

The following information has been generated to help me with the task of seizing blocks by detailing items such as:

• Quantity

• Locations

• Features added (eyebolts, hooks, beckets, etc.)

• Thread sizes

 

SPREADSHEETS

I have started compiling some spreadsheets containing information, taken from plan sheets 10 to 19, relating to the seizing and belaying of the rigging blocks. I have attached PDF some PDF files of these spreadsheets as it might be useful to some other modellers.

 

The first spreadsheet provides a detailed list of the block requirements taken from plan sheets 10 to 19. It details the quantities of each type along with additional items to be seized with them, such as eyebolts. The PDF file shows the requirements taken from plan sheet 10, which details the foremast assembly. I have similar spreadsheets for the other plan sheets. I am happy to share the spreadsheets, so please message me if you would like a copy.

 Foremast Blocks.pdf

The second spreadsheet has been produced to detail the quantities and physical locations of the various blocks and covers all the different detailed locations for the blocks. A PDF copy of this spreadsheet is also attached to this post. I am happy to share this spreadsheet, so please message me if you would like a copy.

Mast & Yard Blocks.pdf

 

The third spreadsheet covers the belaying arrangements. I have populated the bulwark-mounted belaying pin racks with the relevant rigging details. There are five belaying pin racks on each side of the ship, which I have numbered 1 to 5 (fore to aft). The pin references are also numbered fore to aft. The figures in brackets are the belaying references taken from the plan sheets.

Belay Pin Racks.pdf 

I will continue updating this spreadsheet with more belaying data such as:

• Prow Belaying Pins

• Fore Topsail Bitts

• Fore Jeer Bitts

• Forecastle Brest Beam Bitts

• Quarterdeck Barricade Middle Beam

• Main Bitts

• Mizzen Bitts

 

FOREMAST ASSEMBLY RIGGING BLOCKS

I have compiled the following information for the Foremast Assembly based on the information contained on plan sheet 10 and includes cross references to the other rigging plan sheets. I will prepare similar information for the bowsprit, main mast, mizzen mast and their associated yards.

 

While compiling this information, I also reviewed the belaying arrangements to determine whether individual blocks require additional items to be seized /added to them, such as eyebolts, hooks, beckets, etc.

 

With previous builds, probably through a lack of attention to detail on my part, I have occasionally overlooked fitting one or two blocks. Adding these later, once the rigging is underway, can be quite awkward. Hopefully that will not happen on this build.

 

FOREMAST RIGGING BLOCK REQUIREMENTS

Main Topsail Stays – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 16)

Both the topsail stay and the topsail preventer stay are reeved through 6 mm blocks mounted on the foremast. The topsail stay block is secured just below the topmast wolding. The topsail preventer stay block is secured near the top of the square section of the foremast. Both blocks will be seized using 0.5 mm black thread.

 

After being reeved through their respective blocks, both stays will be seized to the beckets on their respective double-block assemblies (5 mm upper block / 4 mm lower block).

 

Two additional 5 mm blocks, one for each stay, will be seized with hooks (PE10). Each block will be connected to an eyebolt (PE24) located on the forecastle deck immediately aft of the foremast. These lower 5 mm blocks will also require beckets, to which 0.25 mm natural thread will be seized to form the inter-block tackle. Once completed, the tackle will be belayed to Pins 9 (stay) and 10 (preventer stay) on the fore jeer bitts.

 

Foreyard Lifts – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 18)

Two 7 mm sister blocks are required for the foreyard lift rigging. These will be looped around the end caps and seized using 0.25 mm black thread.

 

Once reeved, the foreyard lifts will be belayed to Pin 39 on the foremost bulwark pin racks, port and starboard.

 

Fore Topgallant Yard Braces – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 19)

The topgallant yard braces are reeved through two 3 mm blocks. These blocks will be seized to eyebolts (PE24) using 0.25 mm black thread. The completed assemblies will then be fitted to the aft edge of the foremast platform.

 

Once reeved, the braces will be belayed to the forecastle breast beam bitts at Belaying Reference 71.

 

Spritsail Yard Braces – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 19)

The spritsail yard braces are reeved through two pairs of 3 mm blocks located on the forward and aft undersides of the foremast platform.

 

Each block will be seized to a lower top block toggle (PE15) using 0.25 mm black thread before being inserted into the centre slots on both sides of the foremast platform.

 

Once reeved, these braces will be belayed to the forecastle breast beam bitts at Belaying Reference 68.

 

Foreyard Leech Lines – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 19)

The optional foreyard leech lines are reeved through two pairs of 3 mm blocks and two pairs of 4 mm double blocks mounted beneath the foremast platform.

 

Each block will be seized to a lower top block toggle (PE15) using 0.25 mm black thread before being fitted into the inner slots (4 mm blocks) and outer slots (3 mm blocks) on both sides of the platform.

 

Once reeved, the leech lines will be belayed to the forecastle breast beam bitts at Belaying References 79, 80 and 81.

 

Foremast Jeers – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 14)

Two 6 mm double blocks will be secured to the cleats (M25) on the square section of the foremast using 0.75 mm black thread. These blocks will hang to just below the platform. Each block will also require a becket fitted with a length of 0.25 mm natural thread.

 

The natural thread will be reeved between the mast and yard blocks to form the purchase before being belayed to the fore jeer bitts at Belaying Reference 2.

 

FORE TOPSAIL RIGGING BLOCK REQUIREMENTS

Main Topgallant Stay – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 16)

The main topgallant stay is reeved through a 3 mm block mounted on the square section of the fore topsail mast. This block will be seized using 0.25 mm black thread.

 

After passing through the block, the stay will be fitted with a 2.5 mm (L) thimble. This will be connected, using 0.1 mm natural thread, to a second 2.5 mm thimble fitted with a hook (PE10), which in turn will be attached to an eyebolt (PE24) on the foremast lower platform.

 

Fore Topsail Yard Tyes – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 17)

The fore topsail yard tyes are reeved through two 3 mm blocks secured to the forward crosstrees of the topsail platform.

 

After reeving, each tye will be seized to the becket of a 5 mm block. This block forms part of a tackle with a second 5 mm block fitted with a hook (PE10), which is attached to an eyebolt (PE24) on the fore channel.

 

The tackle will be belayed to Pins 29 (port) and 30 (starboard) on the foremast bulwark pin racks.

 

FOR TOPGALLANT RIGGING BLOCK REQUIREMENTS

Fore Topgallant Yard Lifts – Rigging Details (Plan Sheet 18)

The fore topgallant yard lifts are reeved through two 3 mm blocks. These blocks will be seized with 0.25 mm black thread and secured near the top of the conical section of the fore topgallant mast.

 

Once reeved, the lifts will be belayed to Pin 41 on the foremost bulwark pin racks, port and starboard.