One of my main issues is space. I cannot use the purpose built shed (too anti-social apparently) I cannot commandeer the eldest Son's bedroom in case "he leaves that harlot and wants his bed again"

Sigh

So it is the dining room table, as it has always been, but a large build like Surprise needs lots of stuff and by the time I have laid them out I cannot be bothered, so it tends to get left until Sunday dinner when it all comes back off again.

Here is my first shot in that campaign. It is by Occre and is advertised as a portable bench, though it is sadly lacking in handles or grips for lifting!

Here it is assembled out of the box, I need to add some bits, like a clamp storage on the left, a paint rack, vice, cutting mat etc; oh, and handles!

It is kind of neat with a wooden drawer I am using for glue and solvents, plastic partition drawers for small parts, lots of tool storage and wood/plastic strip. The top cradle lifts off.

By no means does it replace all my boxes but it does allow ready use storage for a day's modelling without turning the dining room into santa's workshop!

I have that bit of kit and did a build diary on it ages ago it comes in most useful and has a large capacity, lots of stuff will dissapear into it

Been a while, forgot just how long a month is, particularly when only subscribed to a single issue :( still, it does mean I am keeping pace with my other builds.

I decided to veneer the hull in 0.5mm mahogany, which is wonderful to work with, rather than wait ages I sent for metre long strips of vine and Mahogany 2*5 mm to get cracking, this was surprisingly cheap from Cornwall Models provided you order enough to make the postage worth while, they come in a very solid cardboard tube.

The advantage of veneering is it takes the stress out of the lumps and cracks fitting the main 2*5 strips, (shown fitting in these photos)

As I have a full set of plans I was able to use the bulkhead cutout sheet to make a set and here I knocking up a scratch "Blue Cutter" to add to the one that comes with the model, I intend to rig her fully for sail.

I ran out of veneer when I got to the lower half of the lower gunports so am holding there until I get some more, took time to test yellow ochre acrylic, thinned to make sure the grain shows through, three coats should do it.

The lower hull veneer is stained with light oak which just basically means the mahogany does not get any darker, then coated with mat varnish. The strakes are vine washed with watered walnut, again they will get 2-3 layers, the upper strakes will be oak, colour or stain to be decided. One think I want is the finished result to look wood all over.

The deck I am not happy about, the light oak stain went patchy on me, trouble is trying to sand it you lose knuckles to the ribs. I may lay a veneer on top where visible from above.

Looking good, great to see you back with us.... .. Look forward to your next update...

Regards

Alan