Vanguard Models HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne 1763 – Wooden model kit 1:64 – VM16
The history of HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne
The Sherbourne was an armed cutter of the British Royal Navy and was built specifically for service in the coastal waters of the English Channel. The ship was built at the Woolwich Dockyard under the supervision of master shipwright Joseph Harris, based on a design by Sir Thomas Slade, and was launched on 3 December 1763. The cost of construction and fitting-out at the time amounted to £1,581 8s 9d.
Shortly after entering service, Lieutenant John Cartwright took command. The Sherbourne was assigned to the Board of Customs to provide support and was given a task that was virtually ideal for small, fast cutters: tracking down and pursuing smugglers along the south coast of England. Her area of operation extended, amongst other places, along the coasts of Dorset and Devon. Thanks to their comparatively small size, shallow hull and efficient cutter rig, ships of this type were ideally suited to rapid patrols in coastal waters.
The Sherbourne remained in the English Channel throughout her active service. After Cartwright, command changed hands several times before the ship was initially laid up in 1779. In 1783, the now ageing cutter was given an unusual final task: it was deployed in William Tracey’s attempt to salvage the HMS Royal George, which had sunk off Spithead in 1782. On 1 July 1784, the Sherbourne was finally sold in Portsmouth – after around two decades of service.
Historically, the Sherbourne carried six 3-pounder cannons and eight smaller swivel guns and had a crew of around 30 men. Vanguard Models has taken this historical background very much into account and even allows the modeller to choose between a more heavily armed version and the historically documented configuration.
Historical ship modelling with modern kit quality
With the HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne 1763 in 1:64 scale, Vanguard Models has developed a classic British sailing ship wooden model kit that combines historical accuracy with modern manufacturing techniques. The kit is designed as a high-quality display model and is particularly suitable for model-makers who wish to get started in historical wooden ship modelling, but do not want to compromise on fine details and a sophisticated appearance.
A key difference from many classic wooden kits is that numerous components are already included, precisely laser-cut or engraved. This means that many small parts do not need to be made from strips or raw materials from scratch. The materials used include MDF, lime wood and pear wood, supplemented by finely etched brass parts and high-resolution 3D-printed components.
The hull is constructed in the traditional frame-and-planking method with double planking. The first layer of planking is made of lime wood and provides a base that is easy to work with. Over this comes the visible second planking made of pear wood, whose fine grain and warm colouring are particularly well suited to historical ship models.
The deck is also constructed from laser-cut lime wood and already features finely engraved details, including the representation of the wooden nails or treenails. Even the inner and outer bulwarks feature corresponding laser-engraved details.
Fine fittings, armament and rigging
Two sheets containing photo-etched brass parts and high-resolution 3D-printed parts are used for the numerous small details. This allows even fine components to be reproduced to scale without having to be made entirely by hand. Walnut timber is included for the masts and spars.
The rigging is also very comprehensively provided. The kit includes various thicknesses of black and natural-coloured rigging twine, as well as the necessary blocks and swivels. With this model, Vanguard Models has placed particular emphasis on ensuring that the rigging process is easy to follow.
In addition to the colour-illustrated assembly instructions, 19 plan sheets are included, containing, amongst other things, mast and rigging plans.
Also of interest for those new to historical wooden ship modelling
Vanguard Models classifies the Sherbourne as a beginner’s kit and estimates a construction time of 30 to 50 hours. However, the fact that it is a beginner’s kit does not mean that the model can be assembled without some manual skill.
Patience and basic model-making skills are required for planking, sanding, fitting small wooden parts and, in particular, for the complete rigging.
Within the international ship model-making community, the Vanguard Sherbourne is frequently praised for its well-thought-out design, the precise fit of its components and the detailed assembly instructions. The model is considered an interesting starting point, particularly for modellers who wish to build a high-quality historical wooden ship kit for the first time.
Numerous build reports and video series show the construction process from the frame structure through to planking and deck fittings, right up to the complete rigging. Such build reports can be a helpful supplement to the enclosed instructions, especially when building your first classic wooden ship model.
Contents
The kit includes laser-cut and engraved MDF and pear wood parts, a laser-engraved lime wood deck with treenail details, wooden strips for the double hull planking, walnut round timber for masts and spars, two sheets of photo-etched brass parts, high-resolution 3D-printed parts, eight 3-pounder cannons, twelve half-pounder swivel guns, black and natural-coloured rigging twine in various thicknesses, blocks and thimbles for the rigging, as well as detailed, colour-illustrated assembly instructions and 19 sheets of plans with mast and rigging diagrams.
A building jig or construction aid is also included in the kit.
Paints, adhesives and tools are required separately.
Technical specifications
Scale: 1:64
Length: 512 mm
Hull length: 284 mm
Height: 484 mm
Width: 202 mm
Estimated assembly time: 30–50 hours