Update



	Cruiser Class brig hull with added stern lights. (beneteau3)	The clamping of the waterways at the base of the bulwarks. (Ray C)


	A deadeye with the chain soldered around it. Part of Dan's description of chain making. (Dan L)	Dan has used a small piece of tube attached to a soldering iron to imitate wooden plugs in his decking. (Dan L)



	The Cruiser Class deck showing the stubs of the two masts (where the hinge plates will be attached) and the mechanical hatch (the capstan is centered on this). (Ray C).	Showing a beautiful finish on the barrel and well detailed worm and rammer. (Dan L)


	A perfect finish. (Dan L).	Good finishes and added fittings and gun tackle on this 32 lb carronade. The long pin is what secures the gun to the deck. (Dan L).

	The Cruiser Class deck hatches with added fittings and shot garlands. (Ray C)	Added barrels and deck ringbolts. An unpainted Doctor Maturin is keeping on eye on progress. (Hoghappy).

	Foster has added a second wheel to his ship and added a brass band, Fittings have been added to the companionway and gun carriages and he has made the shot garlands and pinrails. (Ray C).	Prince de Neufchatel in the dry dock nearing completion. (Hoghappy).

	Dan has hand made hearts for the attachment of the forestay to the bowsprit. (Dan L).	Prince de Neufchatel sailing large. (Hoghappy).

Spring 2008

Web forum: a big change at Steel, Chapman & Hutchinson Ltd. over the last year has been the creation of a very active web forum by our customers. You can see some of the pictures from the forum on the left of this page.

This forum has posts with photographs, descriptions of problems and their solutions, sources for added-detailing components, ideas for modifications and building techniques. You do not have to register or subscribe; you can just look through the contributions.

“Ray C”, building a Cruiser Class brig, started the forum. You can follow the construction of the ship through his posts. Currently, there is a builder of the frigate HMS Surprise, “Paratrooper”, adding detailed posts of his build in the same forum.

Prince de Neufchatel: Robert Franklin is our first customer to complete a Prince de Neufchatel kit and have her sailing. You can view his schooner on the water as well as in the dockyard at his website

Inventory control: another big change recently has been the implementation of inventory control of all the thousands of parts that we have to stock here at SCH. This may not seem so significant to you, the reader, but it means that we are prepared to dispatch kits more quickly and, hopefully, are more likely to have all the parts on hand.

My e-mail is philip@PhilipRobertsModels.com With questions on orders you can also e-mail my office manager, Melissa, at Office@PhilipRobertsModels.com

The price of the ships is on each ship's page: click on the "Ships Available" button at the top of this page, then click on the particular ship's button.

A DVD is available which has two videos on it; one explains the story of the company and the making of the ships, the other shows each of the three ships sailing.
The latter has footage of all three ships individually tacking, wearing, boxhauling, being launched and even a section from the deck of the HMS Surprise as she leaves the dock, goes out, tacks and returns.
The charge for the DVD is $20 (refundable if you purchase a ship) plus $5 shipping in the US or $8 for international airmail. We will provide the correct DVD format (PAL or NTSC) for the country you live in.
To order this DVD, telephone us with your Visa or MasterCard information at USA 650 463 5703 (Pacific Coast Time).

Component sets: each ship is available in component sets or as a complete kit. This allows the builder to buy the sets as their budget allows and buy the next set after they know they can successfully complete the first. It also allows the builder to make or buy more of the components themselves and even design their own working sailing systems.
We will also do all or part of the building for you - prices for this are available upon request.

Maps: In case you are wondering where in the world our ships have sold, click here for a map of the USA and here for a map of Europe.

I received this e-mail from one of our kit builder's a while ago:

"Just wanted to drop a line to tell you how much enjoyment I have derived from the Brig I purchased from you. It has been very exciting for me to be working on this project. I want to express my appreciation for your life-long interest in ship history and design that has prompted you to create and produce these models for the rest of us that have similar interests but lack your talents. Most of the time, one buys something and that's the end of it. But once in a great while, an acquisition has a huge and lasting personal impression. This is one of those times! I can easily understand the customer comment on your CD about his purchase being the best thing he has ever received. I must admit that this Brig is definitely in the very top end of my acquisitions over my lifetime in regards to enjoyment and satisfaction!

So far my progress has been steady. I have completed several sub-assemblies and I am about to the point of sealing in the deck. Everything has fit together well and I am very pleased with the results, thanks to your excellent design. Construction has been slow, but I don't want to rush, and miss details. It is a thorough pleasure just to sit and think about this Brig!"