Keith Black Posted February 1, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2019 (edited) Anyone know when the kit for this model was made? It appears to be a pretty early version, the lead fittings are rotted and the only way to accumulate this much grime is with age or being stored in a coal bin. It's gone through at least one unsympathetic restoration, overused glue, some rigging replaced with inaccurate line, and a heavy coat of varnish on the hull. It's had a rough voyage, my plan is to restore it, no ship model should go this unloved.........Keith Edited February 1, 2019 by Keith Black spelling ccoyle, druxey, catopower and 3 others 6 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted February 2, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 2, 2019 This kit has been around since at least the 1970s and possibly earlier. Scotty W, mtaylor, druxey and 1 other 4 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Hawker Hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catopower Posted February 2, 2019 Share #3 Posted February 2, 2019 Hi Keith, That's a great project for some restoration practice, and an a classic Artesania Latina kit. The Swift is what actually lured me into wooden ship modeling – there was a nicely done model in a glass case in a hobby shop that was across the street from where I used to work. I'd find reasons to visit the shop, just so I could look at the model. It was around 1990 that it hooked me. Have fun with the model, and please bring her back to her glorious potential! Clare Keith Black, mtaylor, SUBaron and 1 other 4 Quote Clare Hess He's a -> "HE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB40 Posted February 2, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 2, 2019 It was also my first plank on bulkhead model ship I made.....That was in the last century! catopower, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote John Current Build: USF Confederacy 1778 by JohnB40 - Model Shipways - 1:64 scale HMS Unicorn Corel 1:75 HULKED Completed Builds: Golden Hind Scientific Models -- Swift 1:50 Artesania Latina -- Le Hussard 1:50 Artesania Latina -- Halifax 1:35 Robbe -- Armed Launch 1803 1:17 Panart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katoom Posted February 3, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 3, 2019 Howdy Keith! I believe that there were at least two versions of the Swift and your deck furniture appears to be that of the earlier version like mine in this photo: The box art has a copyright of 1982 but I was unable to find a copyright on the plans and instructions. I bought this one sometime in the second half of the 1980's, I believe. The later revision has different furniture and a "dropped" section in the deck to allow a partial reveal of the hold. P.S. Thanks for posting this as it gave me a chance to pull out the box and think about finishing this little model. EricWilliamMarshall, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Kevin My Introduction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabek Posted February 3, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 3, 2019 Hello Keith, There are a whole lot of Swift logs on this site that can help you. This was my first model and first build log, too. I still have the plans and ‘instructions'(you'll understand why I put the scare quotes when you read the logs 🤣). I could mail them to you if you’re interested. Clear skies and sharp tools! - Gabe Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Current builds: Harvey, Baltimore Clipper - Artesania Latina HMS Triton Cross Section, 18th Century Frigate - online scratch build HMCS Agassiz, WW2 Flower-Class Corvette - HMV - card model Completed: Swift, Pilot Schooner - Artesania Latina --- Build log --- Gallery Skeeter, Ship-in-Bottle - Ships a Sailin' kit --- Build log Santa Maria, Caravel - Artesania Latina --- Build log Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Katoom said: were at least two versions Kevin, from what I've seen Googling the Swift kits, there seem to be at least four different versions if not more. From kit to kit there are different cowl vents, with and without hand pump, barrels and no barrels, no cannons and two cannons, planked and solid sliding hatch covers, sails no sails, and unpegged and false pegged decking. Please finish it and share your efforts!........Keith Edited February 3, 2019 by Keith Black Scotty W and mtaylor 2 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted February 3, 2019 2 hours ago, Gabek said: I could mail them to you if you’re interested. Gabe Thank you for the offer but from the amount of information available on the internet and build logs here, I think I'll be fine. Should I need to take you up on your offer, thank you again. Your build is fantastic! I wish someone had taken half the effort with this one as you did with yours. An absolutely beautiful job........Keith Gabek, Scotty W and mtaylor 3 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabek Posted February 3, 2019 Share #9 Posted February 3, 2019 Anytime you need the plans, Keith, just let me know. And thanks for the kind words about my build! 😳 Kind regards, Gabe Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Current builds: Harvey, Baltimore Clipper - Artesania Latina HMS Triton Cross Section, 18th Century Frigate - online scratch build HMCS Agassiz, WW2 Flower-Class Corvette - HMV - card model Completed: Swift, Pilot Schooner - Artesania Latina --- Build log --- Gallery Skeeter, Ship-in-Bottle - Ships a Sailin' kit --- Build log Santa Maria, Caravel - Artesania Latina --- Build log Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted February 8, 2019 (edited) Got the rear sliding hatch made. Managed to pick away most of the excess glue, still have some areas on the deck area to be taken care of. Busted off the rudder picking excess glue from around the hinges which was really a blessing in disguise as it has allowed me to get into areas I would not have otherwise had access to. Sanded through the heavy varnish on the hull and discovered why it was so heavy. The hull planking portion of the build didn't go well, reminds me of the old wood hull 32 foot Bristol Bay gill netters, more planking patches than original. Nothing like opening day watching captains play bumper boat as they set their nets. I think the only real option is to fill and paint. I'm inclined to go with a black hull as that is probably more historically accurate but any color suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I acquired this model for 1) I felt sorry for it and 2) as a learning tool for rigging. My other project demands I have some rigging experience before attempting. New camera, hopefully I'll be able to post better pictures henceforth.........KB Edited February 8, 2019 by Keith Black Katoom, Scotty W, EricWilliamMarshall and 2 others 5 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted February 10, 2019 Long ago and far away when I restored cars, I could count on finding some pretty strange things but tonight has to be a topper. I had gotten the hull filled and sealed and was doing some deck work, I had the hatch covers off staining the inside and I found a broken bird's egg. I can't begin to hazard a guess but I would love to know the story behind that! mtaylor, druxey, EricWilliamMarshall and 1 other 3 1 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted February 13, 2019 (edited) Hull painted, jury is out on this color scheme. IMHO the bowsprit needs to be longer or a jibboom added, as is, it's rather stubby looking. Edited February 14, 2019 by Keith Black attempting to upload photos catopower, EricWilliamMarshall, druxey and 3 others 6 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted February 23, 2019 Progress to date, still need to make two cowl vents and other fiddly details to do to get her ready for rigging. I would never have taken the paint brush to her had her original build gone better but, instead of a model showcasing the builders talent, it looks more like a working ship, IMHO. JpR62, Scotty W, catopower and 3 others 6 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted March 7, 2019 Gabe was so very kind as to send me the kit drawing for the Swift which I received today. The NRG is a beautiful tapestry whose threads are woven by the hands of it's many wonderful members. Gabe, thank you..........Keith Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted March 20, 2019 Making progress, just about ready for rigging. Made a ship's lantern, not sure of final placement, I may run a line between the mast and hang it? Got the cowl vents made and galley stove smoke stack added. Still need to purchase two anchors and the water barrel/cask. Scotty W, JpR62, SUBaron and 5 others 8 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabek Posted March 22, 2019 Share #16 Posted March 22, 2019 (edited) Wow...and I mean WOW. This rehabilitation is coming along beautifully. Painting is doing its job...that hull planking was the result of frustration trying to bend veneers to a complex 3d shape, which can't be done. All your colour choices are fine. Black and white are covering up the "booboo's" nicely! The lantern is exquisite! Please tell us how you made it. I never thought of rigging one on the mast. So, I started pouring through all my books and so far I could only find how they rigged a stern lantern on the mizzen top of a British frigate in Petersson's Rigging Period Ships. I think you could try installing yours on the flag mast somehow if you wanted. Keep on trucking! - Gabe Edited March 22, 2019 by Gabek Sent before finished Canute, EricWilliamMarshall, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Current builds: Harvey, Baltimore Clipper - Artesania Latina HMS Triton Cross Section, 18th Century Frigate - online scratch build HMCS Agassiz, WW2 Flower-Class Corvette - HMV - card model Completed: Swift, Pilot Schooner - Artesania Latina --- Build log --- Gallery Skeeter, Ship-in-Bottle - Ships a Sailin' kit --- Build log Santa Maria, Caravel - Artesania Latina --- Build log Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted March 23, 2019 Gabe How very kind, thank you. Regarding the construction of the lantern see the following. As far as positioning I'm going to hang it on a running a line between the two mast. I'm currently in the process of making all the necessary items, I'll post pics as soon as the lantern is in the air. Thank you again.........Keith Canute, Scotty W, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted March 25, 2019 (edited) Lantern hung more simply than I first intended. The height is too low my original over designed system. The lantern can be positioned fore or aft depending on where light is most needed. The lantern line can also serve as a clothes line. The block that the lantern hangs from are the blocks that AL supplied with their kit. They seem too small except for light use like the lantern or the flag. I'm going to use larger blocks for the rigging, I hung one on the lantern line to show difference in size. Edited March 25, 2019 by Keith Black Scotty W, Griphos, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted July 23, 2019 Surgery in May kept me out of the shipyard till a couple of weeks ago. For the most part the rigging is finished. The main purpose of taking on this project was to get some rigging experience having never done any before. Did I make mistakes, many. But I learned a lot and the fear of rigging is gone. Do I have a lot yet to learn, much. Cabbie, mtaylor, GioMun and 3 others 6 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsutcliffe Posted July 23, 2019 Share #20 Posted July 23, 2019 Looking good Keith, good to see you back at the workbench Regards Paul Keith Black, GioMun and mtaylor 3 Quote The clerk of the cheque's yacht of sheerness Current build HMS Sirius (1797) 1:48 scratch POF from NMM plans HMS Winchelsea by chuck 1:48 Cutter cheerful by chuck 1:48 Previous builds- Elidir - Thames steam barge Cutty Sark-Billings boats Wasa - billings boats Among others 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted July 25, 2019 Author Share #21 Posted July 25, 2019 Thank you Paul and a thank you to those of you who've hit the like button. Keith mtaylor, Scotty W and SUBaron 3 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBaron Posted April 12, 2022 Share #22 Posted April 12, 2022 (edited) On 7/23/2019 at 4:21 PM, Keith Black said: "But I learned a lot and the fear of rigging is gone. Do I have a lot yet to learn, much. " Keith - great refurb! You've inspired me to attempt a lantern. I'll likely try it when I complete my Swift and am taking a break from starting on the Connie. I had the same feeling as you, but regarding planking. It was a relief to complete it, and I too have a lot yet to learn... I find though, that I have much less trepidation towards rigging. I think this is because I've been fishing since I was about 8, and I see rigging to be quite similar to rigging a fly rod; rod->fly line->leader->tippet->fly. I also spent a lot of youth time untangling line from trees so as to acquire a new lure (or saving my own). Model ship rigging line (especially waxed!) is so much more forgiving than fishing line (I rarely work with 200lb test line though). So far my limited rigging on the Swift has had a very familiar feel. What I do need to brush up on is the presentation. Though trout can be a finicky bunch, they don't typically care what type of knot you used, or if it presents well visually (so long as it's neat). The trout rig equivalent of a shoddily stropped block can still catch fish 😁 Cheers! -Andre Edited April 12, 2022 by SUBaron mtaylor and Keith Black 1 1 Quote Current Build: USS Constitution 1:76 Model Shipways MS 2040 At Sea [Completed 2023]: 1805 Swift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted April 12, 2022 Author Share #23 Posted April 12, 2022 27 minutes ago, SUBaron said: great refurb! You've inspired me to attempt a lantern Thank you, Andre. The lantern was a fun little project. I've enjoyed turning items on my poor man's lathe to the point where I've just about worn out the bearings in my drill. I thought about buying a lathe but it's hard to justify the cost for the few remaining years left to me for modeling. I'll continue to use the drill for turning till the end. Wishing you the best on your lantern and the Swift. SUBaron, mtaylor and Scotty W 3 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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