James H

Hope you wiped your feet on the way out 😄

So do I! I so want to see that kit built here. @PJG

Don't be daunted! We look forward to seeing you get this and crack that box open. Every build is a journey, no matter how much or little experience we have. That's part of the fun. There's plenty here who can and will help you. Remember, there's never such a thing as a silly question either. Just ask away! @chris watton designed that model too, so he'll be able to watch your progress.

You nailed it, absolutely. If you can't have a slice of the pie, then just complain that you don't like the flavour. No doubt they'll welcome this kit once ZHL has pirated it and they are guiding folk to the pirate product page. I see you're from God's own county My favourite shire. MDF has more consistent tolerances than ply....even some of the very best quality. The Vic, for example, could not have been designed in the way it was if it wasn't for those tight tolerances of the MDF. It has several hundred interlocking joints. Chris will tell you than ply can vary quite a lot in thickness from batch to batch and even across the same sheet. Accumulation of tolerance errors would have made this model a nightmare with the modeller opening up slots etc. I know MDF isn't good when it gets wet, but do some guys build there models in a swimming pool or shower? What's this about it coming to pieces with glue? Absolute rubbish. I've used very thin MDF and PVA with no problems. I know kids who use thin MDF to make things with tons of glue, and they don't have problems either. Odd eh? ❓ Also this stuff about it not being suitable for modelling (structural). Well, you've seen the Victory prototype, Chris's other designs, so it is suitable. Some folks don't like MDF and that's fine. You hear some moan about the dust from it being nasty....well those folks need to check out the hazards associated with the resins in the timber dust they create normally, including the resins bonding ply. Several countries, for example, class all wood dust as carcinogenic. The simple solution is don't breathe in any dust you create, be it timber, ply, or MDF. Haha! Chris has explained this quite a few times, so I've just done it again for him. See above

I might be able to get away with some stuff that won't be seen in the manuals, such as furniture.....and possibly even lighting if I hide it surreptitiously enough.

No reason you can’t do that. I won’t be able to with mine as it’s for the manual, but I’ll be following the builds that eventually begin on MSW.

I also forgot. Unlike the Caldercraft kit, as excellent as it is, you will be able to furnish and fit out the cabins at the stern., as the decks run right through to this area. No furnishings come with the kit, but imagine putting some cabinets, tables, chairs and LED lanterns in there! Maybe there's a way I can do this without compromising anything for Amati. If I can, then I will, but it won't be seen in the manual....only on MSW! Caldercraft: Amati:

She looks impressive with masts. What's the overall size?

I think so too. I suppose if Bismarck is popular, then Amati may want to try their hand with Hood. I imagine the development coats and initial production outlay for Bismarck will be quite high.

Ok...some answers. Bismarck is now scheduled for Autumn, possibly around October. As for HMS Hood, Amati aren't sure on that, as far as popularity goes. German battleships always sell, irrespective of the sales region, but that may not translate into HMS Hood.

Not sure about the Hood. I can ask. Very good question! I'll try to get an answer for you. This virus has screwed all sorts up!

I'm told the stuff is being packed/kitted to ship out, so I should be able to give you a glimpse of that triumvirate soon

That looks fine to me. Just hit the 180 grade paper and give it an all over smooth. I see you thinned down the stern post area too, so that's good. Curving the side of that play too at stern is fine. It needs to be curved or you won't lay your second layer properly.

Beautiful, clean work, and I love the colour of that timber.

Come on folks, that's a bargain!!

And I have them all here. Amati are also aware of the accusations posted on the piracy site, and are watching.

The ramblings of a demented, delusional and piracy-advocating moron... See for yourself, and make your own mind up... Er, yes Dave Stevens...ok!

Ignore these morons on the piracy site too... They are watching this topic and obfuscating. Er yes, ok.....

A resumé? Ok, bear in mind that I once had the Caldercraft kit in my possession for over a year, and now am very familiar with the Amati. Better quality materials and around three times more of it by my reckoning. No dummy barrels More realistic decoration, especially the stern scroll work, stern windows that have an option to be open, so you can look through them and see the gun decks. Better boats and a much more robust hull assembly Integrated gun ports so there's no chance of ever getting any gun port out of position. Generally, a more up-to-date design philosophy. You can model the Amati as you see fit, leaving open side planking to see the interiors etc. By my reckoning, this will be the largest commercially available model kit of a period ship the is available, and no one will be disappointed.

Hi Tom, Are the planks for the launch all pre-cut and shaped?

Not that I'm aware of. For example, the cannon were made in various sizes and specifically for this ship. You couldn't really make them generic. Same with the gun carts, as they are designed to plug into the decks at an even distance from the bulwarks. It's not an easy model to make compromises on, so I can't envisage anything really changing from the initial design.

Really liking this and how quick it's come together. She's certainly gonna be tall when complete.

No doubt, but I know Amati want to bring in the cost so it's as little as possible extra £/€ than the Caldercraft in 1:72. The good news is you have time to save whilst I get the building done! This one is around 1.6m long, height approx 106cm. I'd have to ask @chris watton about beam and width of main yards (and to check my other numbers!)

Except this time, there is only one choice 😄

Well, some lesser-informed types think this kit is just mythical and they are unlikely to see it in 5-10yrs. We know different, and present the challenger to the crown for the Ultimate kit for HMS Victory. Amati now have all the laser and PE parts ready to ship to me and as soon as everything gets here, I'll start my promised build log. If you were thinking of getting a Victory kit, you might just want to hold off until you see this kit! Here are a very small number of sheets of laser. And I mean small number!