James H

6 hours ago, BobG said:

I hope you will make a build log for your Amati Fifie build. I would enjoy following a build of that boat.

So do I!

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

1 hour ago, Kev in said:

Hi all

 

I am Kevin and live in North Yorkshire, UK. A 58 year old lucky enough to have taken early retirement a few months ago. I have a real interest in history from the Napoleonic times.  I have been thing about a model ship for a few years now and having just finished an epic 2 volume book on the life of Nelson by John Sugden, I have decided to get started. Having looked at some awesome models on this forum I have just ordered the Caldercraft HMC Sherbourne which fits nicely into the time period of history that holds my interest.  I hope I can do the vessel some justice but I have to be realistic about my first build. Whilst I find starting this to be daunting I hope I can learn from others. 

 

Kev

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. 

1 hour ago, mnewsholme said:

cant help but laugh at those guys on SOS. They realised they weren't getting anywhere trying to cast doubts on whether kit would be released or quality of design so they've shifted tack to slating it because Framework is MDF and it might warp if it gets wet, ( sounds like they play with their models in the bath 🙂 ), and the cutting edge superior Chinese kits use plywood 🙂

 

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.

36 minutes ago, vaddoc said:

Chris, do you know why mdf will be used and not plywood? 

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. 

25 minutes ago, chris watton said:

Yes

Haha! Chris has explained this quite a few times, so I've just done it again for him.

21 minutes ago, vaddoc said:

😁  I think my use of English failed me here

I mean, what is the advantage of mdf over plywood?

See above  

3 minutes ago, BobG said:

Please do that in your build log, James. It would be outstanding to follow you as you added these wonderful details and lighting to the model.

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. 

1 minute ago, Suzdal said:

James,

 

How about leaving one of the sides some what open and having some deck furniture on the orlap deck (no I was not thinking of Nelson's death scene) and on some of the gun decks. Withe a kit like this it would be a pity to not show off some of the internal features.

 

Richard

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. 

On 6/28/2020 at 12:02 AM, Landlubber Mike said:

A few thoughts after reading through the thread:

 

1.  The framing looks really impressive on the Amati.  It looks well designed to not only provide structural support, but also aid in the design of the hull when it comes to correctly placing gunports, etc.  Using MDF is also a great advantage for the kit.  I greatly preferred the MDF used in the Amati Pegasus hull over the plywood and other wood used in other kits.  MDF is incredibly strong, flat, with no flex.  It's harder to work and you have to be careful with the dust and fumes from machining it, but all that is outweighed by the structural benefits in my opinion.  With a model of this size and weight (no dummy barrels, etc.), a solid skeleton is going to be critical.

 

2.  My guess is that the increase in size over the 1/64 Caldercraft won't necessarily be the primary driver of cost differences.  It will probably be on the fittings.  If the Amati doesn't use dummy barrels, my guess is that the price differential will be fairly significant.

 

3.  I know that they have been talking about the Amati Victory for years now.  I think it's good that they are taking their time to get things right with this kit.  Remember the Model Shipways Essex?  That seemed to have been rolled out too quickly and from what I was reading on here, appeared to be a disaster with fit and other issues.

 

 

When it finally comes out, this is going to a pretty spectacular kit if it follows the top quality design, components, plans, seen in their other kits like the Pegasus - just with a much grander subject.

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?

5 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

I would think that Hood would be immensely popular -- she was the first name in British capital ships for the entire interwar period and of course is inextricably bound up with the Bismarck drama.

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.

On 5/10/2020 at 2:33 AM, LT_IGLEHART said:

AMAIT-HACHETTE also has a similar 1:200 Kit of HMS HOOD.  Evidently only available by subscription in Europe. Has there been any indication that they might release a kit of the Hood as well? And..importantly for me, make it available to North America??

Not sure about the Hood. I can ask.

1 hour ago, stuglo said:

Does anyone have an update on the release of this Kit

Very good question! I'll try to get an answer for you. This virus has screwed all sorts up!

35 minutes ago, hollowneck said:

Italy: High-quality. UK: Excellent engineering. U.S.: Marketing (MSW/NRG).

The perfect combo...

😁

Ron

 

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.

11 minutes ago, Dave B said:

New price of $540 now.

This should bring the total including shipping via UPS to under $600 for most USA locations.

Please let me know if anyone would like more photos or other information.

This kit is just too big for me and I have plenty of others on the shelf so that's why I'm selling it.

Thanks for looking!

Dave

Come on folks, that's a bargain!!

7 minutes ago, chris watton said:

I know that I did no less than 31 full size plan sheets plus 114 page A3 size assembly manual for this Victory.

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.....

1 hour ago, Landlubber Mike said:

So the difference from Caldercraft is the larger size and the interior details, which only will be seen if the hull side is open?  With the Caldercraft one in the stash, just wondering what the main differences are.

 

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?

4 minutes ago, Morgan said:

Will this mean compromises somewhere down the line?

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.

1 hour ago, Kevin said:

only this time i think it might be to expensive, 

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!

27 minutes ago, BobG said:

Wow...what are the overall dimensions of this model?

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!)

31 minutes ago, Kevin said:

was about 10 years ago i had a conversation with the wife over the Caldercraft Victory or Euromodel Royal William (victory won) is the same subject going to repeat its self again

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!

9 minutes ago, schooner said:

Sorry but I'm not getting it. I understand how to use the settings to modify my signature but I can't figure out how to link to one of my build logs - the guidance above just says to "proceed as normal to link the specific page". How do I do that?

Thanks

Added for you. I hope that's ok.