mtdoramike

I have been looking at different styles of display cases and like this one quite a bit. So far, the estimates I'm looking at to build one similar to this one 53 inches x 38 inches x 20 inches will run me close to if not more than $1000.00 US. 

Almost done with the planking. I also found a beautiful slab of Black Walnut to utilize as a display base.

I have the Artesania Latina Vic kit and they have line drawing of the sails with measurements. I will have to make a few sails since they left out a couple of them by the manufacture. I look at sails this way, do you want to hide all that rigging work? Some models look great with full sail, some do not. As far as the plastic models with prefab sails, they look great because it's almost impossible to make billowing sails the way the plastic sails look. The closest I have come to this look was to sew in thin wire into the edges of the sails, which helps, but still isn't as good as the plastic molded sails. 

Any updates on your build and review Salty?

Yes, I have dealt with Tower & Naturecoast and have nothing but good words to say about them.

I agree with Mark, I have bought from all of them at one time or another and have no complaints. BUT, I have noticed quite a few models at Model Expo now say a 4 week or so waiting period. I never had that issue with them, but it's been probably close 10 ten years ago that I bought from them. I have purchased several ship model kits and materials from Ebay and have never had an issue, but you have to follow certain rules like verifying the sellers location, as well as checking out their feedback record. You also have to remember that a lot of these on line sellers drop ship now due to the cost of the kits, you pay them, they order the kit from a distributor, who ships it directly to you. It keeps their inventory down.

Good luck,

Mike

What a beautiful model

I see you have started lining your gun ports. I'm dreading that part hahahahahaha, I did a couple lower gun ports just to get a feel for it and can see right off that it's going to be a chore, especially since there is sooooo many.

Yep, they are calling it manzonia, looks more like walnut to me. But to get walnut to bend like that would really be a pain.

Absolutely beautiful planking job. Your really flying on this model now.

I have started the hull planking and so far, no big surprises yet.  

I know what you mean about bending brittle wood. I broken my share of all kinds of modeling wood, trying to get that perfect bend. I eventually broke down and yep, bought a pair of plank crimping pliers (if someone reading this is a purist, look away). I'm not a purist and prefer to find the path of least resistance when possible. You would be surprised just how many people frown at the phrase "I can have that particular model built and finished for you within a year versus that happy look when you tell them 6-8 months. So sometimes you have to cut a corner or two. I usually soak the strips to be bent in water and lemon or lime juice or vinegar to help break down the fiber in the wood, after an hour or two the wood is ready to be crimped and molded. Now, if the crimped part will wind up showing on the finished product, I start with a larger thickness of wood and once crimped and dried, I sand out the crimp marks and bring the wood down to the proper thickness.  

Congrats on the Santa Ana, I was torn between the AL Santa Ana and the AL Victory. I chose the Victory, but I sorely wanted to build the Santa Ana as well. But don't let first impressions fool you. The AL Victory at first glance looked to be a well cut kit as well. But once I got to building it, I have had to shim almost every bulkhead in order to get a fair run of the upper and lower hull. The kit will produce a nice model upon completion, but it requires a lot more work to do so then most other kits that I have purchased by Artesania Latina in the past. I hope you do a build log on her.

I like the contrast in the shade of the wood, it gives it character.  

I look at model kits this way, they supply the parts, you supply the labor and between the two, I hope to come out with an exceptable model. I have seen some high end models that turned out poorly as well as I have seen some less expensive kits turn out msome beautiful models. It depends on how well the model is constructed by the builder and finished off. I have discarded some kit materials and opted to either replace them with higher end fittings or make my own. A kit is only the starting point, it's up to YOU to make a beautiful model out of it.

They look like little sharks teeth don't they hahahahahaha. That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of model ship cleats, and here you are going to Cancun diving.

Thanks Mark, yes, I saw your Druid display and I love the base for it. Yes, I also agree, Plexiglass will be quite expensive for a display case that size. It will require a minimum of (2) 4x8 feet sheets and I figure that will run about $200.00 a sheet for quarter inch thickness. I have also been playing around with the idea of solid base like yours plus a solid wood top as well and install recessed lighting, which will accent the model. This is the last model that I will ever build and a bucket list project and will be donated along with the display case upon completion.  

I was wondering what others are using to build display cases for their large models? I usually use glass, but that was for smaller models 36 inches long or less. But for a ship model 49 inches long, glass would be a might heavy and it will be displayed at a public library so I was thinking more along the lines of Plexiglass or something similar for lighter weight and safety reasons. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. The model will be 49 inches long and about 35 inches tall.  

You should be happy with the results, it's a great planking job. 

hahahahahaha, Yep Paul it seems to be fighting me every step of the way as far as the planking goes. I've never had a kit and I have had numerous one's, but none that required the shiming this bugger is requiring. I've just started on the hull planking and pretty sure it's going to run about as true on the upper section has.

I love the above pictue, it shows how even and exacteverything is, especially the gun ports.

I actually don't see an issue with it, although the lighter wood is supposed to represent the yellow or ocre color and the manzanita is supposed to represent the dark colors of the ship. The way I look at it is, if a change, correction, addition or mistake is balanced on both sides equally then there's no problem. I call it artistic license. But, both sides of the ship need to be the same and equally balanced. So my answer would be yes, you could still leave her natural if you like.   

I agree, but not double the price. Take a car for instance, 15 years ago, an average car would cost you $20,000.00. Now, that same car would cost you $25,000 to $30,000.00 depending on options. Yes, everything goes up with inflation, but rarely doubling the price.

They are all over priced these days. But when you have fools willing to pay the money for them, I guess I can't blame the kit manufactures for over pricing their product. You could by one of the most expensive kits on the planet, the SOS for around $600.00 US less than 15 years ago, but now it's doubled in price.

I bought some Brass Black metal finish to blacken or darken the bright brass on the new cannon. I was torn because I really like the bright brass look of the cannon, but I they were quite bright and not so realistic. They are turning out quite nicely with the Brass Black. I had thought of just painting them a flat black, but the paint I think would hide quite a bit of detail. The Brass Black does not. Hey, for $10.00 I figured why not give it a try. But, be warned, it is finicky . You have to clean and triple clean each item or else it will come out splotchy. You must remove any dirt and even oil from your fingers. So, I just dipped them in alcohol, then vinegar and then into a soapy solution, then wiped them dry and then into the Brass Black and within seconds BAM, they turn black. IT"S MAGIC, well not really, just a chimcal reaction.