NMBROOK

Fantastic work on your rigging Ferit So clean and precise
Kind Regards Nigel

Thank you very much indeed for your kind words Ferit
To cut the square holes out in the capping strip,after marking it out,I cut the 2.7mm square holes out using a tiny rotary burr in the dremel.They were then squared up and taken to full size using a combination of a small jewellers square file and the point of a scalpel.It probably took a couple of hours to produce that one piece.It was then slid over the verticals into position and I found a couple of the uprights were pushed out of vertical slightly,so I marked which holes wanted enlarging slightly.The strip was removed and minute adjustments made then bonded in position.
Kind Regards Nigel

I thought I had better post an update before my build ends up on page 200 I decided to have a small break from carving before my eyes met in the middle.I made a start on the prow.The profile was altered and then it was clad in black boxwood sheet.I have included an extension that carries the mast stay and has a carving of cupid astride a lion on it.I then went on to sort the offset bowsprit.I cut a bowsprit out of lime dowel I had to hand(to be replaced with walnut)and designed a way the bowsprit would lock in place without glue.I then replicated a 'bowsprit lock' arrangement i have in one of my reference books.
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi Matti
Lovely work on your bow doors,such an important area on Vasa as they are so prominent.
Kind Regards Nigel

Fantastic work on your rigging Ferit So clean and precise
Kind Regards Nigel

I thought I had better post an update before my build ends up on page 200 I decided to have a small break from carving before my eyes met in the middle.I made a start on the prow.The profile was altered and then it was clad in black boxwood sheet.I have included an extension that carries the mast stay and has a carving of cupid astride a lion on it.I then went on to sort the offset bowsprit.I cut a bowsprit out of lime dowel I had to hand(to be replaced with walnut)and designed a way the bowsprit would lock in place without glue.I then replicated a 'bowsprit lock' arrangement i have in one of my reference books.
Kind Regards Nigel

It would be nice if the manufacturers said what the model is based on. If it is real then say, and if it is not real but inspired then say so. The Mamoli Royal Louis 1780 is actually based upon a contemporary model of the Royal Louis of 1758 (of the Sans Pareil class project) and not the Royal Louis 1779. The blurb in the product description makes reference to action in the American War of Independence probably for marketing reasons.
 
One thing is that there is so much conflicting information and so some ship models are approximations or are compromise of multiple influences. Perhaps artistic license and manufacturing practicality take precedence over historical fidelity. It does mean that there is a greater variety of subjects and kits. And of course the materials and methods of construction allow for a great deal of scope to scratchbuild any modification or correction that the builders skills allow. Many beginners I think would be more concerned with getting the basics right to create something that resembles what was on the cover of the box, at least initially.

I think variety is a good thing. I suppose if manufacturers did follow a code of conduct to produce kits that are historically accurate then it would mean that maybe we would see a lot more 19th century ships - and I for one would love to make an Azov or an HMS Asia......Navarino (my scratchbuilding is limited)

The more I become familiar with the many great ship model kits out there, the more often I seem to hear that this one, or that one are not, in fact models of "real" ships.
 
The manufacturere do a great job of spinning a yarn as to the exploits of the ship their kit represents, but when one does even a little research, one finds out that, many times,  this model is really a fictional replica of either a non-existent ship, or at best a fictional conglomeration of a type of ship which sailed at some point in history.
 
I realize that some ships are, simply, not historically documented, and some liberties must be taken, based upon the best we know about the real ship (the Mayflower, for example), but the ones I am talking about are just an absolute figment of someones imagination.
 
When one reads all of the hoopla about a ships exploits, written by the kit mfgr, how can we separate truth from fiction.
 
Even a well thought of Mfgr like Model Shipways isn't imune from some of the type of things I speak about...  ALL of the advertising material, catalogs, and even the box labels, show the "Niagara" as a radient blue in color.  When you get a paint set for the model, there is no blue included in the set.... Hmmnnnn.   In fact there is no blue on the real ship, and, probably, never was.  It's Black!
 
When I see the extent to which modelers go to make accurate sizes of ropes, rigging, and everything else, and then see how much leeway the kit mfgrs take, it makes me cringe.
 
I am surprised the community does not, at least, put together a list of the out, and out, fake ship kits that are out there, and that the Mfgrs are able to pull the wool over our eyes so much.
 
Dave

I think the main issue here is the fictional aspect.You will never win an argument with a kit manufacturer as regards to accuracy as alot of historical reference material is sketchy to say the least.The biggest bug bear for me is advertising kits as being a model of such and such from x date.The manufacturers know this is fabrication and to be honest to me the missreprescentation is plainly illegal.Yes some of these kits can be built into very nice and convincing models to the non historian.I think the manufacturers of said kits should be made to justify the historical information they give to these particular models.Don't get me wrong I nothing against these kits and indeed shall be using the plans of one for a scratchbuild,it is just the fact that the customer should know the truth.Some model kit manufactures have got away with so much that is in breach of consumer law.
Kind Regards Nigel

Simply stunning Matti!
I love the subtle difference in tones of the red.
Kind Regards Nigel

A little bit more carving,I hope to finish this row by tomorrow night.
Kind Regards Nigel

A little bit more carving,I hope to finish this row by tomorrow night.
Kind Regards Nigel

A little bit more carving,I hope to finish this row by tomorrow night.
Kind Regards Nigel

After I had completed the rail,I wanted to fit the one below.However I thought it may be prudent to produce and fit the vertical carvings first.Each one would need to be scribed to the hull individually as the hull is concave but changes as you move along the ship.To this end I have started on the vertical carvings.I have included as much detail as I feel practical at this scale,faithful to the works of VdeV.
Kind Regards Nigel

After I had completed the rail,I wanted to fit the one below.However I thought it may be prudent to produce and fit the vertical carvings first.Each one would need to be scribed to the hull individually as the hull is concave but changes as you move along the ship.To this end I have started on the vertical carvings.I have included as much detail as I feel practical at this scale,faithful to the works of VdeV.
Kind Regards Nigel

After I had completed the rail,I wanted to fit the one below.However I thought it may be prudent to produce and fit the vertical carvings first.Each one would need to be scribed to the hull individually as the hull is concave but changes as you move along the ship.To this end I have started on the vertical carvings.I have included as much detail as I feel practical at this scale,faithful to the works of VdeV.
Kind Regards Nigel

After I had completed the rail,I wanted to fit the one below.However I thought it may be prudent to produce and fit the vertical carvings first.Each one would need to be scribed to the hull individually as the hull is concave but changes as you move along the ship.To this end I have started on the vertical carvings.I have included as much detail as I feel practical at this scale,faithful to the works of VdeV.
Kind Regards Nigel

Just a small update.I have fitted the thro railing uprights for the last two decks(to be trimmed to height later in the build).I decided to treenail the prow deck.Call me mad as it is 1mm gratings but it just looked too plain compared to the hull.After I had cleaned the filler out of the holes using a 1mm sq piece of boxwood,I discovered some of the filler pigment had coloured some areas in the holes.I quite like this and adds a bit of artificial ageing,good job as I don't fancy remaking the deck.I then made a moulding out of pear sheet for where the deck abuts the bulkhead,using a combination of shaped x-acto blade and my pillar drill set up with a dremel milling cutter.Finally I sprayed the assembly with one coat of Ronseal Mattcoat.
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi Matti
I have been following your log and I would just like to say fantastic work!
Kind Regards Nigel

A small update.I have completed the extension to the port side of the hull.I have finished the pear beams under the prow deck.Lastly I have made the central panel for the stern.It was a bit of a nightmare to mark out because my reference was Lely's portrait and this isn't symmetrical.I have decided the statue of King Edgar between the two pilasters stands in a niche.This will be carved out of pear and fits in the large hole in the centre of the panel.
Kind Regards Nigel

A very big thank you for you kind comments Nat
I have to admit I haven't built that many,mainly because life tends to get in the way.I think the last year or so is the first time since being a teenager I have been able to devote serious time to this hobby.If you build to the instructions,you will end up with a lovely model,the quality is up there or beyond that of the main Italian manufacturers.It is only because I am aiming for a more historically accurate representation that I am using so little of the partwork.It may have been easier to kit bash Sergals kit,but that has been done before,and as I am hoping to compete in modified kit class with this model,the extra work will hopefully mean a few more points.
I don't know where you are based,but I do recommend joining modelspaces gb forum as there are alot of builds on there,including mine,that discuss all the stages involved in construction.You are quite welcome to borrow any ideas you like,I will be happy if they help your build along.
Kind Regards Nigel

A small update.I have completed the extension to the port side of the hull.I have finished the pear beams under the prow deck.Lastly I have made the central panel for the stern.It was a bit of a nightmare to mark out because my reference was Lely's portrait and this isn't symmetrical.I have decided the statue of King Edgar between the two pilasters stands in a niche.This will be carved out of pear and fits in the large hole in the centre of the panel.
Kind Regards Nigel

A small update.I have now fitted inner and outer skins to the starboard side and marked out and cut that side to shape.There are small differences in the deck heights/slopes,the biggest difference is the stern face position.This now matches the Payne engraving.
Kind Regards Nigel

A small update.I have now fitted inner and outer skins to the starboard side and marked out and cut that side to shape.There are small differences in the deck heights/slopes,the biggest difference is the stern face position.This now matches the Payne engraving.
Kind Regards Nigel

A small update.I have now fitted inner and outer skins to the starboard side and marked out and cut that side to shape.There are small differences in the deck heights/slopes,the biggest difference is the stern face position.This now matches the Payne engraving.
Kind Regards Nigel