vossy

Magnificent David!

Definitely keep it and try to clean it up a bit. Who cares if it doesn't represent an actual real life vessel. I have numerous models that I have painstakingly made myself that are, to me anyway, good representations of historical vessels, and at least 3 versions of my favorite vessel, Santa Maria, which may, or may not, be good representations of her. No-one really knows as there are no verified pictures of her or Columbus for that matter. Who's to say that your find is not a true representation of an early vessel? Having said all that I also have a small wooden sailboat about 10 inches long that my sister bought for me about 6 years ago. It is a simple model with a solid hull, small square wooden cabin and a single mast and sail. It was carved on a beach in Queensland, Australia by a local craftsman from a single piece of driftwood and is among my favorite models.

If you like your find, clean it up, find it a place in your home, and treasure it.

This looks awesome David!

Thanks. I did the Amati Santa Maria years ago and had awful trouble with this part. Looked like a big lumpy mess on mine, but yours looks really good I reckon. Also I dont know if its just the picture you took, but yours also look like they have been tarred, which I guess might have been the case on the real thing? Anyway, great job.

Really nice David. Got any pics where you tie them off at the upper end?

Looking awesome David!

Looking amazing David. I actually really like models such as the Victory that show some of the gunports closed as well as open. Also once she is finished and fully rigged I doubt anyone will even notice the missing rigging in the gunport lids.

Chris

This is stunning David. I so hope to one day build and portray this ship as well as you are doing.

Chris

Hi all. After a long break for various reasons I intend to begin to update my log for the Riverboat. I have done a little bit more to her since last post about 3 years ago.

I will post more pics soon, and hope that people who were following along are still here.

Sorry for my absence.

Chris

Will be pleased to follow this Eric after a long absence from myself. Looks like you are making great progress and detailing any problems a lot of kits present for future builders.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Ron,

how about getting some ultra thin strips and planking over it? You can get strips so thin they are almost like paper. If it was me, I would be trying to keep it unpainted. Strips will cost next to nothing, and if you muck it up, then paint it. If you do have to paint it however, I would go for a brownish base and try to weather it a bit. Be more realistic I reckon.

Cheers

Chris

any Australian suppliers/stockists for this?

Cheers

Chris

4 hours ago, Emmet said:

I should add I was looking for your Santa Maria post and did not see your name. I saw a couple of Mantua builds.

Hey, I haven't started a build log of her yet. I am only just beginning her really. Just got false bulkheads on frame etc. 

My ongoing build, (which I must say, I haven't updated for a while) is the Sergal Mississippi Riverboat. I have a log of

this build on here.

Cheers

Chris

4 hours ago, Emmet said:

Thanks

I am concerned about the placement of the upper deck. Do you think it is correct to cut out slots so that it fits down on the frames?

Hey Emmet, a lot, if not all, false decks on pretty much all kits require some gentle massaging to make them fit. I am currently just beginning the 

Mantua 1:50 Santa Maria, and I can already see a heap of sanding/cutting/cursing/praying will be required to fit the false main deck and align the

preformed upper bulwarks. It is normal. So glad to see someone doing another of my hero's ships!

Cheers

Chris

Plus it is far easier to get a nice, correct hull with no gaps etc. when using double planking. As Chris said, the first planking layer is

merely a foundation for your final layer. The first planking layer is when you find out any rises, that need to be sanded back, or

troughs, that need filling. The visual look, color, of the first layer is irrelevant. Its the contours of it that are important. The whole

first planking layer will be covered by the final second layer. The better you do the first layer, the better the second layer, and 

overall look of the model will be..

Cheers

Chris

This looks like an interesting build David. I will follow along with interest. All the best to you and your family for the season!

Cheers

Chris

You can buy this online also. I have had it for 5 or 6 years. Agree with Bob, a great video about the topic.

And who can go past a VERY young Errol as Fletcher!

Highly recommended!

Cheers

Chris

Any movement on this kit James?

Cheers

Chris

what is the model name of this vessel? I cant find it for sale anywhere?

cheers

chris

A

A dodgy update is better than none i guess?

Just got back into it really. will try to post some pics over the weekend. about 9 months ago I started a new job in emergency services, like your 911. so have been busy

getting my head around that. but rest assured I haven't given up.

Cheers

Chris

Your usual high standard David! Well done. Do you use a lathe to shape the tops of the masts? They look great!

Cheers

Chris

Can anyone supply me with an address to contact them for a very specific replacement part?

Cheers

Chris

1 hour ago, James H said:

As a quick update, Amati are currently printing the full size plan-set for me and the MDF, ply and PE parts will shortly be cut and sent over.

 

They are now sourcing the high-pressure castings for the cannon and other fittings. 

 

I now have the instruction manual that Chris Watton put together, and this will serve as the basis for building the Victory and producing a manual for them in their current format. I'm busy studying the build from the keel upwards!

 

The manual Chris made is actually very good and very much of the style you see in his new Alert kit, but Amati want the whole lot shot against a white background in a photo-caption style format that you see in their recent kits such as the Orient Express Sleeping Car etc. These are glossy, perfect-bound books.

 

I've had some long talks with Amati over the last months. Things are now moving along! 

Thanks for the update James! This is indeed fantastic news!

Looks great David. Really like your informative updates on your logs. Copper plating looks super when done, but I can imagine its a royal pain in the **** to actually do!

Cheers

Chris