vossy

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
 

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
 

I discovered In the Wake of the Bounty on Amazon Prime TV last night. It's a one-hour long combination documentary made in 1934 of a visit by a film crew to Pitcairn Island in 1930. The documentary of life on Pitcairn Island in 1930 is interspersed with a dramatic portrayal of the mutiny story. I expect it would be of interest to many, and particularly those building Bounty models.
 
It is, of course, in black and white, and filmed 90 years ago, so let's just say it's "dated." The shots of sails in the dramatic segments conflate 20th Century bulk carriers with 18th Century Admiralty practice, but are some of the few contemporary film cuts of real sailing ship practice at the end of the Age of Sail. The production qualities of the dramatic reenactment scenes are amateurish and of no value to modelers, but movie buffs may enjoy watching Errol Flynn in his very first film role. The dramatic segments may also be of historical interest to movie buffs because the movie was made contemporaneously with the introduction of the "Hays" and "Production" Hollywood self-censorship codes and is one of a genre of long-suppressed travelogues and historical movies which served as a excuses to depict somewhat gratuitous nudity. The scenes of Bounty's crew in Tahiti have that quaint "National Geographic porn" quality.  No doubt, the movie's coverage (or un-coverage) of bare breasted Tahitian young ladies no doubt contributed greatly to its box office success. 
 
Seriously, though, the film and interviews of the Pitcairners and their daily lives, including their launching their whaleboats, is very interesting. This was (they claim) the first movie film taken on Pitcairn Island and in 1930 it was still a rather primitive place which had little contact with the outside world. At that time, the oldest people living there were only the grandchildren of the mutineers and original Tahitians themselves, and the local culture was still closely connected with the mutiny events even if all but one of the British mutineers had died of natural causes or been murdered in squabbles and feuds by the time Pitcairn Island's inhabitants were discovered by the Nantucket whaler Topaz 1808.
 
It's available for streaming on Amazon Prime TV at the moment. 

A
A dodgy update is better than none i guess?
 

COMPLETED!  A set of completion photos are in the gallery at https://modelshipworld.com/gallery/album/2021-cutty-sark-by-drobinson02199-mantuasergal-scale-178/ 
 
I enjoyed this -- my longest build at about 7 months.  As I noted above, I'm generally happy with the kit, but would caution others about multiple parts shortages -- copper plates, certain blocks.  I got around it with spares from my stash.  I was also disappointed with the flag, which is printed on one side only.  So I didn't use it.  But other than that, it's a nice kit.
 
Regards,
David
 

I'm in the process of rigging all of the yard lifts -- the ones that run from the mast to the tip of the yard (because all of the yards also have simple vertical lifts as well).
 
The bottom two yards are attached to the mast by a hinge, so they can take the upward force of the lifts.  But the other yards slide up and down, so without doing something it wouldn't be possible to tension the yard lifts to get each yard to be horizontally lined up.  Solution was to install a small vertical yard downpull starting with the third yard on the foremast.
 
Pictures attached show the first three foremast yards with the lifts rigged, and the small vertical downpull (marked with an arrow) that I used on the third yard up to create something for the yard lifts to pull against.
 
I'll be installing the lifts on all the yards on all the masts before turning to the other running rigging.
 
Regards,
David

 

Friday 29 November 2019
 
I'm working to prepare the sails. In total there are five sails: one on the bowsprit, one on the foremast, two on the mainmast and finally a triangular sail on the mizzen mast. To consider them finished I have to wait for my wife to sew stitches around their perimeter, task I prefer to have her do as I don't feel enough good for it.
 
The first image shows the main mainmast sail. I have greatly reduced the height of this sail because I want to present it curled up the main yard and therefore the task would be easier to manage with less amount of fabric.
 
01 Ragusian Carrack/28112019/IMG_20191128_155621.jpg

 
Here the lateen sail of the mizzen mast . . I think I will present it wrapped on the yard.
 
02 Ragusian Carrack/28112019/IMG_20191128_155613.jpg

 
Here is the upper sail of the mainmast that will be shown unfolded . .
 
03 Ragusian Carrack/28112019/IMG_20191128_155601.jpg

 
The sail of the bowsprit, shown unfolded . . I think to redo some sewing here resulting too coarse.
 
04 Ragusian Carrack/28112019/IMG_20191128_155548.jpg

 
The fore sail to be presented wrapped on the foreyard.
 
05 Ragusian Carrack/28112019/IMG_20191128_155553.jpg

 
That's all for now, cheers, Jack.

The yard lifts are all done now (see picture).  The other picture shows the first piece of rigging on the foremast lower yard.
 
I'm now going to get into the yard braces, and I have looked at the rigging diagram and concluded that the best sequence for braces to preserve ease of access for rigging is:
 
Do the top three yard braces on the main mast next. Then do all of the yard braces on the mizzen. Then the top two yard braces on the foremast. Then rig the inner brace on the main mast lower yard (matches the one I've done on the foremast lower shown below) Then rig the three lower yard braces on the foremast Finally, rig the three lower yard braces on the main mast. If I do it that way, I hopefully will minimize contortionist activity getting "inside" rigging already installed.
 
Getting close to the end now.
 
Regards,
David
 
 

Latest update.
Ive managed to complete the first layer of planking. It's very daunting to attempt this part of the build, so much to learn beforehand and during the process and I'm sure like most modellers I would do it differently the second time around. I'm reasonably happy with the outcome. I definitely would have added a few stealers if I had my time again.
Maybe I'll have to on the main outer layer of planking. I used an 8x5 mm plank for the garboard plank, it's a little thin at the ends but it is what it is and I'll learn from that. A little filler here and there before I move to the next stage of planking above the deck. I will now need to finally decide on the above deck stern area before doing attempting this.
I salute every first time hull planker, it really does make you feel like a first year apprentice who could do with an experienced tradesman to guide them along.
 
As an idea Ive taken about an inch of each side of the piece  that slides in just above the hull at the stern to gain the shape I want. Where I go from there I'm still not really sure but I have a few things in mind.
Cheers
Peter.

I've now hung all the yards (all 19 of them!) and have begun rigging with the three spars on the main and mizzen.  All shown below.
 
Regards,
David

Hello to all
A BIG THANK YOU to Steven ( Louie da fly )
My kit came with a brass head carving which I assumed was a dragons head. 
I was horrified when I finally unwrapped it and discovered it was a bloody duck, the Admiral kept laughing as I tried to convince myself it was just a bad looking dragon.
Being new to modelling and this group I soon realised that Steven and a few others loved Carrack's.
Then I realised Steven lived a few hours from me in a town I visit another friend a few times a year.
Push forward a few months and after many emails I visited Steven and his lovely wife, as course I took my model.
Having already seen the ugly duckling via email Steven offered to carve me a dragon head piece, I gladly accepted his offer and in a very short time it arrived in the mail. It's based on a headpiece found and recovered from the fifteen hundreds.
I love it
Its amazing 
And it will be a great addition to my model.
I dips my lid to u Steven, you have been a great source of information and an inspiration to push ahead even when I have doubts I could do this, a wonderful host in your stunning house, and a great new friend. 
Ive seen your Dromon first hand and I can easily describe your craftsmanship as exceptional, I can't wait to see your Dromon sitting in a prised area of your house.
Once again thank you for all of your help.
Cheers
Peter

Monday 18 November 2019
 
Standing rigging is finally over . . . . rat lines obviously were the major, boring effort.
 
01 Ragusian Carrack/18112019/IMG_20191118_165745.jpg

 
02 Ragusian Carrack/18112019/IMG_20191118_165759.jpg

 
03 Ragusian Carrack/18112019/IMG_20191118_165809.jpg

 
04 Ragusian Carrack/18112019/IMG_20191118_165815.jpg

 
05 Ragusian Carrack/18112019/IMG_20191118_165818.jpg

The top four in the quality poll are evenly split between European and American. Of course there's a certain bias in any country toward kits that can be easily acquired or whose instructions are written in the native language, but it's also true that many of us have experience with various "foreign" brands with terrible instructions or other issues (Ahem, Corel). There are also "foreign" brands that have gotten rave reviews on this site, like Master Korabel and Dusek, that nonetheless are smaller brands and naturally won't match the volume of major players in the American market like Model Shipways.
 
By definition a poll is a collection of responses from the sample set.  If you want to know more about a specific brand, look for specific build logs or reviews written on this site. Or write your own review if you think a brand is over/under-rated. But it seems to me that none of the high-ranking results (for either quality or lack thereof) are mistaken based on my own experience and that of reading lots of collected opinions on this site. At most, some brands are under-represented, but that's inevitable. It amazes me how many people get worked up about this.

Wednesday 6 November 2019
 
Further small progresses . . . . this time it's up to the mast.
 
For the future I have decided that I will limit myself in posting messages only when significant steps in setting up the rigging are complete, otherwise I think to run the risk of being too much repetitive.
 
So I give you a rendez-vous for other images and comments when I'll finish the installation of all the standing rigging, a milestone that seems to me adequately representative to show and explain.
 
Greetings, Jack.Aubrey.
 
01 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191106_170332.jpg

 
02 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191106_170339.jpg

 
03 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191106_170342.jpg

 
04 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191106_170401.jpg

Tuesday 5 November 2019
 
I finally started, I fixed the masts and . . . . for now I'm working on standing rigging. It takes a lot of patience.
 
01 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191105_160027.jpg

 
02 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191105_160047.jpg

 
03 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191105_160144.jpg

 
04 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191105_160042.jpg

 
05 Ragusian Carrack/06112019/IMG_20191105_160150.jpg

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

Latest update 
Ive added partial planking to the main deck, I erred in following the drawing, and then discovered the 2-3-4-5 step planking system, I will probably finish it off and redo it over the top. I also planked in some areas where I didn't need to, just got carried away and will learn from that too. 
Next I laid the half deck beams and added some supports for the outer edges of the half deck.
I then turned my attention towards the first layer of planking. After spending a fair amount of time laying batons across the hull I soon realised my attempt wasn't going to work.
I then raised a post asking for help and received some great advice and started again, I think I'm starting to comprehend what's required for planking this particular shaped hull. ( I will add a pic of my first attempt which is on the right hand side and the amended planking on the left).
 
The gun ports which come with the kit are terrible, so I am making my own following the same method I saw on another build log, a little extra work will be well worth the effort. 
This weekend I'm meeting up with another member from this forum who has helped me enormously via email in regards to not only building my Carrack but helping me understand a little about the type of ships they were. I will no doubt return home with a vast amount of knowledge. It will be great to see another persons builds too. So all in all I'm making a few errors but they are nothing I can't remedy and I'm having to much fun to worry about them.
Cheers
Peter
 

Any movement on this kit James?
 
Cheers
 
Chris
 

The first prototype was built by Chris, and he was doing this as a full time job and Amati employee.
 
For me.....I work full time in education, so my building time will be evenings, weekends and holidays, but I do promise that I will move as quickly as I can so long as I don't compromise quality. 

Amati have so far printed the plans for me and had the PE and wood parts made. They are awaiting the return of high-pressure castings for the various fittings/cannon etc. and then this will be on its way to me. I'm thinking between 2 and 4 weeks at the moment. Some delays did creep in, but they now look sorted. 
 
From there, I have about 18 months to build the hull to completion as the masting is via drawing.
 
I still think this is around 2yrs from release. 
 
There will be a build log here as soon as I get everything in the workshop. 

Another update as the model is moving along as I find more time to spend on it as the days become warmer.
The extra stabilising supports were placed along the keel and the deck added. I then wanted to add supports under the 3 gun ports on each side but once I begun it was just as easy to place these supports fully along the deck edge. While waiting for glue to dry I tried dry fitting the fore deck and ran into my first real problem, bulkhead 4 clearly sits way to low which will require adding to so I can achieve the desired results .
Next is to partially lay some of the deck planks, then add the beams and half deck. 
Padded are a few progress pics and a picture of the fore deck problem.
Cheers
Kikatinalong 

I thought I would share my latest progress. In what's been a hectic yet thoroughly exciting month in family life I've still managed to find the time to move forward.
All the bulkheads have been fitted and I've started to add and begin to sand back the filler blocks, I've also slotted and added some bracing along the top of the bulkheads to assist with strength of the hull and stability for the main deck. 
I will also add some smaller fillers along the deck edges before I head any further.
As I'm very new to modelling and it's hard with only pictures as a reference I would be more than grateful to accept any advice as to something I may have done wrong or any problems u can foresee me heading forward in my build.
Happy modelling 
Kikatinalong.

Hello all
At this stage I've finished my baseboard consisting of mdf, dressed timber and have used Perspex to keep the false keel square and running straight.
As mentioned earlier all the bulkheads required either re cutting, trimming or adding to. They have now been dry fitted along with the main and half decks. These decks are as roughly cut as the bulkheads, I won't complain as it's a very old kit and most pre cut parts will need a lot of attention to achieve my desired results.
i will also be adding 9x9 mm square timber running  parallel to the keel under the main deck near each side of the cargo hold for extra stability.
So adding the 9x9 cut outs to the bulkheads, will be my next task,and then start to glue the hull frame together . Then lay the deck and some deck planks.
the support beams for the half deck are missing from the kit ( should have seen that earlier) so these will need to be made before it can be added. 
Ive added some dry fit pictures.
Happy modelling 
Kikatinalong. 

In this log I will just add a few pics of the kit and some drawings, I'm not great with computers and will keep this simple until I get used to the site.
ive made a little progress in far as jigs and some dry fitting and will update that in a day or so.
The false keel, bulkheads and deck pieces are very roughly cut , it is what it is and I've been re cutting and repairing to get the desired results.
It seems some of the uploads failed so I'll leave it at that for now, and try and post more tomorrow.
happy modelling 
Kikatinalong