greatgalleons

I had this kit all ready to sell on line this week and then I remembered your build log and decided not to sell it. I would not have got much for it anyways.

I have not placed any logs on M.S.W. in a while . Just finished my Essex and Fair American builds and your build log has inspired me to research more on the Harvey.

Thanks for all the great ideas for this model. One question, can you reveal where you acquire the fine wood strips and planking you use? Thanks A.J.

Amazing build , I noticed that all,the M.S. Kits use the same building techniques . The Niagara, confederacy, syren and Essex are built the same way. The Essex is my next build since I've completed the others. I'll refer to your excellent log for useful tips. Thanks for sharing. A.j.

I noticed in my kit that some of the laser cut gratings are really off badly. Did you have similar parts so off the mark.

its been a while since Ive been on MSW , wow a lot of great build logs , inspirational.

been working on several models and have these two  for sale on ebay to finance this hobby.

I'll be working on the Essex model shipways kit next.  keep up the great builds. a.j.

I'm currently working on a blue nose model and a half scale half moon from corel plans , a small scratch build version only 12 inches long

I have also a finished Model Trailways Conestoga Wagon I managed find time to build.

Living in west Texas you get to see a few of these on occasion during holiday parades. Built a few Stage Coaches to sell  to local businesses as well. 

I thought I was going to slow down on model building but infact I have increased my hobby , I guess i'm not ready yet. 

its been six months since  I have been on MSW .  been busy with work and ship builds , I will upload some finished galleries in a few days , here are some of the pics of finished builds.

finished pics

Putting the build on hold for a few weeks until I return home.

I only Recieved a set of plans which is standard in every Mamoli kit. Maybe about six or seven large sheets and couple of very large complete ship sheets marked A and B. if you look on each sheet there are instructions in several languages including English. Bear in mind that the English instructions are a translation from Itailian.

My biggest problem with this kit was that it was missing most of the wood for the hull strakes , I had to use what I had leftover from other completed kit build,. Good luck with this build, it was challenging and I learned a lot from it.

Hey Brian when I use testors paint I like to thin it a little with testors enamel paint thinner. Humbrol paint is good but be sure to mix it well, it settles to the bottom of the little can it comes in. Shaking the can will not work , use a little stir stick.

fore mast stays

bowsprit ratlines, these are harder than it looks, good luck brian.

placed the foremast , some work on the bowsprit

Good to see you will be working on the Niagara build again soon , I started my build last year because of the fine work available from your build log. I see now that it will take just as long to finish the rigging as it has to complete the hull, slow going is better then not.

I,m not going say much on that subject Brian, after all I am from a Red State.

Some small pieces of wood I pick up with the tip of an exacto blade to position on the glued areas.

Hey Brian or should I say mr. President according to your photo , I use wood glue on all of the wood. Around the cannon ports and sweeps. I have a length of wood dowel of 5 inches with a needle at one end to apply small amounts of wood glue.

for the ratlines I use testors model glue cement to glue the ends and knots so they do not unravel.  then clip the ends off.

the glue dries flat and does not discolor lighter tone rigging lines either

fore topmast shrouds

fore mast shrouds,  

preventer stay and fore stay

This is a very nice build, I do not care for bath tub shaped Bark ships like the bounty. The Santa Maria was an enjoyable build for me also, rock on !

a few more

this is my first attempt at making some shrouds with the serving machine.  I used a small piece of wood to simulate the mast head to be wrapped around with the top to the shroud. I will need to practice more with this technique.

in order to get the foremast ready I have to place all the blocks to the crosstree and yards. 

the plans show different riggings specific to sail setup.   Raised sails, furled sails, raised yards and lowered yards. 

I have chose to use the lowered yard look as shown on the photo on the kit box provided which will have standing rigging.

I will try to get the yards and shrouds in place before gluing the whole foremast set in place.

place the bowsprit on , have to place the cleats after securing the bowsprit. 

added spritsail yard and a few support lines to a certain point.  will have to work on foremast next before placing the stays on the bowsprit.

so I have been having problems with the rope and thread provided in the kit, it was just too stiff and unmanageable ,  I soak the thread in warm water and it seems to loosen up the coating and softens the lot up. works good now.