Bill Mitchell

Thank you very much for the reply.  I thought they might have represented a specific yacht club or something like that.  I'll see what I can do.

Thanks again, Bill

Gary, I have almost finished building Bluejacket's "Rainbow" and "Endeavour" 1:180 scale model kits.  In doing research on them, I came across your picture showing the models of those two ships that you built.  I would like to add flags and pennants to my models, like you did - I think they add a lot of realistic detail and interest.  I realize it was many years ago, but do you remember what the pennants on your models are?  Thank you, Bill Mitchell 

Thanks, Nick.  I'll try that too.  Bill

I'll check around and see what I can find in the way of a test kit.  Thanks for your advice - you've been a big help.  Bill 

Kurt, thank you for your feedback.  My experience with lead fittings is that they may be just fine for many years and if the environment changes, the

'lead rot' may be triggered.  I once restored an old model that had never been in a display case and the fittings looked just fine so I kept them

on the model.  But after putting the restored model in a display case, about 3 months later, 'lead rot' began.  So the fittings weren't a problem

for the first 50 or so years because the model was not confined to a display case.  But once it was put in the display case, (from what I have read)

the lack of oxygen and the gasses put off by the wood of the case, triggered the 'lead rot'. 

So I would like to avoid this by being able to somehow test the fittings to know in advance whether or not they are made of lead and may develop

'lead rot' in the future.  Do you or anyone else know how to examine/test metal fittings to know if they are made of lead or not?

Thanks, Bill Mitchell 

I am beginning to restore an old ship model which has some metal fittings.  I am aware of the problems that can occur with

old lead fittings and plan to replace any that may be on the model.  The question I have is - how can I tell if the metal fittings

currently on the model are made of lead or Brittania metal?