aliluke

Really great work Vitus.Your planking looks fantastic. I hope to be planking that second layer soon and then we can better track through this model together.

Cheers

Alistair

Best of luck with Syren  - it is a great ship and looks like a great model. I'm sure you'll be happy with the choice and there are plenty here to support it. Please post a log.

Cheers

Alistair

If it's your first build I'd vote for the AVS. It is still a challenge but from what I've seen of the Syren it is a lesser one and still makes up into a really nice model. Nothing could be more discouraging than having to give up on construction when it is beyond your skills and goes wrong. That said the Syren is a stunning model and the instructions are very good. I think you can download these for free, have a read and decide if you are up for it. It is extraordinary that it is cheaper than the AVS. I guess I'd be confused too!

None of the above probably helps with your decision...

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Ryland

Just to concur with all you say - I used the kit supplied cannons and carriages ( these parts are all just fine) and Morope. Except for the Morope there is no need to upgrade. I'd definitely look at Chuck's rope offerings but I have so much Morope leftover that would be a shame to waste it.

Cheers

Alistair

Bob

Without being able to see or understand the frustrations in detail it is hard to see your frames as not being very good foundations for a well made ship. Well done and I hope the sailing is in kinder air from here on! Seems to me, that even in adversity, you'll always do a very "rafined" job.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Ryland

I still look forward to your updates! Listen to your AVS!

Cheers

Alistair

Your stern decoration looks really great Matti. My kids have just grown out of me needing to make with them. They are Sculpey experts and no longer want my input . Next move is to make them make my stern decorations... .

Cheers,

Alistair

Hi Ferit

I have looked at your build often but never commented (there are so many logs here - some I look at often and never say a word - yours is one of those) - it is fantastic, I love your work and your subject.

I sense that you feel intimidated by other builds here. We all are. This place for me is about being inspired and inspiring. There are no poor builds on this site - they are to each one's eyes the best they can do with all the support that the site musters. Give and receive advice and make. Above all, enjoy this hobby - what anyone else is doing doesn't matter a bit - enjoy it for yourself and only for that.

Ferit - your work is great and it inspires me - keep it up and, please, keep building this ship and others to come!

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Pygothian

I can definitely recommend the AVS as a first kit. It has all the parts of a more demanding build but in less abundance. It also builds into a great looking model. It is very well supplemented by Bob Hunt's practicum (his best in my opinion) but, if you don't want that, you'll also get good advice here from its many builders - including me. If you commit, start a log and ask questions. I don't know about the Mermaid at all so can't compare. Have a look at Ryland's AVS, Barehook's, Jim L's and others - she is a sweaty. She sits on my sideboard in our dining room and I still take pleasure in admiring her lines.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Mick

My inclination would be to go black for the window blanks rather than blue - just like your stern windows. Pretty well all the window blanks I see here go this way. But up to you.

Hey, nice work all round  - your Endeavour has really come along and the lines, hull and finish are looking really great. Keep it up! And I look forward to more. You sure are a quick worker but with no faults for that!

Cheers

Alistair

Looking good Hamilton, really good. You can get 2mm blocks...how many do you need (I have some)? They are scary though = extremely small. They came with my Fly upgrade kit for the cannon rig but I don't think I'll take them on and I think they are too small for that rig anyway. Let me know - simple to post to you in a standard envelope and I can't imagine any future need from my point of view. I've decided that any future ships I make will be smaller but at a bigger scale!

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Mick

That is surely a sweet looking model. Good fortunes with it.

But I worry that you are into the thick end of Endeavour and it is easy to turn away from the harder stuff coming up when a new hull tempts. I hope you keep up with the Endeavour and finish it, masts, rigging and all. I'm a one model at a time maker but I know some others here have several on the go at once. I hope you can manage that! I look forward to your progress on either or both.

The Will Everard does look a nice ship though - very tempting...

Cheers

Alistair

Those sheaves look very good to me. I might try that approach when I get there. Very nice work!

Cheers

Alistair

Wow that is a lot of added wood - given current technologies it is hard to understand how the kit could be so off. Good on you for carrying on - a hard call and I hope that once the foundations are properly set that the rest flows and we get to see your fine skills unfold for the remainder of the build. 

Cheers

Alistair

Welcome to MSW kit builds Basic,

Lots of friends are here. I don't know of this kit  - can you post a picture of the box lid? Look forward to your progress.

Cheers,

Alistair

Nice one Ron - the furled sails look really good but I doubt that Supply would be able to get up on her foils in that configuration!

Cheers

Alistair

Looking good Ken - Fair American is a fine looking ship. After Bob's build I gave a lot of thought to trying it - your build may tip me further towards it. Look forward to more.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Richard

I've turned to just wetting and bending. I only lightly clamp the plank to a former - a glass or other round thing and then just press the plank into shape between my thumb and forefinger after that, while it is still slightly wet. It may be that the kit wood - lime -  I'm using makes it is easy to do this way but with gentle persuasion it takes on any shape I want as long as it is a bit wet. Nipping kind of kills the wood fibres and that is very hard to undo. But it still works and many here use it while others deride it - whatever flies your kite, I still say. Nipping sure makes it quicker but, as before, don't let it thin the planks too much.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Mick

You are doing a great job there. You have an Endeavour! Celebrate and enjoy the rest - it is all fun now that you have got past the tricky hull. Looking good, mate.

Cheers

Alistair

P.S. We all have that macro photo cringe thing. We all know that what the eye sees is easier on it than what the photos show - don't worry about it. Experienced posters here will all understand the difference between the naked eye and the photographed version. What you see is what counts! Keep it up!

Richard, I agree with Augie there - you need wider stock to spile. I do not intend to go there with my ships even if it compromises historical accuracy. I find stealers and drop planks do the job along with plain tapering. When my confidence and skill improves I may go there...

Your planking looks good to me. Given your excellent layouts I guess it is just a single layer? As for the dirt - it definitely should sand out. My Fly deck with pencil caulking looked like hell before sanding and now I just have the fine lines.

As for a plank nipper - whatever flies your kite in my opinion. The main risk is that you will thin the planks at the most critical bends and this will give you less leeway when sanding. Wetting and bending retains plank thickness. That said I got through my first hull entirely with a nipper and with no bad outcomes.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Bob

That's a bugger (in my Kiwi lingo). An uphill fight against the fundamentals of hull structure, frames and basic set outs must certainly turn a fun hobby into a chore and a bore. While I do not take anything away from ME and MS kits - their service is fantastic and their AVS model, which I cut my teeth on, is an absolute beauty - as I'm sure many of their other kits are, but perhaps your fine skills should be tried on another kit maker after this experience?

With any decision I hope you get back on track and enjoy it. The Essex is a fine looking ship and I know you'll do it justice with the right foundations.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Pawel, Your work is looking really good and is similar to my start on the Fly. Excellent modifications on your badges - that is hard work starting from a cast white metal piece. For me doing these early details was about getting familiar with the scale - 1/64 in my case. I think it is a useful way to find "the eye" for the whole build.

I hope you launch into the hull soon and I look forward to that progress.

Cheers

Alistair

Thanks so much Timmo - I've just had a look - that first link is my Fly - love these plans which I'll discretely order. We are on a budget...

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Timmo

Halftime - can you give me a link to where on the NMM site you get those plans? I just can't find them.

Thanks

Alistair

Great work on the serving and all round - your rigging looks completely authentic. I'm going to have to learn how to serve a line - plenty of time for that before the skill is needed. I have the TFFM series so some of the equipment is in place...

Cheers

Alistair