rshousha

OK, let's dive into the box.   'Sorry for the glare where items are plastic wrapped - I don't want to tear anything open yet.  When I do a build sometime, there will be better pictures.  A blue plastic holder (with compartments) holds bronze castings that include a real nice dragon head for the prow, a grappling hook to hang from the bowsprit, a royal crown for the top of the bowsprit as shown on the Anthony Roll, rigging cutting knives for the fore and main course yard ends and a bunch of small decorations (perhaps for the castles).  Very slight oxidation is present from nearly half a century of storage - nothing that won't clean-up.
 

 
 Below is the open box with a WHOLE BUNCH of planking stock, decking, mast and yard dowels (most stuff is walnut, but some is light) ... haven't yet bothered to delve into what passes for instructions.  The mast & yards are not tapered (Billings old Wasa had pre-tapered stock) - but the forum has several threads on how to do that ... I'll use my Unimat lathe (lucky me).
 

 
  So here's some of whats in the framing box.  All of this is cleanly cut with virtually no burrs and NO char marks (laser cutting wasn't done when this kit was produced).  I'm REALLY impressed how everything in this box (which is most of the structural pieces) is done and numbered.  You'll see later that there are three sheets of ply with printed parts that have to be cut out ... but they are for a castle configuration that I don't plan on using.  Now there is a little warp on a few of these pieces ... nothing that I either can reverse-bend out, or at worst replicate.  Most pieces are flat and true.
 

 
  Below I've spread stuff out in the box for a better view of the stock, the planking is thin enough to easily bend a fair amount without even wetting - and wetting would allow for tighter curve bending. The stock seems perfectly fine and not cracking ... care was likely taken in the orientation of the wood it was cut from.
 

 
 
  Now for the packs in the fittings box.  First up are conventional chainplate - which is not like the simple chain used on the MR, but what is supplied will be useful on another build.  There are very well made deadeyes - again not the tear-drop shaped, 7-holed period type (again from the MR) - they could be used as-is, but I prefer to make my own and use these elsewhere.  They are really quite fine.
 
  There are single, double and triple blocks that are better than average ... must be that during this time period of production the Sergal fittings were a very good quality in general.  The blocks may not be 'early', but I'm inclined to use them as supplied.  And there is a group of 'kits' to make the nest-shaped tops - a nice touch that I really appreciate.
 

 
    The next group includes a bunch of swivel gun parts, a couple sizes of cannon kits (one of them contains sakers), 3/4 cannon (culverin) barrels designed to protrude through the side gun ports ... they fit into holes the builder drills into supports recessed behind the hull planking and that will have a nice appearance (no one would see the gun carriages anyway) as opposed to a contemporary kit-supplied method of popping inserts into square holes made into a the hull after it is planked.  One can generally see the shallow back of these inserts even if they are painted black.  I'll either use the recessed Sergal method or perhaps go to the trouble I did on the Vasa by placing 'dummy' carriages with the back part of the cannon barrel made of dowel drilled to accept the brass half-cannon (or in this case they are 3/4 barrels turned out of brass).
 
  There are a slew of gun port liners (which I won't use) as well as demi-lune liners which I'll probably use to 'pimp' the castles a bit.  There are also a lot of other fittings and some grating strips.  There are etched shields on the left that I don't plan on using.
 

 
 
  Last up is the rigging rope, which I must say surprises me how good it looks.  It is miniature rope, and by far the best rigging rope I've ever seen in any kit from a large producer (note that I have not seen any of Chuck's kits, but know that they have his excellent miniature rope).  The anti-boarding netting seen underneath the rigging rope is ... eh .. I suppose OK, but I don't plan on having any netting so you can SEE the decks and whats on them.  Netting would likely only be deployed either during a drill (temporary) or before an engagement with hostiles.
 
 

 
 
  OK, old Johnny's nattered on in his typically convoluted way ... so how would he describe this vintage kit on one word?   SWEET !
 

Yes, the model is large ... but perhaps not quite as large as it seems.  The kit was made before the raising of the Mary Rose, and did not have the benefit of all the knowledge gained thereby in the decades of study to follow.  So they had to have based the design on the few contemporary pictorial records available, plus their understanding of 18th & 19th century ship proportions.     The ratio of length at the waterline to maximum beam of the MR is 3.25, so the GH should be about the same.  Experts estimate the GH's beam at 50', which would yield about 162.5' at the waterline using the same 3.25 ratio.     The widest frame (bulkhead) in the kit measures 7.75", so multiplying that by 3.25 should give a model waterline length of 25 1/4"  Hmmmmm, the actual (full scale) drawing of the model has the waterline measuring 28 1/2" ... an 'Ah-ha' moment that provides a rationale to reduce the model length by 3 1/4".  But then there are some slight alterations to make the bulkhead shape conform more closely to the MR, so the resultant adjusted width (with allowance for planking) will be 7 1/4 (or marginally more).  Re-doing the ratio calculation will give a model length at the waterline of  about 23 1/2 inches - taking 5" off the 'as designed' length of the model.  The hull (less bowsprit) will end up being 30" instead of 35".  This will make a difference in 'buildability' and management of the project - not to mention the size of the case eventually needed.     The scale of the drawing (in length and height) to what is probable on the original ship is about 1:68, yet the scale "in width" of the bulkheads are 1:80.  What about the guns included in the kit?  (There are many !)  I picked out a saker barrel (originals are about 9.5' long) and measured it through the plastic bag and got 1 3/8" ...  (x 85 represents 9.7') pretty close to being in proportion to the model's beam.     The biggest cannons (11' originals) and culverins are 3/4 length turned brass to be mounted into recesses behind the gun ports below deck (a common practice with models), so my reckoning of the full length (if they were fully turned) is about 1 5/16"  (x 85 represents 11.1') ... so the gun are about 1:85 scale, still al little smaller than the proportions of the bulkheads.     Most of the drawings are the elevations only, but where drawn, the view of the decks from above look somewhat 'stretched out'.   So we have a situation just the opposite of the old (1st edition) Billings Wasa (Vasa) where the scale length of the hull should have been 24"  but was reduced by 4" to fit the box they were using for all their models then.     Sergal (in 1975, the date on the drawing) sized the length of the model in their best guess of how the proportion should be to the largest bulkhead size they chose (not knowing then what we know now, I don't blame them a bit).  They chose not to be limited to any size box and 'went for it' as one might say now.  So based on current scholarship, parts can be adjusted or re-made as needed to adjust the length and height downwards a little.  There is no way of 'stretching' my Vasa now (but it could have been done at the outset if sufficient information was readily available in the 70s ... (isn't the internet a trove of info?), but with a little planning there should be no major difficulty in trimming the Sergal Great Harry to a length proportional to its beam for Henry VIII's big ships.     So lets look at a few more plans (they are VERY large and I don't intend to post pictures of them all) ... they just don't print plans like THESE anymore !       The plans are the primary 'instructions' for the build, supplemented by ten 6" x 8" pages of typed material (in Italian, French and English), that mostly tell you to refer to the drawings for each step.  Obviously this is not a 'beginner's' project, given the scope of the work, the modifications that should be made to the 'as supplied' configuration, and the reliance on the drawings (nice as they are) as the only effective means of instruction (other than just a few pointers in the booklet - to be picture further down).  Prior ship modeling experience is recommended, unless one want a 'baptism of fire'.     The drawing below (and on others) indicates belaying pins (supplied, of turned brass) - which had not been invented yet.  I'm not sure about kevels, but there were knight heads and railings of various sorts.         On the drawing below, one can note the exaggerated tumblehome in the central area of the frame layout on the left, and on parts of of the framing in the upper right.  How to adjust these and also how to make a better construction of both castles will take some study and experimentation.  I anticipate making a number of replacement framing parts and trial-fitting everything multiple times.  One still can simply 'build as supplied' and get an impressive - and large - display piece, bristling with about 180 guns of various sized.  If its 'Guns R US' one is looking for, you've come to the right place.     There is a cool wall poster over 2' x 3' which is pictured next, and the brief 'instruction booklet' is at the lower right corner for comparison.    

Ahoy from Snug Harbor Johnny !  This is my third unbuilt kit review (reference Endurance by OcCre and Khufu's Solar Barge by Woody Joe) and this will take a few posts to do this fine old kit justice.  Like the man asked, "How do you eat an elephant? ... One bite at a time !"  As mentioned in the 'What did you Receive Today' category, I was informed about the availability of the the LARGE scale Great Henry by Rick from the Modeller's Workshop in Montreal, Quebec.  BTW, he was a pleasure to deal with and the parcel was received much faster than I'd have guessed.
 
  We were discussing a completely different old kit he offered to the Forum, when he mentioned that there was a group of 4 kits that were dropped off at his store for consignment that included the HMS Victory and the USS Constitution.  There are many fine builds of these, as well as the Bounty, but the prospect of a BIG version of the Great Harry piqued my interest as I've only seen a couple of pictures of this version anywhere.  Rick noted that it is unlikely that Sergal produced more than 100 of these, with drawings dated January 1, 1975 - well before the Mary Rose was raised (much less conserved and studied enough that quality reference books became available).  He posted some pictures of kit components without 'digging' too much into what he described as entering Tut's tomb, and he suggested a price including shipping of $500 ... yet went so far as to say I was welcome to bid lower if I was interested (as this item was considered a 'slow mover') and he'd relay that offer to the consigner.  No way was I going to risk offending anyone, and I was willing to 'pay to play' and agreed to the initial price suggestion.
 
   I don't risk giving too much away by saying that I think it was  fair value given the unusual nature of the kit, and to do it justice will take a real commitment of time and effort.  As mentioned in the other thread, the box weight 15 pounds and I was surprised by the mass - as if there were bricks inside the carton.  'Turns out that the large box was fully packed with materials (wood, metal and paper) - enough to be considered a 'solid' mass.  The picture below is of the first opening.
 
 

  
 
  Sergal had to design this based solely on a few contemporary illustrations, and their experience with 17th through 19th century ship kits of various types.  Prior to receiving the parcel, I'd procured three great reference books on the Mary Rose (pictured below) because Sergal had 'gallionized' the Great Harry somewhat as exhibited by putting too much tumblehome in the widest places than we know is appropriate based on the recovered hull of the Mary Rose.  The Great Harry, after all, is a larger and better armed version of the MR - and was built to match (or exceed) the newly built Scottish warship the Great Michael.  These might be thought of as 'Carracks on steroids' - taking the recent carvel-below, lapstrake above construction developed in the late 1400s (reference the Danish ship Griffin - Griebshund - now located and featured on a PBS NOVA documentary) and expanding the size with 'less tubby' lines and more powerful weaponry, 4 masts and the new innovation of sealable gun ports in the sides so the heavier ordnance could be lower in the ship for reasons of better stability.
 
  Sergal had three full decks in the stern castle (although the top is narrower, what, so it looks a little more like a galleon? ... and its DEFINITELY not "Elizabethan", even thought Elizabeth I was a Tudor Queen).  They've played a bit with the forecastle as well, but then I'm not 'knocking' the manufacturer at all - considering the date of production and the paucity of accurate scholarship in the 70s concerning Henry VIII's fleet.  In fact, the re-build of the GH in 1536 (the MR was also rebuilt, but loaded with more and heavier guns that likely played a key role in her demise - but much to our present scholarship, so look on the bright side) the sterncastle of  the Harry was reduced to lessen the heeling it was previously noted for.  So the original version should have 3 full decks in the stern castle, and reportedly did not have top gallants in the pre 1536 version.
 
  My intent (when work will be done on the GH) will be to incorporate information in the book pictured below to build a pre-1536 version:
 

 
  OK, time to have a look at the first drawing that lay on top when the kit box was opened.  Yup, this model is BIG - and the length at the waterline is 28 1/2", and the hull from the beak of the fore castle to the stern (not including the bowsprit) is 35".  And talk about height ... if taken at face value, it will take a larger case indeed.  Baggins might consider this a 'mathom' - or perhaps some might think a 'white elephant'.  Bur wait - a 1:75 Vasa or Cutty Sark will be as large, and there are many who build models this size.  I've been struggling with 1:96 and smaller for a while, and having more 'elbow room' might be a good thing.  So in the picture below I placed a yardstick for scale - and also the largest hull frame that points to a rationale how this model may really be 'not as large as it seems'.
 

 

Hello All! 
 
So Johnny Snug Harbour has decided to buy the Henri Grace-a-Dieu kit I had in stock. Actually, it's a good thing he bought it because it really is the most amazing kit I have ever seen, with almost 200 cannons and zillions and zillions of small parts. I had decided to keep for myself. I just love those period ships and there are very few kits out there. 
 
So, Bounty is still for sale. 
 
 

Hello All! 
 
So Johnny Snug Harbour has decided to buy the Henri Grace-a-Dieu kit I had in stock. Actually, it's a good thing he bought it because it really is the most amazing kit I have ever seen, with almost 200 cannons and zillions and zillions of small parts. I had decided to keep for myself. I just love those period ships and there are very few kits out there. 
 
So, Bounty is still for sale. 
 
 

Email sent, thanks! 
 
And, yes, you are first. 
 
Regards, 
 
Rick 
 

I sure wish I had a lot more time. Every now and then I get these wonderful collections of kits and here I have a few for sale, including this lovely edition of the Sergal Bounty. I'm pretty sure this kit has been kept in one place for exactly fifty years. Everything is there, still nicely packaged, and even the box is in good condition. Of course, the frames are hand-made, long before laser-cutters came into the picture. 
 
I am looking for $100 USD for this kit, plus shipping; $50 USD across Canada or the US. For Europe, shipping will be $125 USD for surface, and $225 USD for air mail. 
 
It's a really nice kit and should go to someone who would like to build a vintage kit. 

Hello All! 
 
So Johnny Snug Harbour has decided to buy the Henri Grace-a-Dieu kit I had in stock. Actually, it's a good thing he bought it because it really is the most amazing kit I have ever seen, with almost 200 cannons and zillions and zillions of small parts. I had decided to keep for myself. I just love those period ships and there are very few kits out there. 
 
So, Bounty is still for sale. 
 
 

I sure wish I had a lot more time. Every now and then I get these wonderful collections of kits and here I have a few for sale, including this lovely edition of the Sergal Bounty. I'm pretty sure this kit has been kept in one place for exactly fifty years. Everything is there, still nicely packaged, and even the box is in good condition. Of course, the frames are hand-made, long before laser-cutters came into the picture. 
 
I am looking for $100 USD for this kit, plus shipping; $50 USD across Canada or the US. For Europe, shipping will be $125 USD for surface, and $225 USD for air mail. 
 
It's a really nice kit and should go to someone who would like to build a vintage kit. 

Email sent, thanks! 
 
And, yes, you are first. 
 
Regards, 
 
Rick 
 

I sure wish I had a lot more time. Every now and then I get these wonderful collections of kits and here I have a few for sale, including this lovely edition of the Sergal Bounty. I'm pretty sure this kit has been kept in one place for exactly fifty years. Everything is there, still nicely packaged, and even the box is in good condition. Of course, the frames are hand-made, long before laser-cutters came into the picture. 
 
I am looking for $100 USD for this kit, plus shipping; $50 USD across Canada or the US. For Europe, shipping will be $125 USD for surface, and $225 USD for air mail. 
 
It's a really nice kit and should go to someone who would like to build a vintage kit. 

Email sent, thanks! 
 
And, yes, you are first. 
 
Regards, 
 
Rick 
 

Wow, this is such an interesting project; it is like reaching back in time and meeting up with your younger self. We should all be so lucky at some point in our lives. 
 

Wow, this is such an interesting project; it is like reaching back in time and meeting up with your younger self. We should all be so lucky at some point in our lives. 
 

Wow, this is such an interesting project; it is like reaching back in time and meeting up with your younger self. We should all be so lucky at some point in our lives. 
 

Wow, this is such an interesting project; it is like reaching back in time and meeting up with your younger self. We should all be so lucky at some point in our lives. 
 

Great solutions to the issues you've mentioned!

A friend has asked me to help him sell quite a large collection of models and this Sergal HMS Victory was in the collection. Would anyone care to have it? I think a fair price would be $400 USD, plus postage but I will entertain offers. It's quite a large collection so we just need to get a move on. 
 

Hi Bear, 
 
Did you ever find the Great Harry? I have one available. 
 
Regards, 
 
Rick 
 

Rick,
Excellent idea… There is a 1/24 scale RC of this model on here.
 
 

I really like the 1:24 scale of this model. It makes the rigging look quite realistic. She sure would make a fine R/C model in 1:12 scale. 

Flying Shrouds completed…

Shrouds and stays completed.
She is ready for Sails…
Cheers 🍻 
 

Main Boom Topping Lift…

I re-shaped the Spreaders and installed the upper shrouds. 

Giant Shrouds re-installed. The Upper Shrouds are the turnbuckles placed between the Giant Shrouds. 
Flying Shrouds (starboard)

Two more Flying Shrouds to complete on the Port side and she will be ready for Sails. 
 
Cheers 🍻 
 

Main Stays installed…

Fixed that pesky Main Sheet…

Main Little Shrouds installed…

Main Halyard tied off with rope coil. 

Both Jib and Flying Jib Halyards rigged…
 
Note: Giant Shrouds removed as I am re-working the Spreaders to install the Upper Shroud. 
 
Cheers 🍻 
 

More layers. Almost to the top.....