hollowneck

Thank you Nils.

Thanks Ian, I like them a lot myself.

I was fortunate to acquire them from a good modeling friend ho had them on a shelf for the past 20-some years! They are an interesting "hybrid"- a horse with a fish-like/mermaid's tail. Dolphins are typical on some of these original models (e. g. NMM in London, MdP in Paris, etc.), but a Pegasus is pretty rare to my knowledge.

Ron

You are most welcome, Charles. You're embarking on  a fun project!

Very nice. Good shots too.

Thanks. I enjoyed this build too. Although I substantially bashed it and bought Chuck P's aftermarket upgrades (well worth the additional $), the build quality was quite good - after getting past some poor QC with the first kits. Plans were very good as well as the instructions. This is one of the best American kits made now.  

Ron

Thank you very much Alan.

It took me a total of approximately 8 1/2 months, keel to anchor painter. The hull took 5 months and masting/rigging took 3 1/2.

I work about 4 hours per day nominally and like everyone else, there are a myriad of other projects to attend to so the time can be chopped-up. The great thing for me is that I can sometimes devote 8 or more hours (with breaks) to do catch-up.

My wife is wonderfully supportive of my interests and doesn't give me grief about all the "solo time" in the shop. She's genuinely interested in the processes (she's a talented seamstress) and has a deep interest in history as do I.

Thanks Alan, appreciate the "high fives"...

I have just completed a near-scratch project on a 1/64 scale, 64-gun ship named the HMS Ardent. I based it on the bulkhead shapes of the Agamemnon kit from Caldercraft (also a 64); the Ardent was the first of it's type built and launched in 1764. A total of 7 ships were built to the same specs including the Aggy over several following years. The Ardent had a wild, colorful, as well as bumpy history.

I'm taking photos of my Ardent soon and will post them in the gallery. I'm now planning to build a scratch 24-gun frigate, HMS Camilla, to Alex M's superb HMS Sphinx plans. The Camilla was the second of the Sphinx Class 20-gun post ships circa 1775-1790. Scale is likely 1/64 as I like to fully rig my models - the only exception to this thus far being my Confederacy.

My 1/64 Ardent is fully rigged and measures approx. 54" from bowsprit jibboom to the driver spar tips, 40" from the keel-to-topgallant truck and about 20" across the main course. BIG. In most anyone's living space!

Thanks again to all for the encouraging comments.

Ron

Mirabell61 & Stockholm Tar-

Many thanks. This kit provided an excellent basis for a substantial wood upgrade (and a handful of other items like the cannon and figurehead). Highly recommended if you'd like an "admiralty-styled" build to display.

I worked on this model last summer when I had an opportunity to visit Stockholm for the first time; what a wonderful, friendly city- especially in June. I took some inspiration from the quite large historic model collection at the Stockholm Maritime History museum - after (of course) visiting the Vasa - truly one of the Wonders of The Modern World!

Thank you very much. This was a very nice kit to modify and substantially upgrade.

Yes, the compass is a working one and the surrounding bezel is engraved with the name of the ship. It is recessed into the custom baseboard. The midships support shafts (both sides) are brass lamp "harps" modified from a simple replacement table lamp fixture. The arc of the fixture fit nearly perfectly.

Very, very nice. I like many aspects of your build, particularly the unique triple cradles mounted to the ways right atop the lovely display base. Very clean - and the tabletop reflects light into your nice coppering job.  I loved building and bashing this excellent kit; it's more than obvious you did too! My Diana is also displayed in my home. It looks like you have the same 6 man crew I impressed for my Diana. A mutiny! - back to the U.K. to serve Captain Cal.

Thanks! Appreciate it....

Thank you, Michael.

Jndepew: Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I don't check this gallery very often. Thank you for your comments. I purchased a set of beautifully molded Brittania metal (cast) figures ( in proper scale) from Cornwall Model Boats, a U.K. distributor/dealer. I used a nice palette of acrylic paints with some minimal shading techniques aka soldier miniatures to give them some depth and realism. On their site, look under "fittings" with a search function for figures. You'll locate them eventually. THis is a large site so persevere! Here is the URL for their site: www.cornwallmodelboats.uk.com

Thanks again and good luck on your build; it is one of the best without question. Ron

Anja, Torrens - a big "Thank You" to you both. This was a wonderful model to build and if one is not up to "scratch" this kit will present a good challenge for an experienced builder. The kit lends itself well to modifying and upgrading as I did with mine.

Whoa. When I first glanced at the photo I thought-"that's a nice background texture for this model; now how did he get that cloud-like, fuzzy texture?" Once I realized the ship's scale, then it became clear that the background is a face cloth. Holy....uh...sh**. This is some NICE work. I love the ship. I love the water/diorama. I love the frame. Well lit, pictures too.

Sir, allow me to add my 2 cents: your work is superb.

Ron 

Rail & Tie,

I love this model! I suggest approaching Model Expo for a kit design. I'd buy one! It would look perfect next to my 18th-C frigate(s)! Do you have plans/sketches for this excellent build, or was it a "freeform" project? Love the figures, there's a lot going on with this build.

Ron

Anja,

Thank you. The baseboard is curly maple with inlayed marquetry strips on the perimeter made from rosewood and maple (lozenge pattern). I wanted a "full size" base to present the beautiful hull lines which I kept in walnut planking although I realize the ship was plated with copper on her bottom.

The fishes are indeed, dolphins. I finished them to look like antiqued brass when in fact they are plastic...:-). About $15.00 (for 4). I believe the shipping (from Australia) was more than the pieces themselves. I debated buying genuine brass ones (Mantua) but they were about $250 and the shipping would have been another $50. I decided to invest the $300 in another project!- which I've just completed.

I believe it is very important to present one's models properly. After so many patience-filled hours of dedicated work it seems silly to NOT do whatever is necessary to present the work in it's best possible light- baseboard, color choices, accessories- pedestals, nameplates, obviously cases and- in some instances, good lighting. I can verify these "final touches" do make a difference.

Regards

Ron

Hello Sailorchad,

I purchased this kit directly from Caldercraft (the manufacturer) in the U.K. They shipped immediately and I can highly recommend their kits; this one is for advanced builders only and is a significant skill challenge - particularly if one "bashes" it to improve it's presentation, as did I. Google them, they have a site. They are generally regarded as one of the best (if not The Best) kit makers of period sailing ships. It took me about 11 months to complete and was a sheer joy to build. Hope this helps. Ron

Thanks for the comment Augie. This is a superb kit. Although the kit wood was very good, I did upgrade the bulwarks with boxwood ( I discarded the one-piece design and built framework and it is much more accurate and better looking). I'd recommend this to an advanced intermediate builder, the plans are very good too.

Regards,

Ron

The bashed kit was from Amati, and my second build. I recall that it was a lot of fun, but I totally relied on the pictures and plans as the instructions were in Italian... 

This kit is 1/64th (my favorite scale) and ends up about 29." I didn't do a build log but if you choose to build this kit, I'd be happy to correspond with you when you come across problematic details.

Thanks. I'm glad you like it. It is my daughter's favorite too, so far. Then again, she loves Johnny Depp and pirates!

Ron