WalrusGuy

I hope there is room for yet another Syren build log. I don't own any power tools apart from a dremel and a drill, so I'm curious to see how I progress on this build. I also hope I can keep up with the great builds I have seen on this forum. This is my second kit and first build log. First was an Artesania Latina's Virginia 1819 which I completed a few months ago. I'm sure everyone here has seen it but here are some photos of the Syren kit (please let me know if have not selected the right resolution, I took these on my phone and uploaded them here without any size modifications): I started organizing the parts by checking the parts list and labeling everything: I already have a few questions before starting the build 😅: 1) I got wood belaying pins instead of brass due to shipment issues from China. What's the general consensus on which is the better material? 2) Are the number of parts in the part list more than what is required in the build? The reason I ask is because I am missing a few 3/32” Single Blocks out of the 310 total which is mentioned on the list.

Thanks Jaager! Would you be knowing where to buy or look for NRJ and SIS CDs?

I have just purchased a Corel Greyhound kit and it will be arriving in a few weeks. This would be my second model (first was an Artesania Latina Virginia 1819 which I completed a couple of months ago). I am aware the Corel Greyhound kit does not have best instructions, and will require some scratch building. I looked over some Greyhound build logs and a user, Hamilton, mentioned he purchased the following two books: - The 20-gun ship Blandford by Peter Goodwin - The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War 1625 - 1860 by James Lee I would love to hear some opinions on these books or is there any other resources I should be eyeing out for? Thanks a lot! WalrusGuy

Thanks all for the detailed responses! As a side note, the Niagara Brig is on sale on Model Expo's website. What do you think of this kit? It's currently going for 189 USD

Thanks VTHokiEE, I will take a look. From a quick glance it seems like many of the items are currently out of stock and will have to wait for a month or so. Thanks for the kind words Ryland! Yes I did look through the instructions. Both the kits' instructions are muchhh better than that of AL's Virginia. Since you reminded me of the more detailed Syren instructions I am leaning towards that ship more now haha, but it is quite a lot more expensive than the Fair American. I'll research a bit more on both ships before I make a decision.

Apologies if this has been asked before, I was not able to find a similar thread. I just finished my first kit, the Artesania Latina's Viriginia 1819, which turned out really well in my opinion. There were a few mistakes but they were very minor. I finished the model in a month. I will post pictures later on hopefully sometime at the end of the week but here's one I took yesterday: For my next kit I am considering a two masted ship as it will be more advanced than the Virginia, therefore I can learn more techniques. I am currently considering the Model Shipways Fair American or the Syren US Brig. I am leaning more towards the Fair American due to its appearance. I like its clean look. The Syren also looks really good, but much more detailed, so I am thinking it is more for advanced builders. I do not own any power tools apart from a dremel, so I hope both these ships do not need any expensive or bulky tools. To add on to this, I live in an apartment so there is no space for power tools. I wanted to hear other's opinions on the two kits and which one I should go for. Also being Canadian, are there any local suppliers that sells Model Shipways kits? The shipping cost is quite expensive, at around $50 USD as seen from the Model Expo Online store. Lastly, there is currently a sale on the store for early Black Friday, all items are 25% off. Should I wait for the actual Black Friday/Christmas time for better deals? Thanks!