Robertb

Hello I am actually in Perth as well and doing the same kit but a lot more heavily bashed. At the point now where I am putting the Standing rigging on and attaching the sails to the yards Just a quick shot taken just before Christmas of the ship with the mast dry fitted temp.

Hello Rodrigo I have laid the keel for this kit and am in the process of Building the Endeavour and A different A/L version of the Bounty (one with the two decks and single plank walnut hull. Would be interested in anything you can pass on about the Berlin as Like our friend I find the booklet good but mostly in Italian. When I start planking I will post a build log and looking at starting one for the bounty as I have not seen a log for this kit as yet. (it was purchased in the 90's and was a new revamp of the bounty at the time. Only ever saw 1 of them so they may be a rarer version from A/L.) The scale is 1/96 and the model is a reasonable size to work on.

Hello I see the forum on bees wax for the rigging. I do not use wax but actually use Scandinavian timber oil. Which I spray in the entire boat after it is completed and let it dry for weeks before moving to the display area. I use a hand sprayer and generally give the rigging and ship and good soaking in the oil. I use this as the final sealer on my timber work (after it has been sealed with varnish and turpentine mix) This keeps my rigging nice and it also is handy when you need to get the dust off as it water tights the rigging and ship so you can wash the model with a fine mist to clear the dust away. I have had models with this oil on for over 20 years and the rigging is still fine and in good condition. Also the timber has a lovely grain finish with it

Hello All I have built 4 Artesania Latina kits and found the Harvey about the best of them. The others were Mare Nostrum, Le Hussard (very heavily bashed) Jolie Brise. I am also Building the Bounty ( a different kit from any others I have seen from AL bought many years ago . The endeavour which is not very accurate but I have pictures of the replica and will bash the kit to match it. I am also building a Corel Berlin which is a single planked hull and has some interesting instructions and plans. The worst kit I have awaiting is a Panart version of the WASA or Vasa the plans arrived on a faded photo copy sheet in A4 so looks like I will have to purchase a set independently. The best kit I have so far yet to build is the Vanguard and it is very well made and has very good sets of plans. Someone was asking about the Santa Anna I have kit in dry dock at the moment and the plans arrived on a CD which is different and so has the plans for the Surprise. But to answer the questions I have found some AL kits are quite ok and some are just pigs of kits you just have ask around and be selective with what you get from them. If you are looking for historical accuracy then would not suggest them but the kits once build and issue sorted out look quite well. I have never had a problem with the timber and usually have some left over which I keep as spares for other kits Other manufactures do have their good and bad points so I would put most as even on cots and quality. Currently Building AL Endeavour, Al Bounty, Corel Berlin In Dry Dock Panart Vasa, Sovereign of the seas, Soleil Royale, San Filepe, and the largest Victory kit they have. Corel Wappen Von Hamburg. AL Santa Anna, Surprise, Constellation and Amati Vanguard