Viggen

Considering the new Vanguard Model version is not silly at all. I share you reasoning that you should listen to yourself what would give you the best feeling when starting a build. This is a your hobby after all. If you feel hesitant and stressful from the start, you're not really in your feelgood-hobbyzone and that's a bit risky! Need more positive enforcement about going for the Vanguard edition? Ok! 1) It's no problem leaving the Caldercraft one on the shelf for now. After a few more feelgood builds, spured on by your VM Sherbourne start, you'll pull out the Caldercraft one to kit bash for a even more enjoyable sense of "I got this great idea for this" (instead of what I am hearing now as "I must build this one now"). 2) By buying the VM one, you are supporting one of (the one even) most communicative and active kit developer around. Despite an ever growing range of both kits and customers, Chis seems relentless in his efforts to offer help and advice to everyone building a VM kit or just having thoughts about them. This is rare indeed and deserves recognition. So you wont be doing this just for you really! 😉 Hope this pushed you over the line! 😄 PS. I tried to write a bit "witty" in a language which is not my native one, I hope it comes across as intended. The truthful core of what I want to get across is that I have tried to force myself to do (and enjoy) a build, because it was the one at hand. Very little joy in that, motivation suffers and you just begin doubt why you do it at all. So don't, if you can afford yourself options. But ofc good luck with whatever kit you choose to start! //Markus

And an added bonus is that Vega is available in kit form 🙂 https://www.scalemates.com/kits/nordic-class-boats-107-skonaren-vega--1376306

I have built neither, so I cant really give you any solid advice on which one to get. But at least I can sort out the Mamoli business 🙂 Mamoli is, or actually was, an Italian kit manufacturer that was around for a long time. If memory serves me, a fire destroyed most of their factory about 10 years ago or so. I believe they were family owned, and they decided not to rebuild the business. However, the up-and-coming (sort of) company, Dusek ship kits, secured the rights to the Mamoli designs, and have since then reintroduced most of the Mamoli range. As I understand it, Dusek has made improvements to most kits, in terms of laser cutting, easing construction. Maybe they also uppgraded fittings and castings, I am less sure about that. Dusek kept the Mamoli brand for their Mamoli kits, at least here in Europe. So two things to keep in mind when searching for the Mamoli Rattlesnake is 1) check both Dusek and Mamoli tabs on webshops it you at first can't find it, and 2) When you find one, ask if it is an "original" Mamoli or an "upgraded" Dusek, if it matters to you how much laser cutting is involved. (if the box looks like this, you can be sure its upgraded) I have built some other Mamoli kits years ago, my favourite being the Yacht Mary. I simply "click" with Mamoli kits, everything feels right, even if they never were state of the art. Should you like to follow other peoples bulilds and logs, I think there are far more on the MS Rattlesnake than the Mamoli one. Studying pictures alone (which I have done many times thinking about getting one myself), I dont see any clear advantage of the MS one, out of what is in the box. But I know nothing of the accuracy hull lines and such. I am sure others on this forum does 🙂

The fishing vessel "HF.31 Maria" by Dusek might be close enough I think (but not the other Dusek kits I stand corrected, see Dubz post below 🙂 ). It has all planking strips pre-cut, along with a lot of other wooden parts pre-cut, and it takes full advantage of photot-etch for detailing. If this is what you are looking for in "similar building technique"? On Duseks product page you can have a look at the instructions for the kit, on the tab "Download" http://www.dusekshipkits.com/maria-hf31

Alongside the Amati and Occre offerings already mentioned, there is also the Mystique by Corel to consider. It is in 1:50 scale. There is a nice build of it by Clark in the gallery; My expericenses with Corel (not this kit in particular) are: good plans that really helps you in the building process, very good wood, generally good detail - BUT (and this is the one big negative) the metal castings for decorations are sometimes a real dissapointment, being cast lumps of metal totally out of proportion. Corel also tends to "fake" the historical backrounds for some of their ships, but with the Mystique, which is more of a generic example of this type of vessel, that would not really be a problem I think.

Scrolling down all the new pics, it comes down to one word - superb! 😍

Very nice build to follow, I really like the additional details you are making!

Very nice work with the deck! Looking forward to see the next steps!

Beautiful and inspirational finish!

7. Loose one more and replace with two (matching) "chasers" or carronades?

No problem. I´ll do a "wanted" post in a Swedish Facebook group for model ship builders as well. Fingers crossed some old gentleman bought this kit as a boy and still have it

That kit might be older than internet :-) making it hard to find the instructions. My best tip is to write Billing Boats and ask them to look around in therr archive. Even if its not even digital, it should be fast work to copy and scan :-) Or hope that someone on MSW has them stowed away somwhere.

Looking good! I have been curious about what Dusek would do with their aquired Mamoli range. Looks like what the have done they have done well - but they have more to do (plans/instructions). I think I would have done option 1 or 3 - or maybe option 1 without the yard.

Beautiful work! The Avos goes straight to the top on my "must build list". Hope GK Modellbau will have it in stock soon!

Hi Steve! Note that I have built none of the two kits, but I am quite certain that the Amati Revenge is the kit with superior quality. That is not to say that Mamoli messed up the Sao Miguel, but Amati/Chris Watton develeped the Revenge kit just a few years back and I dare guess that the Sao Miguel kit was developed some 20-30 years ago. Mamoli could of course have upgraded the kit from time to time, but I'm not at all sure. You have built the Friesland, so you know roughly what to expect from Mamoli. I would however only buying one after being able to look into the box of that particular kit, to judge the age of the kit and quality of the parts (wood being brittle or corrosion in any metal). When looking just at "facts and numbers" the Amati Revenge would be the better choise over all in my opinion. I have built a couple of Amati kits and have always found them solid. I have built a couple of Mamoli kits to, and was pleased with them too, but their age is showing. But who cares when the subject of the kit is appealing :-) This build log might be of interest?: http://www.modelshipbuilder.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?23651