samueljr

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

Tim,
 
I see you're in Rochester. I'm just down the 90 in Lewiston. 
 
I've been discussing with Expo how they're going to incorporate the new files into the kit(s) as well as the amended drawings and manual. We're still trying to figure out how best to achieve all that short of putting everything old (good and bad) in the dumpster. WAY EXPENSIVE and not necessary.
 
So there are production considerations and logistics that have to be worked out as the files I send are connected in a number of ways.
 
The time line sounds like an outside number but that's up to them. I know they have a tremendous amount of back-orders on the kit and it is not a quick production item.
 
I'm looking forward to getting the build log out here. As I said it will basically be the manual chapter by chapter but it will give everyone a chance to see ESSEX going together and give me the opportunity to answer a lot of questions I've received and explain why I designed aspects as I did.
 
Also hopefully it will shine a more positive light on the kit and what it offers straight from the box or bashed up.
 
Thanks - Sam

Jax,
 
You're welcome. Thank you for your help and encouragement
 
Frustrating is a good day................
 
Impossible to describe what it's like to look at the proto-type and wonder what the hell went wrong?.................
 
Still a lot of work to do
 
Sam

Tim,
 
I see you're in Rochester. I'm just down the 90 in Lewiston. 
 
I've been discussing with Expo how they're going to incorporate the new files into the kit(s) as well as the amended drawings and manual. We're still trying to figure out how best to achieve all that short of putting everything old (good and bad) in the dumpster. WAY EXPENSIVE and not necessary.
 
So there are production considerations and logistics that have to be worked out as the files I send are connected in a number of ways.
 
The time line sounds like an outside number but that's up to them. I know they have a tremendous amount of back-orders on the kit and it is not a quick production item.
 
I'm looking forward to getting the build log out here. As I said it will basically be the manual chapter by chapter but it will give everyone a chance to see ESSEX going together and give me the opportunity to answer a lot of questions I've received and explain why I designed aspects as I did.
 
Also hopefully it will shine a more positive light on the kit and what it offers straight from the box or bashed up.
 
Thanks - Sam

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

Tim,
 
I see you're in Rochester. I'm just down the 90 in Lewiston. 
 
I've been discussing with Expo how they're going to incorporate the new files into the kit(s) as well as the amended drawings and manual. We're still trying to figure out how best to achieve all that short of putting everything old (good and bad) in the dumpster. WAY EXPENSIVE and not necessary.
 
So there are production considerations and logistics that have to be worked out as the files I send are connected in a number of ways.
 
The time line sounds like an outside number but that's up to them. I know they have a tremendous amount of back-orders on the kit and it is not a quick production item.
 
I'm looking forward to getting the build log out here. As I said it will basically be the manual chapter by chapter but it will give everyone a chance to see ESSEX going together and give me the opportunity to answer a lot of questions I've received and explain why I designed aspects as I did.
 
Also hopefully it will shine a more positive light on the kit and what it offers straight from the box or bashed up.
 
Thanks - Sam

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

WELL THE FINAL CORRECTIONS WENT TO EXPO TODAY. ONCE I'VE GOT THEM BACK (ABOUT A WEEK OR SO) I CAN SIGN OFF AND ESSEX SHOULD BE PRETTY SET TO GO. IN THE MEAN TIME I'LL FINISH RE-EDITING THE MANUAL AND DROPPING THE NEW IMAGES ONTO THE PLANS.
 
I'LL BE WORKING WITH EXPO ON HOW THE PIECES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED, LABELED, ETC. I'LL POST UPDATES HERE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
I'LL BE STARTING ANOTHER THREAD THIS WEEKEND - IT WILL BE THE BUILD LOG (DESIGN LOG) OF THE PROTO-TYPE. SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS DONE HERE.
 
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL ANSWER A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE SEEN/ RECEIVED REGARDING EXACTLY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT.
 
I'LL POST THAT UP THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH THE MANUAL AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND NOTES FROM ME. I'LL RELEASE AN INSTALLMENT EVERY WEEK OR SO.
 
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN KIND AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T................LOL!
 
SAM

B.E.
 
Yes they would have. I've seen them shown at both lengths. The full extension looked awkward at this scale. They would have been set in place as needed  - not a permanent fixture
 
Sorry for hopping in here Bob.........LOL
 
Sam

Ok guys I have taken the plunge. As suggested I have sanded both sides of the 3/32 laser cut sheets to remove the burn marks. I have painted both side of both sheets with 2 coats of Wipe On Poly to harden up the wood. I then removed the false keel and bulkheads from their respective sheets. I put the bulkheads in a baggy and set them aside. I have carefully sanded the false keel (held my breath on that one!) good thing it came out ok. I then took the sheet of 3/32" box wood I got from Jeff. Gotta love that stuff! I cut a strip off the length for the keel. it yielded 4 keels. Then I cut the stem piece. I screwed up the first one and had to cut another. Cutting the scarf joint to match was frustrating.
 
Next I glued the boxwood stem & keel to the false keel. I think the it looks ok. As soon as the glue dries I will take a picture or 2. Then comes the bulkheads!

Well I'm Done!
 
Here are the final pics of this delightful little project............
 
I thought about listing all the changes/substitutions/additions/subtractions I made but that was turning out to be a rather long list. So, if anyone has any questions about a particular aspect feel free to ask.
 
I will say just a couple of things; 
 
First everyone should build something out of their usual subject matter on occasion. It's refreshing. It's also a chance just to relax without worry of screwing up months (if not years) of work and expense. Sometimes we get too hung up on Frigates and scarph joints and nail holes and wood types and guns and every other large and (extremely) small details found out here that we just forget to have fun. 
 
As a lot of you know I'm going through a (trying) time with a Frigate that will go unnamed and I found this side project to be just the diversion needed to remind just how much fun I have building for building sake. She's not perfect (far from it) but I'm just as proud of her as any of my builds that have a ribbon or medal to their credit.
 
Also it gave me the chance to correspond with some new and great people on MSW that I generally wouldn't be in contact with for any number of reasons. There are some really super folks out here.
 
Last but not least THANKS to Chuck for a great idea and kit design. 
 
Sam
 

Some extremely quick update pics
 
I'll post better and with description(s) next week
 
Happy New Year everyone! 
 
Sam

I'd like to thank everyone who has become involved or shown an interest in the new ESSEX kit from Model Expo.
 
Obviously as a Designer I strived to produce a kit that when completed will be a model the builder can be proud of. I believe I've achieved that as the finished product represents. Unfortunately it's become apparent that there are (for whatever reason) some parts that are incorrect in the kit as being produced. Let me state that both Model Expo and myself are fully committed to correcting this situation. When complete I will work with Model Expo to see that this does not happen again with projects I am associated with to the best of my abilities.
 
I have (just) received a complete kit as produced by Model Expo and will will be reviewing the components of it to identify and address any incorrect parts. Once I believe that I've accomplished this task it will fall into the capable hands of Model Expo to honor the purchases made.
 
That's what this thread and the task in front of me is for. 
 
To that end there are (in response to a number of requests or suggestions) a number of things that this is NOT ABOUT..........
 
This is not a re-design of the kit or an opportunity to upgrade the offering.  This is not about inclusion of different castings, blocks, line, wood stock, etc. Those components (and others) are out of my control and are the sole provence of Model Expo. I have, when asked conveyed individuals suggestions and findings to Model Expo but that is the extent of my influence.
 
Additionally I am not rebuilding ESSEX. I will be testing parts for correct size, and stock weight and inclusion. I will be cross referencing drawings and manual as necessary to make sure that all information corroborates. 
 
This is not an opportunity for a group design - ESSEX is already designed (and looks pretty good when completed). If there is a process, method, sequence or approach that you as a builder do not care for or agree with you are entitled to your opinion(s). I in no way believe I have the market cornered on what is correct (to be honest I don't believe that there is a correct way of doing things in our mutual endeavors). Everyone does things differently. The way I have offered and suggest to the builder to achieve what is in front of them is just that - a suggestion. As it is with any kit and any Designer.............
 
Lastly, this is not about assigning blame to either Model Expo or myself. Rest assured we will collectively figure out what happened.
 
I will do my very best to move expediently through the process and work with Model Expo to get things corrected as quickly as possible. 
 
Thank you for all your interest, support, suggestions, encouragement and friendship. Please keep checking back for progress and updates. 
 
This is what really makes MSW great!
 
ESSEX didn't give up without one hell of a fight at Valparaiso - neither will I.
 
Samuel Cassano, Jr. 
Designer, ESSEX
 

Bill,
 
Although not "authorized" to speak on ME's behalf I'm comfortable in saying that they would honor requests for replacement parts.
The method of requesting/receiving or distribution of them is totally unknown to me.
 
Decisions on masting & rigging are down the road a bit.
 
After seeing the work Bob is doing and having developed the proto-type I've always known that the kit was capable of producing an attractive model. It's not an "easy" build and I've said that throughout but this has been something totally different.
 
The problems have at times been any and all of frustrating, embarrassing, maddening and confusing (to name a few).
 
I pray this is the end of it.
 
Sam

I have been in contact with Marc at ME this week and will be sending down for production a final (hopefully) set of the bulkhead assembly. 
 
Once these are produced and tested (again) that should be it. I'll drop them into the drawings, and amend the manual as need be. By that time I would have completed a final look over of the remaining laser parts as well.
 
My final submission to ME will be of a full set of laser parts. That way there shouldn't be any "cross contamination" of original and corrected files. It's up to ME to keep them straight in production. As I've said before the proto-type went together fine.
 
Based on ME assertions that they will be upgrading their ply I will maintain dimensions of the proto-type's 3/16" stock. I can't  "chase" any future or possible stock discrepancies in dimension. That's a production issue - not design.
 
I have encouraged ME to maintain as high a possible standard in production of the castings and kit components moving forward. Although as with any designer I have no control over such matters.
 
I have discussed with ME a masting & rigging plan for the kit.  It's future release is questionable. In the interim there is more than enough source material for a builder to rig ESSEX on their own. 
 
As always I'm happy to help however I can but for now I am looking forward to my own builds, and to possibly designing future kits. Be it for ME or others.  
 
I'll keep you posted
 
Sam

Thanks so much Hamilton.
 
I've now completed the framing of the forecastle deck. This is a total departure from the kit construction which calls for only the beams to be installed. I went with beams, carlings, ledges and knees. All of the parts were made from boxwood, except the lodging knees which were cut from a sheet of cherry of the appropriate thickness, which I happened to have on hand (I had no boxwood sheet of that size). 
 
Owing to the small size of the parts and the cuts needed to be made, I decided to build up the deck framing in sections off the model and then install the completed sections and connect them in place on the model. This was a method that I had tried successfully on my Triton cross-section and I am pleased with the results here, as well. I'm hoping that similar results can be obtained on the larger sections of deck framing for the quarter deck and midship areas. Wipe-on Poly was used to finish the framing.
 
Prior to installing the deck framing, I mounted the stove on its previously mounted base.
 
I still haven't decided how much deck planking will be used, although i'm sure that it will not totally cover the framing. Right now , I'm thinking of using very little planking, at least in this area. I can defer that choice until the rest of the gun deck fittings are done and the remaining upper deck framing is in place. The remainder of the gun carriages have arrived from the Lumberyard and I'm now working on the next batch of guns to be installed.
 
The last photo is a current full profile shot , since Nigel has pointed out that I haven't posted one in quite a while.
 
Bob

While not directly related, you may want to take a look at the recent (August, 2013) report by Peter Goodwin in The Mariners Mirror - The Application and Scheme of Paintworks in British Men-of-War in the Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries (Volume 99:3, pages 287-300)
 
The abstract:
The question of the authenticity of the colour scheme for the preserved HMS Victory has been the subject of some debate. This article uses historical evidence and technical analysis of paint samples to draw conclusions about the external and internal appearance of HMS Victory and other ships of this time in both the British and French navies. An investigation of a carpenter's account book from 1805 has revealed some interesting evidence on the use of paint aboard ship. Finally the author makes recommendations for possible improvements in the paint scheme for HMS Victory that will be more historically accurate.
 
The article can be purchased at http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rmir20/99/3#.UyhlCc4-dbQ

Bill,
 
Although not "authorized" to speak on ME's behalf I'm comfortable in saying that they would honor requests for replacement parts.
The method of requesting/receiving or distribution of them is totally unknown to me.
 
Decisions on masting & rigging are down the road a bit.
 
After seeing the work Bob is doing and having developed the proto-type I've always known that the kit was capable of producing an attractive model. It's not an "easy" build and I've said that throughout but this has been something totally different.
 
The problems have at times been any and all of frustrating, embarrassing, maddening and confusing (to name a few).
 
I pray this is the end of it.
 
Sam

I have been in contact with Marc at ME this week and will be sending down for production a final (hopefully) set of the bulkhead assembly. 
 
Once these are produced and tested (again) that should be it. I'll drop them into the drawings, and amend the manual as need be. By that time I would have completed a final look over of the remaining laser parts as well.
 
My final submission to ME will be of a full set of laser parts. That way there shouldn't be any "cross contamination" of original and corrected files. It's up to ME to keep them straight in production. As I've said before the proto-type went together fine.
 
Based on ME assertions that they will be upgrading their ply I will maintain dimensions of the proto-type's 3/16" stock. I can't  "chase" any future or possible stock discrepancies in dimension. That's a production issue - not design.
 
I have encouraged ME to maintain as high a possible standard in production of the castings and kit components moving forward. Although as with any designer I have no control over such matters.
 
I have discussed with ME a masting & rigging plan for the kit.  It's future release is questionable. In the interim there is more than enough source material for a builder to rig ESSEX on their own. 
 
As always I'm happy to help however I can but for now I am looking forward to my own builds, and to possibly designing future kits. Be it for ME or others.  
 
I'll keep you posted
 
Sam