md1400cs

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

Ferit,
 
Actually with the few thousands of hours that I have in the air, the very last thing that was ever on my mind was jumping out of the machine for sport. Hmmmm not for me.
 
PS: Oh !, I just read that the the best hotels in Europe are found in Turkey Congratulations (:-)
 
http://news.yahoo.com/best-hotels-europe-found-turkey-151700813.html
 
As always, a pleasure to share conversations
 
Michael 

Michael, the BB instructions also suggest the candle and also makes it look easy. I love that cover pic, makes me wanna wear a suit when building models!
 
Cheers Jan, Im a fan of your paper modeling!
 
 
/Matti

Michael,I thought I was the only one with the "Period Model Boat Manual"  
frank

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

Buck, Matti,
 
I must be very old school. The bulb idea I had not really heard of. I always thought that soaking the strips in hot water was the answer (:-)
 once I saw an old photo with some guy bending a stick over a lit candle. Here is the reference. I had forgotten that I still had this old book.
Eddison would be proud of you using his application for model ship building (:-)
 
Michael

If I had known you were coming Ferit I would have treated you all to lunch! You can almost see my house in a couple of those pictures of Turunç and that view of the bay from the top of the hill greets me every time I come back to the village from Marmaris or where ever.  I never tire of it (I'm in the northern corner but my house is obscured by trees. 
 
I'm glad you had a good holiday and returned to Istanbul safe and sound. Hayırlı olsun!

Ferit,
 
Beautiful photos of what must have been a wonderful holiday. The weather seems to have cooperated. Welcome back to your daily life.
 
PS: love those alto fracto cumulus clouds (:-) remind me of my aviation days, though I'm now involved again on a part time basis.
PS2: Boy that parachute rope sure got you very high ha..ha... that was a joke (beautiful photo of a beautiful place).
 
Regards,
 
Michael

Here is the latest retro-update. When I first started this Corel kit, I was very ignorant in general regarding 16th century nautical accuracy as I was putting this boat together. In fact I was uninformed in general.
 
I have, since joining MSW, had a steep learning curve. And I am now much more aware of what I am doing and how "things" should look.
 
In that regard, the weather deck gratings needed to be removed and replaced with examples that were appropriate for this ship. As well as properly built. So my rebuilding continues. I ordered some new gratings as I could not correctly fit those that were removed.
 
I further decided to follow the 1/10th example by simulating cross member nails in the gratings. After much detail work this is how it turned out. I'm much more satisfied with this latest fix. Though I do still see errors that I could have circumvented had I been  more knowledgeable, and better skilled (for example early in the build, I would have correctly tree-nailed the deck, and recessed the lower and upper cannon openings).
 
Moving on...I took Matti's suggestion and installed a cover over one of the grating frames (thanks nice idea)
 
I apologize for the, too many photos in this update. I may have lost my sense of proper perspective. I personally love to look at a lot of photos here at MSW, so I took some liberties with this post. It also occurred to me that many of you whom I follow are very informative with your notes. From which I have become a better modeler. So this post will include more written details.  Again thanks for looking in.original grating installation
removalslight damage to deck framing. Easy fixstarting construction of new correctly shaped frameschecking for proper fit. On the capstan I also tomahawked the top a bit. I was too tall. Now it looks much more in scale to the original. The upper deck is not complete, but I had no intention of creating it, as some of you have done so beautifully. So from the weather deck looking down it looks correct.experimenting with the cross member nails look. I used a punch to first set marks for the super small drill bit. I found that, on a test piece, the drill bit would sometimes roam before biting into the wood. So, some of the holes were too far off center. The punch marks precluded that. This task took a while.getting there as well. I understand that each grating frame should stand as a separately framed piece, but as a static display this was, for me, in the aggregate OK.initial positioning. Close up shot "gives up" the holes, but viewing with the naked eye from a normal distance almost impossible to read, unless you're looking. Very nice Trompe L'oeil. Purists will be saying, "Hmmm cheating are you?" Yes I am, and I did (:-)measuring for the inner frame separators starting construction of inner separators. The woods had curves on the upper surfaces as well as creases down the middle. So I chose this solutionI curved the tops and added small strips to each upper side. These small strips allow the curved upper surface to maintain its visual perspective. adjusting fit for inner framesset up for small transverse cuts in lower portion of main framesgluing the frames in place, ready for inner pre-measured frames.took a break and drilled out weather deck water drains
now preparing transverse cuts for upper inner frames. I then used fine sandpaper to flatten the inner transverse cut.
small cut out pieces are now in placethose cover handles will be removed and replaced with metal rings. I was trying to be "creative again".

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

this is a 1/2" - 1'0" scale model.....in the Collections & Research building.  All of the others are in a vault with large steel sliding doors and just stacked up in rows and available only for research and not open to the general public without an appointment and an escort.

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

Frank,
 
Thanks Big Time for your NOT over the top (:-) "Like This" emails clicks. Actually I am so touched, and honored. Whoa!!!
 
At first I thought that somehow they were repetitive emails of a single send. Then, looking at the time markers I realized that they were in fact multiple appreciations. So very thoughtful of you to look through, and make "thumbs up" as you followed this build. I am really privileged that you connected with this effort. I am left very touched by your kindness. 
 
Regard,
 
Michael

JS,
 
Thanks for your nice thought. YES I know (:-) I now know, of soooo many errors with this build, including what you rightfully pointed out as incorrectly shaped weather deck entry housings. 
 
FYI: I started this build about nine years ago, and after an initial start it sat in a closet for several years. It was, at the time being build exactly as Corel intended, along with its many errors. I was ignorant and had not looked for source material. THAT has changed.
 
Over the last 2 years or so I have been "catching up" with the build, which included a lot of re-building. I purchased several books, including the Museum book Vasa 1, the Hocker, and Landström books, I should receive his (L) this week (I note that your photos come from that source) I also have the pdf version of same, along with several sheets of the museum plans; I have also been helped by other members who are also building the Vasa.
 
Adding to that, my files now contain many hundreds of photos of the 1:1, the 1/10th as well as many of Clayton's photos. So going forward from 2 years ago I became much more aware of how it should look. But JS, this is all recent history (:-) I built the weather deck nine years ago from the Corel plans.
 
So this build, in its current state, has gone through some "re-building. I wanted to fix the errors that could be fixed. The weather deck entry door will not be part of those repairs. Too late.
 
I have learned a lot here at MSW by reading, looking, and by many times thinking OMG some of our member builders are astonishing; specially on the scratch built side of the "wall". I'll never climb over that wall..ha ha....
 
For your edification, as well as my piece of mind. I offer these examples of "fixes. I appreciate your looking into this build, thanks.
Stern as Corel intended+some extras even back then.My repair of Corel stern in progressmostly repairedA super excellent exactly as Corel intended build, from a European builder.this one speaks for itselfMy attempt at doing the stern as best I can per the 1:1
Regard,
 
Michael

Hello,
 
Here is another "retro-update". I decided to remove the original, kit included, stairs so that I could replicate more closely what has been installed on the 1:1 in Stockholm.
 
The pics are self-explanatory (the first pic was my original installation). I purchased two sets of stairs and glued the step's vertical timbers together so that I could then reshape them with the curves.
 
The Stockholm Vasa ladders are, I think, new so I assume (that word again) that the museum historians copied ladders that were in use at the time that included those curves. I also noticed that some of the 1:1 photos have a curved deck cutout at the top of the stairs, so I did some cutting and fixing as well.
 
My center area between the two ladders is incorrect, but too late to deal with that. I may add some kind of figurine details on that center wall. Hmmmm
 
Moving on I will now start on the bow figures. They will be painted similarly to my stern figures. With these figures I will attempt to add some sort of slim framing that I see on the 1:1 photos. I have to think about how to do this.
 
Again, I so appreciate, and I am certainly motivated with your kind posts as well as those of you whom are kind enough to just visit this build in progress. Thanks everyone.
 
Regards,
 
Michael
 
 

Hi again (too soon I imagine)
 
J Pett, so nice of you to attach me with a hook of some kind. Your Rattlesnake is remarkable. If I was a minor catalyst, well I'm very honored, thanks for mentioning it; I think?
 
Mark, I look forward to your Segal Vasa updates. We all grow and learn from each other. My efforts here have been a wonderful growth experience by looking into other's builds on MSW and learning from their notations as they go along. All good !!.  This build, and how it is coming along is in great part because of what I have learned here. Thanks folks....
 
ZyXuz thanks for your, always, encouraging notations.
 
-----------------------------
 
So, in my zeal to retro-build this boat, here is my latest re-build.
 
I was not "comfortable" with the bow transverse railing, so I removed it. The pics are self-explanatory so no need to describe any of theses.
 
The first pic is obviously my original effort. The in-between pics are my re-model, and the last is, of course, a pic from our Vasa bible.
 
I don't have Clayton Johnson's gift, or anyone else’s for that matter in regard to sculpturing, so I purchased generic gilded stanchions and painted them. It's a compromise, but I'm more comfortable with this "look" than my original effort.
 
 
As I move on I will, however, try my hand at "sculpturing" I need to build to lower braces for the two catheads, and also fashion wooden trim pieces on each side of the flag pole just above the rounded gilded piece at the stern.  Thanks for stopping by, and for all of your super nice posts.
 
Regards,
 
 
Michael
 
 

Hello fellow hobbyists,
 
I would like to, firstly, thank all of you who have been so kind in taking the time to post comments, letting me know how much you appreciate my version of this Wasa build.
 
Your kind words have continued to be a real source of encouragement. I also thank those of you who were also kind enough to add a "thumbs up" to certain posts or jpg's. There is so much art to appreciate on MSW, that I am touched that you have found the interest, and the time to look at, and respond to my efforts.....Again thank you......OK.. An update.
 
 
 
 It's hard for me to believe, but the stern, and galleries in their entirety, are actually almost completed. This part of the build was very labor intensive. In retrospect, I would have done some things differently but as we say here "put a fork in it - it's cooked" and so it is. Oh what is missing are the two wood trim timbers that appear on each side of the flag and lantern spar, just above the upper gilded curved carving on the stern. I will try my first attempt at sculpturing those two pieces of wood.
 
Speaking of doing things differently; I SO regret not indenting the hull canon port framings as I was framing those. I tried to initially indent the four small pieces of wood in each port, but I didn't have enough of a lip, if you will, and nothing was aligning correctly. So I flushed them all flat along the hull. This work was done before joining the MSW community. I have since learned of a great technique. Always hindsight isn't it? So, that detail failure just glares at me now.  It will be an issue when adding canon doors. Hmmm. On the plus side only hobbyists such as us would even notice such a glaring error. I thought of pulling them all out. But I think that I would make a mess of things.
 
Segwaying forward with this posting, I enclose "full body shots" (pardon the pun) to offer a better perspective of the project as it looks so far. I also include a few other pics. as partial updates on side tasks that have been completed to date; for example deck, and hull figures were (some removed) painted and attached.
 
I'm will be taking a break for a while. I have to do some traveling again. Hmmm, and I thought that I was finally retired. I'll tune in, from wherever I happen to be, and continue to admire builds that I very much enjoy following.
 
When I find myself back on my side of the world again, I will continue with deck details that need to be added. I also plan on removing the existing ladders. (Not correct). I will also re-work the front bow cross railing that leads to the bowsprit. That is also not correct. And I removed the most stern ladders. Those will be replaced with a "bench" type looking thing with a wooden sculpture on each side above the "benches" So it goes. And then onto the masts....
Again thanks for your kind words...Always, always appreciated.
 
Regards,
 
Michael
 
 

Hello again, An update for the two upper gallery covers I decided to build  "pre-fab" housings. These upper gallery covers were less labor intensive, in that there is only one bobbinet per side. I should have done the same (pre-fab) for the lower ones as well... Hmmm, learning as I go along. I am finishing some last figure painting details. When it's all done I will post some pics. of the totally completed stern. In the meantime
built rough support frames for the bobbinets and the gallery covers
with a pencil I outlined the shape needed by placing the rough frame on top of the lower existing structure.
 
I cut the housing to match my pencil marks, and added edge trim piece. 
trimmed away the inside lip to better match the actual intended shape
then focused on covering the bobbinets. I wanted to, as best that I could, match the lumber cuts of the 1:1
marked where I should cut the stern ends to match the bobbinet shapes
glued on the trim pieces
glued on the bobbinets
I now shaped, and glued the cover dummies.
added the filler cover lumbers 
checked the shapes of the bobbinets lumbers to make sure that the gilded pieces would fit "ok" I flattened out corners as needed.
 
finally glued the housings in place, leaving spacers for the small support timbers.

Bender, thank you - coming from you, that is a huge compliment, much appreciated !
 
 
Some minor updates, but I think that they help to formally complete the look of stern.
 
One upper gallery is finished and needs to be attached. I have put together a log of how these were put together. I will post that build section soon. I hope that it will be useful to Wasa builders.
 
It sure made the process much easier for me. I wish I had thought of that with the lower galleries. Learning as I'm going on.....
 
Regards,
 
Michael D
 
where I left off last time
 
trim pieces with thin basswood highlights
positioning and making sure angles are correct
 
 
 
 
 

Here are a few updated pics. The stern is coming along. As I've mentioned before, I regret not painting the red portions of the hull +. But as we a all know looking in retrospect all is very clear. The brown wood was my compromise.Mmmm lots of work here. The Vasa must have been a beautiful site, for an hour or so
Having all of these museum sources makes it much easier to assist in the colors
It's hard to tell here, but I actually added a flat clear to the lions. The pics don't really show that too well
I added a small strip of wood to the gallery edges. The same will be added to the upper ones

Thanks David for your nice thoughts,
 
Finished up the stern upper windows. Here are some updated pics;I was looking for facesCorel gave us lions with crowns-no biggieSo painting, I followed the 1:10th idea for the lionsI used some leftover railing from the upper deckglued the two pieces together to form the shuttersreversed them and patterned for the Dremel sandingchecked for fitnotched the edges for the hingesUsed the micro rail cleats let glue set then Dremel'd for fit

Start on upper Galleries
 
Hi folks,
 
I started the upper galleries. Same procedure as for the lower ones, however a bit smaller. I was trying to adjust the fit to more or less match the 1:1, but did not think ahead of myself.
 
In that regard you will note that the lower bobbinet top decorative bits should actually flange against and along side the upper lower shelve balcony timbers (see pic of Vasa). For that kind of accuracy, I would have had to cut in deeply. It would have made the structures too little to then add the smaller upper bobbinets. Oh well (:-)
 
In any case the upper bobbinets will be really thinned, as well as having a flat (as opposed to rounded) external edge. So they should look "ok" fit wise. But I wish that I had thought about this more when I installed the lower galleries. I would have made them a bit more protrusive.
 
I used balsa, as I mentioned earlier, because of its ease of shaping. So as a form it is great. One of the pics shows some small bits of wood that were glued into the interior front balsa sections. I had broken a previous piece, so I used this method to reinforce the balsa during the gluing of the outer curved covering timbers.
 
After it all dried and set I then "Dremel"ed out the inner shape. In any case it is impassible to see the inside
housing after the longitudinal shelves are attached. So that sorta took care of itself.
 
Next up will be shaping the upper halves, shaping the bobbinets, and adding the wood cover pieces. Installing then back to more painting....
 
I regret not using a red paint or stain for the galleries, stern and upper deck side trim. Next time....
 
Regards,
 
Michael D

Update on painting the figures
 
I think that this will look ok. close up it’s easy to see flaws, but with the naked eye, sorta works. So only 65 more to go (:-)
 
I'm glad that I followed your trends, deciding to paint these. Though, for my next build I will look for a ship that doesn’t require all of this painted art. I would LOVE to do the SOS...but that is such an intimidating project. The two that I'm following here are really spectacular.
 
OK time for more painting. Ruff on the old eyes; two hours and I'm cooked for the session.
 
PS: the figures on the ship are not attached, just placed in approx. locations
 
MJD

Here is the update for the stern windows. I think that these shapes are more closely inline with the original. I prefer this look rather than from those that came with the kit. No need for redundant notes along with each pic, as they are self-explanatory. 
 
However, the grid that I used was purchased at a fabric store; nylon web which is embedded in a soft plastic. When I saw it, I thought that it might work ok. PS: I had to buy enough for 1000+ Wasa windows....The glass panes were created using "window Maker" Something that I learned about on MSW. Excellent idea.
 
Parts of the wood framing went "south" because I got way too enthusiastic with the sandpaper, while trying to thin down the face of the frames. So, what were straight inside framing lines lost some of their inside straight edges - Mmmm. But I did not want to start all over again. Also, I rationalized that the soldiers standing by the windows will partially hide the poor craftsmanship. I will install four soldiers who will be crowding the sides of the windows.
 
 You may also note that the gallery figures have been removed from the bobbinets from previous pics. I decided to remove the cartoonish colors that I did not like. I think that these will have to have the "aged" look. There is just not enough detail with which to paint on. I know, the ship had no age. (:-) Though my wife suggested that I leave it in the bathtub for the next 300 years to get the "right look".
 
That aside, I have also decided to follow in some of your footsteps, and paint the 40 or so soldiers that decorate the ship. I started with the two large figures that stand aside each window. Those will be easy by comparison to the majority of the smaller figures.
 
I'm looking at the 1:10th to help with colors and details. The 1:10th window soldiers seem to have dark purple clothing. I was out of that so black suited they became. The 1:10th is a very intimidating reference (granted its a huge model) oh and so stunning!!
 
Having really looked at the figures, I note that for all-intense-and-purposes many of the Corel supplied figures are close approximations to the 1/1. So I stand corrected from my previous remarks regarding some of the gilded pieces as being "not correct".
 
So, next up will be painting the other stern, and gallery figures. Then build the upper galleries, and their respective bobbinets. From there, on to finishing some deck details that have been omitted from the out-of-the-box kit. As usual thanks for looking.
 
MJD