Jean-Pierre

I was wondering if anyone has seen or heard of this kit, of which there is a build log on youtube: 
This is one of a part build. Do not know who the makers are, even if it is Japanese or Chinese.  Pretty sure it is not a pirated model. But it looks spectacular, and is of a rarely seen period.  Would like to hear your comments.
And this part shows the box cover:
 

What a great choice of a model, a pleasant change from the Victory, and probably an eve, more beautiful ship.  Congratulations.
 
Mamoli may not be the best provider of woods, but I had excellent (and easy) results by just running a felt tip black marker along one of the sides of each plank, but NOT on the butt ends or the ink would bleed into the wood.  For these I use a black pencil on both ends of the plank.  Also note that for a clean result, the plank sides should be slightly sanded to get a nice, flat edge.
 
A mix of different plank colours looks beautiful on a model, but it was not like that on the real thing I'm afraid.  I must admit I did just the same as you on my last model, but afterwards I found the contrast too sharp.  So after sanding, I painted the whole deck with a very light grey wash which preserved all the detail and also toned down the exagerated colour differences.
 
Thanks for the excellent build log and I'm looking forward to your pics.
 
Happy modelling
 
JP
 
As a general problem, I wonder if decks in those days were planked with nicely parallel planks.  On the full size reconstruction of Hermione (a frigate that was more or less contemporary to the Royal Louis, the planks are taperes gradually to end up parallel to the ship sides.  The same layout has been used by Chris Watton for his kit of the Russian Mercury (Victory/Amati Models). I felt free to use this pattern on my last model (Dutch Whaler), and it turned out easier than I had thought...  Just a thought, because your planking looks great.

Could be...but the logo on the box mentions "Gunze wooden ship model series".  Could be that Gunze Sangyo once had the good idea to bring wooden kits on the market (like Imai did).  Now the kit features a lot of photo etch parts, which was not common in the time they edited their beautiful Lusitania kit.
 

Could be...but the logo on the box mentions "Gunze wooden ship model series".  Could be that Gunze Sangyo once had the good idea to bring wooden kits on the market (like Imai did).  Now the kit features a lot of photo etch parts, which was not common in the time they edited their beautiful Lusitania kit.
 

I don't know the name of that wooden v-shaped blocks they used to put under the gun barrels, but if you decided to add them, you would  have the guns pointing horizontally like we use to represent them.  But whatever you decide to do, the whole model, and in particular the guns, look fantastic. Congratulations.
 
JP
 
 

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.
Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.
 

I do love the ship you are building here.  I personally built decades ago this very ship from a plastic kit by Imai (an easy build by the way).  A question: did you make some inquiries about the original model?  I f you want some information or pictures of it I will glad publish them here. By the way, I went to Rotterdam a month ago and made some picture of the "original", of which I enclose a pic.
 
This model is in my opinion one if not the most important historic ship model, as with the exception of a few Egyptian antiquities, it is is the oldest REAL scale model, and the only 15th century period model.  It has always been THE source of inspiration for the best Santa Maria models, among others.  It is to be noted that many authors suspect that the model's proportions are  not correct (too short in length) and it seemed to have at the origin have been fitted with 3 masts, then the foremast was removed, and finally it was left with just one mast.
 
I wish you a lot of fun with this build.
 
JP

Thanks for the link, Marcus.  I read that there were 2 build logs on Modelbouwforum but could not spot them.  Too bad!  The discussion why their deck was so small is not conclusive.  In my opinion, and I am sure you will have come to a similar conclusion, there must have been a very obvious reason to build such an intricate hull shape.  The original merchant ships would, I think, been made as simple as possible to reduce costs.
Another possible reason may have been stability at sea, or quite simply, ...to have the chain plates preserved from contact with the quay (kaai).
 
Happy building.
 
Note:  I thought the kit by Kolderstok was going to be the Zeehaen, and that Mr. Hoving was making the drafts.  But the draft on the forum page shows a ship without a beak, which the Zeehaen has!

Thanks for the link, Marcus.  I read that there were 2 build logs on Modelbouwforum but could not spot them.  Too bad!  The discussion why their deck was so small is not conclusive.  In my opinion, and I am sure you will have come to a similar conclusion, there must have been a very obvious reason to build such an intricate hull shape.  The original merchant ships would, I think, been made as simple as possible to reduce costs.
Another possible reason may have been stability at sea, or quite simply, ...to have the chain plates preserved from contact with the quay (kaai).
 
Happy building.
 
Note:  I thought the kit by Kolderstok was going to be the Zeehaen, and that Mr. Hoving was making the drafts.  But the draft on the forum page shows a ship without a beak, which the Zeehaen has!

Marcus,
 
It is visible that your skills are improving fast, and I also think that your new equipment gives you an extra boost.  Congratulations.
 
By the way, I wonder how the Kolderstok model will be like.  What scale will it be?  Probably smaller than your model.  Anyway, it will probably be a better model than the 2 existing flute models (Segal's Baleinera Olandesa and Euromodel of Como's Derfflinger)  but then again  these models cry for improvement, which of course is part of the fun.
 
I think it is time for me to restart my own model, the now named Poolsterre!  I noticed that it is actually a little more advanced than the latest posted pics.
 
Tot ziens, hoop ik.

Actually, a canine advisor, as you can see, is a rather cool companion and is moderately interested in running through your work table, while a cat... I'm not sure.
The model as seen on the latest pics, has changed a bit since then (but not enough, alas).  First, the upper mast as on the picture, are too thick in my opinion, as they had been made too close to the plan and the kit pieces measures.  They were ripped apart, rescraped and I now still have to realign them to the lower masts (not easy!)  Then I also did the standing rigging of the lower masts (new blocks for the stays).  This worked rather well so far.  I now have to glus the upper masts, and rig them of course.  Then (or in the meantime if it gets too boring!) I will start work on the whaling boats, and possibly on a dinghy to put on deck.

Actually, a canine advisor, as you can see, is a rather cool companion and is moderately interested in running through your work table, while a cat... I'm not sure.
The model as seen on the latest pics, has changed a bit since then (but not enough, alas).  First, the upper mast as on the picture, are too thick in my opinion, as they had been made too close to the plan and the kit pieces measures.  They were ripped apart, rescraped and I now still have to realign them to the lower masts (not easy!)  Then I also did the standing rigging of the lower masts (new blocks for the stays).  This worked rather well so far.  I now have to glus the upper masts, and rig them of course.  Then (or in the meantime if it gets too boring!) I will start work on the whaling boats, and possibly on a dinghy to put on deck.

Marcus,
 
It is visible that your skills are improving fast, and I also think that your new equipment gives you an extra boost.  Congratulations.
 
By the way, I wonder how the Kolderstok model will be like.  What scale will it be?  Probably smaller than your model.  Anyway, it will probably be a better model than the 2 existing flute models (Segal's Baleinera Olandesa and Euromodel of Como's Derfflinger)  but then again  these models cry for improvement, which of course is part of the fun.
 
I think it is time for me to restart my own model, the now named Poolsterre!  I noticed that it is actually a little more advanced than the latest posted pics.
 
Tot ziens, hoop ik.

Marcus,
 
It is visible that your skills are improving fast, and I also think that your new equipment gives you an extra boost.  Congratulations.
 
By the way, I wonder how the Kolderstok model will be like.  What scale will it be?  Probably smaller than your model.  Anyway, it will probably be a better model than the 2 existing flute models (Segal's Baleinera Olandesa and Euromodel of Como's Derfflinger)  but then again  these models cry for improvement, which of course is part of the fun.
 
I think it is time for me to restart my own model, the now named Poolsterre!  I noticed that it is actually a little more advanced than the latest posted pics.
 
Tot ziens, hoop ik.

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.
Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.
 

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.
Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.
 

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.
Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.
 

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.
Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.
 

I do love the ship you are building here.  I personally built decades ago this very ship from a plastic kit by Imai (an easy build by the way).  A question: did you make some inquiries about the original model?  I f you want some information or pictures of it I will glad publish them here. By the way, I went to Rotterdam a month ago and made some picture of the "original", of which I enclose a pic.
 
This model is in my opinion one if not the most important historic ship model, as with the exception of a few Egyptian antiquities, it is is the oldest REAL scale model, and the only 15th century period model.  It has always been THE source of inspiration for the best Santa Maria models, among others.  It is to be noted that many authors suspect that the model's proportions are  not correct (too short in length) and it seemed to have at the origin have been fitted with 3 masts, then the foremast was removed, and finally it was left with just one mast.
 
I wish you a lot of fun with this build.
 
JP

I do love the ship you are building here.  I personally built decades ago this very ship from a plastic kit by Imai (an easy build by the way).  A question: did you make some inquiries about the original model?  I f you want some information or pictures of it I will glad publish them here. By the way, I went to Rotterdam a month ago and made some picture of the "original", of which I enclose a pic.
 
This model is in my opinion one if not the most important historic ship model, as with the exception of a few Egyptian antiquities, it is is the oldest REAL scale model, and the only 15th century period model.  It has always been THE source of inspiration for the best Santa Maria models, among others.  It is to be noted that many authors suspect that the model's proportions are  not correct (too short in length) and it seemed to have at the origin have been fitted with 3 masts, then the foremast was removed, and finally it was left with just one mast.
 
I wish you a lot of fun with this build.
 
JP

I do love the ship you are building here.  I personally built decades ago this very ship from a plastic kit by Imai (an easy build by the way).  A question: did you make some inquiries about the original model?  I f you want some information or pictures of it I will glad publish them here. By the way, I went to Rotterdam a month ago and made some picture of the "original", of which I enclose a pic.
 
This model is in my opinion one if not the most important historic ship model, as with the exception of a few Egyptian antiquities, it is is the oldest REAL scale model, and the only 15th century period model.  It has always been THE source of inspiration for the best Santa Maria models, among others.  It is to be noted that many authors suspect that the model's proportions are  not correct (too short in length) and it seemed to have at the origin have been fitted with 3 masts, then the foremast was removed, and finally it was left with just one mast.
 
I wish you a lot of fun with this build.
 
JP

Getting beautiful indeed.  Your hard work pays off!  Maybe (a little?) at the expense of the grass?

Getting beautiful indeed.  Your hard work pays off!  Maybe (a little?) at the expense of the grass?

Getting beautiful indeed.  Your hard work pays off!  Maybe (a little?) at the expense of the grass?

Getting beautiful indeed.  Your hard work pays off!  Maybe (a little?) at the expense of the grass?