mtaylor

You might try asking them directly. The COVID has really affected all supply chains and even design work.

Try contacting them again. The COVID has really messed up supply chains everywhere.

Very nicely done, Elijah. I hope the schooling goes well. BTW, wood burn you name on that beauty so no one will steal it.

Can you cut it apart and fit such that the canopy is open? Or is it that it wouldn't fit anyway? What does the basic kit have for a canopy?

Very well done, Craig and a beautiful display.

True on the vintage wine analogy. While it does seem to encourage a fit and glue mindset, there are pitfalls pointed out that need to be addressed. I'm not going to your extent of modifications but the build needs to be savored.

Ah... I hope you get some royalties for promoting these.

I go along with what Mike says about kits being kits being kits. One persons "great kit" is another persons nightmare. However, once you hit a point in your model building skills, nothing will stop you from improving any kit with a bash. And "bashing" is encouraged by all means as it usually improves the resulting model. I've done that myself in the past.. took a kit that really had no connection with reality and turned it into one that did (USS Constellation). It's not hard, takes some research and figuring out what you can do and what you can't. As footnote.. if you think the Billings is the best then go with that as others could argue about other kits since "best" is a rather vague term and means many things to many people. Then do your diligence and research and have at it to make the best you can. One final note.. look up Dafi's build of the Heller Victory. It's plastic and at this point, it has little resemblance to what came out of the box.

Given the size of this beast, it seems to me that it would be ok. Not sure how tall it would be with full masts but probably take up a huge amount of space.

Since none has been done yet, as a "Joe Builder", I'm posting a short review of this kit in the review area.

A quick review of this kit. Photos of the materials are available at https://modelshipworld.com/topic/28130-hms-sphinx-1775-prototype-by-james-h-vanguard-models-164-finished/?tab=comments#comment-805880 as I didn't take any photos of unboxing. As for specifics, feel free to see the link above. It's been quite a while since I've done a kit, my last one was a bash of Constellation some years ago. However, I needed a break and also to relearn some things and this kit fits the bill. The woods are wonderful, the lasering is crisp and clean, and instructions are beyond any expectations I might have had. I'm slowly making progress on the Sphinx as I'm not the fastest builder. Currently on the hull 2nd layer planking which is not my forte. However, I will have to say that I'm loving this build. The instructions are dead on and need to be followed without rushing. The kit pieces are accurately cut and where the instructions say "sand the char", the parts still fit very well. Care is needed especially with the thinner woods. I've not seen any pitfalls if the instructions are followed and care is taken in the building. I certainly would not recommend this as a first time build. It is a blast to put it together and I would recommend this model to someone with some experience in kits beyond the beginner level. I'm finding this kit to be well worth the price and will give it a 5-Wow rating.

There's a lot of videos out there on these firings. All of them are eyeopening and I would hate to be on the receiving end of the gun. I forget which group did it, but they put dummies (mannequins not unwilling humans) on their test targets and amazing how much damage the splinters did.

Don't trash them, Ken. Sell them on Fleabay. I'm surprised at some the prices for vintage kits there. Seems no reason for it but there are collectors out there.

Looks great from here. <fingers crossed it fits in the bottle> I don't think I could ever build anything that tiny. As for the boats... will this be a "sea display" with ocean in it? If so, put the boats in the water near it.

Sorry you had all those problems going on Mario and I'm glad you and yours got through them. Been a bit of a nasty year and it still goes on from what I'm seeing here. The model work looks great. I hope it's giving you something else to focus on besides everything else. We need to blow off steam and relax somehow. Peace, brother.

I would think that anything like tools, probably water/gas cans, etc. hanging on the outside would be a solid color probably olive or even sand color. Those would have all come from separate places, even as field replacements and probably not color matched as to paint patterns. Been too many years since I did armor, so I'm going off what I remember.

Don't feel bad about that. I think there's more of us like that here than not.

I seriously doubt that even the real thing was "perfect". So there's that. But once you hit your stride and comfort zone on the tasks, the end result will look better to you and it will be better.

Living dangerously, Denis? Certainly no danger from the models but else where.

Welcome to MSW, Adam. There's a lot of information here on MSW. If you haven't done it, read as many of the pinned topics as you can. Also at the top of the page where it says "More", there's a link to a database which also has a lot of articles. As for building a model you have, search the logs for that particular model (use the search feature at the top right). And also, open a build log for your project as it's a great way to get help and also meet other builders.

Looks great and in the case, even moreso.

They are indeed beautiful things, Vaddoc. Your's is coming along very well and will be a thing of beauty.

The stand is great and will really set that model apart from others.

Looking great. Time go see Alice and her coffee.

I saw her when she still was afloat and remember the flood that sank her. https://www.southernliving.com/news/st-louis-shipwreck-mississippi-river-uss-inaugural