kpnuts

Took ages and loads of emails I even mentioned it was on loads of forums and they were all aware of why the build was stalled, I think it took about 8 emails and two months. hope they treat you better.

It requires very specialist tools, a soft cloth and a pair of scissors and a soft brush (I use my missus blusher brush )(that's all I use anyway) this is now my third ship I've guided so I'm still a novice. You need some gold leaf (transfer is easier than loose leaf, although not as hard wearing(being thicker than transfer )) you also need size (this is basically gold glue) you paint it on and leave it for 20 mins (to go tacky) then cut a manageable piece if the leaf and lay it over the piece to be guilded the press it down with the soft cloth then gently brush the loose gold off, you will find little cracks which you then need to re apply some gold leaf to those areas (you won't need to re size)if you find the gold is not sticking you have not left the size long enough oh you will also need shellac varnish as the gold is very soft and easily damaged.

Hi all well the part is coming, so here is 2 nights of guilding run out of gold leaf now, will have to order some more)

Yes I am somewhat puzzled by that bit the instructions say to paint it black, I assumed there was something went round it or on it, didn't realise I now have a weird black shape on the deck now. The platform for the fire buckets goes on there which won't leave much showing so will give it some thought when they are on as to what to do with it.

Hi all well the gold leaf has arrived for this but will leave any guilding untill\if the other hull side turns up.

Hi all here is tonight bit

Hi all given the green a coat of paint and weathered that and done a bit more to the copper

Hi all I've gone for the copper leaf (needs a bit of patching) but I think its ok

Hi all well I've tried a little experiment, I got some copper and brass leaf with the intention of guilding the copper plates and spraying it with salt water to get the patination of the real plates, well they dissolved so that's out so now I'm thinking I will guild it then distress it with a combination of washes and such my question is ( as there is some debate as to weather it was copper or muntz metal which is an alloy of zinc and brass I think) should I guild it with copper or brass.

Steve deffo interested in new decals if available. 

It's 1/96

Hi all well since I'm having a rest from the darn Citroen (Hellers 1/8 Citroen Traction Avant A Mahoosive kit)I need something to fall back on (this addiction will be the death of me)I thought what be better than this,TBH I've been looking forward to this since I was kindly given it (I just hope I can do it justice) 

Suggest away.

Everytime I touch it something goes wrong so best just left alone.

Not popped my head in here for a while the progress is astounding (mine is still on the shelf of doom and getting closer to the spares drawer all the time) great work mate keep at it, will be nice to see someone finish it.

The moulding says 1959 that's 2yrs after I was born the moulding looks really crisp, looks good for a kit of this age and the sails don't seem any more brittle than the Royal Sovriegn (these sails will get the same treatment) yes there are decals. So maybe I will have to spray with varnish (which I have used before for dodgy decals.

Oh and the sails look nicely vac formed.

Thanks I'm not sure, don't know much about rigging but I do like pic on the box artwork which I think is square.