hamletmike Posted March 15, 2013 #1 Posted March 15, 2013 Can anyone comment on, provide advice, or have experience with the Latina 1/48 scale HMS Surprise. I am looking at purchasing and building it, but would like to know if anyone has had experience with the kit. Quote
mtaylor Posted March 15, 2013 #2 Posted March 15, 2013 After a quick search in the build log area, I see 3 builds going on. If no one answers here, go take a look a the build logs. You can ask questions of the builders there also. Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
kenr Posted March 15, 2013 #4 Posted March 15, 2013 Hello Mike Latina kits seem to be at the lower end of the scale when it comes to quality of material and clarity of instructions. Existing build logs can help you overcome the kits shortcomings. But is very much a case with kits that you get what you pay for Regards Ken Quote Under construction US Brig Niagara Completed HMB Endeavour - Caldercraft
Mayohoo Posted March 20, 2013 #5 Posted March 20, 2013 Hi Mike, I am building the AL kit and have found it to be pretty good. Couple issues: 1. The directions are sketchy. For example it will say "plank the hull". If you are a newbie like me, that encompasses 3 months work and a lot of help from Internet sources to do it correctly. 2. The nails provided are not brass, they are iron so will rust. I used bamboo trenails that mimic the ship and are to scale. 3. The plans and a few of the parts are not historically accurate, but using the Lavery book and other source material like the Admiralty plans you can work around it. 4. The cost of the kit is variable as it lists for $800, but I ebayed it for $450. I think I have a newer kit as it has a cd of the plans in it that others have not mentioned in their blogs in MSW 1.0 before it died. Feel free to message me if you'd like more info mikeaidanh 1 Quote
tank Posted June 9, 2013 #6 Posted June 9, 2013 I bought the kit and was surprised to find that it has no plans. Quote
Mayohoo Posted June 12, 2013 #7 Posted June 12, 2013 There should be a book and a CD. See the first page of my build that has a picture of the front cover. If AL won't help I could probably photocopy them for you. PM me if you would like Quote
tank Posted June 12, 2013 #8 Posted June 12, 2013 There is a cd and book I just meant like drawings like you get with most kits. Quote
Mayohoo Posted June 12, 2013 #9 Posted June 12, 2013 Hmmm. My first kit? Sorry. The best source I have found for drawings was Brian Lavery's book The Frigate Surprise: The Complete Story of the Ship Made Famous in the novels of PatrickO'Brian. Worth buying or I got a look at the Library before I purchased. The original ships plans are also available if you google HMS Surprise plans Quote
Ulises Victoria Posted June 12, 2013 #10 Posted June 12, 2013 (edited) I bought the AL 1/48 Surprise and was surprised (pun intended) at the quality of the plans and instructions. Full 1/1 scale drawings and plans in full color. The thick instruction booklet is filled with several color photos in each and every page. I started doubting this was an AL kit, after building the Bounty and Endeavour. Only one negative thing I have to comment this far... the figurehead is hideous. I have not started building this monster and I may not do it soon due to its size: 1.33 mts., so I can not comment very deep on it, but what I have seen in the open box, pleases my eye. I read somewhere that AL has now a new line of products, much better than the previous. The Surprise might be one of those. Edited June 12, 2013 by Ulises Victoria Landlubber Mike 1 Quote There aren't but two options: do it FAST, or do it RIGHT. Current Project Build Log: Soleil Royal in 1/72. Kit by Artesania Latina. Last finished projects: Royal Ship Vasa 1628; French Vessel Royal Louis 1780. 1/90 Scale by Mamoli. 120 Cannons Future projects already in my stash: Panart: San Felipe 1/75; OcCre: Santísima Trinidad 1/90; Wish List: 1/64 Amati Victory, HMS Enterprise in 1/48 by CAF models. So much to build, so little time!
hamletmike Posted August 30, 2013 Author #11 Posted August 30, 2013 Thanks to all that responded to my query on the AL Surprise model. Quote
mtaylor Posted August 31, 2013 #12 Posted August 31, 2013 Mike, You contact the seller of the kit or AL? Might be that the plans didn't get tossed in the box. Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
mikeaidanh Posted August 31, 2013 #13 Posted August 31, 2013 Hello Hamletmike, I am also building "Surprise" from AL. The instructions and plans that I received were very basic but by the sound of Ulises Victoria things have improved. Some of my timber was poor and dowels were warped but I can work round that. The historical accuracy is another matter. AL have produced a generic frigate that needs research input from the builder to make it HMS Surprise. On the other hand simply follow their instructions and you will achieve a nice clean model.....just not Aubry's ship. I am sorry that my build log is so sparse but I mean to update it soon. Best of luck! Mike. Quote Previous Build: LA gun deck cross section. Previous Build: Lancia Armata. Panart 1:16 Previous Build: HMS Pickle. Jotika Build. HMS Triton cross section 1:32. Shelved awaiting improved skills: Chuck"s Cheerful. Current build. Tender Avos. HM cutter Alert. :
Jaxboat Posted August 31, 2013 #14 Posted August 31, 2013 I have the AL Surprise and found all of the comments here to be spot on. You may want to check out other kit manufacturers of the same ship (Mamoli I think). Never did hear why Jotika didn't launch theirs (too many "Surprises" on the market?). The prototype building log is still on their website. Best Jaxboat Quote
Pete G Posted October 21, 2013 #15 Posted October 21, 2013 I joined MSW today, as I am 7 months into building the AL model HMS Surprise. This is my first big kit as I have scratch built most of my models in the past. The CD and manaul are very difficult and now I'm on the mast and rigging I seem to spend more time studying the book than working on the model. I have Parkinsons so this project was a challege to complete by Christmas, don't think I will make it as I am hitting great problems with the chainwales, and ratlines. I was hoping that I would find an answer in this forum, but I find the quality of work excellent and beyond my present capablities. Meanwhile I will enjoy the reading. I also put lighting into the cabin, and the covered it with blue glass, not a good idea. I will post some photos when I can.. Pete G Mayohoo, Anja, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote
Ulises Victoria Posted October 22, 2013 #16 Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) I have seen several mentions of a CD. My kit didn't come with a CD. Is there a way to get it somewhere, or maybe someone would be so kind enough as to send me a copy? We can arrange some form of payment for the work and postage. Thank you. PS I have a shipping address in Texas, BTW. Edited October 22, 2013 by Ulises Victoria Quote There aren't but two options: do it FAST, or do it RIGHT. Current Project Build Log: Soleil Royal in 1/72. Kit by Artesania Latina. Last finished projects: Royal Ship Vasa 1628; French Vessel Royal Louis 1780. 1/90 Scale by Mamoli. 120 Cannons Future projects already in my stash: Panart: San Felipe 1/75; OcCre: Santísima Trinidad 1/90; Wish List: 1/64 Amati Victory, HMS Enterprise in 1/48 by CAF models. So much to build, so little time!
Gregory Posted October 24, 2013 #17 Posted October 24, 2013 I have the AL Surprise and found all of the comments here to be spot on. You may want to check out other kit manufacturers of the same ship (Mamoli I think). Never did hear why Jotika didn't launch theirs (too many "Surprises" on the market?). The prototype building log is still on their website. Best Jaxboat For what it's worth, the Mamoli Surprise is a re-box of their La Gloire. Considering that the Surprise was a captured French ship, it would seem Mamoli's heart is in the right place.. Quote “Indecision may or may not be my problem.” ― Jimmy Buffett Current builds: Rattlesnake On Hold: HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett ) In the Gallery: Yacht Mary, Gretel, French Cannon
ScottRC Posted October 24, 2013 #18 Posted October 24, 2013 For what it's worth, the Mamoli Surprise is a re-box of their La Gloire. Considering that the Surprise was a captured French ship, it would seem Mamoli's heart is in the right place.. Much like Revell with their line of plastic ships ie: Bounty/Beagle, Thermopylae/Pedro Nunes/Cutty Sark, Constitution/United States etc... Anyway, I am still interested in this kit. Quote Current Builds: Revell 1:96 Thermopylae Restoration Revell 1:96 Constitution COMPLETED Aeropiccola HMS Endeavor IN ORDINARY Planned Builds: Scientific Sea Witch Marine Models USF Essex
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