RFP Posted January 23, 2017 #1 Posted January 23, 2017 Found this interesting Mantua kit (https://www.mantuamodel.co.uk/1_Model_Boats___Ships/Panart_model_boats/_744_Santa_Lucia_46.html) but search as I may, I can't find out much about it. I'm wondering if anyone here is familiar with it, or, even better, has built it. I'm still digging around for my 'first build' after a 30-year "break" from the hobby, and I'll have to admit a bit of reluctance to purchase a kit from anyone other than Model Expo in view of their widely reported excellent support and customer service. Clearly, I need counseling! All the best! Rob mtaylor 1 Quote
juhu Posted January 24, 2017 #2 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Hi Rob, I cannot comment directly on this kit. But there is a very similar kit made by Mamoli (named "Leudo" ). Actually, it is quite common to share the plans, give different names and scales to the identical model across the European companies. One model builder is building this Mamoli thing (unfortunatelly build log is not in English http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=100656)and found the kit quite problematical. Not only the bulkheads does not match the plan, they are not even symmetrical! The supplied timber was of the low quality too. He decided to build it actually a new like from scratch. Is such a kit worthy to be built? If you have some special attraction to this particular vessel type, go for it. If you look for some good starter kit, I would be very cautious here, if not directly look elsewhere. Just my opinion. While I was living in US I had too very good experience with Model Expo. Ended with them due to the very bad experience regarding overseas orders though. But If I were you, would probably stick with them, possibly try BlueJacket Shipcrafters as other option? Edited January 24, 2017 by juhu mtaylor 1 Quote "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." Completed: Smuggler
John Allen Posted January 24, 2017 #3 Posted January 24, 2017 Rob, I built the Panart/Mantua armed launch. It was a fairly easy build, you had to be careful with the planking noting 1 layer and could be seen from the inside. In that kit the wood supplied was good, fittings were above average, sail cloth was fair,a little to heavy. Plans were very good. Instructions left a lot to be desired. I would buy from them again. I built this a long time ago before I was a member hence no log. Grant Dale (Gdale) posted a build long not too long ago look at it Quote John Allen Current builds HMS Victory-Mamoli On deck USS Tecumseh, CSS Hunley scratch build, Double hull Polynesian canoe (Holakea) scratch build Finished Waka Taua Maori War Canoe, Armed Launch-Panart, Diligence English Revenue Cutter-Marine Model Co.
RFP Posted January 25, 2017 Author #4 Posted January 25, 2017 Thank you both for your thoughtful responses. All things considered, I think I'm still going with Glad Tidings! I'm such a coward! mtaylor and John Allen 2 Quote
jhearl Posted January 25, 2017 #5 Posted January 25, 2017 Glad Tidings is a really nice kit. Not too hard to plank and the instructions are very well done. I built the kit earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I made a number of modifications to the deck layout to make it more like a work boat than a pleasure boat. If you'd like to see pictures of mine, they are on my website - http://modelboatyard.com/pinky.html I hope you enjoy the build. Cheers - John RFP, mtaylor and John Allen 3 Quote http://modelboatyard.com Recently Completed: Chesapeake Bay Buyboat - F.D. Crockett
mtaylor Posted January 28, 2017 #6 Posted January 28, 2017 (edited) If it's a Mamoli kit, hang tight. Daniel Dusek bought Mamoli out after their fire and will be (or is in the process) of reissuing many of their kits. I believe from what I've heard, he's laser cutting the wood, etc. Edited January 28, 2017 by mtaylor 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)
RFP Posted January 30, 2017 Author #7 Posted January 30, 2017 If it's a Mamoli kit, hang tight. Daniel Dusek bought Mamoli out after their fire and will be (or is in the process) of reissuing many of their kits. I believe from what I've heard, he's laser cutting the wood, etc. Thank you, Mark, for your response. Actually, the kit I was asking about is a Mantua (of Italy) kit. For some reason, I'm fascinated by these little 'working boats' of the Mediterranean. Here it is: https://www.mantuamodel.co.uk/1_Model_Boats___Ships/Panart_model_boats/_744_Santa_Lucia_46.html russ and mtaylor 2 Quote
digby Posted January 30, 2017 #8 Posted January 30, 2017 Just checked my Santa Lucia (shed name 'Santa Rosa'). Looks nice next to my bench. In my opinion a nice kit , if a painted hull and workman like finish appeals. Good scale for 'rugged stitching' on the sails' , hull timbers were hard to work,but thick enough to sand and fill for a painted, not a clear, finish. Deck camber makes it unusual but pleasing when finished.Well worth a go. regards Digby mtaylor 1 Quote
RFP Posted January 30, 2017 Author #9 Posted January 30, 2017 Just checked my Santa Lucia (shed name 'Santa Rosa'). Looks nice next to my bench. In my opinion a nice kit , if a painted hull and workman like finish appeals. Good scale for 'rugged stitching' on the sails' , hull timbers were hard to work,but thick enough to sand and fill for a painted, not a clear, finish. Deck camber makes it unusual but pleasing when finished.Well worth a go. regards Digby Thanks, Digby... and chance you can post a photo oir two? Rob mtaylor 1 Quote
RFP Posted January 31, 2017 Author #11 Posted January 31, 2017 (edited) Thanks so much, Digby, that is absolutely gorgeous! Although, to my mostly-beginner eyes, it looks like a terrifying build... the double planking seems kind of scary. So far, my only experience with hull planking was when I actually planked the solid hull of my Bluejacket Constitution (their mid-1980s version). It took forever, but when completed, I thought it looked great... then I painted the hull (!) and learned than painting over nicely fitted planking pretty much makes the planking disappear... well, if one uses too much paint, I suppose. Oh well, I'm still proud of my Constitution! If only I had known about this Forum before I did the copper tape below the waterline... Edited January 31, 2017 by RFP mtaylor 1 Quote
digby Posted February 1, 2017 #12 Posted February 1, 2017 RFP, nice work on the Constitution, the Lucia should be a breeze but it's construction is single plank not double. Slow and steady is the way to go. regards Digby mtaylor 1 Quote
RFP Posted February 1, 2017 Author #13 Posted February 1, 2017 RFP, nice work on the Constitution, the Lucia should be a breeze but it's construction is single plank not double. Slow and steady is the way to go. regards Digby Thanks, Digby... But, now I'm terribly confused. Here's a site ( http://www.modellismo.net/forum/navi-e-velieri-work-progress/75397-leudo-siciliano-1-30-santa-lucia-panart-mantua-6.html) that shows a build log of the Mantua kit with double planking. Even more discouraging is that the log stops abruptly over six years ago... uncompleted at that point. Perhaps double planking is an option and not necessary. Your finished model is spectacular! Rob mtaylor 1 Quote
digby Posted February 1, 2017 #14 Posted February 1, 2017 Rob, My kit came with timber for single planking which looks ok under a few thin layers of paint. For a clear finish better timber could be bought for a second layer. regards Digby mtaylor 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.