Le Superbe by kedes1 - Mantua Model - 1:75

[kedes1]

Hi everyone,

 

In this log you'll be able to follow my built of the beautiful french tallship LE SUPERBE. Like my other finish builts, i'm not looking for a period exact ship and try to do my best with the plans that come in the kit. I suppose i'm a layback builder looking to make a stunning result that i'm gonna be proud. The colors i choose for this buit are black and gold. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as i am.

 

I have already begin the build some time ago and taken pictures during the process. I'll post those pictures with minimal explanations and concentrate writing my thought on the part i'm now building. If you have any comment or question on those first posts, i'll be glad to anwser you.

 

 Keven Deschenes -kedes1-

[kedes1]

Since i've just change computer, it seems i'll have to wait till tommorow to post my first pictures. Sorry for that, i just don't have access to them right now.

[kedes1]

[kedes1]

These are the pics that i found for now. Keep in mind that it's still a work in progress, so it lacks a lot of finishing touch. 

 

Almost all of the boat will be stain and not paint, so it's normal that the hull is not one tone black. 

 

I'm pretty sure i have some pics of the cannons construction but ill have to look for them.

 

Hope you'll enjoy the built!

 

Have a nice day!

[jeff shreve]

Keven, You have a nice build going so far!  I have this kit and it's a nice looking ship but I haven't seen many build logs on it. Have you encountered any issues with the kit so far or had to change anything ?

 

Thanks, Jeff

[kedes1]

Hi,

 

First thank you for your comment. The fact that we dont see that built a lot help me decide to start this one. I usualy do my things by myself.

 

Being honest, i have a few box waiting for me and this one is by far the biggest ship for the smallest cost. The wood is not bad except that the planks need some sanding. Some of the pieces for the aftcastle are laser etched in some red polymer/plywood and they are awfull. Some not at scale and all in need of a good work to get ride of the black ash (if we want our paint to stick to it). Another problem is the goemetry of those pieces. I'm in the middle of reshaping all of them one by one in a precise order to get something nice, but i wouldn't do wood ship building if things like that surprise me. That is the fun and the challenge of the built for me. I also already have new walnut masts because the ones in my kit were not round. 

 

That being said, for the cost, i think it's a great kit, but i suppose it can be challenging for someone who is begining this hobby. 

[Matt Cinnabar]

Beautiful 

[Bill Morrison]

I can't wait to see more!

[kedes1]

The box

Some representations of the polymer/plywood that i was talkink earlier and that pose some problems for the built (and a lot of delay cleaning them up)

[kedes1]

[kedes1]

Hi everyone!

 

Some patch work i did today to be able to put together the aftcastle. This part of the ship definitively gonna be heavily modified. You can see that the pieces just doesnt fit. I reassure you that if you think my last cannon is not at the right place, no it is... the beam that gonna support it is right in the middle of the hole... 

 

Anyway, that's more fun like it, no?

 

 

Way to long...

And now to fill up the supports around the windows for the next pieces that go over there.

[kedes1]

Some others things i'm working on or are ready to go on the ship.

 

 

Edited December 6, 2017 by kedes1

[kedes1]

 

[stupot]

Hi Keven, I just laid the keel yesterday of my Le Superbe. In my kit I found a small baggy of black powder (I know it's not gunpowder for the guns😃!) to which, so far, I have not found any reference, any idea ? is it 'ready mix' for a stain? 

This will be my 4th build, having just completed Occre's Montañés, previously USS Connie (Mantua) & Blue Shadow (Mamoli). I'll be following your build.

 

Regards Stuart

 

All suggestions as to what the black 'stuff' is ill be appreciated!

[kedes1]

Hi, right now i've been really slowly continuing my built. Time constraint. I really like the kit for its price/quality but there's some issues.

 

First of all, if i remember correctly the black powder was stain for the mast. Anyway some of the bigger masts were not circular in my box so i got me some nice walnut masts instead and will not be using it (the powder).

 

Im still after the back castle. Every pieces going there are to be totally redo. Nothing fit and even in the book we can see that they are not using the pieces as is (and the book show 2 different builds, so a little confusing). 

 

I'm a lay back builder so i dont really mind all that and my goal is just to make it look good. I'm having a good time building the Superbe and i hope you ll have a good one too!

 

Keven

[stupot]

I've just found out that it is a bag of walnut stain granules for the deck. Deck planks aren't dark, so will be put to other use. I'm thinking of trying to replace some of the transom details with brass such as dummy brass columns over the etched ones.

[stupot]

I've just found out that it is a bag of walnut stain granules for the deck. Deck planks aren't dark, so will be put to other use. I'm thinking of trying to replace some of the transom details with brass such as dummy brass columns over the etched ones. The kit etched transom parts look more like a 3-D mural to me, but I've been spoilt with the details of Montañés! No stern lanterns in the kit,so I've ordered some with the intent of installing LEDs.

 

Stuart

[stupot]

Hi Kevin, I've at the stage of figuring out the stern galleries, & like you, have found the supplied etchings on 1mm ply tobe utter c--p. I tried your way, but I reckon mine is a much older kit (bought pre-owned). No way could I get a decent paint finish. After three times sanding back & painting it hit the bin. I milled a piece of pear wood to 1.5mm &  scratch built the panel to my own design using walnut strip, 1mm dia. & square, 0.75mm dia. brass, & walnut columns. Next step is to redo the side galleries.