Roter Löwe by SottoVoce - Mamoli - Scale 1:55

[SottoVoce]

A few weeks ago, whilst on holiday in Lerici, Italy, I happened to come across a box in a junk shop containing the Mamoli 1:55 model kit Roter Lowe. The shop wanted €5 (about US$6) for the kit, but could (needless to say!), offer no guarantee that all parts were included! However, for €5 it seemed worth a punt and the plastic box of parts and other component bags were unopened (although a couple of spars were broken -but looked as if they could be repaired)!

This is my first model build and I must admit that it is proving challenging, not helped by the very poor English translation of the Mamoli Italian instructions.

My Build Log continues from the point reached in the excellent log by Stevinne -I've started my Build Log around the point where Stevinne's log finishes.

The Mamoli instructions are silent about mounting the guns -I've wired mine to the carriages using paper-clips to ensure they don't come apart. Also, Mamoli don't state at what stage to glue the guns in place -I can't see how this can be done after the planking is complete -so I've done it before starting the planking.

I've also made bow fillers out of balsa -there are quite a few comments about the benefits of doing this elsewhere on the website -it was time-consuming to do, but does make the planking easier.

The metal gun port surrounds are proving problematic. I glued these in place with epoxy adhesive early in the build and its clear that several are standing proud of the hull -I can see no option other than grinding them flush with the first layer of strakes before laying the outer layer of hardwood strakes. It's going to be really tedious & it would have been good if the Mamoli instructions had made it clearer that they should not stand proud when glued into position .

 

 

 

 

 

[Chuck]

That is a really good start and very neatly done.  I look forward to your next update.  I can see what you mean with those metal ports.  They look weird.  If not too late maybe try and frame the ports with wood instead.  The metal was a poor kit design choice by the mfg.  But Im sure it will look fine either way.  So far so good.

[SottoVoce]

Steady but slow progress doing the 1st layer of sheathing.

[SottoVoce]

Grateful for some advice (I'm a total beginner at this!)...... I have nearly finished the first layer of strakes -just need to sand them & use a filler before starting to glue the second/final layer of mahogany strakes.

2 questions:

• what is the best type of filler to use to smooth out any imperfections without compromising good adhesion between the first & second layers of planking (a 2 part epoxy like Isopon, or a standard wood filler, or something else?).
• Can a contact adhesive be used to glue the mahogany planks/strakes to the first layer, or should I continue to use the PVA adhesive I've used so far. If PVA what is the best method to hold the mahogany in place until the glue has dried without damaging the strips?

any advice gratefully received

[ccoyle]

Wood filler will do the job. I would avoid contact adhesives for planking. For one thing, you have to apply adhesive to two surfaces instead of one. And with contact adhesives, you essentially have zero time to re-position anything. Once it's on, it's on!

 

BTW, I can see some knuckles that suggest that your bulkheads were not faired enough prior to planking -- it's a common issue with beginners, and just something to look out for next time. Other than that, your first layer very good.

[SottoVoce]

After a long delay I've resumed my Roter Lowe build. I'm starting the second layer of sheathing. I've had real difficulty correctly positioning the 2x4mm walnut sheerstrakes. After incorrectly positioning the sheerstrakes above and below the gun ports, I have made a tracing paper template based on Stevinne's Roter Lowe posting (wish I had done this before I started the second layer of sheathing!!!) -I've then used carbon paper to transfer the correct location of the sheerstrakes and other key items (e.g. upper gun ports, rear balcony etc) onto the hull. Hopefully I can now get get the key elements correctly positioned -I'm still trying to puzzle-out how to correct my earlier mistakes!. I would be keen to correspond with anyone who is at (or past) this stage in a Roter Lowe build. Many thanks David

[SottoVoce]

I've been making some progress with my build during the latest Covid lockdown despite the vague Mamoli instructions! The build hasn't been helped by some missing materials (readers of this build log will recall that I bought the kit in an Italian junk shop for about $5 -so I can't really complain about missing parts!!!). Despite this I have made reasonable progress over the last couple of months. The outer sheathing has been completed, together with the strakes, decking, aft gallery, forecastle and edge rails (these were a particular issue since the 4mmx2mm walnut lath for the uprights were missing). The Mamoli instructions are really problematic since many of the drawings do not relate to the materials supplied and some instructions are non-existent (e.g. there are no instructions at all related to the aft ensign support structure etc.). Also, there are major discrepancies between the photos of the model on the box and the drawings! Next stage is to finish the hull woodwork & then varnish the woodwork before starting on the rigging. I'm a bit concerned about the type of vanish to use since I've been very unimpressed by modern water based varnishes. I'm thinking of using a satin (eggshell) polyurethane (solvent rather than water based) yacht varnish on the outside of the hull and a matt polyurethane varnish for the decking , but would welcome any comments or suggestions about this.

[SottoVoce]

Now moving onto the masts and rigging. I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if there is there a useful rigging guide I can download anywhere -particularly regarding doing the shrouds & ratlines etc. Many thanks David