Royal Louis by GeorgeKapas - Heller - 1/200 - PLASTIC

[GeorgeKapas]

Greetings to everyone! This kit needs no introductions, as it is an old Heller, with many issues. In fact I have made, and/or attempted to kitbash this kit many times in the past. So basically the simple plan is this: repeat all the methods I used on the bomb ketch, with the experience and skill I got from that kit to the Royal Louis. 

 

The main issue this kit has, which had to be addressed is the horrendous wood grain that  covers the entire side of the ship. It is off scale, and actually shouldn't exist at all. Plus the over the top wales that had to be trimmed down as well. With these out of the way, some modifications are needed on the bow, like re positioning the holes of the anchor lines to a more conventional place, better staircases, knees to hold the upperdecks up etc. Trying to match the model in the Musee de la Marine perfectly is not my intend, chiefly because I don't like its color scheme. 

 

Here you can see the first difficult step: The entire ship has been sanded down, and every surface smoothed down. The wales were reduced as well. When planks need to show up, I'll draw them with pencil just like in the Bomb ketch.  

[GeorgeKapas]

I used the gun carriages differently, glueing them vertically to created gunboxes behind the gunports. This will also make the gun barrels to align better 

[GeorgeKapas]

As for the masts and bowsprit some modifications were made, to the yards and the lower masts. 

[GeorgeKapas]

I'll post various photos of the built so far the next few days. 

[GeorgeKapas]

The sanding down of the exterior of the hull gave me problems fitting the cheeks on the bow, but especially the galleries which required some bending. Filling was extensive all over the place. 

[coxswain]

You're doing a great job on this George - just like your Sovereign - I tackled these kits in the 60's, but not with the maturity or results you achieve - good to see them getting justice!  Steve M

[GeorgeKapas]

Thank you all. I'll omit all the intermediary steps and jump strait to the present. Took these today: The side ladders are added, the stern railings are new, some work on the bowsprit as well, I added some more details around the top most wale. A thin undercoat is getting applied as well.

[Hubac's Historian]

All very impressive, George!  I’ll be happy to follow along on this one, as well.

[GeorgeKapas]

Sorry for the lack of updates. In fact the progress was substantial. I'll do my best to try and be more consistent. The project increased in scope, and along with parallel projects and various other issues this year, I shy from uploading. I made a large sea base for Louis.  I did not cut the hull or damage it, in fact I can remove her from the sea and display her properly in seconds. The diorama will show the ship anchored with yards lowered. As for the rest of the ship, yes, I draw and painted every single plank and pin by hand... Self inflicted torture it seems. 

[GeorgeKapas]

I see the forum has seen some changes. Royal Louis was launched in 1759 so she needs to be placed on the next timeframe (1751-1800)

Edited December 28, 2020 by GeorgeKapas

[Hubac's Historian]

Stunning work, George!  Your sea is modeled in Plaster of Paris?

[EJ_L]

The ship is looking beautiful! That water is also amazing! I know from trying to make rivers and lakes on my model railroad that getting color and wave patterns can be a nightmare sometimes but you did it very well. I like how you can remove the ship from the water as well to see the lower hull.

[GeorgeKapas]

Thank you. The sea is a mixure of wood glue and soft paper, on a base made out of modeling foamcore board. After drying it was painted with acrylics and glossed with more woodglue. 

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by GeorgeKapas

[GeorgeKapas]

A little bit more work on the deck fitings, gratings rails and columns. Most parts still dry fitted. Also notice the ship is full hull, at the very least I am very pleased with how well she fits in the sea base without noticing it. Saved me the very unpleasant task of cutting her up. 

[GeorgeKapas]

Progress on the deck. I dont know what to do with the forecastle. The model in Paris has no gratings, just a large empty wooden area with a capstan, which seems odd and in a very high placement for a first rate

[Hubac's Historian]

Hi George - do you have a pic of the Paris model that shows the circumstance you describe?  To have a working capstan on the forecastle deck does seem strange to me, as well, for a French ship of any rate or time.  My knowledge base is limited, though.  Any Boudriot references, anyone?

[GeorgeKapas]

Yes, here it is: Many wooden kits of her also copy this, Mamoli has simply added a few gratings around the capstain, but the paris model is like that: 

Edited January 9, 2021 by GeorgeKapas

[EJ_L]

My Mamoli kit plans also show one on the forecastle, though it shows it on top of removable hatch covers which does not seem like a good idea as it would be a much weaker place on the deck for something that will be taking on a lot of pressure and torque. My plans also have the smoke funnels from the cook stoves piercing the covers as well. That makes some sense as in theory, the covers could be removed to service the galley easier when in port. 

 

I have not yet decided how I will handle the capstan yet. I suppose it could be used for lighter duty lifting such as ship's boats or even the grapples for the anchors to run them up the catheads. It could also be for extra manpower, providing yet another set of push bars to help in turning. Still, the location does seem odd...

[Slawomir]

Did you finish this ship model or still in progress? Look fantastic!

[Hubac's Historian]

Hi George - I hope all is well, and I would also love to see an update on this project.  One of my favorite things about this model is the way that you represented the nailing, above the waterline; at scale, this just looks fantastic!

 

BTW, in the interim, since last speaking about this subject - I have come to the conclusion that a forecastle capstan is, indeed, likely.  I am basing my observation on the allowance made, for such, on the Louis Quinze model at the Musee:

 

 

The capstan pawls are clearly evident, as is the hole in the deck for the drum.  Admittedly, the inclusion of gratings without coamings is curious.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Hubac's Historian

[GeorgeKapas]

My great thanks Hubac's Historian! Indeed an interesting observation about the capstan.  Maybe I'll just leave it as a deck hole, we'll see. I have been busy with modeling and I realized I haven't posted my latest scratchbuilt projects either... There were also many real life problems I had to attent to. More updates coming today! 

[shipman]

Coming along nicely, George. Lovely, crisp work. Looking forward to viewing future posts.

[GeorgeKapas]

Thank you all, and again, I have neglected to post updates in my threads, or even start new threads of completed models!  I'll plan to do that now, and perhaps continue with royal louis which is indeed a nice built.