Polaris by FanfarePrint - OcCre - 1:50 - First Build

[FanfarePrint]

Well, everything has now arrived for me to start my build but there'll probably be a few days yet before I'm ready to start anything worth photographing.  I've spent the last week looking at every build on here (of Polaris, Swift and Virginia 1815), trying to gather as much detail as I can, about what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.  This is my first build and so is a learning curve - though I'd still like to be able to produce something that I can put on the shelf and be pleased to say 'I built that'...

 

What I don't want to do is build Polaris 'straight out the box' - I'm not intending to make massive changes (my thoughts of re-rigging her are, I think a little too ambitious for one who can only just tie his shoe laces and has never rigged a ship before!!) -  Rigging is, at the moment, a dark art to me, though I'm reading as much as I can as well as looking at photos of similar vessels and, of course looking at all the builds in here.

 

So, there are a few things I've been thinking about and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

I've got to thank Bob Cleek for his thoughts on the Polaris in my earlier post  which I've spent a long time pouring over, taking out as much detail as I can - really appreciate your help Bob (and would really appreciate any more you might have too!)

 

Wooden hoops will replace the brass rings (well, paper, probably soaked in CA glue to be precise).

 

I really don't like the eye bolts in the deck and would far prefer to replace them with a belaying ring around the mast (other than a fife rail?) what are your thoughts, also on the belaying bars on the frames?

 

I've taken some inspiration from Giomun and his Swift build - I hope that's ok my friend?  I would really have liked to cut the deck and frame work to give at least some idea of a hold, but I'm still thinking about this - too deep and it'll affect the integrity of the frame I think, to shallow and it won't have the effect I'm after.  

 

The coverings of the hold, I'd like to change to gratings (removable if I can sort out how to cut a hold that's worth looking into) and also the addition of a smaller piece of grating for'rard of the original.

 

I'd really appreciate your thoughts, and suggestions - I'm always open to constructive critism and always have an open mind.

 

Ive attached a couple of photos, the plan gives indications of my intended changes which, I hope makes sense.

 

They're all quite small changes, but enough to keep me interested and to help make a slightly different model than that pictured on the front of the box.

 

Thanks so much for your help and support - without it, this build - and the builds of many of the members here, especially us 'newbies' wouldn't get off the ground.

 

Best wishes all

 

Sam