America 1851 by KimW - Revell - 1:56 - PLASTIC - Schooner Yacht

[KimW]

Well now the experience Begins- my first Build Log. This is a little retroactive. I have been working on this for a while now. The goal is to a vintage plastic kit and upgrade it using wood ship model techniques. This will include adding wood and/or parts to replace bad detail and incorrect items.  Use  plastic eye, bolts, “T” cleats, deadeye assemblies and chain plates. A laser cut wood deck will be applied and the top mast and upper gaffs will bs remade with wood. As I am building this to represent the America as she crossed the Atlantic, life boats will be added as well as a binnacle.

 

 Why a vintage kit. The first production runs have the best detail. Ihe plastic is strong, but brittle. You need to to use a strong liquid plastic  cement to ensure a good bond.There is little flash  oh the parts. Sink-holes are  few and far between. The major hull seam should be backed up with epoxy. You really do not want seams springing apart when your project is finished. Old plastic is also very hard and difficult to sand.

 

Why this subject? My research found many comments indicating that rigging was accurate and that this was a good introduction to the hobby. I built Revell’s 1:96 Cutty Sark and USS Constitution when I was a teen an relish the opportunity to do better.

This is the end of installment on. More will follow soon.

Edited Tuesday at 08:43 PM by ccoyle
corrected log title

[Ferrus Manus]

Wow, an America!? This is a kit that, in my experience, has been nearly impossible to find for sale. I want to build this kit sometime in the future, but it isn't on my radar at the moment. I am definitely going to follow this, and I'm sure it will be built with the utmost precision and care. Definitely an interesting subject. Are you going to build the yacht as designed, or as rebuilt by Donald McKay? 

[KimW]

Sorry this build is for the SCHOONER YACHT America built in 1851. I will be starting a build log for my current started project the Sea Witch from Lindbergh. This is a full square rigged ship. Afterwards I will be building the Cutty Sark. Pro bay fiery I finish thee Atlantic and the America. Thank you for lpoking

 

Kim W