Enterprise by Gershon B - Constructo - 1:51 - first build

[Gershon B]

Hello, I'm a newbie here.  It looks like I've finally found the right forum.  I bought the Constructo Enterprise kit in 2002 and was able, using the then current instructions, to build the hull.  Life intervened, and the whole kit was put away (with the exception of some of the cannon parts, which were lost in a move) for almost 20 years.  Now that I am retired, I took up populating the main deck as best I could.  I thought I would share my progress so far in a picture, and then ask for some help.  My chief problem now is that the instructions for building this beautiful vessel are so poor that, now that it is time to start rigging the vessel, I don't know how to proceed.  Other Enterprise-er's have mentioned a 120 page instruction booklet.  What came with my kit was three pages of instructions and two main plan sheets which did not include the sails.  Does anyone know how to get one?  Constructo does not have a site anymore.   Are there other rigging books that can help me to build myself such things as  the futtocks, how to wind shrouds,  how to build the dolphin striker and other elements of the bowsprit,  where to get the stovepipe (lost in the move).  It's clear I won't be able to build a museum model, giving my tremor and vision problems, but I'd like to create at least a semblance of a late 1700's schooner before I put my ship up on the wall.  Thanks for your time, everyone.

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard, Gershon! I'm sure some members will chime in shortly with suggestions for rigging references. I have tagged your project as a first build, which should draw some extra attention to it. Good luck with your project!

[GrandpaPhil]

This was extremely helpful for me:

 

 

[Gershon B]

Thanks, @GrandpaPhil, this will help a lot.  I evidently have a very old kit, one that was put out with no sail plan and a very bewildering set of plans otherwise.  Nonetheless, I have been able to make and seal the hull and install a draft of the deck furniture.  Now I'm starting to fit out the masts and yards, and I've got a couple of questions:
1)   In the photograph, I'm showing the finished crosstrees using partial kit parts with crosstrees made of stock I ordered from China.  I had to sand down the crosstrees to fit the slots on the kit parts.  This has worked;  my problem is this:  the rigging plans call for placing pins with eyebolts into the ends of the crosstrees.  My problem is that the crosstrees that fit with the stringers are .6mm in width, leaving only .2mm on each side.  The Sapele wood doesn't have that kind of shear strength, especially considering that these pins are anchoring standing rigging.  What I am considering is using 24 gauge copper wire to lash the pin/bolts to the underside of the crosstrees.  I was wondering if you know someone who has come up with a solution to this problem.  

2)  I've had to supply my own chain plates, as some of the parts are missing.  Do you know the best chain plates for a 1799 vessel?

What is the best guide for rigging chain plates?

 

I'll likely be pestering this forum with lots of questions.  I'm doing a half-scratch topsail schooner.   Thanks.    G.
Photos below:  Elevation of the hull with main gaff mast.   Closeup of crosstrees.  

 

[Dr PR]

I had the same problems you are facing with my topsail schooner build. This was a mid 1980s kit with one page of instructions and two drawing sheets. I built the hull and then life intervened until late 2018 when I restarted the build. Here is where I started working on the masts and bowsprit:

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19611-albatros-by-dr-pr-mantua-scale-148-revenue-cutter-kitbash-about-1815/?do=findComment&comment=863237

 

Later I get into the rigging and then making the sails.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 06:40 AM by Dr PR