Clear Rigging instructions for the plastic 1/96-1/120 scale Cutty Sark

[Steve777]

Help! I am having a terrible time trying to find good, clear rigging instructions for my 1/120 IMAI Cutty Sark. The kit instructions are terrible and incomplete. I have George Campbell's drawings I got while I was at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, but they are hopelessly complex and I cannot use them....I don't see how anyone could. I bought the book "The Cutty Sark, the Last of the Famous Tea Clippers" by C. Nepean Longridge, but it would take a couple of years of study and work to try to figure things out how he has written about the rigging, since there is not much on diagrams. I bought the Mantua Model kit rigging instructions ($70 USD) and they are much clearer, but they too are far from complete. I have the book "Rigging Period Ship Models" by Lennarth Petersson, but that is not specific to the CS. I have the booklet titled Modelling the Cutty Sark by Edward Bowness, but that has ONE 5" x 8" entire ship rigging diagram and a few tiny 2" x 2" faded black and white pics. I have the Revell instructions, but they generally only cover only one side of the ship and they are not very clear either.

Isn't there ANY good running rigging instructions for this scale Cutty Sark? Anywhere?!

 

[B.Bayramov]

Hello Steve, I'm also currently building a 1/96 scale model of the Cutty Sark from Revel. I'm having the same problem. Even though I bought the full set of accessories from HIS Model and downloaded the instructions from their website, I still can't figure out the rigging. For example, I want to pre-install blocks on the yards and masts before installing them on the ship, but I can't figure out where to install them or how many. I'll have to resort to trial and error. And don't search online, because it's pointless. Unless someone from this forum decides to help us. I wish you success on your difficult journey.

 

[TheGatzby]

Isn't there ANY good running rigging instructions for this scale Cutty Sark? Anywhere?!

It sounds like you have a lot of documentation for sailing ship rigging.
The purpose, function and run of a particular line would be essentially the same no matter the ship. There would be little if anything that would be unique to the Cutty Sark. I would extrapolate from all of the information you have and do your best with regard to execution.

A common problem with kit rigging instructions is they are often wrong in some respects anyway, so using all those sources you have is your best approach.

When people ask for help, I am reluctant to send them off to spend more money, but if you want the best reference on Clipper rigging it would be:

MASTING AND RIGGING, The Clipper Ship & Ocean Carrier​

 

[Steve777]

Hello Steve, I'm also currently building a 1/96 scale model of the Cutty Sark from Revel. I'm having the same problem. Even though I bought the full set of accessories from HIS Model and downloaded the instructions from their website, I still can't figure out the rigging. For example, I want to pre-install blocks on the yards and masts before installing them on the ship, but I can't figure out where to install them or how many. I'll have to resort to trial and error. And don't search online, because it's pointless. Unless someone from this forum decides to help us. I wish you success on your difficult journey.

Yes, that's exactly where I am! Before installing all of the yards, I want to install blocks on them. I've concluded I'm just going to have to guess about number of blocks per yard. Now, since I posted my question about rigging, I did find one book that supposedly has better rigging instructions, called "Cutty Sark, Classic Ships History", by Hackney. On eBay in the U.S. it costs as much as $120.00 though. But I did find it on eBay in UK for 20 pounds, so I ordered it and awaiting its arrival. I'll try to remember to let you and others know how helpful it is.

 

[Steve777]

It sounds like you have a lot of documentation for sailing ship rigging.
The purpose, function and run of a particular line would be essentially the same no matter the ship. There would be little if anything that would be unique to the Cutty Sark. I would extrapolate from all of the information you have and do your best with regard to execution.

A common problem with kit rigging instructions is they are often wrong in some respects anyway, so using all those sources you have is your best approach.

When people ask for help, I am reluctant to send them off to spend more money, but if you want the best reference on Clipper rigging it would be:

MASTING AND RIGGING, The Clipper Ship & Ocean Carrier​

Gatzby, thank you for this helpful suggestion. I did download this book and am looking through it.