INDISCRET Xebec- Aeropiccola-1/40 : by Neophyte Shipwright

Joined
Jul 31, 2019
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Location
Gastonia, North Carolina USA
I am pleased to announce the start of my current project. A French Cebec as kitted by Aeropiccola. I have had to search for a scale since it is not given on the box. By the way, this is a kit from 1971. What I have been able to determine is the scale as given on other Italian Model Forums as 1/40. That gives the length of the hull = 29 1/4" or 2 foot 51/4 inches long. Width of hull 7 inches. So, what this means is for the type of hull, the model builds into a rather large vessel. This is a as I have been able to find called, Cebec, Xebec or Zebec, Arabic for small ship . So, this is a 1750 French built vessel to combat Piracy as was also used by the Pirates. The then French vessels as used were not able to engage these types of ships and therefore decided to fight fire with fire and put their own spin into this what was then called the Greyhound of the Seas. Much can be found on the French vessel Le Requin, which I may be wrong but means Shark. The Indiscret was built at the same time as the Le Requin. These vessels were armed to the teeth and a very formable foe to come against. The Indiscret carried, 24 guns and weighed 260 tons. French built the following Chebecs: Ruse, Serpent, Requin(Shark) and Indiscret. You got to just love these names. I purchased from one of the best sellers I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with on eBay for a very good price. The kit appears to have been well stored and though it is from 1971, the kit looks like it was made yesterday. Sure, the wood has had more than enough to dry out, but other than rubber bands that melted, I believe the kit is buildable with what is in the kit. If not, wood is easily enough replaced. The fittings are pristine. There was a bonus I have never seen in another Italian mfg kit, a Italian to English Dictionary called a Small Dictionary for Shipbuilders! Has already proved invaluable reading the plans. I am retired, enjoying what time the Good Lord has allowed me, I am not a speed builder so bear with me. I am at this time working on the keel/rabbit.

1XEBEC_03.jpg
 
I see what you mean mate
Quite a large ship
Good luck and love to see some photos Cheers snowy
 
There are so many new interesting build logs that started! I will definitely watch yours, she is so elegant. Good luck, and many thanks for starting. Thumbsup
 
Ok Snowy.....lets see what I can do. Thanks for the reply Jim. I have always liked the lines of these vessels and their history. I also wanted to build something outside of the norm. This is a old kit, but the details and design lends itself to a very detailed and correct vessel. I have spent the day working on parts of the keel and after I have the main frame assembled, I will post some photos of the work. But for you Snowy here is the box cover as she comes.

indiscret (2).jpg

 
Another project that I will follow with joy
Complete one 2y ago but the other French ship version the rigging was call Polish-style xebec a modification of the lateen version a 3 mast and square sails.
 
Another project that I will follow with joy
Complete one 2y ago but the other French ship version the rigging was call Polish-style xebec a modification of the lateen version a 3 mast and square sails.
Any tips or ideas, please feel free at any time to advise. I also am aware of the Polish style rigging. I have done quite a long research before starting the build. I saw where you posted the drawings from the French Book on Le Requin. I would love to have a copy, but 135EU's = 147 USDs is a tad too much for me. Besides, the copy I found was French Language only, for that much I want to be able to read and I pretty much wanted for the drawings. I have not found too many build threads other than a French Forum build of this self same kit. A lot of photos that helps to show assembly of this Mfg. One of the things I found interesting is there is no false deck/ply. You run the planking suspended over the tops of the frames! And as the builder on the French Forum did, I will also use thin ply to make a false deck and plank that w/pear wood. I plan to single plank the hull w/Box wood. But I am getting ahead of myself. I have seen most of your threads and I am most glad to have you following my humble build sir.
Rick
 
Very interesting project and I will follow with big interest, especially because I am a big fan of the Boudriot drawing set of the Requin, which you already mentioned and showed in your first post of this topic.
For everybody interested here the link to the planset:
 
This is not the 1st Aeropiccola Kit I have had the pleasure to build. Years ago I had a USS Ranger Cutter by them. It also was quite large and if my ole memory serves me right, I believe it to also be 1/40th scale. Aeropiccola as I understand it is no longer producing kits. But the had some really nice features incorporated in their designs. They included in their kits plastic wood material parts. These would be the Bow and or stern of the hull, figure heads and ornamentation and other odds and ends. They figured if they took the very complex to fabricate areas/details out of the equation, one was more likely to complete the kit. Their drawings/plans are very detailed and could be framed as a stand alone. If you look close at the photo of the open box, you will see what I am talking about. The stern of the Xebec/Chebec is a rounded almost looks like ones bum! They have made this for you. Pretty much all the carvings are made of the same material. The draw back, these parts if used will most definitely require painting. You get a nice assortment of fittings and what I consider the nicest scale turned cannon barrels I have ever seen in a kit. You can also see the little dictionary, some written instructions though just general comments about the then used glue and paints. 4 sheets of well drawn plans albeit all written in Italian. All wood frame parts hand cut, some sheets with printed parts you cut out (old school), no laser cut here folks, and a bundle of planks. The wood as I mentioned in another above comment seems to be workable, I have done some flex/bend test w/no splintering and or breakage. A testament to the quality of wood one use to get in a kit. I found one hull frame w/a slight bow in it. Remember, the date on the kit is 1971! The only really neg. I have found is the rubber bands melted, but appear to come off cleanly. They also included material for one to sew up a set of sails. As you can see, this is a old school builders kit, no instant gratification or short cuts. And no I am not cutting todays kits, they are a wonder to behold/build. But until one takes on a build like this, you really appreciate what mfg's do today in this hobby. Hope I have pointed out all the details to the kit.
 
Well said, Rick. Looking at contemporary models, it is always amazed me how did the shipwrights made it without CNC, laser cutters and not to mention 3D printing and CAD designing program. I don't even think they have a rotary tooling.
I guess you have all the tooling for the project, I cannot wait until you laid the keel. Good luck!
 
Spent most of the day working with 4 parts that make the bow. I had forgot how much fun it was to take blocks of wood, saw, carve, cuss and set back in wonder and ask did I really do that. Glad that is done, now where are those band aids!
Rick
 
Just a foot note really, one should take the time and read all threads here as time permits. Just happened to be browsing threads and saw the word Shark, peeked my interest and what did I find, you guessed it. Another Xebec build, though way beyond my humble kit, yet there is much there to ponder. One never knows unless you dig what nugget you might come up with.
Rick
 
HI, quite a few of us have done the occre Xebec. For me it was a very enjoyable build.
Outstanding build my friend. I stopped when I saw you listed the build and went thru the photos. I looked at this kit and went with the Aeropiccola for my build. I am however a Big Fan of Occre kits. I have a started HMS Terror and lost interest. But will return at some point. I went with the Aeropiccola kit because when comparing hull lines for a French/Spaniard built Chebec/Xebec, the old kit was very, very close to what I was able to determine. Not that the Occre is not and when one considers how many types of these vessels were built, the hulls do vary. But regardless you did a wonderful job on your build and I really liked the Ship Stands. If you wish to add any tips please feel free to do so at any time. Thanks for looking in.
Rick

PS: Jealous, you are building another of my dream ships, the Santa Ana. Will follow your build closely.
 
Yes Chebec, Xebec or other name are popular ship. And the lines are so beautiful I did the Corel one I have a build somewhere here.
A hard part to do are the cheek at the stern but I think that on your model you do not have them that is the part I am pointing
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You mention that you have also start another build the HMS Terror from OcCre you are a true ship builder many project at the same time:D:D:D
Here a ling to a French forum where one builder just complete is terror 15 mount to build
http://www.laroyale-modelisme.net/t21587-montage-du-hms-terror-de-notre-partenaire-occre-1-65
Hope that will help you
And here a small YT of this summer of Parks Canada on the wreck of the Terror
 
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