- Joined
- Jun 22, 2025
- Messages
- 18
- Points
- 48
This is my second build in progress after a 40+ year break in modeling from plastic kits. This particular example was actually inherited from my uncle who had assembled the hull nearly 50 years ago. When it was given to me while I was in High School I painted most of the details in gold while the rest of the hull remained unpainted. Prior to leaving for boot camp, I carefully packed the model away in a storage box, along with the rest of the kit's parts, and a number of other model kits, where they remained for the next four decades, the storage box accumulating well over a dozen inventory stickers from various moving companies as it was shipped around the country as I moved from duty station to duty station. Now in retirement, I unpacked that box to rediscover some wonderful vintage model kits including this one.
My first thought was either to toss the model or give it away on ebay, but then decided to use it to try out different paint colors intended for other projects which is how the bottom came to be painted flat white. When that masking and airbrush effort turned out as well as it did, I was inspired to take the next step and paint the hull sides. With another success in masking and airbrushing, I then removed all of the deck fittings and cannons (thankfully no breakage), and then masked and painted the deck. Concurrently I painted the already assembled masts, and have also painted most of the additional parts yet to be installed. At this point a good portion of the hull is complete except for some detailed painting that remains to be done (quite a bit actually), after which I will finish reinstalling deck details and then move on to the masts, sails and rigging.
For this build I have been researching material both online and in book form in order to present a fairly accurate model both in appearance and in its rigging. In addition I have been in contact with aftermarket component makers for parts such as blocks, rigging thread and sails. As for historical information, nothing matches the exeptional book by John McKay, Sovereign of the Seas 1637. John McKay's research is incredibly indepth, so too the detailed information and drawings that he provides which are a gold mine for moderlers of this particular ship. I should also point out excellent examples of this kit finished by other modelers, one just recently posted on Ships of Scale by Kie (https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/airfix-royal-sovereign.17113/#post-450887); another example can be found on the HiSModel website (https://www.hismodel.com/en/photogallery1/royal-souvereing-1-250-lindberg-by-radimir/). I must also mention that the overall paint scheme for the hull has been inspired by a print done by Mike Fuller (which I have purchased from his Etsy site ProfilePrintsGallery), a copy of which can be seen adjacent to the model in one of the photos below.
With that and the photos below, build progress to date is current, but certainly more to follow.
Semper Fi,
Eddie
My first thought was either to toss the model or give it away on ebay, but then decided to use it to try out different paint colors intended for other projects which is how the bottom came to be painted flat white. When that masking and airbrush effort turned out as well as it did, I was inspired to take the next step and paint the hull sides. With another success in masking and airbrushing, I then removed all of the deck fittings and cannons (thankfully no breakage), and then masked and painted the deck. Concurrently I painted the already assembled masts, and have also painted most of the additional parts yet to be installed. At this point a good portion of the hull is complete except for some detailed painting that remains to be done (quite a bit actually), after which I will finish reinstalling deck details and then move on to the masts, sails and rigging.
For this build I have been researching material both online and in book form in order to present a fairly accurate model both in appearance and in its rigging. In addition I have been in contact with aftermarket component makers for parts such as blocks, rigging thread and sails. As for historical information, nothing matches the exeptional book by John McKay, Sovereign of the Seas 1637. John McKay's research is incredibly indepth, so too the detailed information and drawings that he provides which are a gold mine for moderlers of this particular ship. I should also point out excellent examples of this kit finished by other modelers, one just recently posted on Ships of Scale by Kie (https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/airfix-royal-sovereign.17113/#post-450887); another example can be found on the HiSModel website (https://www.hismodel.com/en/photogallery1/royal-souvereing-1-250-lindberg-by-radimir/). I must also mention that the overall paint scheme for the hull has been inspired by a print done by Mike Fuller (which I have purchased from his Etsy site ProfilePrintsGallery), a copy of which can be seen adjacent to the model in one of the photos below.
With that and the photos below, build progress to date is current, but certainly more to follow.
Semper Fi,
Eddie
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