Part One
With two months remaining on this current build of the vintage kit HMS Prince, I've decided to post a few images to show how beautiful plastic kits can be with a little patience and the correct mindset of evaluation.
Airfix was one of those early companies that introduced some of the best selling ship models of its time. Many of us veteran builders spent countless hours studying their plans and learned nautical terms in the process. We spent our 'allowances' on the latest paint, brushes, sandpaper, etc. -and whatever other supplies was needed to finish the work. In all honesty, it was time well spent and some of us moved on to become professionals in our field(s) because of this.
Some 41 years ago I purchased my first Airfix kit of SAINT LOUIS C.1626 and decided to modify the contents so that the model appeared as wood and replaced the mast with wood and the plastic sails with actual linen. The kit itself was so detailed that museum curators who came to view my steamboat models were awed with the Saint Louis to the point of purchase. That event brought about the idea of producing a trilogy of these kits which would include the ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Sovereign of the Seas) and HMS PRINCE...The year was 1980.
Unfortunately, that never came to pass and those unfinished kits were lost and the SAINT LOUIS was sold. However, I didn't give up and learned more about the maritime and build better models over a four decade period; acquiring important references to assist with the trilogy. As a result, I was able to produce the Airfix WASA (Vasa) and the ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Sovereign of the Seas). Now, I have this current project before me of the HMS PRINCE.
I'm posting these work in progress photos to show a partial result of the completion. Within two months I anticipate completion and feel good that a vision that occurred four decades ago is finally becoming a reality 'today'. Much of the model has been modified to meet the historical standards of the period...based upon extensive research.
If time allow I will post more, but I do have a blog that give a playbook on my approach of this fantastic kit.
I know some of you have PRINCE. As one builder to another, I kindly say; "Make it your own signature."View attachment 218515View attachment 218516View attachment 218518View attachment 218519View attachment 218521View attachment 218523View attachment 218524View attachment 218525View attachment 218526View attachment 218528View attachment 218531View attachment 218534View attachment 218535
With two months remaining on this current build of the vintage kit HMS Prince, I've decided to post a few images to show how beautiful plastic kits can be with a little patience and the correct mindset of evaluation.
Airfix was one of those early companies that introduced some of the best selling ship models of its time. Many of us veteran builders spent countless hours studying their plans and learned nautical terms in the process. We spent our 'allowances' on the latest paint, brushes, sandpaper, etc. -and whatever other supplies was needed to finish the work. In all honesty, it was time well spent and some of us moved on to become professionals in our field(s) because of this.
Some 41 years ago I purchased my first Airfix kit of SAINT LOUIS C.1626 and decided to modify the contents so that the model appeared as wood and replaced the mast with wood and the plastic sails with actual linen. The kit itself was so detailed that museum curators who came to view my steamboat models were awed with the Saint Louis to the point of purchase. That event brought about the idea of producing a trilogy of these kits which would include the ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Sovereign of the Seas) and HMS PRINCE...The year was 1980.
Unfortunately, that never came to pass and those unfinished kits were lost and the SAINT LOUIS was sold. However, I didn't give up and learned more about the maritime and build better models over a four decade period; acquiring important references to assist with the trilogy. As a result, I was able to produce the Airfix WASA (Vasa) and the ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Sovereign of the Seas). Now, I have this current project before me of the HMS PRINCE.
I'm posting these work in progress photos to show a partial result of the completion. Within two months I anticipate completion and feel good that a vision that occurred four decades ago is finally becoming a reality 'today'. Much of the model has been modified to meet the historical standards of the period...based upon extensive research.
If time allow I will post more, but I do have a blog that give a playbook on my approach of this fantastic kit.
I know some of you have PRINCE. As one builder to another, I kindly say; "Make it your own signature."View attachment 218515View attachment 218516View attachment 218518View attachment 218519View attachment 218521View attachment 218523View attachment 218524View attachment 218525View attachment 218526View attachment 218528View attachment 218531View attachment 218534View attachment 218535
