Finally completed end of May 2026 after c.28 years. Started as the original (non cutaway) AL 1:48 kit but then I found the Anatomy of the Ship book in a book shop when on holiday in Falmouth, Cornwall ........ and the rest is history as they say.
During the c.28 years I had long periods of inactivity due to work and family commitments, so its more a tale of resilience and determination to finish.
I kept the basic framework, some deck fittings and the cast metal figurehead. I replaced the wood with pear, lime, boxwood, replaced the stern with my own carving and window construction, coppered the hull to scale with tape and fitted each plate with an overlap to scale and pattern. I also tried my hand at treenailing hull and deck planking and fitted the main cabin with racks for breadfruit pots, to scale. Masting and rigging all to scale per AoS. I even made and stitched my own sails using my daughters sewing machine!
I used AoS, Lees and various other reference books I collected on the way along with various model forums as my guides, rather than AL instructions.
Photo 11 illustrates what a family affair this has been with some scribbled notes in my Anatomy of the Ship book for my guidance from my then 3 year old daughter (now 27).
The experience was a great test bed for modelling techniques, some worked and some didn't but overall I'm ok with the result.
Take care friends, stay safe and happy modelling.
Keith
During the c.28 years I had long periods of inactivity due to work and family commitments, so its more a tale of resilience and determination to finish.
I kept the basic framework, some deck fittings and the cast metal figurehead. I replaced the wood with pear, lime, boxwood, replaced the stern with my own carving and window construction, coppered the hull to scale with tape and fitted each plate with an overlap to scale and pattern. I also tried my hand at treenailing hull and deck planking and fitted the main cabin with racks for breadfruit pots, to scale. Masting and rigging all to scale per AoS. I even made and stitched my own sails using my daughters sewing machine!
I used AoS, Lees and various other reference books I collected on the way along with various model forums as my guides, rather than AL instructions.
Photo 11 illustrates what a family affair this has been with some scribbled notes in my Anatomy of the Ship book for my guidance from my then 3 year old daughter (now 27).
The experience was a great test bed for modelling techniques, some worked and some didn't but overall I'm ok with the result.
Take care friends, stay safe and happy modelling.
Keith
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