L'Orenoque Mamoli 1:100 scale

The Gavel

The Gavel

Joined
May 25, 2020
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What ho, shipmates!

Well, spring break is almost over. My Admiral returns tomorrow. Shangri-la is squared away by the lifts and braces and I'll probably complete my Harriet Lane build this weekend.

So. What's next? Well. It's in the title of the log. ROTF I don't know what to say other than I need to build another sidewheeler. So, shipmates, while I await my package from @Model Shipways (thanks for carrot-and-sticking me into buying this kit 40% off and TARRIFS ARE COMING!ROTF) I thought I'd get started recruiting your expertise in particular because the model turns out to be "fanciful" relative to the actual class of French sidewheel ships from the late 1830's.

I did, however, learn from my Harriet Lane build - the internet is vast and full of stuff like ships plans for free! So, I found a French SoS via a British SoS and with the help of Google translate found plans for L'Orenoque and a basic deck plan for one of her bigger sisters (I think :)) Le Descartes. Sorry for the image quality. The conversion from tif to jpeg is not optimal.

So, shipmates, please consider this my humble request for all of your sources for plans, translations, images, color post cards, books, etc.

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck


L'Orenoque Plans.jpeg
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Bryian said:
That kit has been around for over 40 years. Its great to see its in production again.
By the way, are the new tariffs adding 25 % to the cost of kits ?
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Bryian! I really don't know whether the tariffs will impact imported kits that much. Perhaps it was just good advertising and a very willing buyer. :D

As to this kit, I have been eyeing it for a few years - ever since I developed my fleet building program. At this point, I'm in the sidewheeler phase of the program. The available kits for naval vessels are the Harriet Lane from @Model Shipways, L'Orenoque, Mamoli and Gulnara from Krick. With L'Orenoque, I'll be able to see, effectively, a 1:1 comparison in size to Harriet Lane as well as the changes in rigging and hull design between 1843 when L'Orenoque was launched and 1857 for Harriet Lane. Gulnara is the generation before L'Orenoque and British built. When I finally get the Gulnara, I am thinking of trying to buld her out as on of the early Royal Navy paddle steamers. And I am fairly itching to get back to 1:48 scale!

Blessings.
Chuck
 
dockattner said:
Pulled up a chair...
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Welcome aboard, Paul!

Turns out I'm too pooped to do any more work around Shangri-la. So, I'm spending my evening with shipmates. You'll be happy to know that I got started on my research (you've got your own builds going on:)). I found a neat website devoted to French Navy Ships, 1816-1859 https://www.shipscribe.com/marvap/index.html
The author, bless him also gave me a book reference French Warships in the Age of Sail 1786-1861 which I have already ordered from Amazon!

Looking forward to this one and glad to have such an able hand aboard, Paul!
Blessings.
Chuck
 
Collecting images of French sidewheelers - here's one. Feel free to supplement! I'm particularly interested in the correct colors, etc - I am looking to build her in a Crimean War livery and armament if possible.

And I can't believe it's this late!!! 'Til next time, shipmates!

the-french-corvette-the-sphinx-built-in-1829-she-was-the-first-operational-JT6778.jpg
 
Ok. That's it! Done! :mad::mad::mad::mad: ^%#!#@^!&#$W$!^!!

The minute I think I know what's out there - next thing I find out is that there is a kit of the USS Susquehanna from Woody Joe in Japan. 1:120 scale about 34 inches long for $350 including express shipping from Japan.

Unbelievable! Wait until my Admiral hears about this!
 
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GrantTyler said:
ditto.
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Welcome! Honestly, I'm still waiting for the kit and the reference books I ordered. I have been thinking of the paint scheme - I wonder how influential Britain's black fleet scheme was? Thinking about Harriet Lane and the fact that in Japan USS Susquehanna was known as "The Black Ship" - my bet is that the world's navies were influenced by the British black fleet coloring. Thoughts?

Glad you're aboard, Grant!

Blessings.
Chuck
 
The Gavel said:
Ok. That's it! Done! :mad::mad::mad::mad: ^%#!#@^!&#$W$!^!!

The minute I think I know what's out there - next thing I find out is that there is a kit of the USS Susquehanna from Woody Joe in Japan. 1:120 scale about 34 inches long for $350 including express shipping from Japan.

Unbelievable! Wait until my Admiral hears about this!
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How much is the kit without shipping? If you are willing to put some trust in a total stranger, I can send it to you via USPS from my APO address for much less than the cost of international shipping.
 
Namabiiru said:
How much is the kit without shipping? If you are willing to put some trust in a total stranger, I can send it to you via USPS from my APO address for much less than the cost of international shipping.
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Namabiiru! Thank you for the very kind offer! The shipping isn't that bad for international express - about $60. On top of that I discovered that part of my transition from sail to steam project is still viable.

A while ago in my Harriet Lane log, I posted about my personal sail to steam evolution project. My plan involved moving from sail and sidewheel to sail and screw via USS Kearsarge and HMS Warrior. When I last posted about this, BlueJacket Shipcrafters website listed the USS Kearsarge being "sold out." I was disappointed, but not necessarily surprised. It is a limited edition of 150 units for $739 plus $50 shipping. Short of getting into serious scratch building, USS Kearsarge seemed to be the only USN Civil War sail and screw model out there. Moreover, as she is the same scale as Harriet Lane, I thought it would be nifty to have them together. Then, after "discovering" the Woody Joe USS Susquehanna I decided to check BlueJacket again. It showed in stock, to my surprise. So I called them to check on the number of units remaining and learned that "sold out" really meant not in stock at the time. The kit is still available! So my hazard pay ;) is going to the Kearsarge.


Blessings.
Chuck
 
Remember that with Mamoli (In my experience:3 out of 3 models) a considerable amount of research, departure from the plans, instructions (an "English" translation that can be most charitably regarded as " whimsical" :rolleyes: ) and kit bashing/scratch building, replacement of cast metal parts will be required. There will be no building a model that comes together with ease and facility out of the box. With apologies to Mamoli, that is my experience. I have found that much cursing, cajoling and the urge to throw my hands up in exasperation has been a common thread in building their kits. None the less I have always been able, thus far, to complete something I have been proud to take responsibility for and display when I finished. (I even sold my schooner-yacht America, which now resides in FT. Lauderdale, Fl.) Much has improved over the years since Dusek took over the brand. I hope you enjoy your build(s). I will follow with keen interest

You Humble and Obedient Servant,
Pete
 
What ho, shipmates!

Thank you for your interest in this project! It's actually kind of surprising - in a good way :D Also, I am sorry for the delays - between completing my house remodeling efforts and training for a 50 mile race my time got away from me and researching this project. I certainly did not mean to be a tease - well, not too much of a tease anyway.ROTF

I did slip in a minute to open the box to take out the plans and instructions. She's going to be a big one! I can already tell you that her rig is given as a barque in her plans and in the kit. However, based on my research so far, it is likely that she was barquentine rigged for most of her career given how the Ministry of Marine was rigging others of her class shortly after the time of her launching.

Today I am going to have full sized copies made of the kit plans and the plans I have already shared. One hopes that I will be able to do the unboxing in the next day or so.

So thankful for your interest!

Blessings.
Chuck
 
Magic Mike said:
Chuck, since there are so many that want to watch your unboxing, I'm now watching in the second row with a glass of chardonnay! Magic Mike
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Magic Mike! Welcome aboard! BTW I told them you were on the list. Reserved seating for old shipmates in the first row! This ship isn't run on a first come first served basis - that's tantamount to anarchy! ROTF

Blessings.
Chuck
 
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