Sovereign of the Seas by Sergal - 1/78 Scale Kit Build.

linton · Oct 1, 2023

Hi guys. I started this build back in July and have been recording progress for family via smart phone. I have no excuse for not sharing it here with those that are invested in this crazy world of model building. So anyway without further a do I will embark upon this task now with considerable catch up that is required. As preamble I would disclose that I have built a lot of these wonderful models over the years of which many are displayed in other family members homes. Wooden ships are my passion but I have built several plastic WW2 ships as well as numerous Lego cars and star wars pieces. Needless to say there is a room factor creeping in these days and no I have never sold any of my models. I am certainly not an artisan and have never attempted a scratch build and I don't get excited about authenticity or political correctness of various brands of kits. This is the second Sergal kit I have built, the first being the San Felipe which was strictly kit built and turned out very nice. I note from many conversations that various modellers have some difficulty with "instructions" that Sergal supply. Do not follow it page by page, look ahead and cross reference with the plans and drawings. Might I be so bold as to say that the wonderful color mosaic supplied in these kits are exactly that, they are Not a set of sequential instructions. They are very handy but consultation with the plans and drawings are essential in consultation with the photos. My advice to anyone attempting something like this for the first time would be well advised to be thoroughly conversant with the book supplied, most of the questions you might have are indeed hidden in amongst the many detailed photos but definitely not in any particular order. As we all know these ships require a lot of forethought and planning to avoid the many pitfalls waiting to trap the unwary. Anyway, sermon over, here we start with first impressions which will be followed up shortly with the catch to the current state of affairs.

linton · Oct 1, 2023

After considerable deliberation about my next project I finally decided on Sovereign of the seas. I did look closely at the various Soleil Royal kits as well but kept coming back to this one. I ordered it from GB and the process complete with Aus import duties was fairly seamless albeit a little hard on the budget. It came well packed and in tact and long anticipated unpack began. The kit is very similar to the San Felipe and has lots of stuff to peek the curiosity. The plans and drawing are nice but are not 1/1 so be ware. The building starts with the usual checking and reading into all the material supplied. The bulkheads and false keel all look as they should and are very tight fitting. Some adjustment was required to prevent any distortion related to forced fitting of joints. Also had close look at the mast steps and bowsprit cut into the false keel to make sure the appropriate size mast actually fits properly.

linton · Oct 1, 2023

The false decks are likewise very firm fits. They do tell you to assist them into position with a hammer but care needs to taken not to introduce any twisting from over tight joints. Dry fitting and checking joint integrity and alignment is good practice at this point. Thinking ahead I started checking the alignment of the gun port backing locations that are notched into the decks.

linton · Oct 1, 2023

Tapering of bulk head and first planks on each side leaving plenty of room for stern works later, don't skint on extra plank at stern, extra can easily be trimmed but not enough is problematic. Decks dry fitted and some experimentation with the supplied stain. Also fitted the false gun backings provided and marked locations on outer hull planks. Everything otherwise seems satisfactory so far.

oldflyer · Oct 1, 2023

Linton,
Hi - good luck with this one - I'm in the middle of the same kit, but I progress very slowly.
I will enjoy following your work - if you have any questions me or other members will be super helpful as well.

Cheers

linton · Oct 1, 2023

Moving on with catch up. Decks in place as well as the more tedious task of the upper bulk heads. Some decorations and deck works but the rest will wait till the hull is completed. The bending of of various pieces is achieved by simply using the fat shaft of a soldering iron. Car taken not to over cook them of course. Planked up to decks and marked false gun locations.

GrantTyler · Oct 2, 2023

linton said:
Moving on with catch up. Decks in place as well as the more tedious task of the upper bulk heads. Some decorations and deck works but the rest will wait till the hull is completed. The bending of of various pieces is achieved by simply using the fat shaft of a soldering iron. Car taken not to over cook them of course. Planked up to decks and marked false gun locations.

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Good morning Linton. I will pull up a chair and follow your build. Looking very good so far. There are some amazing SOTS builds here in particular I refer your to Johns build (@oldflyer ) for you to use as a reference. Enjoy. Cheers Grant

Nj0rdr · Oct 2, 2023

Hi Linton,
a very good start. This is a great model.
I am also in the middle of the building. Maybe I should post an update on my progress.

linton · Oct 2, 2023

Before proceeding with the waist rails I thought it prudent to have a gun carriage available to test for weather deck locations and alignment. Ill keep checking to make sure that all the gun ports align correctly.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Double checking alignment of upper ports and the relationship with the stern works later on. Second planking of upper hull areas moving along now as well. Some local product to end the day.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Inner planking of waist and gun ports going in and making sure everthing is as it should be.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Continued on with the starboard side gun port and second planking. All the ports line up nicely with the backing for dummy guns. Stern planked in. My first oversight here... I discovered later that the I needed a little extra padding where the stern guns are to be placed, so removed a few planks and slid in a couple of pieces of wood to bring the guns out a little. Nothing out the ordinary so far.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Starboard side ports cut in, now to repeat on the port side.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Same process on port side. Aligning everthing, dry fitting and marking. Second planking going in.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Up to date now guys. Starting the blackening process and staining on both sides and the stern pieces to be attached later.

Bryian · Oct 3, 2023

Great effort so far Linten. I would suggest you finish planking the hull before fitting any further deck details to avoid breakage.

linton · Oct 3, 2023

Bryian said:
Great effort so far Linten. I would suggest you finish planking the hull before fitting any further deck details to avoid breakage.

Thanks Bryian, yes that was the plan. Definitly hull completion before moving on to other details. I hadnt tried it this way on previous ships, seemed like a reasonable methology.