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Sovereign of the Seas - Mantua by Brian

Not sure what to do about the bowsprit position! out of the box build or modify, can't find a whole lot about modifying the kit. I bought myself a book hope it helps :)
Here's a few places you might look:




There are others on the forum, but these might be of interest to you.
 
Great that you got the McKay book if you want to change things. Your experience is great so I am curious if you already know that you are going to change anything from the kit and follow the information from McKay. Seeing belaying pins in the kit is a surprise and may give pause. :)
Good luck, this is going to be fun to follow.
Allan
 
Here's a few places you might look:




There are others on the forum, but these might be of interest to you.
Paul Thanks for adding my log here :)
 
Not sure what to do about the bowsprit position! out of the box build or modify, can't find a whole lot about modifying the kit. I bought myself a book hope it helps :)

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Couldn't resist making a start :)

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I will also follow along - PS: I did some detailings with bowsprit - The kit really misses here IMO.

Good luck indeed. McKay book is a good sourse of info especially if you intend on fully rigging - including sails. The sails part was Speechless???
 
First day proper and as we all know the kit bowsprit is wrong so made a start rectifying that (more work to do I know).

IMG20260622080124.jpgIMG20260622080243.jpgIMG20260622080318.jpgIMG20260622080706.jpgIMG20260622080730.jpgIMG20260622080807.jpgIMG20260622081520.jpgIMG20260622081524.jpg
I will reinforce the area later in the build.

IMG20260622081540.jpgIMG20260622090117.jpgIMG20260622090122.jpgIMG20260622090131.jpg

Hope your all comfy it will be a long one :)


Just a side note for anyone in the UK ordering rope or blocks from Canada the rope for this kit was a reasonable $199 then came UK customs and charged £76 import tax so not so good value in the end :(
 
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Seeing belaying pins in the kit is a surprise and may give pause. :)
The Royal Navy began transitioning to the widespread use of belaying pins in the early 18th century, with pinrails fully adopted by the mid-1700s. Before this era, sailors tied off their running rigging using cleats, fixed bitts, and rails.
so she was built in 1637 and wouldn't have used them is this correct?
 
she was built in 1637 and wouldn't have used them is this correct?
You are correct Brian,She would not have had belaying pins. Same issue with the hearts which appear to be for the stays. She would not have had any of these, but rather there would be deadeyes.
Allan
From Lees' Masting and Rigging English Ships of War
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I love the following contemporary hand colored engraving from RMG. It would make a great background picture behind and above the finished model. Note the flags. ensign and pendants.
1782119913853.png
 
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