Hi Everyone,
I have wanted to build this kit for a longtime; I will “attempt” to
super detail this project beyond the “out of the box” kit – as excellent as it is. I have the McKay book (filled with excellent line drawings and images; it will be an excellent guide, along with stunning museum examples; One of which was built by Ed Marple, and is on permanent display at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, Oxnard CA.
I recently acquired a 1980s “new in box” Sergal kit. That specific vintage product was of interest to me because the 650+ included decorative bits were all cast in solid bronze (that number includes cannons). The current kit is supplied with 650+ white metal/bronze bits that have been electroplated, and apparently,
from what I’ve been told, result in loss of casting details?? (TBD) – though many other advantages are certainly in the current kit’s box as well, and not part of the 1980s box contents.
Given that this ship’s beauty, for-all-intent-and-purposes, is because of its 600+ ornamentations I got intrigued with the idea of solid bronze castings;
luckily found a vintage kit.
That said, instructions were really non-existent, included lumber still looked very good, other included kit’s amenities were, well from three decades ago. Bronze sculptures were, for me, the prize….as well as the 1:1 plan sheets, and the included many solid wood fittings (nice).
The vintage kit I received did not have a single super tiny missing bronze ornament – all were mixed up in fifteen or so zip lock baggies – took hours to go through them all –haha.
Moving forward two weeks – a large heavy UPS box arrived at my door hmm? – Turns out that I was gifted, for Father’s Day, with the current Sergal #787. So best of both kits will be blended into this single project.
My family did not know that I had already purchased the much earlier discontinued edition.
I will balance this log with some, occasional, comparisons between the old and new kit –
No criticisms of either just comparisons. That said, this log will focus on the build as it goes forward. I am lucky to have the best of both available.
So first log entry with some notes. –
l will also keep the writing to a minimum going forward. Thanks for looking in, and if you are interested - welcome to the shipyard.
Regards,
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. I miss your building lately and hope all is good- look forward to some progress. Cheers Grant
