Yes, Paul, I was excited about your build back then, but as seems to happen for some reason, many of the builds that I follow do not come through with current updates. I have found that I sometimes have to unsubscribe/resubscribe, in order to get back in the loop. I have no idea why this happens.
Well, it took me a few days, but I have read through the entire log, and I really can't say enough good things about what you have managed to accomplish, here. I hold your work in the highest esteem, along with one of my other favorite builders - Marc Yeu (scratch-build Soleil Royal) - for both of you have a precocious ability to self-teach, while maintaining impeccably high standards of craftsmanship. I consider myself a skilled painter, but you have exceeded me in every way, on that front. I appreciate your humility, but really - you should just go ahead and take a bow for all of your marvelous sculpture work; it is all so vivid and alive!
The care with which you prepared your bulkheads for planking, and then the meticulous attention paid to the planking, itself, is absolutely incredible for a first effort. I have seen many excellent models from experienced builders that don't match that quality of execution. I really love the representation of the iron work. Some may say that including it is a "kitchen sink" approach to modeling, but I disagree. You have struck the fine balance between scale and realism, and all of that effort translates to such a realistic representation of the real thing. The whole effort, to date, and especially those tops you made is just superb.
Of course, I am also very glad to see that you did not plank your stem and stern-post. It is completely incomprehensible to me that the kit instructions even advise this. The greatest value of a build-log like yours, and I really haven't read another quite like it, is that it demonstrates for other modelers of all experience levels, just what is possible with a little extra research, care and attention.
Apart from the magnificence of your creation, what I enjoy most of all is your droll sense of humor. In our bleak pandemic times, we can all use quite a bit more of that
And so, I hope to remain current, going forward, but even if I lose the thread again, somehow, I'll come find you. It has been such a pleasure to read your log. I have learned a great deal, already!
