I have built several ships down through the years. Some plastic, some wood p.o.b..
I really enjoy the wooden ships with glee. One of the ships I built was the Harvey by AL. It was not very good quality either. But it did turn out pretty nice. With a great deal of modifications to the whole thing.
I am, though, greatly disappointed with Artesania Latina and their low quality control.
My son wanted to try his hand at building a wooden ship, so for his first try, he purchased a model of the Virginia 1819.
When he opened the box, the practicum for this model was one sheet and it was of the Mississippi Queen! The written instruction are very low quality. Even with my help, he became so frustrated, he gave up. He gave the model to me and I will build it.
But, I will never purchase another AL kit as long as I live! The wood in the kit is really of the lowest quality and the pulleys look like something a three year old would carve.
He will, more than likely, never try his hand at another wooden ship model. It is really a shame, he builds some very beautiful plastic, modern military models, with dioramas. He does very realistic looking work.
I am going to build the Virginia, modified as a topsail schooner.
As this kit is rated, it should not be a difficult model to build. But, it is going to take a great deal of work, to generate a nice model. All the plywood for it is split and very brittle. It separates very easily. The finish planking is very low quality.
I am not going to follow any historical direction for this model. It will be a bashed, modified version. I will follow all the correct rigging methods for this model as a topsail schooner would have.
Well, hope this doesn't bring anybody down, but I just wanted folks to be careful about purchasing what looks good on the box and turns out to be something else.
Time for coffee and a fritter.
DaveC
Seattle, Wa
I really enjoy the wooden ships with glee. One of the ships I built was the Harvey by AL. It was not very good quality either. But it did turn out pretty nice. With a great deal of modifications to the whole thing.
I am, though, greatly disappointed with Artesania Latina and their low quality control.
My son wanted to try his hand at building a wooden ship, so for his first try, he purchased a model of the Virginia 1819.
When he opened the box, the practicum for this model was one sheet and it was of the Mississippi Queen! The written instruction are very low quality. Even with my help, he became so frustrated, he gave up. He gave the model to me and I will build it.
But, I will never purchase another AL kit as long as I live! The wood in the kit is really of the lowest quality and the pulleys look like something a three year old would carve.
He will, more than likely, never try his hand at another wooden ship model. It is really a shame, he builds some very beautiful plastic, modern military models, with dioramas. He does very realistic looking work.
I am going to build the Virginia, modified as a topsail schooner.
As this kit is rated, it should not be a difficult model to build. But, it is going to take a great deal of work, to generate a nice model. All the plywood for it is split and very brittle. It separates very easily. The finish planking is very low quality.
I am not going to follow any historical direction for this model. It will be a bashed, modified version. I will follow all the correct rigging methods for this model as a topsail schooner would have.
Well, hope this doesn't bring anybody down, but I just wanted folks to be careful about purchasing what looks good on the box and turns out to be something else.
Time for coffee and a fritter.
DaveC
Seattle, Wa