Yeah I am hoping that the problems have been fixed but the ring on my canon in the 1st issue is off centre so maybe not. We will see how we go. Reading Tomicks posts tho, the official build diary, he hasn't flagged an issue yet but then maybe DeA is looking after him and he has correct parts? Anyway I have enjoyed what I have done so far but then it is only issue 2

best tip of all is PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE, the six extra issues could be copper tape,amount of figures might be opptional,plus maybe a plan option,who knows? but one thing for sure, it will run to at lease 120 issues,be prepared for delays, everything is flown in from italy,so if strikes at airports,etc. their will be delays,the one thing di-ag is good at is non communiacation, long delivery time for back issues etc. and never order materials from them.our bible is www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk for all our tools and bits and pieces,you will need another boat to practice on and fill in the time you are waiting for the next issues.and to hone your shipbuilding skills,and read all the threads on here for further teach-ins.

I am almost finished my HMS endeavour, which I bought as a complete kit 7, yes, you read correctly, SEVEN, years abo. Once you get to the rope work, I can gaurantee you will lose a bit of pace. It is a nightmare, especially the rope ladders running down the masts. (you can cheat and just glue them, I tied all mine) I found after a few hours of that, I was almost blind. The wooden stuff is the easiest. For the planking, I stuck them in the dish washer for a cycle (hehehe, I bet defy didn't have that in mind...) to soften them for bending, then held them in place with elastic bands, clothes pegs, whatever would accommodate the shape of the hull. Also remember that the glue takes a while (hours) to dry properly.

At the end of all this, what I'm saying, is that 2 and a half years is actually a reasonable amount of time to build this model in. I do agree, though, that I would prefer to have more pieces to start with, as the keel and ribs take no time at all to get done. Around issue 5 or so, we get to make the jolly boats, that is quite time consuming, but rewarding.

Hooray! I decided to open my cannon to check, it is all good. Id looks like the thimble was added after the gun was lathed, so yours must have been made on a Friday afternoon...

you could probably sell it, but I don't think it would be worth it, you can buy completed models for about the same as a kit. Besides, after that much effort, I doubt you would want to. The finished item is truly beautiful, and you get a cool feeling of accomplishment when you finally see the result of all your effort.

Hi Rayb

Welcome to the build - I am really interested to follow your trials and tribulations with ehe subscription service. I am taking my chances with CNA for now I just hope they keep up the supply. Some of the guys in the UK have really been struggling with the subs, lets hope you have better luck. I have enjoyed the 1st 2 issues, the parts build and the history and story behind it all.