Recently I had an opportunity to purchase this beautiful model that for a long time now was hovering around the top of my wish list. When the big box arrived... I just couldn't stop myself. Everything else just had to be put aside.

So, here it is :-)

The quality is great. Everything fits, snug but without force. It's easy to keep all the parts squared, new elements added to already glued together line up effortlessly. It's a whole new experience, the boat almost builds itself. Of course I know the difficult parts are still ahead of me, but this is what I managed to build during last three evenings:

















One more thing - the manual is great. The drawings are very detailed, leaving no doubt whatsoever how the parts should align, what should protrude and what shouldn't, etc.

Ooooooh. Is that the Hobbyzone.pl building slip you're using there?

This looks even better in use than I imagined.

Very nice looking forward to this going together

Rgd Martyn

This looks fantastic, very nice start and I will be watching all the way

Steve

What a fantastic kit so far. I may need to build one for my father (huge fan of James Bond)

For the finish I ordered a can of Le Tonkinois varnish, apparently there is nothing better. We'll see :-)

Very nicely done Michu looking forward to the next update

Reg Martyn

Now this is looking great, lovely work to date.... .. Look forward to your next update....

Regards

Alan

Well, I don't right now - I might take some pictures later but judging by the progress, most of the frets will be almost empty. Anyway, I'll try to do that tomorrow.


Little update. The progress has slowed down due to nature of this part of the build - planking. This is a double-planked boat, but unlike most of the builds I have followed, both planking layers are made with 1.5mm thick wood strips - first layer is some softer wood (you have to excuse me, the parts list is only in Italian so I'm not sure what that is, but probably lime), and the outer layer will be mahogany.

The first layer serves two important goals:
- to make a solid base for the final mahogany layer
- to teach me how to plank, as I have never attempted a proper planking job before (have started some on SOTS but left that alone until all strips are delivered)

And boy, how I'm glad this model is double-planked!

I have just finished the bottom part of the first layer of planks. This was job done in three phases:

1. I really really suck at planking. Where are these gaps come from? I watched a lot of Doctor Who recently, they are probably cracks in the fabric of existence.

2. I still suck at planking, but the gaps won't let a camel through anymore and the surface is somehow smoother.

3. I suck quite a bit less, still a lot to learn but well at least it's something that will have a chance to keep the final layer in place.

Pictures:

The stern end, let's start with the lovely behind, shall we?



The bow end, from this distance the damage is less visible:



The curves:



More of the bow and the beginners job clearly visible on the planks closer to the keel line:



Shame, tears and despair :



A quantum of solace :



In the end, I think that 2nd half of this part of planking didn't come out that bad - and I still have the sides to learn before I attempt to destroy my supply of mahogany strips. Anyway, I truly enjoyed every minute of this job. Will update when I'm done with the sides and probably sanding, as I'm pretty sure it will make it all look better and will save me from having to post any more humiliating photos

Hi Andy, this is sound advice and I won't hesitate to ask for more if I have any problems - thanks! There is a photo in the manual that shows there will be two or three stealers in the sides at the bow. I'll manage, I think - I was quite surprised with how each next row was coming out better than the one before. Last 5 or 6 have only hairline gaps. Also the whole tricky area of the bow breakwater will be covered with a metal edge anyway, so any mishaps won't be visible. I'm really happy with how this build is progressing, and I wish I had more time to work on it.

Thanks for looking

Michal