All those planks ! All those photo etched parts ! And that bag with the ropes in it. A thousand pieces ? All the cannons to build and the deck work. What have I gotten myself into ? It's a good thing that I started on the installment plan to avoid the overwhelming sense of being a boy with his finger in the dike I have now. I've started and now I must see it through.

I have never spent this much on a model ever before but eventually was able to tell myself it was a retirement gift to myself. I even wanted to call it off at pack one but my wife talked me out of it. The only place a kit of this quality falls down is in the instructions. Reading instructions on a computer screen is difficult with my poor eyesight. I could print them off but I would use ten gallons of printer ink and four reams of paper. You would sure think that the company could come out with a printed instruction manual along with correctly sized fairing templates now that the full kit is out. I'd be willing to pay a fair price for it. Now that I've said that and now that I've received the remaining packs I must comment on the quality of the parts. Some of these parts are little works of art in themselves. Tenderfoot noted how the belaying pins were so nice and they truly are. Amazing that something that small can be so perfect. The outer stern pieces around the cabin windows are a marvel of precision and beauty. Overall, the precise fit and detail of all the parts are beyond anything I've ever seen. This is what you get when you pay top dollar for something. Only one minor complaint. (Other than the instructions) DeAgostini could exercise just a bit more care in the packaging of the parts for shipping. I have received three packages that were almost crushed by UPS during the shipping process. A little more cushioning material in the box would have been nice even though I was spared any misfortune and the very smallest parts, like the culverin forks, could have been packed tighter. I'm missing one culverin fork but actually have one complete extra due to having that replacement pack three.
But, anyway, anyone reading this who might be on the fence about buying this kit or put off by the price, buy it. This is an exquisite thing.