Yes, the Movie ship has less. I used the number and spacing of shrouds as closely as I could to the movie version. So overall, what I did was Model after the Movie Version, however there are some things on the Movie Version that are not historically accurate. In those cases I converted over to something that was representative of the period. I was able to keep accurate to the Movie version on the Fore and Main Masts, but you'll notice the mizzen mast on the Movie version is quite stout. There is no fighting top on the mizzen mast in the movie version.I didn't like that look so I kind of morphed the kit with the movie version to come up with something unique, yet still historically accurate. I spent a huge amount of time doing the layout.

You'll also notice I extensively modified the front end of the kit to mimic the movie Version as closely as possible. I really like the look of the bow on the Movie Version much better, but it was a ton of work. I used a lot of square tubular brass ( in 2 different sizes) in the construction and had to make bending jig, and a lot of good eyeball work. I used the brass because I wanted a lot of strength. You can literally pick up the model by any of those parts... it's that strong. Basically I made all of the parts on the bow custom just by eye using all of the online photos I could reference. I used the Movie Version as a basis because I really like the look of it, and since no one really knows what the real one looked like, I decided to go with something where I had access to a ton of online photos.

One of the things I like is the raised poop deck of the Movie Version and had a lot of fun doing that. Also the curved Gunwales were a challenge but they added a lot to the look.

Also, if you look at the way the kit is set up, you've got cannons shooting through the rigging. I set up the guns the way the movie version is set up, except I added another 2, as there are an additional 2 in a couple of shots they did, although you'd never know if you didn't look closely. The kit itself is poorly conceived, but it makes a very good basis for customizing.

So enough of the rambling, but at least you know a little more about the mindset behind my build.

It was a lot of work deciding what to do and what not to do, but the overriding factor was " is it period accurate". The kit has a lot of issues there. So read up, and don't take anything at face value, but most of all have fun.

BTW, You can always ask for help. That's what we're all here for.

Here's another small update. I am still working on the Main Yard. I got pulled off of things for a couple of months and then when I got back into things, I really had to do some research to make sure I was proceeding accurately and historically.

One thing I recently found I error is that the kit instructions have the bunting / leech lines running from the Yards, down the front of the sails, up the back, through the blocks, etc. Realistically, they are supposed to be tied to the bottoms of the sails and then run up the front of the sails, through blocks on the yards, over the yards, and then to the blocks on the fighting tops, or whatever, etc.

This was especially true with the Mainsail as if the wind were to come about and pressed the sail to the mast, the only way you could raise the sail was if you could lift it from the front. If pressed against the mast, the sail could not be pulled along the mast to raise it. This is referenced in "Seamanship in the Age of Sail" and is also shown properly in "Rigging Period Ship Models". This is why you will notice I have the Bunting / Leech line Blocks facing fore on the yard.

A couple of more lines and I will rig the Sail to the yard and then install. I will attach and run all the rest of the lines after that. I just wanted to put in a quick update that showed some details in case anyone wanted it for reference.

I'm still debating exactly how I want to furl the sail as I want it to look as accurate as possible and I still want to have good deck visibility. I will probably furl the windward side as with the angle I have the yards at, if the sail were any other way it would steal the wind from the foresail.

I'm going to tie the sail to the yard accurately as well. That should be a riot! S still have to prep the mast with all of the proper blocks, etc. I took out what I had done and am re-doing it to make it more accurate.

Top work there John

I was going to wait until I got the entire lower Main Yard and sail finished, but I will be delayed for a while with a Kitchen Remodeling job. So I thought I'd just show everyone how far I got.

I have the yard fully installed, but still have the sail rigging to do. I was very difficult figuring out the exact approach I wanted to take, as that is exactly how I have to finish off the 8 remaining yards and sails after this. I also have the exact sail rigging plan figured out as well, so now it simply becomes a metter of execution. On the plus side, they all start getting smaller from here ! I did do a ton of research so it's about as accurate as I'm willing to tackle at this scale.

I will post more pics as soon as I have the sail rigged. There are a whole lot of hours that went into just this little bit.

Outstanding work John

Truly remarkable work John, an inspiration to us all.... Stunning....

Regards

Alan

Great work on the rigging. Love it.
Chris

Excerlent procise work looking forward to more once the kitchen is done

Jase

Thanks Guys. I'm really humbled by the compliments.

Well, if you have any questions, that's what we're here for!