Absolutely outstanding Ken,

Great to see both masts up, and the rigging looks superb

Cheers

Si

Looking incredible on every position in the house !

thought I would have a break from the rigging so decided to do the steps, they are supposed to have hand rails but they were so fine one was snapped on the sprue and one broke cutting it off the sprue so will have to make a couple out of copper wire

Impressive painting Ken! You are certainly doing a fantastic job on this!!

Hi Ken,

The stern is looking impressive. Often scratchbuilt replacements for fine parts line handrails in that scale look better anyway.

Cheers,

Si

well this is on the back burner again



as you can see from the parts list sprue 17 and 18 say 2 sprues sprue 9 and 9a are listed together with a sprue count of 2 I stupidly didnt count the number of oars on the sprues (there are 16 oars on each sprue) so the 2 on the parts list means 2 of each 9a and 9 (why didnt they list those to sprues separately or say 4 on the parts count, so now I have to go through the rigmarole of contacting heller again and waiting for the parts, this really is putting me off ever buying a heller kit again, I mean are all there kits like this, I dont think much of the're quality control if they dont even bother doing a sprue check on the contents of a kit.

I checked over my big Heller kits when they arrived (several years ago) and they weren't missing any sprues.

Hi all was looking at this today and noticed the mast was bent.

so I thought how can I fix that and a cunning plan developed.
first break the top of the mast off then drill out a hole in the top of the mast and insert brass rod then reglue the top on








since this pic I decided I dont like the fore mast sail so have removed it was thinking of removing the main sail as well but my missus says no, what do you think would they have had one sail down and not the other or would they both be up or down.

Well I'm not sure what's going to happen with the La Reale I've contacted heller several times but no reply, the 32 oars I do have couldn't go all on one side said some are different so I can't put them all on one side and display it that way. Not sure I can be bothered with displaying it in dry dock being refitted (lot of work involved and I will always know she's not complete) too big to keep hanging round, maybe time to bite the bullet and stick her in the spares drawer. All I know is she's taking up valuable room, not sure the missus will let me scrap her but, I am rapidly losing interest in her.

Hi all I've just emailed heller explaining to the person who dealt with the parts problem last time that I am a member of several forums that this build is posted on, and that it doesn't look good on Heller's part when I can't say when the build will restart.
But I've had a great idea, I love the sleek lines of the hull, what if I put some rockets on the side and turned her into a space galleon.

Well I do hope the parts come through for you....but in all actuality, some sort of steampunk flying machine would make for an incredible show with it! LOL!! Best of luck either way Ken!

Well I decided to have a go at making the missing parts and after 2 hrs and on my third attempt, this is what I have



I'm quite pleased with it, its a bit crude but when its installed I dont think it will notice too much.
I know one thing I will never buy another heller kit. its not the kits (the kwak apart) they are great kits I've loved the La Reale, its their complete ignorance I've sent 2 emails just asking would they let me know even if they are going to send the parts, not one single reply to 8 emails, now I call that down right rude. I intend to send one more email informing them that they are not the only kit manufacturer out there and if they treat all their customers the way they have treated me I wont be the only customer they loose.(since they obviously ignore emails it probably wont do any good but it will make me feel better) You don't buy model kit and expect to have to make the parts yourself. Rant over so only 15 more of these babys to make

Nice work on the scratch Ken! Way to keep that ball rolling! All the best in making the rest of the batch! I would be wondering if there was someone on that side of the pond that could help you out burning a few resin copies quick and dirty-like! Wouldn't be too difficult to make the mold of maybe five or so and bang out a couple sets...just a thought! Keep up the excellent work!!

Great Job Ken,

Those replacement oars will do the job just fine.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers Si

hi all well I'm as happy as a frog on a lilly pad the parts have arrived an idea can finally finish this build, thanks for sticking with it and giving me the enthusiasm to keep going. Hope you will all stay to the bitter end.

Hi all a small update, everyone was telling me the sails should not be billowing in different directions, contrary to the instructions and the fact that the sails are vac formed and can only but put on that way, I decided to make sure its right I would do the fore mast sail furled.

Hi all a little update on the Reale, I thought I would try to improve the way the rowers handles are depicted.









so, only 29 more to go

Great job Ken! Good to see that all the missing sprues are coming together - not all at the same time, but eventually so.

Very nice improvement to the handles there, I hope you keep up your spirit - as you said, only 29 to go...

Cheers ,

Jan

Hi all well here is an update on this build someone told me the clew? was missing, well apparently this is it (the loose flap of sail from the furled sail)in the first picture.







I've added all the cannons now as well.

Nothing short of marvelous work, Ken.

Great job Ken,

She is looking really impressive.

Cheers.

Si

Hi all didn't like the oar handle, too irregular, so browsing the net I found these, they are OO gauge steps (1/87) so near enough.



But as you can see they are too wide



so with my guage



I whittled them down a bit



cut to length



split



and with a little bit of fettling they will all look the same now

Hi all, well I think I'm on the last leg of this build, this is half way there with the oars

just these left to do

every single oar has this huge seam on it, so, only32 to sort


I really feel this is nearing the end now, once I add the oars it will be huge, no idea what I will do with it when done, I had my warspite dio in the local library, but now thats back due to the library re-utilising the areas and no longer having room for it (a polite way of saying no one was interested in it) so now I've got that back too. argh I have no room.

Great job on the oars Ken,

Looking forward to seeing it in place.

Cheers.

Si

I can just second Si, really nice work - don't lose your spirit on the remaining 'few' oars, Ken!!

Cheers,
Jan