This was my 2nd model build and I found 1:350 scale pretty challenging for my eyes and skills. I did use some PE parts on this kit, but trashed quite a few with not having the experience nor a proper bender to shape the parts. I tried to work on my weathering skills in making this ship look like she had been in service. One of my cats 'lost' my rudder and broke of the prop, so I got my 1st experience at fabricating the rudder. I also drilled holes into hull and used wire to add strength in attaching both parts to ship's hull.

Looking pretty good for the second time at bat, Robert!
Never did understand a cat's fascination with models...lost a few to 'em over the years myself.

That's a pretty awesome effort for a 2nd timer!

Well done Robert!

and welcome to the salty side

Excellent build. I really like the wheatering, which IMO adds to the realism of the model.
Well done
Jacob

Great job on the second time around Robert! She's a beauty! Glad to see you sticking with the floaty stuff! Can't wait to see what you bring to the bench next!

Real nice...one to be proud of.

Many thanks Richard. We've got 3 cats who just love to help out with things!

Thanks Anthony. I'm hoping that I can feel comfortable down the road to scratch build a WWll Troop Transport ship. I have the G.O.Squier AP-130 in mind. My dad shipped out of S.F. in the medical corp on his way to the South Pacific. Someone suggested I use an old Revell Hospital ship as it was a c-4 type hull which the transport was. I'd be much happier if one of the model companies would release a ship that got our troops into action. Cheers!

Todd - my 3rd ship was Captain Kidd's Pirate ship and, it was so badly warped, many a time I wanted to throw it at the wall. lol I finished it up and it was a good lesson in painting detail and working on my vocabulary. I'm currently working on Revell's 1:96 USS Constition and taking my time to get this sailing ship right. Purchased the AOS and Rigging Period Ships books to use as a reference. I'm currently working on gun tackle for the gun deck long guns. Here's a couple of pics of the hull and gun deck (without cannons).

Russell - thanks for looking and your comment! I want to stay with model ships as builds - I'm a sod pounder who wants to sail the seas!!!

Thanks Jacob! These ships were well used and dirty. I used some watercolor wash, dry brushed graphite powder on decks, CreateFX Rust, burnt sienna oil pastel and even a #2 pencil to muck things up. Check out the Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty build in here - I learned he used a product called EzyLine for his rigging to keep his lines taut. I'll be picking some of this up for future projects.