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Sovereign of the Seas Part 5
Model Space Sovereign of the Seas Part 4
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by: Todd Michalak [ TRM5150 ]

Introduction

Continuing my review series of Model Space’s 1/84 scale Sovereign of the Seas ship kit, I am pleased to present the fifth installment of my review. This time I take a look at Pack 5. The Sovereign of the Seas kit is a multimedia wood based model kit depicting the largest and most heavily armed ship afloat during the 17th Century. Model Space’s scale model kits can be purchased either by subscription or as a complete kit. The subscription breaks down the build and payments into manageable monthly installments. Each month a new Pack arrives with a new set of instructions and parts for that pack. The subscription continues until you receive all of the parts to construct the model or you cancel the subscription.

Link to Pack 1 Review

Link to Pack 2 Review

Link to Pack 3 Review

Link to Pack 4 Review




Sovereign of the Seas – Pack 5


Leading up to this point, Packs 1 through 4 of the subscription of Model Space’s Sovereign of the Seas ship kit has allowed the builder to construct the hull section of the model. These Packs include materials for framing of the hull as well as multiple decks, two layers of planking and various peripheral items such as the ships launch and several cannons. By the point the builder is done with Pack four, much of the rough construction to the hull would be completed along with a start to the decorative parts cladding the hull. In addition, the basic color guide provides the builder with detailed instructions to paint the exterior of the hull.

Pack 5 of this subscription is delivered in Model Space’s standard cardboard box packing with all of the parts and the Pack 5 Instructional magazine inside. There are eleven individually sealed packages containing parts for Stages 46 to 56 which are outlined within the Pack 5 instructional magazine provided. As seen with previous Packs to this subscription, the instructions are presented in a full color magazine format. Pack 5’s instructions is 52 pages in length and begin with another short history lesson containing informative facts to the life and times of the period that the Sovereign roamed the seas.

As I mentioned above, the bulk of the instructions cover construction of Stages 46 to 56. In these Stages, the focus on construction has shifted from the lower hull to the third deck, or weather deck, fo'c's'le, quarterdeck and bulwarks. The basic shape to the bukwarks of the open decks was laid down in Pack 4, now process of covering and decorating various portions of the quarterdeck begin. More Bamboo strips are supplied to create the walls to the bulwarks along with pre-notched strips for the gratings one the third deck. Removal of some framing remnants along the side bulwarks of the third deck are shown along with cleanup and subsequent painting of various trim.

With this pack we see the introduction of many peripheral items that will adorn the ship such as belaying pins, bucket, deck side gun port framing, cannon balls and the bell housing. In Stage 48, the instruction run through a detailed step by step to the creation of the cannon ball holders and powder buckets that will rest on the weather deck. Moving forward, attention turns to the exterior of the stern. A large majority of the ornate transom to the ship are pasts cast in white metal. Stage 49 begins the process of a quick cleanup to the soft metal’s casting marks and installation of the top windows to the transom. Photo etch screening is provided to compliment the decorative value of the windows along with painting these parts gold to match what was seen on the original ship. Construction of the bell housing is also a part of this stage. The housing comes supplied in 1/8 inch laser cut wood. Parts are glued together and then shaped giving a multi-layer corniced look to the top and base. The next few stages cover the construction of yet more windows which are to be installed on the stern along with the final construction of the bell housing itself and final painting in gold. The details keep coming in this Pack with stern friezes and more cannons. The friezes are decorative insets into the transom in and around the windows. Again, these parts are cast in white metal and will be painted gold to continue the lavish appointing to the stern. As mentioned, there are more cannon. This ship was fit with 101 in total. Spanning out the delivery and construction process makes the work much less tedious than laying out and building all of these at one time. Winding out these beginning stages to the stern is even more embellishments. These parts decorate the top of the transom and have been cast from white metal as well.

As construction progresses through Stage 53, decking of the fo'c's'le and quarterdeck begin. Basswood strips are provided for this and a complete outline showing step by step of the process is provided. As stage 54 commences, the subscription has provided the stern lantern along with two small figures. The lantern is cast form white metal and brass photo etch screening and color acetate are provided to give the lantern its original look. Both figures have been created in white metal. One figure is fully assembled while the other only requires attachment of both of its arms. The last Stage to Pack 5 shows us the construction and painting of the supplied right-hand quarterdeck gallery. This is will be the ornate fixtures attached to the side of the stern. There are several soft metal parts which attach to the gallery which was installed near the beginning of Pack 4. All of these parts will be painted in gold as well.


Conclusion



Well there you have it, Pack 5 to Model Space’s Sovereign of the Seas subscription model ship kit. As I have seen from the beginning, the parts are packaged and ship very well and arrive within a day or two one month from the time the previous Pack arrived. All of the parts are manufactured extremely well and require little effort in cleanup and working with when constructing this kit. The ornate structure to the Sovereign is finely duplicated through the use of the white metal casting provided. This of course will increase the weight of the ship the further along in the building process we go. The provided instructions remain consistently thorough and the full color step by step processes defined are simple to follow. Pack 5 does appear to be a smaller delivery of parts once the box is opened, however, the parts and construction for these Stages of the build can be time consuming and should not be rush. All of the metal parts included will have to be painted. Adequate priming and a quality gold paint should be used insuring that the paint bind securely to the metal surfaces. I am very pleased with how things are going in the build up to this point and continue to be excited about adding all the lavish decorative parts which begin to really bring this model to life. As always, I look forward to receiving the next Pack in the subscription.



Written Reviews



Link to Pack 1 Review

Link to Pack 2 Review

Link to Pack 3 Review

Link to Pack 4 Review



Video Reviews



Link to - video review of Pack 1

Link to - video review of Pack 2

Link to - video review of Pack 3 & 4

Link to - video review of Pack 5
SUMMARY
Highs: The delivery of the Packs remains on time in in excellent condition. The parts are consistently made with a high quality and the instructions provide a solid format to simply follow
Lows: Some casting marks on the metal parts will have to be removed; however, the metal is soft and easily cleaned up.
Verdict: Pack 5 is certainly a welcome point in the subscription. The ornate details to the stern begin to show the true beauty of this ship.
Percentage Rating
99%
  Scale: 1:84
  Suggested Retail: $99 per month / 12 months
  Related Link: Model Space
  PUBLISHED: Mar 24, 2016
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 95.52%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 98.60%

Our Thanks to Model Space!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Todd Michalak (TRM5150)
FROM: MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

I am building what I like, when I like and how I like it; having fun doing it. I have been building and finishing models on and off my whole life but the past ten years things really exploded. Just about anything goes when it comes to hitting the bench, but wrecked armor, rusted hulks, ships or ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Todd Michalak [ TRM5150 ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Model Shipwrights. All rights reserved.



   
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