"Black Seas frigate - first attempt" Topic

Well, there have been many on this page who have inspired – 1/3000, 1/2400, 1/1200, 1/700 – you name it, I have found inspiration and for that I thank you.

So, in the interests of persuading at least one other to take the plunge (if I can do it…), I am posting my (unfinished) first attempt and taking the opportunity to seek advice.

This is the MNF Marianne, the fictitious flagship of a small flotilla operating from Guadalupe. In 1801 she and her consort of brigs and privateers found themselves pitted against the British invasion of Saint Marie (a fictitious island, familiar to anyone who's ever watched the Anglo-French show 'Death in Paradise').

When doing the rigging I thought, 'this is the fiddliest bit'. Then, when doing the sails, I thought, 'No; THIS is the fiddliest bit…'). This morning I tried (and failed) to fit the ratlines – now; they ARE the fiddliest bit!

Any advice most welcome – please!

All said though, she has been an absolute joy to put together. I'll be using Kiss Me Hardy but the campaign will be a while yet – this one ship has taken me 5 days, on and off, and it's not even finished!

And please don't forget the advice!

Cheers,

Nick

fine work indeed!

Kind words indeed from you, Jocknroll; your work is astounding. Thanks for the reply on the youtube channel about where to get the scenery boards – they will certainly feature as the coast of Saint Marie, now I know where to get them!

I still hope to get to Partizan to see your games there, but I'm still negotiating myself out of an agricultural show in Lincolnshire. Fingers crossed, eh?

Best wishes matey,

Nick

Good job. It looks good.

I'm already committed to 1/1200 scale but the three kits are intriguing.

-Stew

Great looking model.

This morning I tried (and failed) to fit the ratlines – now; they ARE the fiddliest bit!

Any advice most welcome – please!

Stop trying to tie all the ratline knots yourself and just use netting.

A lot of Black Seas modelers seem to like using ratline jigs to fabricate a custom-fit set of ratlines and stays as a single piece with thread and glue:

You can make one yourself, buy an STL for one and 3D print it, or have one printed for you.

I actually think it's okay to leave off the ratlines and just install the stays. A splayed array of vertical lines from hull to crow's nest is what really makes the impression, and the ratlines are usually invisible at the same scale on real ships anyway.

I do believe that there are some photo-etched ones that might come in handy, a cowardly way out compared to tying them yourself, and I am happy to be that coward

Very nicely done. For what it is worth i don't like tying anything at this scale. As it leaves out of scale knots. I prefer pulled sprue. I agree – stays look good but I also like me some lifts.

Again though very nicely done.

Thank you gentlemen for the kind words.

I'll be honest, I'm planning on just using the acetate ratlines provided with the WG kits. They're still a sod to fit though.

Nick