paints his first three ships from the starter set.
I have decided to scratchbuild my own masts, due to the fact that the ones that came with the kit seem flimsy, and the foremast does not have a top.
I am using various thicknesses of Evergreen styrene rods and sheet plastic.
Here, I have cut lower masts, top masts and topgallant masts to size. I made mine a little taller, as the sails included in the kit were not a good fit (oversized) compared to the original masts. If I had used the original masts, there would be no topgallant projecting above the top yards of the masts.
At the top of the picture I have marked out two fighting tops in .25 sheet plastic. Holes were drilled in these with a pin-vise, and then they were cut out and sanded to shape with an emory board. Note that the channels on the hull have been sanded down considerably.
The scratchbuilt masts as built. Note that I have also built a bowsprit, headsail yard, and dolphin-striker onto the hull. These were not included in the kit.
Top view showing the relative sizes of the included and scratchbuilt masts.
A little more work on the masts. I have added trucks to the topmasts. I have also added boat booms to the hull. Later I will dangle a boat from these.
The masts and sails assembled. I have canted the masts a bit, as if the wind is coming from the starboard quarter.