Esmeralda

Thanks Swanny for the response on the Ratlines.  I will order a set and get this old model built.

I'll bet that was awesome!

That model looks wonderful, it brings back memories. I remember the Esmeralda visiting Sydney back in 1961, when I was eight years old. It made a big impression on me back then, such a magnificent sight in our equally magnificent Sydney Harbour.

Sorry, the former teacher in me requires that I correct you... It's dyslexia is a ditch. 

Also I mis-spoke, it was Alliance Model Works, not model alliance. Dyslexia, its a ibthc!

I got mine through Sprue Brothers.

I have this in my stash, so it's great to see it built and to know it can be "improved". Surprised at the relative size of it compared to the destroyer.

I just googled model alliance and it took me to a site for wannabe fashion models. Too funny. Could you paste in the link where you picked up your PE from please?

Scott, the Model Alliance parts were very good. The railing set included two frets with two styles of railings. I still have enough to do my Mercea build down the road. The ratlines were good but none were actually correct for this ship either in size or configuration. Fortunately with a 6" steel ruler and a fresh razor knife they were easily modified to fit. The set was intended for three mast builds and this is a four master so I had to use parts of two sets to get the job done. The remains should be sufficient for the Mercea build.

This isn't the place for politics.

The powers that be were still in office in both 1976 and 1989, making any such protests at least in the time.

Looks great!  I would like to see more sailing ships in 1:350.  Finished the Academy Cutty Sark a couple of months ago.  By the time I was done with the rigging, I said never again, but the pain has worn off, and I'd be ready for another.  I do still have a couple of the old Heller 1:600 kits in my stash.

I tried to tour her in Seattle during Seafare, I think 1989, but protesters kept her closed down.  It was Seattle, where they will protest for just about anything.

Regarding the model, great work Swanny, I like to see these small models done up.  I have been wanting to try the photo etch ratlines by Alliance on a 1/350 Denmark kit, how were they????

Mighty nice model. Those old Imai 1/350 sailing ships are actually pretty good, considering their size and age. (They originally appeared in the late seventies.)

If memory serves, the Esmeralda became somewhat controversial during the big sailing school ship extravaganza of 1976. The complaint was that the Chilean government had once used her as a floating prison, and people had been tortured on board her. The scandal died down when somebody pointed out that the U.S.'s sail training ship, the Eagle, had once trained Nazi sailors.

Thanks. Sometimes one just grabs your imagination and you just have to run with it.

You did a really nice job with it.  The railings and base does make it stand out.  It really looks like a fun build.

Yes, yes it was.

That was fun!!!!