Greetings All,
Haven't posted in a couple of years due sadly, to a divorce (she apparently having a mid-life crisis & now doing it on my dime).
Got another kick in the !!! recently when my dad passed away.
While helping mom clean out the attic, my younger brother and I came across some of dads old models, most notably, his Aurora Wanderer, which I can remember him working on at the kitchen table way back in the 60's. We remembered fondly playing with this kit when we were young, as it looked like a pirate ship to us back then. When I got older, I had always wanted this kit, but when I found it on auctions it was way out of my price range.
A couple of weeks ago, I looked on ebay, just for "giggles & grins", & found one for sale (at a reasonable price). I placed a bid and was amazed when I won! (my 14yo daughter told me that "Grampy" must have wanted me to get it). I received the kit and inventoried it, finding a couple of pieces missing (nothing that I can't fabricate).
I want to build this kit as a tribute to my dad. I have access to a lot of research material as I live in Fairhaven, MA, right across the harbor from New Bedford (my dad was a docent at the Whaling Museum after he retired from his engineering job). Also, the town of Mattapoisett, MA is directly east of my town, and this is where the actual Wanderer was built. I have also dived the wreck site several times, as it is only about 3 miles (as the crow flies) from where I live.
Has anyone built this kit, and if so, any hints/suggestions? I know the whaleboats are not accurate but I might just cast new ones for it. I also have the sails w/yards from dads original build, as he never finished it, and I found the box w/the unused parts, so I can make a mistake or 2. I havent decided weither to build it "under sail" or with the sails stowed (more scratch building).
I am an aircraft guy (WWII & Korea USMC/USN mostly), so I will be working WAY outside of my comfort zone or area of expertise. I plan on taking my time and doing this one slowly, as I work on my other projects as well. Any suggestions/advice/help from you "old salts" would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks......... Jim