Here's a relatively early picture. The guns have been rigged, and I added a few details from model shipways purchased at the LHS. The pumps are not vintage 1812, unfortunately, they are post 1840 see-saw type. The ship had chain pumps that were turned by cranks. Next time I'll get the right type. I also bought a few buckets, but don't know how I will use them. I placed barrels next to where the main hatch will be opening up. I also glued cannonballs to strips of wood and placed them near the hatchways as shot racks.
I committed a cardinal sin and painted the sides a gloss black (gasp..gag), under the influence of a recent picture of the real ship that made the sides look quite reflective. I'll try to dull it with dullcote later. The gold trim doesn't look so good - I used modelmaster gold - is there anything better out there? I like the look of gold rather than white, but I may change this trim to white if I can't find a better gold paint. I started to paint the gun deck inside bulwark white, but aborted it, figuring that no one could see them anyway.
I obtained a total of 80 crewmen from Revell. I will partially crew only the guns near the hatch, where they would be visible.The rest will be topside.
I failed in my attempt to do the tan-on-black-then-sandpaper-the-deck scheme to get wood grain to show. too little black and too much tan paint- that's what I get for letting my kids airbrush the decks. And the ugly seams - I never figured that one out. Next time I'll use real wood for planking.
Oh, and next time I would add some stanchions around the hatch - maybe make them out of toothpicks.
Jose Gonzales
Jose Gonzales
San Diego, CA