I've had a copy of the Life-Like Bounty for a while now, a gift from my best friend Doug, a fellow model builder (and a fine one, might I add). I've had this model before in its Academy guise from the 1980's, so I knew what to expect.The model works out to be approximately 1/180.
In short, this kit is a real mixed bag; it has decent, if crude, deck details and the hull is mostly good except for the bow and head rails and the stern below the waterline.
Since I amjust using this model as a break from my smaller (and more eyestraining) Santa Maria, I decided to set the following guidelines for building this model -
1. I could reshape the bow and add a new head.
2. I would cut the model to waterline.
3. I would use as much of the kit's material as possible, including the masts. However, I would correct the sail plan (the one the kit comes with is based on the 1962 Lunenburg built replica (which is much larger than the real vessel, for filming purposes).
4. This would be a fun project.
I started on the evening of the 7th of August, 2009. I attacked the bow first, rebuilding it with styrene and an ample amount of putty.
Once I began, though, I decided to take a chance and actually try to correct (if even a little) the lower stern lines.
As of noon on the 8th of August, this is how the model looks -
More to come.
"I have loved the stars too dearly to be fearful of the night..."