I did a build log of her on Pete Coleman's HMS Victory website, which now hosts build logs and info on virtually all ships. I had also put some completed build pics on Model Ship World and I think someone's blog used the pics. I was actually flattered. I never thought of myself as anything but a tried and true amateur.
Yes, I did get rig the shrouds and ratlines myself. The kit parts, while being the best I've seen, were just not "right" for me, so I rigged my own. Not too difficult to do really. I used the deadeye setups from the kit (didn't want to spend too much extra money) and then just found ways to make it all work. It actually came out quite nice. The shrouds were from a thick line I made myself on a simple ropewalk while the ratlines are thread tied (and it took for-ev-er) to each shroud. If I had any tips it would be to totally chuck the deadeyes and buy wooden ones. It will make life so much easier. Then you can use wire to make the hoops for holding the bottom deadeyes in place. Rigging your own deadeyes/shrouds/ratlines is tedious but the amount of satisfaction you will get when finished will make it all worth it.
The pirate figures came from Ebay. Overall I was not impressed by them but I had nothing else to use, so I made the best of it. This is where the scale issue comes in. Comparing pics from the movie you can clearly see the figures are too big, which means the ship is NOT 1/72, but closer to 1/96 (I'm estimating around 1/90). BUT, when you look at pictures of the helm, the wheel is properly sized to the figures. AND when you look at other pics, at 1/72 the figures look right when next to the cannon, but not at the bow. So does this mean the ship is more than one scale? The answer is a very strange yes AND no. It's a movie-thing again. When shooting the movie, the ship was supposed to be larger than a normal ship of its type. Even next to a British First Rate, like the one in the movie, the Black Pearl looks big. So when you look at camera shots of the actual ship, they are the equivelant of 1/72. BUT when you see camera shots shot on sets or mock ups, they needed to make the ship look big for a sense of size, so they are the equivalent of 1/90-ish.
I know, it's strange, but it's the best explanation I could come up with for the wonky size issues around the ship. I tried 1/96 figures but it made the cannon look huge as well as making the ship's wheel about 10 feet tall. I tried some figs that were a little larger but had the same issue. So I just went with the 1/72. It works and my daughter loves the Jack Sparrow I put at the top of the foremast. The Black Swan shares these scale issues, but since you don't have a movie to compare them to you can easily get away with 1/72 figures. But aside from the figures I got from Ebay (I can't think of the name of them right now), I could not find any figures that I could uses that wouldn't have required a lot of modification.
All together my build was 9 months long. But remember that I am "sort of" retired right now due to a major complication from a shoulder surgery, as well as from my existing back/leg issues, so I was able to devote 3-5 hours every day.
Ah, the sails. When I first recieved the model and saw the yards and sails were one molded piece I had to close the box for a few minutes. My original intention was to chuck the sails and use paper to make my own. I use the real thin paper that is used to wrap around shirts. You know, when you get a shirt in a box for Xmas and it's wrapped in that large tissue-like paper. It's perfect for sails....anyway, I was going to be making my own, but that went out the window. I was under a self imposed time constraint (it was a very late Xmas gift for my daughter) and having to get the wood, make the yards....you get the picture. So I decided to take the chance and go with the kit parts.
It is a challenge to use the kit sails. Painting was not an issue. I painted a base, then masked off the various patches, painted them, then did another layer of patches. I repeated this for a total of 4 layers of patches. Then I airbrushed a light mist of grey to sort of blend the patches to the sail, so they didn't stand out too much. This was followed by a heavy, dark wash and a drybrush. For the yard it was a simple paint, making sure to paint the molded ropes. Then just wash and a light drybrush on the yard and a separate one on the ropes. I ended up liking my decision to go with the kit sails. They paint up and weather nicely, save a LOT of time, and look impressive, especially if you're making a diorama.
Rigging is another animal entirely. You are correct. Rigging around the sails is extremely difficult. Not only are you trying to keep the sails level, you also have to watch your tensions so as not to bend the masts forward. What you can't see in my build is the Mizzen is leaning slightly forward. I just couldn't get it right.
Tips? Well, here's some suggestions;
-set up all of the standing rigging first. This will allow you to get the masts under a little tension. Watch out though. If you over tighten running rigging, especially the topgallants, it could loosen up some of the standing lines.
-Whenever possible PRE-RIG! Have all your blocks on your yards and have all of them on your masts before setting the yard to the mast. It will save some of the pain...
-After some of the headaches I had and after you rig your standing rigging, I would rig the mainmast first, then the fore and finally the mizzen. I would also rig from the bottom up. But realize that no matter what you're going to have some headaches. Two sets of forceps or tweezers is a must.
-Cover your cannons. The lower deck cannons are real easy to snap while rigging. I would use cardboard or something to fold/make a "cover" that can be taped over all the guns at once. This will keep a very hard-to-fix accident from happening.
-When you mount the sails, you will need to make sure you pull the bottom of the sails forward a little so it looks like the sails are full of wind.
-The Black Pearl had black-ish sails so I'm not sure of any real good tips for the white sails of the Black Swan. I will have to say that please don't make them just white. I would get at least a real light tan or yellow/tan mix on them to tone down the white a little. Just do something to tone them down and add some texture to them. The sails should blend with the overall tone of the ship, not stand out or glow in the dark. Done well, the sails become a conversation point. They should draw the eye with details.
-The Black Swan is a pirate ship. Don't be afraid to divert from the instructions when it comes to rigging. Some of the standing rigging is a little strange in how the line runs. My approach was "if it seems easier to do it another way, then of course a pirate wants to do it the easiest way, right?"
And the same goes with the ship itself. This is a pirate ship. There is no "standard" for the ship. Make the build your own. That's what makes it "fun", right?
-BE PATIENT! There were some sessions where I rigged only one line in 5 hours. For the price you paid for the kit, you want it to look sharp. Take your time and it will. If you make a mistake, don't worry. Just pull the line and start over. If you get frustrated, take a 20 minute break and walk away from the work bench.
Well, there you go. I hope my ramblings are actually helpful. But, looking at the marvelous job you're doing on the Swan, you don't need much help. You've got everything well under control. I had thought about getting another Black Pearl and building her as she looked BEFORE she was burned and sunk by Lord Beckett (that's part of the back story of the Sparrow/Beckett relationship before the events of PotC). She was a beautiful ship. Your build is really making me want to get that build going.
Great work. I am eager to see more build-pics.
Phil