Hello all, new to the forum community here at FSM, but not to the world of modeling. I've built everything from car, trucks, aircraft, to modern warships, including 3 1/96 Revell sailing ships, Thermopylae in the mid 70's, USS United States in the early 80's, to recently finishing a very badly damaged Cutty Sark that sat for 18 years half finished while life got in the way.
I have been following Force9's build with great pleasure and decided to pay homage to the great Revell kit myself, found a 1976 release on Ebay in perfect unopened condition for $65.00 (with free shipping!) and agree with the consensus that her glory years in the early 1800's are the best way to represent her. Force9, Jtilley, and Bondomans insight have helped me to "plot a course", to borrow an appropriate nautical phrase, regarding the build. One thing I have always done which may seem counterintuitive to some, is to rig running rigging from the pin rails up and tie of in the mast and yards, basically reverse of instructions and cw. I feel I have far more control over tension up where I can actually see to work. I lay out rope coils on the deck and hang them from the pin rails before I ever mount a mast as it is easier for me to get the look right without masts and yards in the way. Any suggestion here to improve my technique would be appreciated, especially since not counting my completion of Cutty Sark last month, it has been over 18 years since my last build, and Cutty Sark required so much repair to broken top masts, bowsprit, catheads, and dolphin striker I very nearly gave up, and I am barely satisfied with the results.
Began my build yesterday afternoon with gluing hull halves together and the long tedious task of reaming out block and other holes throughout the ship with my pinvise (thank goodness for a good glass of rye!).
Force9, I know you are leaving gunport covers off, but I left them on with United States and even if not period correct I think it gives a better look, I might lash them to the deck but I am curious what your thoughts are on those 2 options?