heres some more pics. Having to learn how to make a sea now so ignore that its still just experimental. The ship is however pretty much finished.
I used Caenis line for the rigging and gum glue. Using our own David Griffiths technique. I cant recommend his book high enough. Vertical rigging patched on with matt varnish.
Weathering was with oils. Black, burnt umber, white and blue. then pin wash with a near black brown around detail .Then dry brush with oils. I think it came out ok and Im now a convert to this technique . Even though its very time consuming.
The signal flags incidentally are A M for my initials

couldn't resist. Flags are Lion Roar . Fixed with dilute white glue. Incidentally these decals wouldnt stick togeather. I had to use a white glue solution and stuck them to foil. This allowed me to bend and pose the flags.
Alecap, all I can advise in mast building is this. For a start you need a high mag desk lamp or optivisor ( well you do when your in your 40's. lol ) Id recommend good tweezers. I use the tamiya stainless steel ones for precision work. and Vernier calipers for measuring ( essential I think ), particularly with the cross struts.Medium superglue. I got the thin brass from pacific front . I think the cross struts are 8 thou and the main struts 14 . I think Ill have to check. you need a steady hand and patience. Use a lot of eye ball checking for symmetry as you work . A word of wisdom , dont trust the dimensions of the kits masts. In hindsight I would re do the rear mast. but thats a long storey. Get as many photos of the real thing as you can. Oh , if you want a world of pain try soldering the masts. I did that for the main frames. This uses lay on joints and its a whole subject in itself. I do think it adds structural integrity to the masts. Some structures such as the flag bearing part of the rear mast couldnt possibly be glued in place. solderings the only kind of joint that would hold it in this scale. Im sure Ive missed stuff. get back at me if youd like more info. Remember this is only my second kit so Im a beginner myself

More to follow as I finish the sea. The rigging needs its insulators and I may add 2 boats at the front. The large whalers are often missing I see in pics so Ill leave those off.
Untill next time.
Your feedback is very welcome
