Sovereign of the Seas

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Called at Smiths today to get the latest ModelBoats Mags and I spotted the latest "Make it on the drip kit" Sovereign of the Seas

I thought it looked very interesting, nicely packaged etc, having seen it on the telly……..Hmmmm…….Should I?……Hmmmm…..Don`t think so?

So I put it back. I must have picked it up and put it down three or four times!

As I sat there, waiting for the wife, I realised it was only £2.00….So I succumbed and bought it. I just needed to study it at my leisure

I`ve never heard of the ship….Sovereign of the Seas?…..Was it a real ship? I might buy a few issues, just out of casual interest and see how it goes

It looks an immense project and will cost a small fortune, no doubt

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob, I like the "product placement" provided by two MB mags in the photo…

Ashley

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

yes, she was a real ship Bob, but be aware………you could by a much better kit of her for about half the price………….or wait till a completed one of her becomes available on ebay………………… in two and a half years, because that's how long the article will last………139 instalments, one a week……..at 6 quid a pop.

neil.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Neil

Don't worry……I have no intention of building a complete model, but it looks very interesting and the booklet is very informative. The laser cut pieces look very crisp.

I noticed in Smiths that most of the packages had the cannon missing off the front, as it was a loose item, stuck on somehow. There is a hundred of them eventually

I intend to build part of it until I get bored or quality of build upsets me

I once started the Victory about ten years ago and that lasted about two or three weeks. I think they were weekly issues in those days

Bob

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Hi Bob,

I don't get any newspapers – except the free ones for the cat's litter tray – but reading my Father inlaw's Daily Mail today saw an article about this boat.

They estimate a final cost somewhere in the region of £820 after buying your 130+ parts over 2 and a half years.

I note that Sergal's kit, at 1:78 scale, is only £720 – and they're a known kit producer.

I made up one of these monthly pieces kits of the Bounty, and turned it into a pirate ship. The quality of all the materials was very poor, instructions at times useless and when it came to the rigging who ever had devised their method had absolutely no clew (pun intended) as to what went where and how. I have the complete instalments for the Cutty Sark, was intending to make a "av-a-go" boat with it, but again the quality of materials is quite honestly pathetic. It's a wonder anyone who starts out in our hobby this way actually stays with it.

Good luck Bob, I know you'll drop out soon anyway, but do keep us informed as far as you go. It could be a long costly build! I would estimate that only some 1 in 200 get near a finish. I'll look out for complete sets in 3 years time. I got given the Bounty and Cutty Sark sets!

Kimosubby

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Completed 23in model available from Hong Kong for under £100

Edited By Paul. on 04/09/2012 11:57:28

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks for your comments, chaps

Put the first few bits together and no reason for any complaints so far.

The laser cut parts meet my exacting standards, they are nicely cut out and fit well together

The naval inspection team turned to witness this historic occasion, the chappie on the left, with the binox, is their chief rivet counter!

Edited By Bob Abell on 04/09/2012 14:39:04

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This venture for DeAgostini must involve vast amounts of cash in producing the 135 weekly issues!

It must run into millions! The impressive packaging is really nice to look at and well arranged. But the cost of it all is beyond me

They must be confident in selling thousands of kits, but who are the customers?

The problem is that the real modelling world, ie members of this forum etc, seem to be, looking askant at the venture for some reason…….So where are the thousands of prospective customers coming from?

Finally……How many builders will get anywhere near completion?…….. A pitiful few?

Yet, DeAgostini seem to think they are going to make a profit?????

I simply can't understand the logistics behind it all

Can someone explain?……Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Colin

It would make a very interesting magazine article, if you could get into the DeAgostini factory and see how they produce this type of kit on such a vast scale

Unfortuneately, I think the factory is in China!

But it could be done from their end?

Full of good ideas………Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

I would imagine that DeAgostini rely upon people taking up subscriptions.

If I were undertaking the build I would wish to ensure a guaranteed supply of parts, after all there is always the possibility of some issues being subscriber only or of 'limited supply'

I know its a cynical point of view but with so much money involved it pays to be cautious.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Got to Smiths a week too late today……Week two now not in stock!……..Should have known better

Now on order…….6 weeks delivery!……Ridiculous

Got week three, but nothing to glue it too!…..lol

All the fun of the fair!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

By a stroke of luck…..Part three is the next length of keel to be added Part one!

I`m still impressed by the quality of parts and build……..So we sail ahead in calm waters!

The keel joint is well and truly clamped under a plastic sheet

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress

Contents of parts One and Three

Got to admit, I am enjoying this build!

The beautifully made parts go together perfectly and at the moment, it`s like doing a jigsaw!

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

You'd just better hope that it isn't one of those 1000 piece ones with acres of featureless clouds and blue sky then Bob!

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Morning Colin

It does feel rather a false type of build at the moment, ie……..Nothing to drill, sand or saw!

Never the less, I`m looking forward to the next issue

Bob

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Afternoon Bob,

sorry to spoil your day ""It does feel rather a false type of build at the moment, ie……..Nothing to drill, sand or saw!"" – what about chiseling the rabbet line for the garboard plank and then there's the frame edges to be sanded to hull curve…..

Kim.

PS just noticed in the small ads section in Nov issue MB  "HMS Victory 100 months of bits" be a nice model when finished – offers?  Hope this is not your Sovereign's destiny.

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 25/09/2012 13:50:23

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

At last!……..I`ve found a use for the Fuselage assmbly jig, which I bought in 1993 at Woodvale!

Just need to find the rest of it!

Still enjoying the jigsaw!………..Part Four added yesterday

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Found the base board, now let`s get cracking!

The back fence is the datum, set true by the straightedge, the front angles straighten out the keel, which already had a slight bow

Can`t wait for Parts Two and Five now!……….Do you chaps like it yet?

Now move over to the Eureka Moments thread for something quite exciting, relevent to this building jig!

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 28/09/2012 11:31:48

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Called at Smith's today

There's another weekly boat kit out!

The Mary Rose………By Hatchet

Bob……Lost in Wales

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Most people prefer to use modelling knives and razor saws bob…..

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Colin

There is no difference between a complete boxed kit and the weekly instalment kit!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

Are you inferring that Bob is doing some kind of Hatchet job (yes I got the pun)

Bob

I thought that instalment kits were more expensive

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Mon Ami Paul

They are grossly more expensive, but I only intend making the hull for display etc, or if I get fed up, I can always cut my losses!

Tres Bon?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

It appears that the Mary Rose model by Hatchette, is only avaiable in the Chester area, as a sort of test run

I saw it on sale in Barmouth, North Wales, last weekend….It`s a bit too far for buying it weekly!

Bob

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