I mentioned in my introductory post some of the work I am currently doing on a partially assembled Airfix kit of the Royal Sovereign. I inherited this kit partially assembled long ago from my uncle, soon after which it was carefully packed away where it has remained in storage for decades until recently. I had thought to sell the partially assembled kit along with a complete unassembled kit of the same model, but decided to keep the partially assembled hull as a test item for airbrush colors I intend to use on other builds. But after masking off and airbrushing the lower hull and seeing how well it came out, I was inspired to make an effort to complete the kit as I have all of the kit’s components. So far I have managed to paint the lower hull, tumblehome, and masts. I am currently working to paint the bulwarks, after which I’ll take on the extensive masking required to airbrush the deck. Hand painting the many details of the upper works along with final hull and mast assembly will follow, and then the real challenge of rigging will begin. When I get to rigging I’ll be looking for suggestions on sourcing the many to scale standing and running rigging components that did not come with the kit as standard parts but which will be necessary for making an adequate effort.
Pictured above, the model as it came out of the storage box.
Lower hull after masking and airbrushing with Tamiya XF-2 (Flat White).
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Model after masking and airbrushing the tumblehome with Vallejo 71-032 (Golden Brown), and hand painting above the waterline with Vallejo 71-271(German Red-Brown). The latter is the same color I am using to paint the bulwarks and hatch grates as pictured below. I am finding Vallejo paints to be easy to work with, easy to clean up, and wonderfully forgiving of lack of skill. I would have preferred that the chainplates - and other parts for that matter - not have been already glued in place, but they are part of the challenge of working with an already partially assembled model.
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Wow! The work that you’ve done is outstanding and I’m so glad that you decided to “save” and finish this kit instead of turning it into your “paint mule” Your uncle would be proud and happy. I’ll be following your progress along closely.
Finished up painting the masts and bulwarks today, and managed to paint the chainplates back to black. Now to mask the whole thing and airbrush the deck. For a hull I contemplated tossing out, giving away, or using as a “paint mule” to quote Mr. Tom above, this has become the focus of my efforts lately and is really coming together nicely. It is not perfect by any measure, but it has been a project with pleasing results. Once the deck is done, I’ll turn my attention to all of the “King’s Bling”, that is to say all of the gilded carvings ordered by Charles I. To the right of the model, you can just make out the picture I am using as a color guide.
For those who might be interested in seeing what can be done with this kit, the following YouTube link is to video 1 of 3 by Rex Stewart who performed a superhuman feat in completing his Airfix kit. His rigging of the ship is absolutely amazing.
Until next time.
Cheers,
“Eddie”
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While this build by Rex Stewart is incredible work, I have to say Eddie, that I’m still very interested in your build especially with the story behind it.
Making progress. There was a fit issue apparently and the catheads were glued under the deck rather than on top of the deck as they should have been. I removed all of the deck fittings in preparation for painting the deck to include the catheads but that revealed large holes that needed to be filled. Using a couple of small pieces of styrene and some Tamiya putty, the holes filled in nicely. After both glue and putty dried I sanded down the spot and painted. Once the detail painting is done and the catheads reinstalled, this repair work won’t be noticeable. I did have to cut some of the forecastle railing to be able to fit the catheads on the deck as they should be, but it’s not that noticeable with the catheads in place.
Starboard side with cathead removed.
Repair sanded and painted.
Starboard side cathead set in place.
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There is an easier way to paint a deck 
But the result was worth the time and effort it took to mask the hull in preparation for airbrushing the deck.
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I’ll be watching this thread- I am working on an Ark Royal now.
Your detail on the guilding is exquiset.
The deck looks fantastic and your detailed painting on the bow looks awesome! This project is going to be so great when it’s completed.
My first time working with preformed shrouds and ratlines. I had always assumed they would be far more accurate in how they were rigged in the model assembly process and more accurate in appearance than the molded versions that are common in more recent sailig ship model kits. I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be. The assembly instructions simply called for each set to be glued just below the tops at the upper end and glued to the molded deadeyes at the lower end. My first attempt with the set pictured below was to at least try to cut the upper end long enough to glue through the cross tree in an attemplt to simulate how the shrouds would have been rigged, but this didn’t pass muster in appearance. It is too bad that the kit manufaturer did not provide sufficient extra threat at the top of each set as with the material at the lower ends of the preformed set; this would have allowed the shrouds to be tied at the top better simulating the ship’s rigging. In an effort to at least move the needle a little closer to how the shrouds might have been rigged while working with what came in the kit, I wrapped the top end of each preformed set with black thread that I then wrapped around the mast above the cross trees, securing it with a line tied with a clove hitch and glued. While the wrap at the top of the shrouds is not authentic, the overall presentation is much better than it was when simply glued to the mast. My thoughts anyway.
I would be interested in knowing what others have done with the preformed shrouds/ratlines, other than simply throwing them out and rigging from scratch.
Cheers,
“Eddie”
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I also want to take a moment to say thank you for the notes of encouragement above, they are greatly appreciated!!!
I was able to return to this project Thursday and spent a good part of the day painting the details of this model with Tamiya X-12 Gold Leaf. Keeping the couple of drops of paint I kept adding to a bottle cap viable was a challenge and required constant stirring and thinning as I worked, not to mention having to clear the brush from time to time. For the time spent I managed to paint the details on both sides of the bow and the decorative tops of the galleries (which for some reason had been painted green way back when). The result looks pretty good but there is so much more to go. In the meantime I have started to look for information on the rigging plan as the instructions that came with the kit don’t offer much. Toward this goal, HiSModel has been very helpful in providing a few pages outlining rigging the ship and there is a nice example of this kit fully rigged in the photograph gallery on their website. The Rex Stewart YouTube videos also offer visual details of rigging. Looking forward to moving on to that phase, but for now will enjoy the transition to occur to the hull’s appearance as more and more of the decorative details receive paint. All for now.
Cheers,
“Eddie”
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A possible source for info is the forum Model Ship World (if you’re not already aware of them). Mostly wood projects but there are some plastic builds on there as well. Looking great!
Cheers,
Mark
Thanks Mark. When I get around to it I have also thought to join the Nautical Research Guild and Washington Ship Model Society, both of which my Uncle was a long time member of.
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I have used PE shroud/ratline assemblies. They are only available for a few kits, and one universal set in particular scales. However, when I went to reorder, the company seemed to disappear.
I think we ship modelers should get vocqal about wanting the PE option. I am working on one of those photo-less PE, but until then I will buy any I need for a project,
