I have 2 models with PE aftermarket PE, and that stuff. Those builds were several years ago, and I was thinking that it should be all over the place by now. But I am not seeing it. Am i just looking in wrong places, or the aftermarket people just lazy and just not doing it? For that matter, why are the kit mfgs not including it?
Wjat kind/scale are you looking for? Starling Hobby (UK) has some very nice lines between pulley sheaves in 700 scale. They also look/work well on some 350 applications, Atlantic Models (also UK) made some PE ratlines. The new Neverland HMS Victory (700 scale)has some very fine PE rigging included in the deluxe edition
Thanks, I will check out Starling. I build in several scales, mostly smaller, 1:700 to 1:96. The main objects I am looking for are the shroud/ratline assemblies- they are real time savers. I build a lot of small craft, but so far both PE sets I used were 1:350.
I’d really like to know how your search ends up because I’d love to use PE for my ratlines & shrouds. Are there any available in 3-D?
Don, Alliance Modelworks used to do some excellent PE ratlines/shrouds in 1/350, not sure whether they ever did them smaller.
I turned up these on eBay, which look to maybe be stainless instead of brass, never heard of the company Ocean Spirit before, so can’t vouch for them, but they look the part:
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Not sure what you mean by 3D. They only consist of the deadeyes, shrouds ratlines and a little tab to attach to masthead. This by nature is 2D. You get 2 pieces for each mast.
I’m sorry missileman,
I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to 3-D print the ratlines for a sailing ship kits.
First, several companies make them. Some call them “mast ladders.” ???
Second, printing them in resin would make them extremely fragile at 1/700 if you printed them to scale. The PE version is so small, not sure you would really notice that they are “flat” instead of round rope. The other problem is that the masts on most old sailing ships were never the same height, or had the same deadeye spacing, even in the same class (frigates, 1st rates, etc.) due to the variable nature of the wood masts and constant repairs done to them. The masts on the Constitution varied widely over her lifespan, due to available materials, the port where the construction was done, or even sea repairs. So most would have to be specifically etched for a specific ship. And nobody really likes to sell “one offs.” You could learn to do your own photo-etch. At 1/700, most ratline sets would fit in the tank.
Bob
Thanks Greg for posting this. I have a few 1/350 scale projects and the last time I looked, these were either OOP or sold out.
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But we are talking about rigging the kit, not the real ship. Those dimenstions should not change. The two sets I have used were for a certain kit. I think some could be easily modified for a similar sized kit.
I just surfed through Starling to check the status of their newsletter and found on their landing page …
