Hello, I just started working on the Rattlesnake by Mamoli and wanted to see if anyone else was working on or has built this model. If so, any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Tom

Hi Tom,
I have both the Mamoli and the Model Shipways RATTLESNAKE kits waiting on the shelf. How much have you built on the Mamoli kit? What do you think of the kit?
Rick

Hi Rick,
I've just started. I have the bulkhead frames attached to the keel and needed to do a lot of trimming of the first two frames at the bow on the port side. Most of the deck is planked and I just started to put in the supports for the fore and aft upper decks. There was one piece that is used for supporting the poop that was broken in half and unfortunately only half the piece was in the bag. I'll have to make one. So far the kit has been OK. Not spectacular but not too bad either. The plans have lots of illustrations to compensate for instructions that are somewhat hard to interpret at times. I'll report back periodically on my progress.
Are you planning to start either of your Rattlesnakes in the near future?
Tom

Hi Tom, I checked out your America pics and it sure is a great looking job. Rod

Hi Tom,
I am building the POB II right now using a PRACTICUM which is very helpful. Are you using one for the RATTLESNAKE. There is one based on the MAMOLI kit but would work for the MODEL SHIPWAYS kit also.
I don't know if it is a good idea or not to be working on more than one kit at a time. I would like opinions about that. The RATTLESNAKE is a kit I plan to build.
I have too many kits on the shelf!!!
There is a MEMORIAL PLAQUE dedicated to the "PRIVATEERS" located about 5 miles from my house. It contains 32 ships including RATTLESNAKE, ENTERPRISE, REPRISAL, and others. It also has the names of the captains. Some day I will post the list for all to see. It's facinating! It was dedicated by the COL. RICHARD SOMERS "Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution"
I plan to dedicate my model building to the 1775 to 1815 period. That will include the above named ships as well as CONSTITUTION and CONSTELLATION which I already have the kits.
What do you think about building more than 1 kit at a time? Have you ever done it?
RICK

Rick,
The Rattlesnake will only be my third one. I started out with the solid hull Bounty by Constructo and then did the America by Mamoli. I have thought about building two at one time but so far I have resisted the temptation mainly because of space but also because one keeps me busy enough.
That is great to have the memorial plaque so close to home. Here in Virginia I understand that the Mariners Museum (in either Norfolk or Newport News) has some spectacular scale models. They also have plans to hundreds of vessels. I hope to make it up there in the near future.
Tom

Rod,
Thanks for compliment. There are a few things I would do differently if I were to do it again buth I sure enjoyed building it.
Tom

Has anyone thought about building the Rattlesnake from the Harold Hahn collection? Its high on my list to try after my POB kits. I think a boxwood with Ebony trim maybe? The practicum might even work with this model.

http://www.dlumberyard.com/shop/index.htm

Dave

DAVE,
I had never considered the Harold Hahn Collection before. Thanks for the info.
I also have followed your BOUNTY in progress. What great work!!! I had started that kit a year ago and put it away on the shelf. Are you using the ANATOMY of THE BOUNTY book as a guide? You sure are putting more into the model than the kit provides. If you don't mind, would you tell me about the lights? They really look great!!!
Rick

Thanks Rick,

Keep the accolades coming... :xbiggrin: it gives me support. I wanted to build the kit to the best of my current abilities and challenge myself in order to grow. I'm much further along now with just the stern and bow decorations left before I start the masts.

Many have asked me about the lanterns and I'm happy to say that I'll do a small article about how to make them as well as the scratch made copper sheets, hopefully before I start my masts, both are easier than you might expect. My modeling time was greatly reduced to just the weekends this past summer so things are progressing slowly. :=(( Work gets in the way....

Dave

I'm building RS by Mamoli following Bob Hunts practicum, best money I've spent.
Merry Christmas from downunder, Jock