neal

Hi Paul,

Yes this is not a 'waterline' model,

As such vessels did not rest on their keels at low tide (and I did check!) my plan is to make a quayside seascape with a cut-out to match the waterline.  I think I will make a card template for the aperture prior to the hull being painted.

Fingers crossed, this will allow the model to be removed for RC operation, then returned to the model quayside for the railway scene.  Well, that's the plan!  I think masking the detail between hull and aperture will be critical. perhaps some sort of froth might do this.

Neal

Hi Jan,

There are a number of pictures on line of merchant/whaling conversions from this kit, which are largely superstructure conversions, see:  

http://bunkermeister.blogspot.co.uk/2008_06_01_archive.html

The flower class was original a whaling/trawler design, so such a change would be reasonably authentic.

In terms of the Platinum model, the full original sprues are included, with all the original parts and instructions.

The platinum packs (including timber deck, etches and turned masts/barrels) are included with addendum instructions which aren't particularly clear.  It is of note that the upgraded items often replace parts of the plastic kit, with mouldings having to be cut and drilled to accommodate the metal parts.  Perhaps not one for the novice, but most who would take on a kit of this scale might be expected to have a degree of experience such that they can work it out for themselves (and if I can make sense of the pseudo-English instructions then anyone can!).  I must say that the etched handrails will be much easier to fix than using the moulded plastic standards which need to be drilled and threaded in the original kit.  Additionally, the etched gun breaches and sights look very good.

The Parkins details you highlight are far more extensive, and are probably superior even to the upgraded model.  However acquiring these could almost treble the cost of the Platinum kit if you went for all the options. 

At present I think the model as supplied is fine for my needs, but it is good to know that other upgrades are available.  For the Hooben Perkasa kit, the Cornwall Model Boat Shop supplied a lot of welcome turned brass detail parts to replace some pretty poor mouldings.

There is plenty of online resource for the modeller for the Flower class, however I have ordered a book about the class (and in particular prototype the Agassiz) which is meant to be of assistance for the modeller.

This is going to be something of a long project, although hull assembly (with RC?) will be the first stage and hopefully give enough motivation to complete this in a reasonable time. At present I intend to get the hull shipshape and painted, prior to adding superstructure and detail.

Neal

'Un-modelled' - the Hornby definition for the Original MN!

Merry Christmas,

N