What experience have other modelers had with the European kits?

The following discussion originally was with reference to an Artesania Latina kit, but in general applies to ANY of the European kits.
{John O. Kopf}
I bought a 1:48 model of the U.S.S. Charles W. Morgan (three-masted Whaler) about 8 years ago for $180. I've been working on it off and on over that time (with multi-year breaks of 'off' time). Lately I've been 'on' and progress has been pretty steady.

But during the work on the whole beast, I've been surprised at how poor the instructions are and, despite fairly extensive diagram sheets, how incredibly easy it is to screw up. This was my first foray into model ships and I've obviously bitten off a huge chunk, but it's been lots of fun. Except for the part where I botched the stern. And the part in the bow where the planks don't really form to the first layer of the hull. And where the...

I doubt I'd have done a second one if I'd built something simple. There's something epic about building this monster.

But to return to my question... Is Artesania Latina a reputable outfit or not? And do they still exist? I'd like to talk to them about getting some more stock for the ship (not enough doweling for the spars). Anybody got an address on these guys?

To any fellow novices who are working on an Artesania Latina model, here are my words of advice:

The guys who did the instructions are laughing their collective behinds off at the thought of somebody following what they wrote down. The order of steps is horrendous and frequently leaves out dependencies between various pieces. Look at the plans about 8 times, look ahead in the directions about 5 steps, measure everything twice, dry fit it to the model a couple times and then, only then, do it all over again before you even think about cutting or shaping anything.

But in all honesty, the kit has been buckets of fun. I can't imagine getting more enjoyment per dollar in any other way.

I know this much - the whales are safe from this baby...
{John Buehler}

Like you, John, I'm working on my first Latina kit (it's the Swift pilot boat) and I have to agree, the instructions leave much to be desired. In my case there's no mention of when, of even if, the keel should be attached. But you're right, by reading the instructions thoroughly at least three times and comparing the written word to the diagrams, you should be able to manage.

I wanted to let the company know what I thought of its instructions and tried to find the company on the net, but it didn't turn up with Netscape Search.

As for spare parts, my local hobby shop is able to get Artisania Latina parts (even for the Swift which has been discontinued), but any quality hobby shop should carry the dowels and the proper types of wood needed.

I've completed a couple of solid-hull wood ships this past year and the Swift is my first attempt at planking a hull. I have no gripe with the quality of the parts and fittings in the Latina kit but I'm glad my first planking job is on their beginner kit.

The company does still exist and I've recently seen their new catalogue. The finished ships look great and I'm considering buying their version of the Blue Nose II, but I'll wait until I've experienced more of their Swift. I may opt for Model Shipways version of the original Blue Nose.
{Derek Conlon}

I saw a review of Artesania's top of the line kit in an English boat modeling magazine a couple of years ago. The ship in question is the Spanish 74-gun San Juan de Nepomuceno, in 1:90 scale or something like that. Here are a couple of points that I remember from the review.

The belaying pins were all out of scale, and had to be replaced. The rigging plan was all wrong, and had to be scrapped - time to dig out Masting and Rigging again... The kit in itself got pretty good reviews, though. Good materials, sensible layout and so on. I can't remember anything about the building instructions, apart from the rigging foul-up, but they can't have been too horrible or I think I would have remembered.

From what the review photos showed, the Nepomuceno kit made a pretty lovely model once it was finished - those Spaniards made some beautiful ships back in the 1760s.
{Staale Sannerud}

A kit is SUPPOSED to provide the following advantages over scratchbuilding:
  1. Sufficient materials (of adequate quality) to build the model;
  2. Sufficient help (plans, instructions) to build the model;
  3. Some saving of time (due to stock already properly dimensioned, some parts already partially or fully formed).
From comments on this list, there appear to be many kits that provide none of these!
{John O. Kopf}
IMHO you are precisely correct, though I believe many domestic kits tend to provide all three. You may spend a bit (not much) more, but you get a better product. With all of the accumulated expertise on this list I am sure you can determine which of the domestic kits are the best value and most authentic.
{Al Blevins}
Not to add fuel to the fire but before we paint all kits with the same brush I have found that quality depends on the kit and company. Like stated before I found the Mamoli kits are lacking in detail and do provide kits of fictious ghost ships.

However, my experience with the new Model Shipways kit Constitution is the opposite. While there are some small details that are not dealt with (nail heads on the inside side of the bulwarks) its is a highly detailed kit (this is what I have found from my comparsion to the pics available on the Constitution website).

As well, with the limited research that I have done with the Caldercrafts Agamemmon I have found it has been a highly accurate kit. What has impressed me is the use of cut parts made of brass that provide window frames, ornamentation and railings that are do a good job of capturing the stern gallery accurately. NOW, there is room to do research to capture treenailing and butting of planks as well as additional work on detailing the rigging of the deck cannons (Which is not provided with the Agamemnon kit but is provided in the Constitution kit) But with the size of the Agamemnon kit and the amount of wood that is needed as well as the abundance of detailed fittings, I do feel the price of the Caldercarft kit is worth it. And give it time as these kits are out for awhile I imagine the price of the kit will come down. I remember seeing the Mantua Sovereign of the Seas kit being as high as $1,000 USD and its now down to $549.00 USD.

I guess my suggestion is to carefully look into a kit before you lay the coin down and decide whether its worth your while to build it as a kit to be bashed or to try building it as a scratch. While I am planning to tackle a scratch project its not because of the bad quality of kits its because I am interested in constructed ships that are not available as kits.

But as was commented about the Friesland, the San Felipe also has a questionable past, but I built a impressive version of it and glad for it!

Anyhow, have a good one
{Mike Draper}

See Inadequate Hobby Kits for yet more discussion on this topic.
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