Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Hi All,
Looking longingly at Sergal/Mantua Cutty Sark but already have AL version awaiting me.... Sergal/Mantua, (1/78), is larger and is touted as "True Scale?" with plans taken directly from the actual ship....
(I purchased today from Hobbyworld of Monteal, I told my wife I was a "Shipaholic!!")
I Need to stop buying and building more.Figure I now have enough for the next few years!! :)

Any advice on either kit/manufacturer appreciated....


Cheers....HOF.

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

HOF
I am new to model shipbuilding but I purchased the Virginia by A.L. and found the directions not very clear. I am not sure this is because I am new or not.
Bill

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Thanks for that Bill,
I am unsure if instructions are 100% clear with any model, allways open to interpretation and the individuals own technique/way of doing things.

I have read up on the Sergal/Mantua Cutty Sark and it seems that this particular kit is for the "Expert" model shipwright.
With the AL version, I am unsure if it is going to be 100% scale or wether there are components that AL have decided are "Good enough." For example, ships boats, hatches Vs gratings etc.

Clarity of instructions for the AL version seem clear enough, no problem here but the Sergal/Mantua version I believe comes with pretty "Sketchy" English instructions but good Itiallian ones. (I am lucky to have a Romanian wife who also speaks fluent Itallian and will be able to assist in this area!!)

Interested to hear more comments on the matter.

Cheers....HOF.

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

I have an older kit of the Sergal Mantua (SM) Cutty Sark and can tell you the quality of the full-size plans, the quality of the wood and the accuracy of the model are much much superior to the 2 Artesania Latina models I have completed. The SM Cutty Sark makes an outstanding model as can be seen from the photos of a model in progress at:
http://gallery.drydockmodels.com/album107?page=1.

Unfortunately, the written instructions for the SM Cutty Sark are minimal and really require that one has sound experience in building these type of models.

Sphaerotilus

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Thanks for that Jared, I have seen and read most of the material on the site that you pointed me to. Would you know of any good reading material before I embark on a Clipper model?

I understand that the Sergal/Mantua kit is very advanced also, for the moment, I will complete my AL kits, Finish the Blenose II, Mare Nostrum, (For some light relief), Endeavour or AL "Cutty" (Unsure which) and then just maybe, I'll be ready for the Sergal/Mantua "Cutty.) So, I feel that I have plenty of projects to hone the skills a little.

I have heard also that the Sergal/Mantua kit builds to the best "Cutty" on the market.
As with the instructions, Itiallian should not be a problem, I am lucky enough to have a wife that speaks fluent Itallian. (And a few other languages also.... :))

Have you started or completed your Sergal/Mantua "Cutty?"
I'd be interested to hear some more experiences/advice.

Kind Regards,

Harry. (HOF)

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Hello Harry

I had intended to start my Cutty Sark last month, however, had a change of plan. Although the full sized drawings provided in this advanced kit are really impressive, I was concerned with the sparse written instructions (My wife had concerns about the length of the model :( ). I felt that I could complete the model, however, really preferred to build an advanced kit with more guidance.

For some time I had been contemplating purchasing the Model Shipways Clipper "Flying Fish" (also rated as Advanced) because of its quality (laser cut parts, lots of fine detail), historical accuracy (designed by Ben Lankford), and exceptional written instructions and drawings, including well written English instructions for pursuing optional very advanced techniques to improve upon what the basic kit provides). I feel that after I build this kit, I will have learned a lot more about techniques than I would have learned (by trial and error) on the Sergal Cutty Sark. With this experience, I will then be able to better build my Sergal Cutty Sark than what I think I could accomplish now. So that's my plan.

A pdf copy of the Flying Fish manual (an manuals for many other Model Shipways kits) can be downloaded by anyone at the Model Expo web site: http://www.modelexpoinc.com/ I received the kit two and a half weeks ago and have started building it. I can tell you that I am very impressed with the kit so far.

For guidance on building the Cutty Sark, the classic double-volume book by Longridge is a must. The book is long out of print, however copies frequently come up for sale on eBay and if you are lucky as I was, can sometimes be purchased for a song. Another more general book I have on clippers is entitled "China Tea Clippers" by George F. Campbell, published in 1974, which I was recently given as a gift. Whereas the focus of the Longridge book is on the design of the Cutty Sark and on scratch-building a detailed model of it, the book by Campbell is a general reference on Clipper Ships and the ways their design evolved. It does not have much detail on the Cutty Sark.


Hope this helps,

Jared

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Thanks Jared.
I too will be building the AL version well before the Sergal/Mantua version.
My wife is also a little concerned about the "Proliferation" of kits that I have managed to amass over the past 2 years or so and has looked at the size of the AL "Cutty."
I have told here about the new one and she nodded somewhat condesendingly.... :)
She is going to be a little more concerned about the "Space" factor soon I think.

Thank you also for the advice on reading material/PDF, much appreciated, I'll see what I can find.

Cheers....HOF.

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Well, the "Cutty" arrived today.... Checking through the components and find that the Copper Bulwark sides are missing!! (Pretty difficult to miss as the strip is 1500 mm long and 20mm wide.... "Gutted."
I don't want to send back to Hobbyworld of Montreal but will get my wife to call the company, (Sergal/Mantua), direct tonight.

Interesting modification to the kit and they ask for feedback.... The kit contains what is termed "Hard Balsa" for the first layer of hull planking as well as the usual "Basswood/Lime."

The rest of the contents look o.k. but I don't particularly like the "Bubble" packaging. (A/L is certainly better at this.)
I might also have to buy extra chain at some stage for the Yard Lifts, etc as the only chain is for the Bowsprit/Martingale Stay.
The fittings/components look really good, but, the instructions, forget it!! (Very rudimentary to say the least.) (The same in all languages in the instuction book.)

I have spoken to the "Double O" Laser guys and ordered the Laser cut versions of the detail stuff, I don't like the Photo-Etch components either, but, this may be because I am not all that familiar with them. (Incidentally, How do you get the copper ones off the sheet????)

Anyway, the all important phone call tonight....

Cheers....HOF.
Anyway, I won't be tackling this just yet but will take some photos of the contents for the benifit of others....

Re: Sergal/Mantua Vs Artesania Latina
 

Checked kit contents again.... Looks like they changed the kit, Damn!!
Will call Italy again shortly to see if can obtain the parts....

HOF.