Scratchbuilding with detail the Airfix HMS Prince -Part One

It's not everyday that one would explore plastic kit models and promote them to another level by intense research. Sailing ship models would be the last to get such attention in the world of modelmaking. However, I did just that some 41 years ago when I came across the Airfix line of sailing ships. I was most impressed with the details and limited wordage of the contents. This forced me to enter the maritime arts (unprepared), not knowing what I would face in this genre of art. I realized I wanted to do something no other builder in the world would or could do, and that was to modify three Airfix kits to a point of excellence -using the best global references possible. Several business executives from my downtown city put up the seed money to get me those references during the late 1970s and early 1980s. From them I made various corrections and moved forward to endeavor my first build of the Saint Louis of 1626. It was a successful build in modification and was immediately sold to a business interest within the course of a year while I collected the Soyal Sovereign and HMS Prince. Unfortunately I lost those two kits when relocating to New England. I never gave up on the "Trilogy Series' regarding them and was fortunate to acquire two of the vintage models in the Fall of 2019. Now, with the trilogy complete, the collective body of three beautiful sailing ships are now complete. Many have spoken of the impressive detail carried in these models. Those details were handcrafted in wood. Only the hull was kept intact with its original plastic livery; all else, wood -including masts, yards and spars. Cannons and rigging blocks were also customized in wood. The sails were created with treated (and aged) bond paper. The rigging, of fine antique silk, cotton, and polyester threads. This is 'part one' of a possible three-part feature...and a presentation to encourage both hobbyist and professional alike to embrace. i will express more in my next upcoming segment. However, I appreciate the viewers and hope that those who have the Airfix kits, will make the effort to build them earnestly -if only to enjoy them. Fairwinds!