by David Smith
1/420 Le Phénix (Heller)
Here are some dimensions for the ship
Length: 57.8m
Beam: 12m
Draught: 5.9m
Displacement: 1500 tons
Armament: 34x42pdr, 28 x 24pdr, 22x18pdr
Crew: 684.
The kit is 138mm in length.
So what scale? I ask you say – well it seems to be about 1:420 or thereabouts. (57.8m equates to 138mm)
The ratlines will have to be scratch built as there are none supplied, well there is a challenge.
The hull went together reasonably but some filling was required, mast fit easily into half round holes. The ratlines were constructed from thin wire, a little tedious but worthwhile. I actually built them on the model. I really should have made a jig and done it that way – well, we live and learn.
The model has no gun ports and so these may have to be added or shown with paint.
Painting is proving a trial with none too steady hands trying to paint thin lines; I shall have to get some pointers on masking or something.
A lot of rigging is required and the more I add the more I add and so on, where to stop, that is the question.
