Jump to content

Mary Rose what's in the box


Recommended Posts

Hi All

When Airfix announced the Mary Rose kit I was immediately attracted to having one even though it was a starter kit, I was not expecting much at all until I opened the box.

There are 3 light grey sprues in the box and a very nice decal sheet, plus the usual glue paints and brush.

The Hull is split into two halves, a separate lower deck with a row of cannons and bracing frames which fits into the hull and makes a nice solid structure to work with. The details on the hull are very nicely done. The masts and crows nests are separate; the sails are attached to the spars which do not look too bad, what lets the kit down is the upper deck which on the real ship was a framework with netting to stop being boarded by the enemy, I know there are restrictions to moulding but I am sure this could of been better.

Here are a few pictures of the kit parts.

The upshot of all this is I will do a build in the works in progress-Maritime and do some detail sets which will do this ship justice. You will be able to see what goes into making a detail set as we go along.

Regards Robin

Scalewarship ltd

MaryRose1.jpg

MaryRose2.jpg

MaryRose3.jpg

MaryRose4.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be following your build with interest. I've just opened mine and its a 'Curate's egg', wonderfully sharp moulding with some fine detail (the tiller on the rudder could be mistaken for a moulding flaw that should be trimmed. The netting is unfortunate but may come good with some skillful painting. Where are the gun ports that were reputedly left open allowing her to sink? But what really disapoints me is the total lack of rigging. The last time I built one of Airfix's small boats I recall there being ratlines printed on celuloid.

However, moans aside I rekon this will sell by the container load down Portsmouth dockyard to the kids which I'm sure its aimed at. We serious modellers will have to wait until next year when the 1:72 version comes out. (I can wish can't I?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It would not surprise me if this kit was partly Airfix testing the waters for a larger scale kit and possibly for a small scale Warrior as well. A gift set of Victory, Mary Rose and Warrior would sell like hot cakes at Portsmouth dockyard and keep on selling as well.

Martin

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Superb choice for Airfix: I still think they missed an opportunity by not making their RNLI boat small and simple for the mass market. Anything that encourages youngsters to get involved is worthwhile.

As for the gunports that were left open - what else are those guns sticking out of?

Links to museum pieces have to be reasonable prospects, but much as I'd love a 1/700 Cavalier from Airfix I don't expect to see it in my lifetime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

The last time I built one of Airfix's small boats I recall there being ratlines printed on celuloid.

Then this must have been a loooong time ago or you built a really ancient version, as Airfix dropped those printed ratlines when they introduced the T3 headers for the ships (at the latest), and that was some 45 years ago ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It probably was over 45 years ago - back in the days when I built nearly every series 1 Airfix kit regardless of subject, if only because my pocket money matched the kit's price of 2 shillings (10p).

The Mary Rose kit has been a pleasure to put together but I still wish it had been 1:72.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It probably was over 45 years ago - back in the days when I built nearly every series 1 Airfix kit regardless of subject, if only because my pocket money matched the kit's price of 2 shillings (10p).

The Mary Rose kit has been a pleasure to put together but I still wish it had been 1:72.

Do you have any pictures of your completed model? I can't wait to get my hands on Robin's (aka Scale Warship) detail set! No pressure at all there Robin! :poke:

Martin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Do you have any pictures of your completed model? I can't wait to get my hands on Robin's (aka Scale Warship) detail set! No pressure at all there Robin! :poke:

Martin

Hi Martin

Progress has been made mainly to do with the decks, I will hopefully have some drawings to show you shortly, we are working on 8 new products as time allows, we do some work on one until we get stuck on something or it gets completed then change to one of the others and so on, two cutty sark sets are now complete :yahoo: and deck gratings for the Wasa, a couple of wingy items also about to be released, we are gong as quick as we can so bear with us it will be worth it :pipe:

Regards Robin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 years later...

Have a look at Jim Baumann's fantastic model of the Mary Rose on a sea base.     Really shows the potential of this little kit.

I believe that Jim used the Scale Warship Photo Etched Details on the model besides many of his own rigging techniques.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...