1/60 Artesania Latina schooner Rhoda Mary

[Iain White]

I have just finished building my first wooden model ship, the Artesania Latina schooner Rhoda Mary, and it only took me a little over thirty years to build!  Yes, I started building this model ship when I lived in England.  I had got as far as completing the hull when a job opportunity came up to work in America.  There I met my wonderful wife and so I stayed.  We bought the model to America and I completed all the deck fixtures and lower masts when we moved to the countryside.  Here I had plenty of other projects to do, and then we got goats, lots of goats!  I never seemed to have the time to get back to my hobby.  As time went by I promised myself that when I retired I would complete this model.

 

In 2017 the company I worked for decided to move all the North American technical support to Northern Ireland.  Not finding any other job I reluctantly concluded that I was now retired.  Remembering my promise and being inspired by Bart Gradecki’s post of the Artesania Latina revenue cutter Dallas, I got out my model, dusted her off and got back to work.  I have just added the finishing touch.

 

The schooner Rhoda Mary was built in Truro, England, by John Stephens. Originally built as a two-master, the third mast was added in 1898.  This 1/60 scale model was a good kit for a novice to build, though the instructions could have been much better.  I had to replace the anchors and added a ship’s boat.  Additionally, I used black rigging thread for the shrouds, brown thread for the standing rigging, and I used the white thread supplied in the kit for all the running rigging.  I also ran short of a few parts, so thanks to Cornwall Model Boats and others for their help in providing these parts.  For more information about the Rhoda Mary, please see the Rhoda Mary Project, http://www.rhoda-mary.co.uk/

 

So, what’s next for 2019?  I also have the Artesania Latina revenue cutter Dallas kit.  Let’s hope this model ship doesn’t take me another thirty years to build! 😊

Comments and suggestions are most welcome. 

 

Thanks, and Happy New Year,
Iain White

 

 

Photo from the Rhoda Mary Project of the Rhoda Mary arriving in port:

 

[Courageous]

Welcome aboard Iain.

Very nice build and although I'd love to build something like this, I don't think it could hold my attention.

A 30 year build, I hope you model stash isn't very large...maybe one.

 

Stuart

[beefy66]

Stunning build so much detail on show 👍🏻

 

beefy 

[Bandsaw Steve]

Nice one Iain!

 

A model to be proud of, especially atter a 30 year build! 👍

[keefr22]

That's a really lovely model!

 

Keith

[Iain White]

Thank you Stuart, Beefy, Steve, and Keith for the nice comments. 

 

That makes three completed models since moving to America: a 1/48 scale B-17 I built for my father-in-law (he was a bombardier but the war ended for his first combat mission), a Napoleonic figure, and this ship.  I think this is my best, and largest, model so far.  I'm pleased with how it turned out. 

 

I have started building the revenue cutter Dallas - I'll post some pics in the work-in-progress section soon.  I have already made one mistake - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS...  I missed the step to cut out a notch in the keelson for the masts.  I'll fix that tonight.

 

Thanks,  Iain

[Jeddahbill]

Great work Iain.  A long term project indeed, but the results are excellent.  Please post images of your other projects when ready.

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Berry Primrose]

Hi there. I am trying to contact Iain White but unsure how to reach him through this site as this is my first time.

I am told that Iain will be able to help me in my search for the rigging plans for the Rhoda Mary.

 

Can anyone help me please.

 

Thanks

 

[longshanks]

Use personal message, top right of screen click on envelope

 

Kev

[Homer]

Congratulations on a beautiful model well done 👏