Yes, there would have been easier options, particularly as we already have the Philip Connolly drawings at the right scale but Bob specifically wanted to build the Aerokits version as he had done many years ago.
But it all adds to the fun! And Bob is a skilled builder so he will overcome the challenges!
Chris
Thanks for the "flowers" Chris, but I would consider myself more of a "Bodger" than a "skilled builder" - although if I keep practicing, I may get semi-proficient at it one day
(perhaps).
This build for me is to reproduce a copy of my first model boat - hence my choice to build this model to the Aerokits plan.
I bought my Swordsman kit from Cyril Howes a camera shop in Bath in the Abbey churchyard that opened-up a really large model department that was run by an enthusiastic manager who obviously had access to a big budget as within a few short weeks it became extremely well stocked with everything any modeller could need and sadly, (for me at least) it had all the new kits and radio gear that my favourite much smaller shop (The Modellers Den in Lower Borough Walls, Bath) could not match.
My meagre apprenticeship "wages" were squandered on this kit and I built it in my parents out-house/coal-shed that had no electricity and only a small window so light was a problem as work was restricted to "good" daylight hours only. A regular check outside (or on a special occasion a quick visit to the kitchen) gave me the chance to check everything was done well and correctly aligned - I needed better light to check this!
The adhesives used then were Aerolite 306 and Cascomite. Both of these had to be mixed before use. I remember at the time that the Aerolite 306 came with a glass bottle that contained a clear hardener and was claimed to be the adhesive that was used to glue the "wooden wonder" Mosquito fighter/bomber together - but it was too expensive for me to complete the build with so the majority of the work was held together with Cascomite that came as a powder in a tin that was mixed with water as required.Although I don't have the luxury of having a kit box with all the parts inside, I do have electric light to illuminate the build and a band saw to cut the wood with. I am also using a modern PVA adhesive as the Cascomite became brittle with age and it was the reason why I coated all of the hulls interior with glass fibre matting and resin to strengthen and water-proof it. Waterproof PVA and Aliphatic adhesives give a stronger bond and retain a little "flex" and so are much better suited for use in a model boat IMHO and are much easier to use -just point and squeeze the tube!
My good craftsman friend and fellow Bath Model Boat Club member built his Swordsman from the Connolly plans and it looked magnificent - but My Aerokits Swordsman definitely performed better so both versions have their advantages and my next build may be rather more "scale-like" ....time will tell.........