At this point in my build of Shipyard’s 1/72-scale laser-cut card model of the 10-gun snow-rigged sloop of war HMS Wolf, I’m behind on keeping my build log up to date. But, I can’t let that get in the way here. Here’s the thing, I am so in awe of how incredible this kit is, that I have to state, categorically, that I’m absolutely building not only the Papegojan kit I have, but the HMS Alert kit, and the Le Coureur kit, and that I’m absolutely going to find the money to buy and build the HMS Mercury kit.
Shipyard’s 1/72-scale HMS Mercury, laser-cut kit.
The HMS Mercury laser-cut kit is Shipyard’s largest and most detailed kit, and I’m building it. Absolutely. Unless something goes terribly wrong that’s the result of the kit being card stock and not wood, I can’t see why I would not want to build HMS Mercury. I can’t see why anyone would not want to build HMS Mercury, or any of the other laser-cut card kits. These are truly amazing kits.
I’ve been having a great time with my HMS Wolf build, as you can probably gather. But, it’s really come together as I’ve begun to paint the model. It’s really coming to life. I’ve also been learning something about building these laser-cut kits in particular, as the entire model must be painted, I don’t have to use the given paint scheme exactly as shown. I’ve lightened up the hull color a bit, as the provided yellow paint color feels just too intense to me. I also found the same is true of the red color provided for the inside bulwarks and much of the deck furniture.
Clearly, I have a long way to go, and perhaps something will change my mind. But, I don’t see how. The part that I was most worried about was the construction and planking of the hull, and that part is done.
Shipyard’s HMS Wolf marketing photo
As I mentioned above, I’ve strayed just slightly from the straight kit in that I’m using very slightly different colors than provided in the box. When thinking about future builds, working on this kit has me thinking more of straying from building the kits straight from the box. I’m not thinking of anything dramatic.
But, if, or maybe I should say “when” I get around to building HMS Mercury, perhaps I’ll choose a paint scheme from a different period in her life. Or, I will try building her as one of her sister ships, of which there were many, as she was one of of 27 Enterprise-class frigates built by the British.
In any case, I have a long ways to go on HMS Wolf – it doesn’t even have the stern gallery attached yet. Plus, it’s going to have a lot of rigging to deal with, given those two square-rigged masts. But, it really is moving along nicely. I’ll try to get caught up on the build log this weekend. Ω
Ship Modeler 
Reblogged this on Ages of Sail and commented:
We’re following this build of Shipyard’s 1/72-scale Laser Cut Kit of the British snow-rigged sloop-of-war HMS Wolf. Here’s a rather enthusiastic update and commentary on this and other kits from Shipyard’s line of Laser Cut Kits.
These are the kits that come with nearly all the paper parts laser-cut, that include turned brass cannon and swivel gun barrels, cast resin figurehead, pre-cut and marked sails, wooden dowels for the masts and yards, and even paints and paint brushes.
You can find them all here: https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/paper-kits/laser-cardboard-kits.html
Reblogged this on Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights and commented:
Ship modeler and HSPMS member Clare Hess reports on his experiences building a “boxed edition” kit from the Polish paper model kit manufacturer Shipyard. These particular kits feature all parts pre-laser cut from card stock.