"US Brig Niagara"

Model Shipways ! The same manufacturer as my second wooden model, the Bluenose. The Niagara is my eleventh model.

I compared the price of the US Brig Niagara bought from Udisco for $CAD312.00, with that of HMS Cruiser from JoTiKa and did not understand why there was such a difference to the advantage of Model Shipways.
By opening the box we discover maybe ONE of the reasons: all the strips are basswood strips. While it seems to me that the HMS Cruiser includes various wooden species.

This kit was developed according to the plans of the replica of the Niagara built in 1990.
The plans of this replica were drawn by the naval architect Melbourne Smith.
Model Shipways announce that the exactness of their plans was verified by Smith himself.

But the world of kits is not perfect.
At first glance we notice that the spacing between the slots of the frames on the false keel is not equal. We wonder why.
I thought of having a solution, which would have abolished these small gaps, but there are too many parts implied. Among others two precut parts including the holes for carronade carriage pins.

Under the paragraphs summary, you will find from time to time this logo followed by the reference of the drawings shown in the instruction manual. It indicates the directives not to be followed.
Among these warnings, they are some which reflect my ideas on how to assemble a model, but others touch methods which simply should not be proposed.
Let us take the example of the rabbets: intructions tell you to glue the keel, then to dig the rabbets, while it is so simple to dig the rabbets first and then put the keel.

I thought to order the Niagara plans (30.oo US$ approximately + transport) from the US Brig Nigara Organisation.
But the plans (6) of the US Brig Niagara of Model Shipways are precise, it is useless to buy anything else.