Jang’s recent contribution to this series builds off his previous guide devoted to another famous sailing ship, Nelson’s flagship Victory. With Bounty, Seaforth Publishing’s SeaCraft Series continues its reputation among ship modelmakers and enthusiasts for producing top quality reference guides. These are designed to provide modellers with detailed information regarding a ship’s construction and features, the broader historical background in which the ship was built, its service history, and a survey and critical review of available model kits and accessories. The key to this guide’s value among its chief audience lies in the author’s meticulous description of the model products, the ship’s appearance, and the impressive collection of illustrations. Jang reviews eleven kits, produced in various scales, both in plastic and in wood. He provides useful information about the skill level required, the quality of building instructions for the modelmaker, and the nature and quality of the kit’s accessories. He also offers his very well-informed advice on meeting some of the challenges involved and modifying the kits to improve the ship’s appearance and historical accuracy. A separate section focusing on “Appearance” reconstructs how Bounty most likely appeared in terms of profile, decoration, masts and yards, and the ship’s colours, the latter being one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the ship. As mentioned, a signature feature of these guides is their illustrations. High quality copies of historical prints, portraits and paintings, draughts, diagrams, and numerous well-chosen colour photographs of model products by John McKay, all contribute to this beautifully illustrated publication. It is in the above-described sections on model products and appearance where one really begins to appreciate the craft of ship modelmaking, from laying the keel to the framing, fitting and rigging. There is enormous value in these models in helping maritime historians understand how sailing ships were actually built and outfitted. It is hoped that this series will build on the success of the Jang guides by introducing further such works on period sailing ships.

The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord (Vol. 33, Nos 3 and 4).

"I found the book interesting as it shows not only how the ship’s name was decided, but also the information about the purpose of the trip, important notes of the events, outcome of the mutiny as well as describing the ship. The book has a lot of information to improve on your model building, skills. The photos of the built kits are great and very informative. I will recommend the book not only to historians, but also to model builders."

Read the full review here

IPMS/USA

"If someone in your life is keen to spend the festive period making a model of a famous ship, then this new title would make an excellent gift."

Read the full review here.

The Nautilus Telegraph - Nov/Dec 2023

Gorgeous color photos of the models abound, showing the exceptional work of master ship modelers who have customized several models to produce lifelike renderings of the ill-fated vessel. Once again, Jang’s descriptions are scrupulously objective, pointing out inaccuracies and other shortcomings.

The National Maritime Historical Society