Which kit now?

[janos]

I used to build nearly exclusively scratch models but now I somehow seem to have lost the enthusiasm to build another one. The last one was De Crone which I just finished and I had to admit that even the carvings, which I did with great enthusiasm before, are not as good any more, then they used to be. I know that I will never carve such beautiful ones which among others Ivan Trtanj is capable of doing, but my latest carvings seem to be definitely rougher than my earlier ones. So this does not help in pushing the vehicle... I am not giving up carving and most likely will work on small in-between carving projects, even if I would start a longer build.

I thought about building a kit, one from the latest with CNC details, probably POF, in a scale somewhere between 1:40 and 1:70, not longer than about a metre, with all the necessary decorations in CNC timber, CNC and etched brass. I admire some Russian and Chinese kits, but I would be open for any other manufacturer too.

So I would like to ask for some suggestions, what to build now! Please help!

Thanks in advance:
János

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

one possible idea is to design your own kit. first pick a subject that interest you that have plans available. Next work up a material list either mill the wood yourself or have a timbering package made to order. Take advantage of the Lumberyard sponsorship program.

As far as the carvings there are web sites where you can hire professional people in CAD, 3D modeling and CNC or 3D printing services. Just post your project and sit back and review the proposals the pick one. These sites have excelent support and if you do not like the work done you do not have to pay for it.

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source out all the rigging materials from Dry Dock Models

you can pick the subject
select the wood
source out fittings
hire pros to create the carvings as OBJ. files that you can send to various services.

this way you get exactly what you want.

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Scratch building is always a challenge. There's a huge learning curve to conquer making your own carved decorations. Gathering resource information is also a big part of it. But, you can build and ship that you can gather information on.

 

[Signet]

one possible idea is to design your own kit. first pick a subject that interest you that have plans available. Next work up a material list either mill the wood yourself or have a timbering package made to order. . . .
this way you get exactly what you want.

To me, this sounds like the definition of scratch-building. At least for most, who would not create their own blocks and such.

 

[Smithy]

I used to build nearly exclusively scratch models but now I somehow seem to have lost the enthusiasm to build another one

I understand that you have lost enthusiasm for scratch building.

Perhaps you have been scratch building for so long that you’ve lost touch with what model kits are available? There certainly are a lot of excellent ones around these days. There aren’t as many kits as the possible scratchbuilding possibilities but there are a lot.

Choosing is really difficult when the kit could take so long to make, cost so much, become a big part of your life in the months to come.

It’s difficult for you to choose and you know your own likes and dislikes better than anyone else in the world. But I’m afraid it’s impossible for me to tell you what you should build now.

The best I could do would be to start with an untruth. I’d say “if I were you I’d build X” However, I am not you. I don’t even know you.

I’m sorry but I believe this is a question only you can answer. Good luck!

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

I used to build nearly exclusively scratch models but now I somehow seem to have lost the enthusiasm to build another one. The last one was De Crone which I just finished and I had to admit that even the carvings, which I did with great enthusiasm before, are not as good any more, then they used to be. I know that I will never carve such beautiful ones which among others Ivan Trtanj is capable of doing, but my latest carvings seem to be definitely rougher than my earlier ones. So this does not help in pushing the vehicle... I am not giving up carving and most likely will work on small in-between carving projects, even if I would start a longer build.

I thought about building a kit, one from the latest with CNC details, probably POF, in a scale somewhere between 1:40 and 1:70, not longer than about a metre, with all the necessary decorations in CNC timber, CNC and etched brass. I admire some Russian and Chinese kits, but I would be open for any other manufacturer too.

So I would like to ask for some suggestions, what to build now! Please help!

Thanks in advance:
János

Janos, I'm a great admirer of your ship models. What you seem to be experiencing is simply hobby burnout. To regain enthusiasm, you have to simply change hobbies. When you do, you're facing a new world to research and build something. It might not even be a hobby, you could take up world travelling for example, or scuba diving, or hiking, or rebuilding old cars, motorcycling, skydiving nude or whatever. It depends on what strikes your curiosity (albeit limited by physical ability and finances). You can return to ship modelling if a certain ship inspires you at any time. Stretch your talents in a new direction. You'll find the enthusiasm will return. My problem is I don't have enough tie and money to explore all the things I want to do.

 

[janos]

Scratch building is always a challenge. There's a huge learning curve to conquer making your own carved decorations. Gathering resource information is also a big part of it. But, you can build and ship that you can gather information on.

Janos, I'm a great admirer of your ship models. What you seem to be experiencing is simply hobby burnout. To regain enthusiasm, you have to simply change hobbies. When you do, you're facing a new world to research and build something. It might not even be a hobby, you could take up world travelling for example, or scuba diving, or hiking, or rebuilding old cars, motorcycling, skydiving nude or whatever. It depends on what strikes your curiosity (albeit limited by physical ability and finances). You can return to ship modelling if a certain ship inspires you at any time. Stretch your talents in a new direction. You'll the enthusiasm will return. My problem is I don't have enough tie and money to explore all the things I want to do.

Kurt,
I think you hit the nail on the head. I also realise that I have some scratch build- burnout. Hence I am looking for a good kit to build and with this I hope the burnout will be gone - or who knows. There are also other reasons for my 'crisis' beyond this and the unfortunate age-factor, some discrepancies in the local modelling-society which could not have come at a worst time. Anyhow, I try to step forward. I am eyeing one of Sail and Sail's kits for my healing exercise and trying to build a fully brass gun kit for a change. And some carvings too of course. So we'll see. Until that I keep myself to the good old American saying: 'it used to be better and I still didn't like it'.
János

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Kurt,
I think you hit the nail on the head. I also realise that I have some scratch build- burnout. Hence I am looking for a good kit to build and with this I hope the burnout will be gone - or who knows. There are also other reasons for my 'crisis' beyond this and the unfortunate age-factor, some discrepancies in the local modelling-society which could not have come at a worst time. Anyhow, I try to step forward. I am eyeing one of Sail and Sail's kits for my healing exercise and trying to build a fully brass gun kit for a change. And some carvings too of course. So we'll see. Until that I keep myself to the good old American saying: 'it used to be better and I still didn't like it'.
János

I understand... a simple kit build that isn't 80% research, more like 90% pure construction.

 

[janos]

I understand... a simple kit build that isn't 80% research, more like 90% pure construction.

I am very weak on the research side anyhow...
János

 

[Pepite 1/60]

Hi, I think that at your level of building, no modern kit can possibly satisfy you for the longer term. Too much commercial standardizing and other easy-peasy pampering. But if you still want to go with a kit, you may as well try something like that:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224216785065?msockid=032ba6a2fc7c605c226ab2dcfd056145
I know that, by today's laser-cut-standards, these kits are total crap. Historically and otherwise inaccurate, oversimplified, lousy instructions, very little in the way of detail drawings, 2nd grade materials at best, ... This one at least looks like complete enough to build the hull (no cannon nor sculpted stern though). You would end up with some kind of half-scratch build, quite a challenge to bring her up to an acceptable standard. To give a little hope, there is a monograph of the "Flore" by the AAMM. She is a 28-gun frigate. In the kit, she has only 22... But the hull lines and the general arrangements look quite the same. Again, it'd be up to you to make her right.
https://boutique.aamm.fr/monographies/voile-anciens/plan-flore-americaine
Another plan: if you can, just go sailing for a while.

 

[Roger Pellett]

One of the negative aspects of kit building is the limitation of subjects based on market demand. This has promoted the idea that a model of a fully rigged Nelson era warship should be the ultimate goal. Does everyone need to build a Victory or a Constitution?

This limited view ignores the wide variety of interesting ships to model and the different skills involved, particularly in scratch building. I personally would not tackle a highly decorated Seventeenth Century Warship. I can barely carve a turkey! On the other hand, the model of the early Twentieth Century steamship that I am building requires extensive fabrication of brass fittings, bulwarks, decks, etc. Figuring out how to model these accurately at 1:96 scale gives me a huge sense of accomplishment! Sometimes I have to try several different approaches before I find something that works. I also have Neuropathy in my hands so I have to build jigs and fixtures to keep things from moving around while I work on them.

So! If for some reason, you have become discouraged with your efforts to build highly decorated models pick a different subject. For every historic period, there were more humble craft that were not decorated with carvings. Models of these are worthwhile, often unique, and will still demonstrate your workmanship. You can also use much better materials than typically supplied by the kit manufacturers.

Roger

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Kurt,
I think you hit the nail on the head. I also realise that I have some scratch build- burnout. Hence I am looking for a good kit to build and with this I hope the burnout will be gone - or who knows. There are also other reasons for my 'crisis' beyond this and the unfortunate age-factor, some discrepancies in the local modelling-society which could not have come at a worst time. Anyhow, I try to step forward. I am eyeing one of Sail and Sail's kits for my healing exercise and trying to build a fully brass gun kit for a change. And some carvings too of course. So we'll see. Until that I keep myself to the good old American saying: 'it used to be better and I still didn't like it'.
János

If you want to stay with modeling, why not be like a few others here and just change subject, like a nice motorcycle or aircraft, or nice OcCre train or other non-ship kit. You can just relax and build from kit, unless your a rivet counter.

 

[ubjs]

One of my hobbies is model railways. I especially like building models of older real houses. Sometimes I just build from a photo and take a little chance on the measurements. Most of the houses are already demolished so probably no one can find any major faults with my model.
I prefer 0 scale, 1:45 in europe, it's much easier than H0, 1:87.
Maybe try building a house from scratch?
If you'd rather build a house from a kit, look for 3d-printed ones. In Sweden there are several small manufacturers that offer such so I assume there are also in Australia.

 

[janos]

Thanks, Guys, I appreciate your responses!
I definitely want to stay with ship modelling in general and with the 'historic' part of it. I built a few models of 'modern' ships before and I liked it, but there is a problem of mine with them which I just can't override: painting. I tried brushing as well as spraying but none of them were right. The reason is most likely impatience. So back to historics!
At the moment I am still trying to find a good and affordable modern POF kit that could guide me away from the scratch-build-burnout. I tried CAF but they seem to stop communication so Granado is gone (hear, Tom?) In general, I am also afraid of paying a substantial amount for something and then losing communication, which would end up in no money-no-kit-situation. So the prospective supplier has to look reliable - or am I asking for too much?
Are out there suppliers that would be in line with these requirements?
Thanks in advance:
János

 

[Jimsky]

Thanks, Guys, I appreciate your responses!
I definitely want to stay with ship modelling in general and with the 'historic' part of it. I built a few models of 'modern' ships before and I liked it, but there is a problem of mine with them which I just can't override: painting. I tried brushing as well as spraying but none of them were right. The reason is most likely impatience. So back to historics!
At the moment I am still trying to find a good and affordable modern POF kit that could guide me away from the scratch-build-burnout. I tried CAF but they seem to stop communication so Granado is gone (hear, Tom?) In general, I am also afraid of paying a substantial amount for something and then losing communication, which would end up in no money-no-kit-situation. So the prospective supplier has to look reliable - or am I asking for too much?
Are out there suppliers that would be in line with these requirements?
Thanks in advance:
János

Check the kits from Dockyard ship model kits

Modelship Dockyard - Shipmodel Kits

Dry - Dock Models & Parts is providing high quality ship model fittings and parts

drydockmodelsandparts.com

With the Enterprise in 1:48 coming, it will keep your hands busy for a while...

 

[Kurt Konrath]

To stay with ship building but to make a change, why not try a large diorama scene to support a build or kit in future.

A nice highly detailed dockside wharf or detailed scene on the beach with a ships boat loading up with supplies.

You can freelance the design and detail as you like.

There are several nice kits of large scale ships boats that are highly detailed to go with this idea.

 

[janos]

Thanks for the responses.
Currently I am looking at the Blandford kit - we'll see how it goes.
János