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Hello from the Netherlands

Ronald61

Ronald61

Joined
May 15, 2026
Messages
13
Points
48

Hi all,

I'm Ronald, 61 years old and a modeler from the Netherlands Europe. Main focus in modeling is building small model railroads for exhibitions. Other interest is plastic modeling and some woodbuilding related to the model railroads(= craftmankits of buildings). Joined because I have some ship models I want to build toward my early retirement in I hope 4 years from now. One of that models is the Revell Kearsarge in 1:96 that will be incorporated in a small layout to build with a US Civil War theme.

Untill then I will study the several topics around here that would be interesting. I do have a little addiction to the Heller Victory in 1:100 but afraid to buy it. It would cost a great deal of time to build so maybe wait a little ;) Prices are good momentary, the cheapest ones go for around 150 to 160 euros.

Picture of me 2 ears ago before my other hobby; 1 of my 2 US cars:

1.Dutch_American_Rail_Conv.Bilder.05 (104).jpg

See you!:)Thumbsup

Grtz, Ronald.
 
Ahoy Ronald61! Welcome to SoS. This is a great forum for ship model builders of all levels of experience. There is a great deal of interest in Dutch ships on this site, including mine, and I will shamelessly share a post I wrote to another fine gentleman from the Netherlands:

"Welcome aboard! There are many SoS members who build Dutch vessels, like the Delft, the East Indiaman, the Papegojan, and others. I have 2 Dutch ships in my queue...a Witsen's 17th century Pinas from plans by Ab Hoving, and the Papegojan 17th century Dutch warship from a lasercut card by Shipyard.

And in case you weren't aware, one of the greatest living authorities on Dutch ship building practices is Ab Hoving, who retired from being the curator of ship models at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam after many decades and is now a prolific author on 17th century Dutch ships. Mr. Hoving is very generous with his wisdom about our craft and you will see his gentle commentary on many build logs on SoS.

My Witsen's pinas design drawings come from Mr. Hoving's book "Dutch 17th Century Ship Models in Paper" and I will also be building an Ab Hoving designed 17th century Dutch "Fluyt" or merchant vessel.

I look forward to seeing your work and perhaps a build log!

Ignatius27
 
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Ronald61 said:
Hi all,

I'm Ronald, 61 years old and a modeler from the Netherlands Europe. Main focus in modeling is building small model railroads for exhibitions. Other interest is plastic modeling and some woodbuilding related to the model railroads(= craftmankits of buildings). Joined because I have some ship models I want to build toward my early retirement in I hope 4 years from now. One of that models is the Revell Kearsarge in 1:96 that will be incorporated in a small layout to build with a US Civil War theme.

Untill then I will study the several topics around here that would be interesting. I do have a little addiction to the Heller Victory in 1:100 but afraid to buy it. It would cost a great deal of time to build so maybe wait a little ;) Prices are good momentary, the cheapest ones go for around 150 to 160 euros.

Picture of me 2 ears ago before my other hobby; 1 of my 2 US cars:

View attachment 603150

See you!:)Thumbsup
https://pinco-bonuslar.com/
Grtz, Ronald.
Click to expand...
Welcome, Ronald! You've got a great retirement project lined up there. A Civil War-themed layout with the Kearsarge sounds like a fantastic combination of your railroad and ship modeling interests.
As for the Heller Victory, I think you're wise to wait if time is limited. That kit has a way of turning into a multi-year commitment for many builders. At least the good news is that it's still available at reasonable prices compared to some of the older ship kits out there. Looking forward to seeing your future builds.
 
Welcome aboard from Connecticut! I started here after many years of plastic models (Which I still build) These ships are different creatures for sure. I think working with wood releases a lot more creative ability in you. I suggest you look at this section.

Beginners Corner - How to Get Started

Beginners Corner - How to Get Started
shipsofscale.com


There are also many many you tube videos on all aspects of this craft.

My primary piece pf advice with wooden ships, start simple do not plunge in. I started with a dory then the Norwegian sailing pram then an 18th century long boat (which was a birthday present). Those got me used to the use of wood and its limitations and abilities. I was glad I did beofore started a cross section.

The wonderful advice from the kind people here was also invaluable.

Rob
 
JamesSmi63 said:
Welcome, Ronald! You've got a great retirement project lined up there. A Civil War-themed layout with the Kearsarge sounds like a fantastic combination of your railroad and ship modeling interests.
As for the Heller Victory, I think you're wise to wait if time is limited. That kit has a way of turning into a multi-year commitment for many builders. At least the good news is that it's still available at reasonable prices compared to some of the older ship kits out there. Looking forward to seeing your future builds.
Click to expand...
Thanks! It is still a few years to go to retirement but you have to prepare, isn't it? :p The Cvil War plan is for years now in my head. I did together with my wife a ACW themed layout for a summer exhibition in 2013 in our Dutch Railway museum in the 1:55n3 scale. It was based on a Confederate Railway in 1863 in Kennesaw Georgia. Allthough not 100% period correct it was a very nice layout which I did a good number of modelrailway exhibitions in the years after that.
A few years back I developed a new layout in 1:87 based on plans from Bernard Kempinski (also around here) depicting Union Street in Alexandria VA. I even started the benchwork to build it on but it stranded. But this plan will be the base of that future ACW layout. If the Kearsarge will be present? I have to see for that. It is a big ship even in that scale so all has to fit within that plan.

Rob444 said:
Welcome aboard from Connecticut! I started here after many years of plastic models (Which I still build) These ships are different creatures for sure. I think working with wood releases a lot more creative ability in you. I suggest you look at this section.


My primary piece pf advice with wooden ships, start simple do not plunge in. I started with a dory then the Norwegian sailing pram then an 18th century long boat (which was a birthday present). Those got me used to the use of wood and its limitations and abilities. I was glad I did beofore started a cross section.

The wonderful advice from the kind people here was also invaluable.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes, I will take that advice. Already have seen a lot of craftmanship here so that is indeed invaluable for starters like me.

My plan is to start with solid hull models... the planked ones do scare me a little. The solid ones may be as difficult but give me the opportunity to learn a lot from the material named wood (and I am the son of a carpenter so I do have some wood-DNA within me :cool:

For that I have scored me from a Dutch online marketplace a kit that is no longer available from Authentic models:

20260522_131618 by Ronald Halma, on Flickr

It is not that big and good to handle. The hull is small and the total of parts not that many
And this week I found a online store who had a Dapper Tom from Model Expo in their stash:

20260530_134616 by Ronald Halma, on Flickr

Both will be a challenge for me to build but hey, I do have a little modeling experience :) Thanks for the warm welcome!
 
Ronald61 - I also have a strong interest in building the U.S.S. Kearsarge. I plan to build a diorama of the Battle of Cherbourg (1864) based on the famous 1864 painting by Edouard Manet. The diorama will include the C.S.S. Alabama, captained by Raphael Semmes, the U.S.S. Kearsarge, captained by John Winslow, and the H.M.S. Deerhound, which saved 14 of the Alabama's crew from the sinking ship and facilitated their escape to Southampton England. When I was a young lawyer, I was involved in a case concerning the salvage of the C.S.S. Alabama's ships bell, which was found in a nightclub on the Isle of Guernsey in the 1980s. Ultimately, the U.S. Defense Department successfully argued that the ships bell was the property of the United States under the international laws of capture at sea ("Prize Law") and U.S. laws dealing with the property of the Confederacy. Good luck with your U.S.S. Kearsarge build...I lived in Virginia many years ago and enjoyed her fascinating military history.
 
Hi Ronald. Also from my side a warm welcome on this SoS. 4 years to retirement……… it’s there before you know.:)
You got some nice kits to build. Have a lot off fun with building this shipmodels.
PS: Your (interesting) railroad build can be placed here —> Other etc <— By the 3rd: Historical Trailways etc
Regards, Peter
 
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Thank you, Peter! I could place some photos in that section. Retirement; yes, if possible I want to stop 2 years earlier with the "RVU regeling" you maybe heard of. But that still is a good 3,5 years away for me (december 2029). Untill then work and hobby together! :cool:
 
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