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Can I board your ship, sirs?

Boatman

Boatman

Joined
Jan 8, 2026
Messages
22
Points
48

Location
Belgrade, Serbia
Hi guys,

My name is Alex and I am Russian living in Belgrade, Serbia. In my previous life I was a fan of ship modelling, started with card models when I was 10, and then turned to plastic models and wooden kits. But what's done is done... and what's lost is lost and gone forever!(c). Now, beyond 45, I can only try to give my hands something to do in this new place and reality and I hope you will accept me onboard!
 
Welcome Alex! I'm new too. How did you find paper ship modeling? I tried a couple of paper builds (Centaur II, MS Schwartz See, Graf Goetzen) but I found them to be too hard. Too many fine details and it is really punishing if you make a mistake or fold the wrong way. But I hear that paper ship builds are very popular in Europe. Can you share some pictures?
 
Ignatius27 said:
Welcome Alex! I'm new too. How did you find paper ship modeling? I tried a couple of paper builds (Centaur II, MS Schwartz See, Graf Goetzen) but I found them to be too hard. Too many fine details and it is really punishing if you make a mistake or fold the wrong way. But I hear that paper ship builds are very popular in Europe. Can you share some pictures?
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Thanks, @Ignatius27!

I find it interesting (it has very special technologies and tradition) and deserving to try (it is very easy to start) to see if the ship modelling is your hobby. Because when you're a boy, you just need scissors, glue, brush and a bit of free place on your desk to build something. You don't have to buy a lot of expensive tools or seek balance with your family asking them to be tolerant to your hobby's dust, odor and noise or to have a workroom for that. On the other hand, and I completely agree with you, the paper is more demanding and it is always hard on your mistakes. You have to learn how to do it, but unlike wooden or plastic modelling, people usually underestimate it and think is easy. I am not a "master" of paper modelling, not at all, but I take it seriously.

If you ask me, the "classic" paper modelling, like in Polish famous series "Mały Modelarz", is not my choice. Some traditional (for paper) techniques look unnatural and it is clear that the material was paper/cardboard - which means it is not a true scale copy. I would prefer if it was looking natural, so you could not say was it wood, plastic or paper - at least it should not be too evident. I am not that good in paper stuff.

As for pictures - I don't have too much, but one project I did is in my profile here. I don't know even if it still exists, just have some pics to share and a story to tell. But you can find much more interesting and deserving builds in this section SOS Build Logs from Paper / Cardstock
 
Boatman said:
Thanks, @Ignatius27!

I find it interesting (it has very special technologies and tradition) and deserving to try (it is very easy to start) to see if the ship modelling is your hobby. Because when you're a boy, you just need scissors, glue, brush and a bit of free place on your desk to build something. You don't have to buy a lot of expensive tools or seek balance with your family asking them to be tolerant to your hobby's dust, odor and noise or to have a workroom for that. On the other hand, and I completely agree with you, the paper is more demanding and it is always hard on your mistakes. You have to learn how to do it, but unlike wooden or plastic modelling, people usually underestimate it and think is easy. I am not a "master" of paper modelling, not at all, but I take it seriously.

If you ask me, the "classic" paper modelling, like in Polish famous series "Mały Modelarz", is not my choice. Some traditional (for paper) techniques look unnatural and it is clear that the material was paper/cardboard - which means it is not a true scale copy. I would prefer if it was looking natural, so you could not say was it wood, plastic or paper - at least it should not be too evident. I am not that good in paper stuff.

As for pictures - I don't have too much, but one project I did is in my profile here. I don't know even if it still exists, just have some pics to share and a story to tell. But you can find much more interesting and deserving builds in this section SOS Build Logs from Paper / Cardstock
Click to expand...
Wow! Thanks for all that interesting info on paper modeling. I agree that it is a completely different skill set and, when it is done absolutely correct, the paper models can be very beautiful. I'll share some pics of my attempt to build the paper hull of Centaur II. Embarrassed to say that it took more than 15 hours to get this far. I'll check out the SOS sub on paper builds as suggested.

20260128_203436.jpg

20260128_203310.jpg

20260128_203256.jpg

20260128_203246.jpg
 
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Indeed, the lines are gone a little, more in the bow, less in the stern. But I think you should be able to align the parts of the hull. One important lesson I've learned about the paper modelling is that when you glue the parts, the paper gets wet, and when it later dries, it bends, twists - loses its original form. You need to fix it properly to avoid any deformation. Probably this is the reason why you got this - the underlying surface is uneven and causes the disorder.

I would suggest checking if it was the problem, and in this case tried to fix it on an even horizontal base to remove and prevent further deformation. Then tried to align the parts or re-assembled them. Good luck with your build, @Ignatius27!
 
Boatman said:
Indeed, the lines are gone a little, more in the bow, less in the stern. But I think you should be able to align the parts of the hull. One important lesson I've learned about the paper modelling is that when you glue the parts, the paper gets wet, and when it later dries, it bends, twists - loses its original form. You need to fix it properly to avoid any deformation. Probably this is the reason why you got this - the underlying surface is uneven and causes the disorder.

I would suggest checking if it was the problem, and in this case tried to fix it on an even horizontal base to remove and prevent further deformation. Then tried to align the parts or re-assembled them. Good luck with your build, @Ignatius27!
Click to expand...
Thanks Boatman! Can I ask what's the best glue or adhesive you use for paper models? I use Elmer's Craft Glue but it does not dry fast enough and I don't want to use Crazy Glue or CA.
 
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