Flying Fish free to a good home

[OrionM]

Update 7/27/24: I have worked out a new home for it. Thank you all.



Hello, my apologies if this thread isn't in the right place, or not appropriate for this forum.

My father passed away in August 2019, and my mother just recently, so we are going through the things in the house. He had started this Flying Fish model in 2018, but of course didn't get a chance to complete it. I remember many years ago he did a plastic USS Constitution model, but this was his first attempt at a wood model I think. So I have no idea if what he completed is any good, and no idea if "all the pieces" are here (I have the box and more of the parts not shown in the picture), but I can't bear to just throw it in the trash. Either I will make up some ceremonial Viking ship burning activity or, ideally, I move it along to someone who would like to see it through and finish it.

So if anyone is interested, I can box everything up as carefully as I can and send it to you. I only ask that if/when you get it done, you send me a picture of it.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[Uwek]

Hallo Wayne,
My condolences for your loss in the family - and a warm welcome here on board of our forum.
I hope you will find somebody who would like to finish the Flying Fish - a very interesting model kit.

 

[Allegheny]

Hello OrionM,

Please accept my condolences for the recent loss of your parents. It is always difficult to lose close family members. May their souls rest in God's eternal light.

I am not a professional model maker but have some experience - though not with POF.
However I would be honored/interested in completing this model as it will afford me the ability to hone my skills on such a project.
Please let me know.

 

[Bob Cleek]

I am not a professional model maker but have some experience - though not with POF.
However I would be honored/interested in completing this model as it will afford me the ability to hone my skills on such a project.

This is the fine 1979 Model Shipways 1:96 scale plank on bulkhead kit of Flying Fish by Ben Lankford. POB construction is considerably easier and less tedious than POF, although it poses its own difficulties in the pursuit of a fair hull. As this kit has apparently been built up to the point of being planked those challenges may be resolved already, (or perhaps not.) Undertaking the completion of a model that another modeler began may present unique challenges as well. Every model build has its own learning curve and when you step into a previous modeler's shoes in mid-build, you have to bridge that gap in the learning curve in order to seamlessly pick up where your predecessor left off.

I have no way to gauge what you mean by "I have some experience" and I certainly don't want to offend you by erroneously interpreting that to mean "not enough," but your comment struck me as if you might unknowingly be sailing into shoal waters against a lee shore. Building this kit is a relatively complex undertaking. It's one of the most complicated models in the Model Shipways line. The manufacturer's comment in their advertising, "Previous modeling experience helpful.", is quite likely a considerable understatement designed to "arguably disclose" that fact in anticipation of complaints from frustrated purchasers without scaring them off in the first place. I'd suggest you study a few builder's logs of this model before "jumping into deep water." I don't want to scare you off, either, but I'd be remiss if I didn't offer the observation that this isn't a kit I'd consider suitable for "honing skills" on. It's a kit one would expect to be undertaken by a skilled and experienced kit builder with a sound background in the applicable period nomenclature and rigging practices of American clipper ships.

Here's the link to the kit's manufacturer: https://modelexpo-online.com/Model-Shipways-FLYING-FISH-196-SCALE_p_1020.html

Here's a link to The American-Built Clipper Ship, 1850-1856: Characteristics, Construction, and Details by Wiliam L. Crothers. This is the essential reference work necessary to tackle building a clipper ship model and a fascinating addition to any modeler's library in any event. https://www.amazon.com/American-Built-Clipper-Ship-1850-1856-Characteristics/dp/1626543399

 

[Allegheny]

Dear Bob,

Thank you for your concerns and offering up your thoughts regarding the completion of this model ship.
It is evident that you have a great deal of experience and as such you are generously offering your gained wisdom freely on the matter.
Thank you for taking the time to layout the pitfalls and suggestive links.
I will be looking into build logs for this specific model to learn from others experiences.
I do not own the suggested text, do own others that on the subject.
I will look into further though since you gave it a strong recommendation.

As a side note, I am a scratch builder (small models) and restorer of derelict wooden ship models and have built two large scale sailing models as well.
I find taking on new challenges of this nature very pleasurable as they require finding unique solutions.

In the near future I will be asking for advice on a derelict - damaged model I currently own that came out of a museums storage for 50+ years with a thick carpet of dust!
I'm hoping you can shed light on that project as I've been unable to resolve how the boom was originally configured given the surviving rigging. The boom and gaff is missing. The boom configuration is not standard as the rigging implies otherwise.

Thanks!

 

[Bob Cleek]

As a side note, I am a scratch builder (small models) and restorer of derelict wooden ship models and have built two large scale sailing models as well.
I find taking on new challenges of this nature very pleasurable as they require finding unique solutions.

It sounds like you're a lot more experienced that you first let on! Go for it!

In the near future I will be asking for advice on a derelict - damaged model I currently own that came out of a museums storage for 50+ years with a thick carpet of dust!
I'm hoping you can shed light on that project as I've been unable to resolve how the boom was originally configured given the surviving rigging. The boom and gaff is missing. The boom configuration is not standard as the rigging implies otherwise.

"You may fire when ready, Gridley." I've got three of those on my benches at the moment. There's nothing worse for a model than to be without a proper case. Cleaning dust and grime (e.g., tobacco tar, kitchen grease, etc.) off of a model is a task I hate more than most others.

Booms and gaffs are pretty straightforward items and should be fairly easy to replicate accurately once the identity (or at least the period) of the vessel can be ascertained. Deviations from "standard" are often associated with specific types of vessels, but not all that common. Your ship modeling research library is your friend.