Hello everyone -
In 1982 I bought and started working on Artisania Latina's kit of the Charles W Morgan, my first wood ship model following completion of three large plastic ships. After finishing the first planking layer I realized I was way in over my head and needed help so I set the model aside. Marriage, kids, career, and a life, this kit and model sat in a box for 40+ years.
In the summer of 2023 I pulled it back out and with better tools, work area, and the Internet with its YouTube videos and this forum to illustrate various modeling techniques, I decided to tackle it again. I experimented with different construction techniques, and wood conditioning, staining, and varnishing. I made a lot of mistakes but I learned a lot in the process. Searching the build logs on this forum was enlightening and invaluable.
One thing I can appreciate is what people mean by 'kit bashing.' I found the kit instructions somewhat mediocre and wondered if the person(s) who wrote them actually worked on the kit to completion. I also found the kit was short material and was able to find an incomplete Artisania Latina Charles W Morgan kit on eBay for spare material and metal parts and fittings.
In the end, I'm satisfied with this first attempt and am hooked on wood ship modeling.
Gary
In 1982 I bought and started working on Artisania Latina's kit of the Charles W Morgan, my first wood ship model following completion of three large plastic ships. After finishing the first planking layer I realized I was way in over my head and needed help so I set the model aside. Marriage, kids, career, and a life, this kit and model sat in a box for 40+ years.
In the summer of 2023 I pulled it back out and with better tools, work area, and the Internet with its YouTube videos and this forum to illustrate various modeling techniques, I decided to tackle it again. I experimented with different construction techniques, and wood conditioning, staining, and varnishing. I made a lot of mistakes but I learned a lot in the process. Searching the build logs on this forum was enlightening and invaluable.
One thing I can appreciate is what people mean by 'kit bashing.' I found the kit instructions somewhat mediocre and wondered if the person(s) who wrote them actually worked on the kit to completion. I also found the kit was short material and was able to find an incomplete Artisania Latina Charles W Morgan kit on eBay for spare material and metal parts and fittings.
In the end, I'm satisfied with this first attempt and am hooked on wood ship modeling.
Gary
and welcome to the SOS group.
