Hellow and greetings to all

[Jonathan]

Hi there -Greetings from Australia,

A couple of quick questions

For some reason I have a serious interest in odd or rare ship models - perhaps born of my desire to avoid having to deal wiht intricate square rigging!

Any way here goes

First question: I'm aware of a couple of Dhow model kits avaliable, but am really interested to know if any one knows if there is a model of the Racing Dhows you can see off Dubai - There are two versions, a smaller single mast and a larger two mast version, both are built specifically for racing, so not to be confused with the merchent ship models whcih I'm aware of. All are lateen rigged, (a big personal favourite) If you watch them racing via Youtube you must surely becoe as obsessed as I they are the most beautiful beasts - I'd love to know if there is a model kit of these stunning ships



Second question -

I am very interested in two other kits I've seen of some other interesting vessels the Italian Leudo and the Marmara Trading Ship - I believe one of the Italian kit producers has a model of both and also ZHL, bit also Falconet from Russia has a version of the Leudo - justy wondering if anyne has any idea which might be the best -

I'm particulalry interested in the ZHL and Falconet Leudo as I believe both come with a slipway - I hope someone can clarrify as I find the ZHL website particuarly difficult to decipher with sometimes multiple versions of the same model with different woods or with different attachments or fixtures - Again curious as I've managed to choose two ships for my next couple of projects one from a Chinese manufacturer, the other From Russia - Not sure if these kits may be diffucult to purchase based on their countries or origin

Last, thrid question

I am very interested to get my hands on the Falconet model Grasshopper but understand the are issues with purchase and or supply as Faconet are a Russian company and there are issues or restrictions on postage or international exchange I'd love to get my hands on their version of Leudo and the Grasshopper, (see below) if it can be arranged



Thanks in advance for any assistance or ideas

 

[Senorbob]

thanks, i had no idea about racing dhows.reading the sons of sinbad is the limit of my knowledge

 

[AllanKP69]

Welcome to SoS Jonathan.
Sorry, but I have no idea if there are dhow kits available, but someone is making these boats. I believe most of the large ones are being made in the UAE and/or Dubai so it may be possible to find and contact who makes them and get a set of plans if you explain it is to build a model. I did that years ago with two different California yacht companies and built several models from their plans, so maybe it still can be done. Try contacting the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries (DCMMI) to see if they can steer you to who has plans or maybe a kit for the racing dhows. The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is a primary hub for these kinds of boat races and could probably provide contacts of manufacturers that might help out.
Allan

 

[swampdweller126]

Hello and welcome to the forum, from NY

 

[Jonathan]

Hi and thanks for your re[plies - I may just try your suggestion MR AlanKP69 - will let you know if I have any success - in the mantime does any one have any info / odeas re my other queries re Falconet and the Leudo and Marmara ship models or how or where to order ZHL kits