• SUBSCRIBE TO SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE July/August 2026
  • Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.

Older but not wise

Joined
Mar 4, 2026
Messages
5
Points
23

Location
Cornwall
Hello fellow salty dogs. Back to model ship building recently after a 10 year break. Maddening as I THINK I can pick up where I left off, only to find that my physical skills are very rusty and I haven't got my modellers eye in yet (the part of the brain that analyses, spots problems in advance and formulates plans on the fly). I can remember when I was reasonably OK at all this but currently someone forgot to tell my hands, eyes and brain!"

Anyway enough prattle, currently building Victory Models HMS Vanguard 1787 (1:72) which I barely started 10 years ago and during the intervening period, the bow snapped off completely not once, but twice (in two different places), the main keel frame (made of MDF) had become warped due to moisture getting in at some point, the bulwark patterns snapped in multiple places and general calumny all over the place. So, notwithstanding my 10 year hiatus, over the past 6 months I have been repairing, straightening and rebuilding as well as laying the first and second planking, whales, rails and quarter galleries. This brings me to where I currently reside at laying down the two yellow stripes along her gunports.

Cheers
 
Hello fellow salty dogs. Back to model ship building recently after a 10 year break. Maddening as I THINK I can pick up where I left off, only to find that my physical skills are very rusty and I haven't got my modellers eye in yet (the part of the brain that analyses, spots problems in advance and formulates plans on the fly). I can remember when I was reasonably OK at all this but currently someone forgot to tell my hands, eyes and brain!"

Anyway enough prattle, currently building Victory Models HMS Vanguard 1787 (1:72) which I barely started 10 years ago and during the intervening period, the bow snapped off completely not once, but twice (in two different places), the main keel frame (made of MDF) had become warped due to moisture getting in at some point, the bulwark patterns snapped in multiple places and general calumny all over the place. So, notwithstanding my 10 year hiatus, over the past 6 months I have been repairing, straightening and rebuilding as well as laying the first and second planking, whales, rails and quarter galleries. This brings me to where I currently reside at laying down the two yellow stripes along her gunports.

Cheers
Hi Salty, welcome back!
Do you happen to have any photos? Otherwise, it would be great to follow along if you start a build log!
 
Welcome and never fear, muscle memory passive recall will soon get you back almost to where you left off.

Eyesight and dexterity may not be what they used to be, but leverage your patience and wisdom, then have fun!
 
Hi Salty, welcome back!
Do you happen to have any photos? Otherwise, it would be great to follow along if you start a build log!

Hi Salty, welcome back!
Do you happen to have any photos? Otherwise, it would be great to follow along if you start a build log!
Hello Peter, Happy to start a build log, took a few photos this morning to show the current position.

Van 1.jpg

Van 2.jpg

Van 3.jpg

Van 4.jpg
 
Hello fellow salty dogs. Back to model ship building recently after a 10 year break. Maddening as I THINK I can pick up where I left off, only to find that my physical skills are very rusty and I haven't got my modellers eye in yet (the part of the brain that analyses, spots problems in advance and formulates plans on the fly). I can remember when I was reasonably OK at all this but currently someone forgot to tell my hands, eyes and brain!"

Anyway enough prattle, currently building Victory Models HMS Vanguard 1787 (1:72) which I barely started 10 years ago and during the intervening period, the bow snapped off completely not once, but twice (in two different places), the main keel frame (made of MDF) had become warped due to moisture getting in at some point, the bulwark patterns snapped in multiple places and general calumny all over the place. So, notwithstanding my 10 year hiatus, over the past 6 months I have been repairing, straightening and rebuilding as well as laying the first and second planking, whales, rails and quarter galleries. This brings me to where I currently reside at laying down the two yellow stripes along her gunports.

Cheers
Hello fellow salty dogs. Back to model ship building recently after a 10 year break. Maddening as I THINK I can pick up where I left off, only to find that my physical skills are very rusty and I haven't got my modellers eye in yet (the part of the brain that analyses, spots problems in advance and formulates plans on the fly). I can remember when I was reasonably OK at all this but currently someone forgot to tell my hands, eyes and brain!"

Anyway enough prattle, currently building Victory Models HMS Vanguard 1787 (1:72) which I barely started 10 years ago and during the intervening period, the bow snapped off completely not once, but twice (in two different places), the main keel frame (made of MDF) had become warped due to moisture getting in at some point, the bulwark patterns snapped in multiple places and general calumny all over the place. So, notwithstanding my 10 year hiatus, over the past 6 months I have been repairing, straightening and rebuilding as well as laying the first and second planking, whales, rails and quarter galleries. This brings me to where I currently reside at laying down the two yellow stripes along her gunports.

Cheers
Sounds like me! Building the King of the Mississipi. Trying to manage tiny( to me) parts. Hard with these old eyes.
 
Welcome back to the hobby and to SoS. Noticed you are in Cornwall. I lived there a few years as a kid. We were in Newquay. Great place and very fond memories
Look forward to seeing more of your build
 
Welcome back and enjoy your build! I can relate as I put away my partially started AL Clara May 10-15 years ago and she’s waiting patiently for my attention, which may be soon. Thanks for sharing.
 
Hello fellow salty dogs. Back to model ship building recently after a 10 year break. Maddening as I THINK I can pick up where I left off, only to find that my physical skills are very rusty and I haven't got my modellers eye in yet (the part of the brain that analyses, spots problems in advance and formulates plans on the fly). I can remember when I was reasonably OK at all this but currently someone forgot to tell my hands, eyes and brain!"

Anyway enough prattle, currently building Victory Models HMS Vanguard 1787 (1:72) which I barely started 10 years ago and during the intervening period, the bow snapped off completely not once, but twice (in two different places), the main keel frame (made of MDF) had become warped due to moisture getting in at some point, the bulwark patterns snapped in multiple places and general calumny all over the place. So, notwithstanding my 10 year hiatus, over the past 6 months I have been repairing, straightening and rebuilding as well as laying the first and second planking, whales, rails and quarter galleries. This brings me to where I currently reside at laying down the two yellow stripes along her gunports.

Cheers https://hamsterwheelbreaker.com/
I appreciate the detailed explanation. Posts like this are much more useful than short comments because they provide context and real-world experience. It's always easier to understand a topic when someone shares what actually worked, what didn't, and what they would do differently next time. Thanks again for taking the time to write it all up.
 
Back
Top