Also know that San Felipe was never a real vessel. It was a model invented to represent a typical early 18th century Spanish three decker warship. It is often said that the model ws invented to resemble the actual Spanish ship Real Felipe, but no one knows what the Real Felipe looks like since such information was lost to history. The history of San Felipe on the box of the kit is purely fictional and despite it being described as a ship of the 1690's, its design of of the 1740's. The San Felipe model is so popular because it is a beautiful design, and has been produced by several model companies since its invention in the early 1960's. I have a half completed San Felipe made by Panart of Italy, which is probably the earliest company to mass produce the kit. There are some Spanish ship models what are designed after real ships, such as Santa Ana and Santisima Trinidad.
Very interesting. I did not know it was not a real ship, but it would have been a beautiful one. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for your help. I'm not a beginner, just not very talented. I can remember when kits came with actual plans and printed instructions.
Model ship kit for complex wooden ship models are yupiclaly not designed for beginners, as @rtwpsom2 mentioned early. This is because the all too brief instructions and complex drawing are created for persons who already know how to build wooden sailing ships and have the necessary skills and experience. It's not that it is impossible for beginner with skilled hands and modeling and woodworking experience from other crafts, it's just that the instructions/drawing only show you WHAT to build, and not so much HOW to build. You typically learn how to plank a hull and rig the masts and sails from books your purchase on those topics, and you usually finish 1-3 other , simpler model kits of this type before you tackle a huge three decker with tons of details and rigging. There are kits you should buld for practice before tackling the San Felipe, such as a simpler Spanish galleon such as Artesania Latina's San Francisco II. To jump right into a monster like San Felipe as your first ship will usually result in a partially finished model, and you would be probably be overwhelmed with the steep learning curve and lose interest. That's what beginners usually do. To avoid that, start small and simple until you get an idea of just how tedious, long, and research heavy a shi like that wil be. You have to have one more thing beyond ANYTHING else: months and YEARS of patience. It took me almost three years to complete my first two deck man-of-war. That's the kind of devotion we're talking about here. at least 70% of what you will do is RESEARCH on how to build the model. The rest is actually construction the model. There are no shortcuts.
Thank you for your input. I appreciate your comments.
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Controversial but here goes:
The conventional wisdom is that you should learn ship modeling by building successively more complicated kits.
I disagree. Modern kits are so highly engineered that building them teaches you how to build more kits. The research to determine what the vessel actually looked like, problem solving required to build the model, compromises with scale and authenticity that are essential parts of ship modeling have all been done by the kit designer/manufacturer. What you think is an authentic model is really a series of compromises of which you are unaware.
In the case of the San Felipe it’s apparently an imaginary ship so why spend time and $$ building it. I know that many forum members believe that building ship models is just another way to have fun and I am not criticizing that viewpoint, but if you really want to spend time building something of lasting value pick a (hopefully) unique subject, do your research, and build it. I think that you’ll be pleased with the results.
Roger
The conventional wisdom is that you should learn ship modeling by building successively more complicated kits.
I disagree. Modern kits are so highly engineered that building them teaches you how to build more kits. The research to determine what the vessel actually looked like, problem solving required to build the model, compromises with scale and authenticity that are essential parts of ship modeling have all been done by the kit designer/manufacturer. What you think is an authentic model is really a series of compromises of which you are unaware.
In the case of the San Felipe it’s apparently an imaginary ship so why spend time and $$ building it. I know that many forum members believe that building ship models is just another way to have fun and I am not criticizing that viewpoint, but if you really want to spend time building something of lasting value pick a (hopefully) unique subject, do your research, and build it. I think that you’ll be pleased with the results.
Roger
I completely disagree, Rodger. Why spend $$ should depend on whether the actual ship exists? why do you think the model of Saint Felipe will not have lasting value? Why should the lasting value dictate what to build and what not? I was kinda at a loss. I was always building the models for fun, even the one I built to commission. The value of my models is less I care about. I gave my models away to my friends on their birthdays or just because. I always build the models I like to build. They don't have to be real or imaginary ships. They have to be liked by me, the way they will look as the model.
I think, many members build models for fun, including myself.
Nothing wrong with conventional wisdom.
As a fairly new person in this field, just from my own experience, I must disagree. I believe working on simpler kits gives you valuable hands on experience with working with the wood itself. I have had more than 15 years building plastic models and wanted to expand my range with building wooden ships.
I was lucky enough to get a cross section Constitution at a good price on one of model expo's sales. After I unboxed it and studied the plans, I realized it was not a good place to start. I personally get frustrated easily and I probably would have quit that kit half way through. Instead I built a series of easier kits starting with a Dory. Working with wood, even a simple thing like painting, is much different than plastic models, even when you scratch build parts. Complex items such as planking and rigging are much easier to try on a simpler kit. I developed a much better understanding of how wood behaves, how to bend shape and sand it, how to fair a frame and correct mistakes.
SOS has been a Godsend of useful advice and amazing comments and people that has helped me along. In addition, learning on a simpler kit is MUCH less expensive. I am glad I am learning in this way.
Just my experience, for what it is worth.
Rob
I understand your perspective entirely. As a history buff, I would usually pass on San Felipe due to it's nonhistorical origin, but it is a decent representation of a Spanish three decker from what we know about them. The stern gallery is unique, but it's also very artistic, and as such it would not really be a waste of time from others' perspective. From your persepective, San Felipe may not be a valid choice, but for those who would build the Black Pearl, it would be a step up in complexity and realism. I really wish an image of Real Felipe existed. It would be such an easy bash/conversion using a San Felipe kit.
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WOW! I didn't know what I was starting. Thank you all for your comments. For the record, I build models because It gives me pleasure. I am in awe of the modelers on this site who believe in 100% scale, it is just not me. I look at a finished project and I think I have done something awesome and that makes me feel good. Very few people have seen my models and that is fine with me. Thank you all again.
Go back and reread Roger's post... He wasn't criticizing those who build kits for fun, but rather saying that for those who want to up their game, do it! Jump into the deep end and swim... Kits will only get you so far. One of my old professors in med school used to say, "if you want to practice medicine, read the text book. If you want to be the expert, write the text book." Both view points are equally valid. Figure out what matches your definition of fun and go after it. My. 02.
Jeff
Jeff
San Felipe ,from Occre is not a first time project ,is difficult but not impossible, the instructions are not clear, are not good ether. Materials are very good, with a little bit of patience you're able to complete this project .Go ahead and try it,is worth it, you will enjoy building this ship.
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Thanks Jeff. You explained my point better than I did.
Roger
Roger