Saying Hi from the UK

[terryp]

Hi all,

Funny set of circumstances sent me this way, as for Christmas my wife bought me a model of Endeavours longship after I mentioned that in a few years time for my 60th I'd love a large wooden sailing ship model. Seemed she took it on board to get one now although a bit smaller but from what I can see, a challenge indeed.
I have been modelling for many years, mainly high level plastic kits and mainly fighter aircraft where I disposed of a lot of the box contents and went for realism, many will know what I mean, that realism where you spend weeks building and painting the inside of an area in total detail, even though someone will never actually see it. I was a former RAF aircraft painter by trade and now work in telecoms.

The ship for me is a challenge, I won't rush anything especially after seeing Donnys beautiful Trinidad creation build on youtube, it really did give me something to respect indeed.

My main hobby is marine fish keeping, it is utter stress at times so this build will I hope be something to just relax me, or not. Hope to watch what goes on in the forums and many thanks for taking me on board.

Regards

Terry

 

[eric67]

Hi Terry and welcome :text-welcomewave: to SOS. You will find lots of help, advice and inspiration, all friendly, here. Look forward to your build log and please don't hesitate to ask questions.
Regards
Eric

 

[GaryM]

It is better to start small. It should be no problem with your experience. However, there is a difference when working with wood. Starting this way, you will have time to get some books on this building and rigging methods.
All kits have numerous errors since most are designed by people that do not know how to research and tend to make everything generic. The worse items almost always is the rigging. Like the plastic models, you have to do after market items if you go for realism; it is more so with ship models. Each era underwent many changes and once you hit the 17th century, changes came more rapidly. This is a unique hobby and one I am sure you will enjoy.

 

[Donnie]

Well, (Gary)
I am divided on this subject of starting small and starting big.

Right now, I am building the Mayflower, which in some circles is considered a small good beginners planking model. If I were starting this Mayflower from a new comers point of view, I might give it all up and throw it away !!!
The Mayflower (in my humble opinion) is MORE difficult to do than my Trinidad as far as planking is concerned. The planking strips are so narrow that you can hardly shape them. So, there is a part of me that disagrees completely about what qualifies as a beginner model. I am also thinking that those terms are best pointed towards a much much younger crowd that might have a lesser attention to things over a course of time. Even the Sultana took me close to a year.

I think the whole concept of what is beginner or not just lies in someones "ability", and someones "level of Patience", and their willingness to stay with the model to completion, and to shape and fashion wood and be able to do a little research. If you want a true beginners model, I still stand behind a Solid Hull kit like the Colonial Schooner Sultana or the New York Pilot Boat and any other Solid Hull kit.

The only thing I see about this Mayflower is that the instructions go a little further in helping a newcomer with Rigging.

Next time it is going to be the Agamemnon or something similar. Even though it takes years, at least you have a larger mass to work with.

For whatever it is worth, just my opinion.
Donnie

 

[GaryM]

The Mayflower is considered an intermediate model. Thus, it is not to much different than an advanced model. The main differences between intermediate and advanced are: less parts and less steps required to complete, less complex detail, instructions designed with the idea that you have previously built simple wooden model, amount of time required complete the project. Even in the intermediate class there is about 3 real levels of difficulty. There is a small paddle wheeler or the large one like Mantua's. A three masted vessel is a higher class of intermediate and takes longer. Beginning or entry level vessels are best since they are designed for the beginner with limited detail, fewer parts, very simple rigging, detailed instruction and good sketches or pictures of each step like the Artesania Latina or Model Shipways kits. Again, you have to be careful since each kit maker has their own idea beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.

 

[fragle123]

Hi Terry
Welcome to the forum and like others have said any questions or problems just ask,just remember not to rush things like Gary said working with wood has it's own unique challenges.
cheers steve