Tribute to John Kopf, 19-- / 2010

Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)

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this is a large data base of general information done by the late john Kopf many years ago. It has long been forgotten and sets unknown on the internet.

the data base was created years ago and there is no reason why we here at Ships of Scale can not up date information or add to the original data base.


Obligatory Disclaimer
: The information contained in these question was contributed by individuals, who, unless otherwise indicated, speak only for themselves and not the institutions or businesses they are associated with. The author(s) and editor(s) of this material make no warranties as to the correctness of the information provided.

This material should be considered copyright by the author(s). This material may be redistributed for non-commercial use without explicit permission of the author(s) as long as the text is used exactly as is (except for reformatting) and the author(s) is given full written credit for the material. Commercial use requires explicit permission of the author(s).

Disclaimer: The general focus of this FAQ's is with traditional, static wooden ship models. Thus the answers below lean toward that aspect.

NOTE: The record (web) links found here are not varified on a regular basis. Thus, I may not know if they "disappear". If you try to access one and it appears to be no longer available, please send me Email; I'll check it out and delete the reference if it's really gone. Thanks.​
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREPARATION
THE HULL
DETAILS
PAINTING
RIGGING
OTHER STUFF
RESOURCES
PUBLICATIONS
INTERNET


"There is no 'correct' way to build a ship model!"




PREPARATION
I don't have the patience to build a ship model (?)
Can I see some ship models pictures on-line?
Where do I get started in making rc model boats?
What is a good beginner's model kit to start with?
Whats the difference between "bread-and-butter", plank-on-bulkhead, and plank-on-frame construction?
What's the difference between Beginner, intermediate, or advanced Kits?
What experience have other modelers had with the European kits?
What is a "Practicum"; what are available?
Are there any groups for Modeling Specific Ships or Kits?
How do I work with resin kits?
I hear reports of problems with some of the "resin" kits?
Can you tell me about paper models?
What hand tools do I need to get started?
Do I need a Rotory tool (E.g., Dremel)?
What power tools do I need?
What sandpaper do I need?
What scale should I use?
What's a good scale? scale sizes for WWII ships
How does one change the scale of plans?
When should I use "English" or "Metric" measurements?
Useful ShareWare
What woods are recommended?
I have a chance to harvest my own wood how do I do it?
Cutting wood planks?
What is the right glue to use?
Is CA glue reliable?
I'd like to try Scratchbuilding XXXX, even though it's available as a kit?
I Need Help with (plastic) Submarine Model Building
Back to TOC
THE HULL
How do I scratch-build a modern hull?
I don't fully understands Harold Hahn's principle of building up side down?
What are all of the lines on my drawing of a ship?
What are diagonals used for?
Can anyone explain how to read a table of offsets?
What carving tools will I need for solid wood hulls?
How do I bend wood for a ship model?
How do I cut the bevel(s) on a bulkhead/frame of a model?
Are ship's frames perpendicular to the keel or to the waterline?
What is "accurizing"?
How do I Clean up Ship Decks?
How do I carve a solid (or bread and butter) hull?
How do I make wooden planking appear realistic?
How do I use paper templates to check the hull shape?
What are "Trunnels", and how do I use them?
Question about beveling plank edges?
How do I plank a hull?
What are Proportional Dividers; what use are they?
How do you drill the mast holes in a solid-hull ship model?
How does one "joggle" at the margin plank?
How do I mark the Waterline?
Back to TOC
DETAILS
I'm looking for a source of sheet copper for plating a model?
How is the copper applied?
How do I make small, inexpensive cast plastic fittings? Pewter?
Where can I locate some chrome fittings for a ChrisCraft boat?
Have anybody got a recipe for chemical blackener? (To blacken brass and other metals)
Does anyone have any experience and/or tips on how to use slide cover glass to make windows?
How does one work with "real" scale rivets?
How do I make eyebolts?
How do I make a "diorama"?
How big should cannon be (compared to what's available)?
How do I rig carronades?
What are the proper colors for British Ensigns? Were the Ensign of British ships really as big as they appear in kits?
What is the best way to do carvings for ship models?
What is "lead sickness"?
What is Brass Rot?
Does anyone knows the typical sizes and termination for oars in ship´s boats?
What can I put on the Deck?
Back to TOC
PAINTING
Should models be painted or left natural wood?
What colors are appropriate for 16th-17th century ships?
I painted the (Cutty Sark) hull and found that the Testors paint is difficult to use and not see brushmarks. Any advice?
What are the correct {brand} colors for {specific ship}?
Painting advice for 1870-1900 warships?
Am modeling a Fletcher and need up to date colors etc.?
What colors to use on the Revell(?) PT-109?
What are the correct USN (and other WW II) Camouflage Measures?
How do you paint and mask camouflage detail?
How do I get "scale color" to work?
How do I translate Tamiya color numbers to Model Master #? Floquil?
How do I use "decal sheet" to apply markings to a model?
How do I get decals to "disappear"?
Where can I get 1/72 scale coast guard decals?
How do I apply gold leaf to ship model parts?
How about gold leaf & paint?
What are the correct colors/stencils used on exposed pipes on Naval ships?
Back to TOC
RIGGING
What are the proper sizes of masts and spars?
How do I taper dowels for masts and spars?
What can be used for fine rigging line?
How do I make scale rope?
How does one assemble rigging?
What is the best material to rig small-scale Resin models?
How do I install ratlines?
Do ratlines extend beyond the futtock shrouds to the lubbers hole? Is the futtock shroud tied directly to the main shroud?
How do I rig footropes on yards?
I Don't Understand What "Mouse" means?
How can I make/use a Seizing/Serving Device?
How do I form the coils of rope onto belaying pins?
Why do I have more lines than points to belay them?
How can rigging line be made to hang naturally?
How do I eliminate the fuzz on model rigging?
Why and how do you use bees wax on rigging?
How do I build small blocks for model sailing ships?
My model calls for clue blocks and sheet blocks, but they're not included - how do I make them?
How does one strop blocks?
What do I use for sails?
What is the best material for sails?
Back to TOC
OTHER STUFF...
What is meant by "Museum Quality" ship models?
How do I clean a model?
Where can I find plans for the Frigate (HMS) Rose?
I have an old kit of the XXXX - how much is it worth?
How do I get a ship model appraised (for insurance purposes)?
I'am looking for info or suggestings on model subs?
Why do [your choice] cost so much?
How big should a case be?
How do I Ship Model Ships?
"How do you get it into the bottle"?
How does "Copyright" apply to my work? To old pictures and drawings?
Why can't I use my digital camera to take photographs for my article?
I have kit parts left over - any suggestions?
Can Ship Photos be converted to Drawings?
Back to TOC
RESOURCES
Research Notes....
An Accumulation of information that various people have compiled.
Shop Notes....
Useful tools and techniques, and information about materials and useful tables as well.
Clubs....
Where can I find...?
Kits, Fittings, etc.
Tools
Lumber & Other Materials
Miscellaneous
Ship Model and Maritime Dealers, Appraisers, Builders, Conservers
Back to TOC
PUBLICATIONS
Where can I find information... ?
Articles by John Kopf and a few free plans.
Book Companies and Dealers
Magazines & Publications
Plans
Sources for Photographs
General
Institutions
Ship Plans
Records
Photos and Prints
Historical Data
Interlibrary Loan
Individual Ships/Ship Types
Outside of U.S.A.
List some good nautical fiction?
What is the "HAMMS" collection?
Are There Printed Practicums?
What are some good books... ?
Back to TOC
Internet
What's available on the Internet?
LIST SERVERS
USENET NEWS GROUPS
FAQs
FTP access
GOPHER access
What's available on the WWW?
SPECIAL!!!
General
FAQs On-line
Lists of Links to Other Sites
Model Boating & Clubs
Ship Model Dealers and Suppliers
Books and Book Shops
Miscellaneous
Sailing Ships
"Steam" Ships
Maritime Museums and Research Projects (including Nautical Archaeology)
Research Ships
Government / Military
 
ok I found I do not have to reformat just link the questions to the original web site

the only issue with links is if the site goes away so does the data base. I thought of trying to reformat and bring it all to Ship of Scale but i do not know how to do that.
 
If you want to replicate the original site check out "website downloaders". They replicate sites to local storage for offline viewing. Its a bit like copying directories from one PC HD to another except its a remote site. If you have ever used the IE option of copy webpage complete you will know what it does, except it follows all the links from the root, not just one page.

That way you have a local backup.
 
I don't know if this is what you want. But this link will take you the the 'data' site that Dave Stevens posted.

 
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