Starter Kit for Child

[mikiek]

My first mate has been helping me with my Niagara build. She's at a point where she's reading the simpler parts of plans, measuring, cutting, etc.  I started thinking about a starter kit for her. Obviously Captain Dad would be there for assistance.

 

So I'm looking for something interesting but does not require hours of repetitive tasks like planking, sanding and the like. She's smart as a whip for a 10 year old, but stuff like that get's old for most of them. Maybe a few strings to rig. I'm hoping it will be a good exercise in patience and planning beyond "what's on Disney tonite".

 

I've seen the Constructo Junior kits. Also the Mantua Le Piccole series. I am wanting to see what else may be out there and what suggestions you may have.

 

Thanks for reading........

[mtaylor]

Mike,

 

There's also the mini-Mamoli kits that are still available.

[EJ_L]

Mike,

I helped a friend of mine build the HMS Bounty by Constructo and it was his first kit. It is a solid hull construction so no crazy framing or hard planking to do. In fact, the kit even shows it built without planking the hull, just installing the wales, rails and some trim pieces then painting it. This is how we built his as he did not want to mess with all the planking but it gave him a taste of it with the wales. Of course you can always add more than the plans show.

 

I have included a couple of pictures to show you what it looks like. I have more pictures of it if you are interested I can send them to you when I get home.

[Blue Pilot]

You might like the Bluejacket Ensign skill builder series. They have seven ships in this series. My first ship was the Yankee Yero but the Optimist Dinghy to me looks like a great project for the two of you. It will even come with her own tools, brushes, and paint in one box.

 

Great job sharing your passion with her! Here is a link. You can see the other options under the entry level tab. What ever you choose it will be great.

 

http://www.bluejacketinc.com/kits/optimist.htm

Edited April 25, 2016 by Blue Pilot

[mikiek]

I forgot about BJ Mark. They do have some nice choices.

[pompey2]

Mike

 

Check out MarisStella (think I got that right) in the traders section.

They have just launched a series of three starter kits aimed at complete beginners, a sort of 'course'.

Should suit nicely.

 

Nick

[grsjax]

The Midwest apprentice series are good kits to start with.  The Skiff is the simplest but provides a good introduction to basic modeling skills.  A little more complex but still straight forward is the Hampton Flattie or the Chesapeake Crabbing Skiff.

[mikiek]

Ohhh Nick - looks like Maristella has a few new "grown up" kits as well

[mikiek]

I have no experience with the cross section models. As far as skill level required, are those similar to regular kits that we build?  Too complicated for a child?

 

What seemed attractive about them is that while there is planking, rigging, etc - all those tasks that can get rather mundane - there's not near as much.

[mtaylor]

Mike,

 

Maybe one of these:  http://www.modelexpo-online.com/search.asp?SKW=cat1_PM%20cat2_I0  There's just some planking, painting, and a wee bit of rigging.

[grsjax]

I think Midwest is out of the model ship business. There is no mention of ships on their website anymore, and a few months ago they were listing kits as " limited availability"

I believe you are correct but the models seem to be available.  Ebay always seems to have a lot of them listed.

[mikiek]

Right now I'm leaning towards one of the Mamoli 'Mini's' or BlueJacket Yankee Hero.  The Mamoli's are not easy to find. Several sites show them but they are not in stock and given that Mamoli is out of business they won't be getting any more. And I don't shop Ebay.

Edited May 1, 2016 by mikiek

[Altduck]

How about finding a few that you are confident she could build successfully, maybe different styles of boat including power or sail, and then show her pictures of them and let her pick the one she likes best?

[mikiek]

We've reviewed a lot of what has been mentioned here. Sounds like a sailing ship is the general direction. She always asks 'does it have cannons'  so there is another hint.

[Altduck]

Cannons!  That's my kind of kid.

 

Anybody ever try to make a miniature carbide cannon for a ship model?

 

All the best in your project,

 

Richard

[mtaylor]

Richard,

 

Youtube has several videos of very miniature cannon firing and also RC sailing ships firing.   Search for Surprise as if I remember right that will lead you to others.  Found one...  

[Altduck]

That's awesome!

 

Thanks

[mikiek]

A little off topic but interesting. There was another - Constitution vs Victory. In terms of seamanship I don't know how accurate the video is, but I find it fascinating watching sails set and reefed, the luffing and tacking. It's a part of all battles that I don't think we often realize. It's not all just firing cannons at each other.

 

Would be curious to know if there are others, perhaps not as detailed graphically, but show the movement of ships through some of the major battles.

[mikiek]

Just to close this out - we went with the Mini Mamoli's. Black Queen and Flying Fish. Kits arrived today. Reasonably simple, but there is some planking and rigging called for. Daughter was SO excited.

 

Should be fun!

[AntonyUK]

Hi Mike.

Nice choice.

We have made this mini kit and it's quality is good.

Link to our build below.

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/7782-black-queen-by-alex-s-mini-mamoli-scale-1-135-first-build/?hl=%2Bblack+%2Bqueen

 

It's so nice to do modeling with your son or daughter and to pass on skills and interests.

All the best.

Regards Antony.

[mikiek]

Wow Antony - Cudos to you for your effort! And thanks for the link. It will help immensely and my daughter will love reading it. The kit looks like it will give her a taste of the main tasks we do in a larger build - just not too much of it.

 

Now you have me thinking about getting her to do a build log.