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  1. Dear MSW Friends, In recent weeks we have experienced a rash of topics in the build log areas that do not feature actual builds. Please bear in mind that a build log is supposed to feature a model under construction -- that's why it's called a build log after all, not a built log. If you'd like to share pictures of a finished model, the proper place to do that is in the gallery (And BTW, have you seen our gallery lately? You should check it out!). Thanks for your cooperation! The MSW Team
  2. Ahoy, mates! As a reminder, please do not use off-site hosts for images that you use in your posts. Doing so can potentially cause two problems. First, the hosting site may have protection protocols in place that do not allow your images to be seen at our site; these protocols can adversely affect the functionally of MSW. Second, if the off-site host goes belly-up, or if you terminate your account with them, your links at MSW will be dead, which rather limits their usefulness. We have plenty of image-hosting capability on-site here, so the best way to share your images at MSW is to directly upload them to MSW. Any posts made here that link to off-site hosts may, out of necessity, be taken down without notice. Thanks for your cooperation!
  3. Folks, we've recently had a rash of people posting images in the build logs sections that rightfully ought to go in the galleries. The operative word in "build logs" is build, i.e. a model under construction. A post in the scratch or kit build log sections that shows only a finished model is not a build log -- that's a photo that needs to go in the gallery. If you're worried that you can't post commentary in the gallery, fear not -- you can. And BTW, a post featuring a finished model and one or two in-progress shots isn't a proper build log, either. So remember, put finished models in the galleries and only post actual build logs in the build logs sections. Thank you!
  4. Have you seen the new POF kit of the Cutter Alert being made by a company called Trident? Yes, it is being made in China but as this is the first offering by "Trident" and it is an original work, this kit is perfectly fine to be built here on MSW. Trident is not a company currently on our banned list and by all indications future kits in the works are also of original design and not pirated. So, feel free to talk about it and maybe we will see some being built when it is officially released. From all appearances this looks to be an excellent POF kit. Here are some photos below.
  5. Hey, folks! Have you noticed that we now have 37 pages of gallery albums in kit builds alone? That's awesome!! Unfortunately, the gallery hasn't gotten quite the amount of scrutiny that other areas of the forum have received -- it's sort of like the wild, wild west of MSW (we even found some spam that slipped in there under the radar!). One simple thing that we can all do to make the gallery more user-friendly is to think for a moment about what should go in a gallery album title. In my own experience, whenever I use the search feature for the gallery, I'm looking for the name of a particular ship. So guess where the name of your model should be? That's right -- it needs to go in the title of your gallery album! So please make sure you put it there, thank you! You can add other elements to your title if you wish, but please take note that your album and each of its images are already stamped with your username, so adding that to your title is redundant. Thanks in advance!
  6. Looking for something new to build, but don't know where to start looking? Relax -- we got this for you! Below is a list of manufacturers of wooden model boat/ship kits. Clicking a name will take you to the manufacturer's web site, where you can browse what each is currently offering. This list is current as of 22 July 2018 and will be periodically updated. Don't see your favorite kit maker listed here? Send a PM to one of the mods, and we'll check it out. Don't see your favorite Chinese manufacturer listed here? Then you probably haven't read this post (but please take the time to do so). If you don't see a short description, that means that the manufacturer is one of the better-known companies whose offerings cover a wide range of building methods, skill levels, vessel types, or all of the above. Enjoy! A J Fisher (USA) -- solid-hull kits of early American sailing craft Amati/Victory Models (Italy) Artesania Latina (Spain) -- popular manufacturer of a range of ships from beginner to expert. Billing Boats (Denmark) -- extensive RC line in addition to static kits Bluejacket Shipcrafters (USA) Caldercraft (UK) -- produces the popular Nelson's Navy line of kits CCV (Italy) -- classic Mediterranean work boats Chesapeake Light Craft (USA) -- offers several models based on their full-size boat kits Corel (Italy) Constructo (Spain) De Agostini (USA) -- serial parts work kits Disarmodel (Spain) -- a variety of ship models, other model subjects, and fittings Dumas (USA) -- known primarily for their RC offerings Dusek (Czech Republic) Euromodel (Italy) Graupner (Germany) -- known primarily for their RC offerings Kolderstok (Holland) -- Dutch vessels from the Golden Age of sail Hachette-Fascicoli (Italy) -- serial parts work kits Mantua/Panart/Sergal (Italy) Mamoli (see Dusek) MarisStella (Croatia) -- many Adriatic Sea sailing work boats Master Korabel (Russia) -- Russian period vessels Model Shipways (USA) -- including the designs from Syren Ship Model Company Modellers Shipyard (Australia) -- models of Australia's First Fleet vessels Navarino Models (Greece) -- ancient and traditional Greek warships and work boats OcCre (Spain) Ship Model Okumoto (Japan) -- fully framed models Soclaine (France) -- French sailing warships and work boats Syren Model Ship Company (USA) -- Several kits designed for the experienced modeller. POF and POB. Aftermarket blocks, ropes and fittings. Turk Model (Turkey) -- Turkish vessels Vanguard Models (UK) -- warships of the Royal Navy, designed by Chris Watton Woody Joe (Japan) -- traditional Japanese work boats in addition to period sailing vessels Wye River Models (USA) -- Chesapeake Bay work boats
  7. Hi all, With an expanding membership base, we thought there a need to make a post which could help people make that critical first choice of what model to build. Picture this.....you are either browsing the internet at one of the MANY wonderful sites which sell model ship kits, or you have just entered a nicely stocked model shop......with a LARGE fist full of dollars (apologies to Clint Eastwood there, so that includes dollars, pounds/euros etc etc). NOW, the problem is that you have never built a model ship before, but you have dreamt of having a beautiful model of the San Felipe, HMS Victory, San Juan Nepomuceno, Amerigo Vespucci, HMS Diana etc. Anything bristling with cannon or dripping in gold embellishments. You have even chosen the spot in your house where she will be housed. You now think you are one step from realizing that dream. Simple....just build it. "Can't be that hard, can it?" "I used to make plastic models." Here's where we interject. There are several types of modeller/modeller-to-be in our world. We will try to pitch this article at everyone, and with a common mid-ground. Building model ships is a learning curve that will never end during your time as a model shipwright. How you approach that learning curve is entirely up to you. You may want to take things gradually, but you may decide that you want to be challenged. The latter is 'ok' if you have some experience of model woodworking/engineering, but its not an approach that we would advise for a newcomer. There are countless basements and attics around the world which are monuments to unfinished projects/ shattered dreams of that wonderful first project, the First Rate Man 'o' War. Let's try to avoid that scenario now. We want newcomers to feel fulfilled by their newly finished model and ready to accept another challenge in what will, hopefully, be a lifetime of extremely rewarding model making. Now, back to that first model. What should I build? This depend upon what type of vessel you like. Here are the types of models that we would advise as a first build for those with limited/no modelling experience or have built other model varieties such as wooden airplanes etc. These lists are by no means exhaustive, and will tend to be limited to manufacturers with which we have had experience, with a few exceptions. No experience Any Artesania Latina Weekend Kit (Viking longboat etc) Artesania Latina's Mare Nostrum, Bremen, Jolie Brise Models with preformed hulls made from compressed fibre (again, AL produce a variety of these) Midwest Products Level 1 or 2 (e.g. skiff, Chesapeake Bay flattie) Beginner kits from BlueJacket Shipcrafters (e.g. Optimist dinghy, Yankee Hero) Please make sure that at this level, any planked model you choose has a double planked hull. Model Shipways' Willie Bennett Personally, we would recommend NO Billings kit in this category due to issues with quality and clarity of instructions. We would also recommend NO Corel kit in this category due to most models being aimed at people with at least some experience. Some experience, or experience of other model disciplines Mantua's Model kits of President, Golden Star Artesania Latina's San Francisco(II), Santa Maria, Independence, Harvey, HMS Supply, Mayflower, Scottish Maid, Virginia, Swift Amati's Santa Maria, Elizabethan Galleon, Lady Nelson, Chinese Junk Caldercraft's HM Schooner Ballahoo, HM Cutter Sherbourne, HM Brig Supply Model Shipways' Bluenose Corel's Shenadoah, Chesapeake Sloop, Scotland Baltic Ketch, Leida Mamoli's Constitution Cross Section Please make sure that at this level, any model you choose has a double planked hull Modellers with experience of several vessels and successful completion Mantua's Royal Caroline, La Couronne, Jamaica, HMS Racehorse Artesania's San Juan Nepomuceno Caldercraft's H.M. Bomb Vessel Granado, HMS Cruiser, HMS Snake, HMS Jalouse, HMS Mars, HM Yacht Chatham, HM Mortar Vessel Convulsion Corel's Le Tonnant, Le Mirage, Vasa, La Couronne Amati's Revenge 1577, Russian Brig Mercury, HMS Pegasus Syren Model Ship Company's Queen Anne Royal Barge Experienced Modellers At this stage, almost any model could be attempted. Such models would include those such as: Mantua's Sovereign Of The Seas, HMS Victory, Amerigo Vespucci, San Felipe, Soleil Royal Caldercraft's HMS Agamemnon, HMS Victory, HMS Diana Amati's HMS Vanguard (and future HMS Victory) Anything above this level, as with some of the kits mentioned for experienced modellers, we're sure those modellers will know without us writing endless lists of models. The reason for putting them here is to illustrate to newcomers that these are not the sort of model that you should be aiming for when you begin to build ships/boats. This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are countless dozens of other models which could be recommended to newcomers. If you have any models you would like adding to the list, then feel free to add your experiences to this topic. We want newcomers to our hobby to enjoy their modelling and progress to the highest level which they can attain to. Only this way will our hobby continue to flourish in the way it has done over the last 20 years. The advent of kit production techniques such as brass etching, 3-axis CNC routing, etc, means that producing a relatively good model with only a modicum of experience is now within your reach. If you have any questions, then our team, as well as our fellow MSW members, will be only too happy to answer and guide you. Our aim is to encourage your enjoyment and skill.
  8. Hi all, You may or may not be on Facebook, and if you are, you may not know about our page. This is there to share topics, gallery items, news and also any pertinent updates on MSW. If you're on Facebook, head over and click LIKE on our page and ask your club and build buddies to do the same! https://www.facebook.com/ModelShipWorld/ MSW Staff.
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