geoff

Welcome to MSW Glenn. I encourage you to start a build log here and ask any questions you have as you go along. Also, take a look at the build logs here for help.

Welcome to the forum Glenn "y'all gonna love it here" as they used to say to me when I lived in Denton.
 
Truly this is one of the best things that has happened to modeling of ships. It has something for everyone, skilled to just getting started. In addition to the tutorials on the site please visit our web site ww.modelshipwrightguildwny.org. Look under Resources/Shop Notes/Planking as it is our attempt to integrate much of what one can find here in this forum but also delves into the planking graph a bit further which is an aide to the process.
Joe

Hello Glenn, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.
 
John

Hi, Glenn.
 
Start by taking your time! Read a few books -- you can probably find or get them at your local library. Some good ones to start with include Ship Modeling Simplified by Frank Mastini and How to Build First-Rate Ship Models from Kits by Ben Lankford. Browse through some build logs; use the keywords "finished" and "first build" to find completed models by first-time builders. Some of them are solid hull kits, like yours. Here's a link to a recently finished example.
 
The planking chore that stopped you cold is called spiling. It's doable, and we have tutorials here to guide you, but eventually everyone has to just give it a go. Few of us get good at it on the very first try, but we managed. You can, too!
 
Cheers!

Hello Everyone. Thanks for allowing me to join. My father introduced me to plastic modeling as a child. But I never had the patience for it. I wanted to be instantly good at it. He was a very talented modeler. While his passion was aircraft, I love ships. Be they tall ship, steel navy or Sci Fi. I’ve acquired a number of them over the years. But they’ve languished in my closet. I recently restored a damaged and neglected 24” plastic USS Constitution he built in the 70’s. At the same time I began work on a Revell USS Arizona. As well has two Polar Lights 1:1000 original series Star Trek Kits.

In 1990, I bought the Constructo 1799 USS Enterprise schooner. It’s a POB kit. The bulk heads were no problem. As were the blocks between the stern bullheads. Planking stopped me cold. After messing up a few boards, I put it away. I want to finish it. But realize I need to cut my teeth on simpler kits. I didn’t want to sink too much into it. I thought Corel’s solid hull Kits may be the place to start. So I ordered the HMS Bounty kit from Model Express. Well accidentally 2. But I’m seeing about exchanging it for the America kit. So where should I begin?

Glenn,
Fort Worth, TX

Welcome to MSW Tomek, nice looking model! All the best, Geoff

Gidday Tomek and a warm welcome from Dowunder.
I'm sure you will find plenty of support here.
Good luck with your builds,
Mark.

Welcome to MSW 

Hello Tomek, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down under'.
 
jOHN

Welcome! YTou do VERY GOOD WORK. I have tried but never succeeded with paper model ships. Architecture, yes, ships no. I enjoy your posts. Maybe I'll try again.

Hi, Tomek. I'm a member at papermodelers.com, so I will be sure to check out your work there. I haven't built any models directly from WAK, but I did build Marek's Pacynski's 1/33rd scale PZL.50 from eCardmodels, which was also published by WAK. I look forward to seeing some of your contributions here.
 
Cheers!

Hi Chris,
 
most of them were published by WAK, a Polish cardboard publisher:  Grosse Jacht, HMS "Badger", muleta de Seixal, trabaccolo, Allege d'Arles and the last one Viking boat "Gokstadskipet". I also had one kit in "Modelarstwo Okrętowe" - HMS "Speedy". As I'm a "paper" modeler, you can find some of my work on "paper" forums like "Papermodelers.com" as Seahorse.
 
Regards
Tomek

Cześć, Tomek! I am curious about which designs you have had published?
 
Regards,
Chris

Greetings from Poland. For many, many years I have been designing and building small sailships from cardboard, some of them even appeared as kits, so I am convinced that the MSW forum is a place for me. Now I am working on the British cutter HMS "Fly"
 
Best
Tomek

Welcome to MSW Dave, all the best, Geoff

Welcome to MSW Kevin, All the best, Geoff

Welcome Kevin. I cannot access your photos either.
You will know what tools you need as you progress through the various phases and tasks of building your model.
 
Regards
 
Vaddoc

Hi, is it just me, or can no-one else view your pics?
 
Cheers
 
Chris
 

Gidday from Dowunder and welcome Kevin.
If I may suggest searching for advice on tools etc. I have found tool selection is a very personal thing. Some people are comfortable using a certain tool while others detest it. One rule I have is to buy what I need not what I think I need.
Wishing you all the best with your builds,
Mark
 

Hello all.  My name is Kevin.  I have been reading around the forums for a few weeks but haven't introduced myself.  I am new to modeling though I have some wood working experience.  I have a small garage wood shop where I do projects from time to time.  My latest project is a workbench, it is 6' and made of laminated 2"x 6" that I hand planed from ruff sawed yellow pine and walnut.  I hope to finish that project by the end of the month.  I can post pictures if there is interest.  
 
For my first attempt at model ship building I went with the Elizabethan Galleon from Amati.  I'll post some pictures of the completed model below.  I enjoyed the process, and was somewhat satisfied with the results.  I did not like the color of the outer hull in the end, or the painting in general, seemed too yellow for me.  I did not include the paper decorations that come with the model.  The rigging was simple compared with more advanced ships, but I feel that while it did not challenge in the same way that other more advanced ships' rigging would challenge, I do not think it was designed to.  I think it was good practice in working with strings and masts, and to get the feel of the very basics. 
 
For my second ship I have decided on the Model Shipways American Privateer Armed Virginia Sloop.  It has arrived and I have looked over the parts, but there are still tools that I need to get and I want to get the Practicum.  I know that there is a world of knowledge and skill out there that I haven't acquired, and that the first ship while a good place to start is very basic.  
 
Any suggestions on tools, keel holders, anything else is welcome.  I am still learning terminology as well.  Thanks in advance for the warm welcome, I hope to get started before the end of the month.  
 

Here is the Armed Virginia.
 
 
 

The Elizabethan Galleon.  The sides look very Mustard colored to me.  But since this was a practice ship, I am not too worried.  
 
 

I glued the steps on before staining the deck, so you can see where I the stairs soaked up the stain.
I did stain the deck with wood stain.  Looking back I think that was not what it wanted.  Perhaps a paint watered down to "Wash the wood" would have been better.  you can see the plywood running down between the two pieces of the hull and how it absorbed the stain differently.  
 

As I said the rigging was very simple, no blocks and pulleys,
 

Like I said, the paint job I am not proud of, but I enjoyed the experience and I am excited to begin my next adventure, though I know it will be a long and tedious journey.  I saw this ship as something to work through.  It is not an example in the painstaking detail and perfection that will be on display on the next ship. 
 

Well this is me and my first attempt at a ship.  I have been calling her the HMS Mediocre; for two reasons.  1. On how I feel the ship turned out.  She is not very pretty.  But that is due to the second reason.  2.  The Mustard color is a Yellow Ochre    Just my sense of dry humor.  
 
Happy to be on the forums looking forward to the future.
 
Kevin in Georgia USA

Welcome to MSW Henry, all the best, Geoff

Gidday Henry,
I second  that welcome from Downunder,
Hope you enjoy the site.
Mark

Hello Henry, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.
 
John

Greetings. I’ve been scratch building 18th c. Naval ships for around 30 yrs, having just finished the “Gros Ventre” a la Gerard Delacroix and am thinking of a next project. Thought I would join up to see what folks are doing.
Henry Drinker

Welcome to MSW "Fishnrod". All the best, Geoff