mtdoramike

I've got the 350 scale Tirpitz still in the box, waiting on it's turn on the table. But I have a few more models before the Tirpitz. I think the Prince of Wales is basically or at least very close to the Tirpitz.

OK enough talking, get to building I'm all in. Lets see what is in the box.

If you go on Ebay, you can usually find the OLD Ben Latham kits in the square yellow boxes that are solid hulls, which would make an awesome build especially if you bought some thin wood strips and glued them to the hull, which would give it the planked on frame appearance.

The Ben Latham is made by Model Shipways and one of my favorites, although I have never built that particular model, I have always wanted to. If I had to choose between the two kits, I would always opt for the model shipways kit, some of the best plans on the planet as well as instructions and the fact that it's an American manufacture doesn't hurt either. I have never built the Scotish Maid, but I have heard that it's a bear of a kit to build as is most of the cheaper foreign kits are. I would like to add here that if you are into seller your models or might be in the future, picking American ship representations sells 10 times better than ship models represented from other countries with a few exceptions. Models of French ships are some of the worst to sell. I built a few and couldn't hardly give them away. So I steered clear of them after I realized this. English ships are second and Spanish ships are third on the list for most buyers. But there are exceptions to ever rule.

Very nice kit review, but the Woody Joe link doesn't work. This kit reminds me of the Billings kits in that it uses quite a bit of plastic molded parts, which I detest. But it looks like a great kit and I love the fact that they were future thinking enough to build the kit with Radio Control in mind if you so desire.

Oooooo, the Agie, not many models get my blood pumping like the Agamemnon and what a beauty she is too.

Oh goody, popcorn ready.

I've made a little more progress on the 1930. I cut out the engine and stern covers and got them mounted I covered the front deck with the bottom layer of planking. I ordered an FMA 850 brushed motor from Cornwall models in England for it. That motor should get this beast up on plane. I ordered the stern name of Ratlin ' Rita.

I'm so tempted on that Trinidad or the Louis, but I'm trying to stay away from any project that will take me two years or better to finish. I'm more leaning towards 6 month projects, although, I have people all the time wanting me to build them a tall ship model. I have a doctor who wants anything I'm w3anting to build for his collection. I told him then he needs to be the hi bidder on the Montanes that I'm donating to the hospital gala hahahaha. Beautiful kits Ron, I can't believe they are still here. Boy in my hey day, they would have been gone. mike

If someone doesn't snag this quick, I will and then my wife will want to finish what my blocked arteries started. I have three waiting there turn on the building board.

I would only give a right angle look to the sails if you have sails mounted as though the ship was in sail, moving. But in port they would never be at a right angle.

Oh no you didn't, I remember when you couldn't beg borrow or steal one of these kits. Rick, unless you are wanting a bunch of low ballers, you need to give at least a hint of what your wanting to get out of it. The shipping from Montreal to the US at $60.00 is not bad for that heavy of a beast. mike

I'm sorry to hear of your life issues Mark and wish there was something I could do to help out other than my prayers. If we lived closer, I would finish the build for you if nothing else, it my have given you a peace of mind and soul. I wish you all the best and hang in there and if you need anything never hesitate to ask. mike

Your planking job, looks great so far. When I plank solid hulls, I usually used contact cement. I measure out my planks, smear on the contact cement on both the plank and the hull and then lay on the plank. But I also color or stain the solid wood hull a dark color so if there is any minute gaps between the planks, it will not stick out like a sore thumb. I use a low shine varnish and usually rub the finish with steel wool to give it a waxed appearance.

First off, no matter what your next build is, it can be any model, but it's up to YOU to make it that show piece that would make you proud to pass down to future generations. A kit is a kit and only a starting point. But it's up to the builder on how much time, effort and research (oooops, there's a dirty word) that will either make an acceptable model or take that same acceptable model to the next level. I usually spend as much time researching a particular build as I do actually working on the model. I have built two out of the three you mention, the Model Shipways Bluenose, which went to a fellow in Canada. This is a great model for the beginner, easy to plank and it give detailed instructions on the proper way of deck planking. Model Shipways The Pride of Baltimore went to a fellow in Niagara Falls NY. It also was a fun model to build, but more of a second intermediate level model. It too has great plans and if memory serves, the plans on both were by Ben Lankford, who is one of the best at it. A piece of advice, never look towards your next build until you have a few models under your belt. I have finished several models where the owner had all the intentions in the world of finishing them, but life gets in the way and they just never got around to finishing them. Then someone like me steps in and finishes the model. Ebay is full of them. The last two models rear paddle wheeler river boat, Chris Craft mahogany runabout I finished where latch key kids abandoned and not to mention the next two, a 1930 Chris Craft Runabout and a Vietnam Gun Boat I will have to finish. Good luck on your current build and future builds, mike

Ok folks, the final journey of the Montanes will be coming to a happy conclusion soon. The Waterman Hospital located in my area and the same hospital where I had open heart surgery recently is going to accept the Montanes as a donation. They have a Gala event in February each year and auction off various items and then use the money to obtain equipment or fund special programs like caring for the homeless when they are in need of health care. The manager of the Cardio Rehab Facility is really excited about the donation and hopes to possibly get some new workout equipment with funds from the Gala. I'll post how the process goes as it progresses. mike

Hey RG, take some pics and show us what you got for your money. Model Space in my opinion is a great company, great support and what better way to spread out a build and the cost of the build over an extended period of time. The Sovereign is the only tall ship model that would make me want to build another. mike

WOW CD, moving from a temperate climate like Florida and moving to New Hampshire, is a big move and require big adjustments I'm sure. Why don't you move over here near me and get out of that Tampa rat race. It's a bit more laid back here, although the lack of hobby shops is a downer. I wind up ordering just about everything I need on line. I'm just busting your chops, I'm sure you will get around to it one day. I know if I have an unfinished model laying around, it will nag me to no end, usually through my wife until I get back to it. mike

That is a bit shameful CD hahahahahahaha, like they say admitting it is always the first step.

OK, I'm just getting started on the 1930 Chris Craft, I had to finish up a tug I was working on. I took some fiberglass resin, thinned it down a bit and thoroughly coated the inside of the hull with it to repel any water that might get in there. I'm going to be working on the front deck and at least get the false deck down before I start planking the hull with the finished mahogany strips. I'm not quite sure how old this kit is, but I'm thinking it's an 80's or early 90's kit. A lot of the wood is quite brittle. I may wind up having to cut new pieces depending on how it goes. I'm trying to moisten the wood a bit with a damp cloth that I place on the wood for an hour or so just to try and moisten the wood a bit until I can get it into place. I'm curious as to how the planking strips will be. I'm now on the hunt for a 800-850 sized brushed motor for this hog. It's a single prop, so I want to make sure it has enough power to get on plane. I hope I don't have to order the motor from Cornwall models in England, like I did the last time I needed two 850 brushed motors, but finding them stateside is like hunting for a Unicorn.

Very nice work Grandpa, she will be a real beauty when you finish with her. The Mantua Victory was always one of my favorite representations of the Victory. Oh and by the way, Grandpa, your not going to mimic every single thing on the model to the real ship, at best all you can do or hope to do is suggest, which is what your carving are doing, and a fine job I might add at that.

With the above said, if i built the Victory again, i would build it without sails so the entire deck area as well as spars could be easily seen as well as all the rigging. I would also like to add here that the Victory and it's display case are quite large. The display case that I put here in was 54" in length, so it has a very commanding presents no matter where you display her. This was one of my motivating factors on the Library donation, I had the pleasure of building a HMS Victory model which was on my bucket list, I gained more experience and knowledge from the building and research of the model as well as marking another bucket list item off of my list which was to build a ship and donate it to a local Library so that anyone could enjoy, critique or marvel at the finished product without it costing them anything. Plus and this is a BIG plus, I get to go by and visit the Victory when ever I want without listening to my wife complaining about dusting the display case, cleaning the case or asking where can we move it next to get it out of her way. I went by the Library one day shortly after the donation and there was a fellow there taking pictures of the Victory so I asked him what he thought of the model and he thought it was great and took pictures of it to show friends since he was out of town and for future reference if he decided to build one. He asked several questions about the model and for the life of me I can't recall what they were, but I tried to answer them as best I could. When I was leaving the guy commented to the Library coordinator how knowledgeable I was regarding the model and she laughed and said, he should be, he's the builder of the Victory model. I smiled as I continued to walk out the door. I laugh when people say what a selfless act this was to build and donate a model, but only I know what a selfish act it was on my part and I'm good with that knowledge hahahahahaha. mike

To me, an admiralty version is an option, but if I were to spend as much time, money and effort to build a ship model as grand as the Victory, I just couldn't and wouldn't see myself short cutting the whole experience by not fully building the model from stem to stern, to the mast tops with all the mind numbing tedious rigging inbtween. To me it's about the adventure and not the destination, from learning to the research. I spent probably as much time researching as I do building every model I have ever built and as of today, it about 45 models built with a few still waiting there turn, a Chris Craft mahogany run about 36" I'm working on now and then a Vietnam era gun boat named the Crockett. Both of these will be radio controlled.

I'm adding my 1 3/4 cents about this kit in a mini review of the Dumas 74' Army tug. Mini Review: When I received the Dumas 74' Army Tug it was with the intent on building it for my 6 year old grandson's birthday. Nothing has changed there. I inspected the kit for fit and finish as well as inventory of all the parts. I love getting that new kit in the mail and I get giddy as a school girl on prom night when I see the mailman with a package addressed to me. I knew going in that this particular kit had a plastic preformed hull, which I can't stand, but as far as construction goes, the preformed hull does make for quicker assembly since you don't have to plank framing and then glass it with resin and fiberglass cloth. Now has this changed my feeling about preformed plastic hulls you ask? Nope, not in the least. Had the hull been plank on frame, the needed weight to balance out the finished model would have been quite a bit less if any at all. But due to the weight or lack of weight to the finished hull and the fact that the top cabin area caused the finished model to be quite top heavy and very tipsy. I found no issues or problems building this kit, the instructions and plans were more than sufficient for anyone to build this kit. I do have a slight confession to make, I deviated from the instructions a bit where it indicates using brass rod for the guard rail stansions. I chose to use 1/8 dowel rod for the stansions rather than soldering the railings together and the reasoning for this is, I SUCK AT SOLDERING yes, everyone has their limitations and sucking at soldering is mine. Yes, I have used $20.00 soldering irons up to $100.00 soldering stations and I still suck at it. Had this build been for a client on a commission, I would have subbed out the soldering part, but since it's for my grandson, I figure he won't mind. My final impressions of this kit: If you are looking for a fun project that won't break the bank ( cost of this kit is around $100.00 or less) that can take you a hundred or so hours to build and will give you a nice representation of a 74' Army tug when finished. But if you are expecting a museum quality model, then this kit won't be for you, as I have stated before, this is a kit museum quality models don't come from kits, there are a dime a dozen of them and also as the kit instructions state right off "This kit is meant to be a toy" so don't sweat it, build it and have fun.

Thanks CD, it was a fun build