BobG

That's a really good list, Melissa.

I'll emphasize a couple of things you touched upon:

1. Select a model that you are really, really drawn to for whatever reason and make sure that it is a model that is reasonably within your ability level. You need to like the model a whole lot because it's the passion you have for the model that will sustain you if and when things get confusing and frustrating and every build will undoubtably have some of those moments.

2. Do your homework by reading build logs about models you are attracted to and choose models from companies that have good reputations for excellent instructions, materials and service. There are lots and lots of intriguing models that look stunning on the box cover and on the model company's website that come with poor instructions or barely any instructions at all. Many of these models have been around for years and, unfortunately, they haven't been updated. Sure they can be built into fine models by dedicated, experienced modelers who don't need good instructions and who are willing to substitute new materials into the build but, for newer model builders, they can be so frustrating that they simply get set aside and never finished.

You'll enjoy the building process much more and have a much higher chance of successfully completing your model if you choose a model that you love from a company with a good reputation for high quality materials and excellent instructions,  

Your QAB is looking really good, Mike. Are you continuing to build it? It's such a lovely model and it's really tempting me.

Absolutely beautiful and your display is fantastic! Wonderful job, Matthias!

4 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Overall, I found the planking trickier than I seem to remember from when doing the Royal Barge.

Good job on overcoming the planking challenges, BE. It looks fantastic!

I remember grappling with the planking and breaking a couple of planks which I had to remake as well. Since I was a novice at planking at the time, and still am, I thought that having the planks pre-spiled would make it a piece of cake but that didn't turn out to be the case for me. I eventually got the job done and was essentially happy with it but it took me much more time and tweaking than I was expecting.   

In addition, I'm not sure I had the frames faired as well as they should have been which wasn't helping the process. I'm never really sure if I've done enough fairing and should stop or not enough and should continue. I follow the standard practice of consistently checking the frames with a batten as I am sanding and I keep viewing the the frames from various angles as I proceed but I'm still never quite sure when it is done properly.

I think that good fairing and planking must just take a whole lot of practice and experience to become really confident and good at it.

Good luck as you continue. It's a really beautiful model when completed. 

Gorgeous, Glenn!

Hey Keith, I was just looking at your build log again and noticed that it's been nearly 2 years since your last post. It's been a tough couple of years with pandemic and all and I hope all is well. I'd love to see you continue on this beautiful build. All the best.

Yes, Glenn, learning to beautifully plank a hull using the method that Chuck recommends would be a big accomplishment for me. It seems so straight forward yet still so tricky to do really well like you have mastered on your builds. Thanks for stopping by.

Gorgeous, Jean-Paul!

Gorgeous base, Rick! I love all the figuring in veneer. It's a really beautiful piece of veneer. 

You've made a really wonderful model, Andrew. I love the green and white color scheme and the lobster traps are very cool. Well done! 

I have often thought that a lobster boat would be a good choice for trying to make a heavily worn and realistically weathered model of a hard working, fishing vessel. One benefit would be that the weathered and worn exterior would more easily cover up my mistakes!

I'm looking forward to following your next project too. Good luck! 

4 minutes ago, Freebird said:

Great info for the halliard, did you use the forward or aft shrouds? Also, the truck has the means for using either the port or starboard side. Being you went with the starboard side, is the port side rigged the same?

Forward shrouds. Nothing is tied off on the port side. I'm sure you could use either side. Your choice. 

19 minutes ago, Freebird said:

Just need to rig the flag halliards. Quick question, where do they tie off? I’ve looked at finished build logs and really don’t see anything. Do they tie off on the mast thwart?

I have them tied off with a coil on the two starboard shrouds just above the deadeyes. You can see some good photos of them in post number 83 and again in post #135 of my build log.

22 minutes ago, Freebird said:

Anybody care to guess what is on deck next?

It looks like you've got a nice to on the Cheerful. Good luck, Rick, it's certainly a gorgeous model! 

Thanks for stopping by, Ron. Your models are an inspiration for us all. Your Camilla diorama is a masterpiece of ship modeling and simply a outstanding work of art.

3 hours ago, hollowneck said:

Build the one YOU WILL LOVE.

This is so very true!

One of my "problems" is that I find so many things so very interesting. There just seems to be no limit to what may catch my attention and, the next thing I know, I'm down the rabbit hole emerged in something new and deeply fascinating. Of course, as a result of engaging in so many activities, it severely limits the amount of time I can spend on each one. So I tend to get "pretty good" at some but not as good as I like at any. I've tried to narrow my focus to fewer activities at times before but, inevitably, something else peaks my interest and off I go again...

1 hour ago, gjdale said:

I rather thought you might have taken ill with PROVID 22 ( "Procrastination Virus variant 2022")

🤣 That may well be what I have. I'll talk to my doc about it straight away and see if there's a cure for it...

Thanks for your kind words as well, Grant.

Thanks Tim.

I was so taken by all the wonderful looking ship model kits that were available early on that I collected quite a few kits that caught my eye without really knowing how much time and skill it takes to do a nice job building them. Then, in addition to my overly zealous enthusiasm, was the fact that many of these models have instructions that leave a lot to be desired and some have poor quality materials to boot. That was before I discovered what really good quality kits, like Syren and Vanguard, for example, were all about. Consequently, I have a shelf full of kits that, quite honestly, I doubt I will ever get around to building and, at my age, time is of the essence!

I realize now that, at least for me, perhaps the most important factor in choosing a model to build is that I need to very interested in it and I need to really like it a lot. The beauty of the model itself has to really capture me and pull me along as it comes together. Historical accuracy and significance are important to me also but it's the beauty of the model that excites me the most. Of course, the complexity of the model certainly needs to be reasonably within my skill level but, again, it's the beauty of the model that can keep me plugging away.

Hello Bob, I've been following your Medway build and she's looking very good! I'd highly recommend Chuck's serving machine. It's works great and I found it easy to use. You can't go wrong with one of the Vanguard models and, after completing the Medway, I think you would find any of the Vanguard models within your ability level and the instructions are as good as they get.

On 2/22/2023 at 12:28 PM, gjdale said:

The yard foreman just called Bob. He wants to know when you’re coming back to work!

🤣 It seems that have forgotten how just how much vacation time I had on the books!

Hey Grant, all joking around aside, I've been asking myself this question for quite a while now as well. I see that it has been a whole year since I've done any work at all in my little shipyard. I can't really put my finger on it but I just seem to have lost my motivation to keep at it and I've been allocating my time to other activities I enjoy like guitar, cycling, hiking, reading, gardening and travel.

As you can see in my signature, I have two models partially completed and, unfortunately, they've been relegated to my dry dock at this point. I love the the beautiful lines of the Pen Duick but the rigging instructions are terrible and the deck fittings are of poor quality. The Flirt is a wonderful model but I just don't seem to be as enthusiastic about the building the great, historical warships as are most of the ship modelers here on MSW. I admire the folks that build these complex models and I love to follow their work in their build logs but I'm not sure they're my cup of tea.   

In the time since I dipped my toes into this hobby, I have completed 3 models: the Batelina by MarisStella, the Indian Canoe by Midwest and the Medway Longboat by Syren. They're all smaller models in size and I enjoyed building all of them and I can display them nicely in our small home. So I've been thinking of building another small model or something completely different than a ship model as a way to get me back to my modeling table. 

I have always admired your eclectic taste in modeling, Grant, and of course, your modeling skills are off the charts and your build logs are exceptional. You've built some truly unusual models and they're all very interesting. I have a discontinued gondola kit by Artesania Latina on the shelf that I'd like to build. It would be slow going since the instructions are entirely in Italian. I also have the Pocher Alpha Romeo kit that I got after following your beautiful build. The Queen Anne Barge by Syren is another model I've had my eye on for a very long time. I'm thinking one of these might get my modeling juices flowing again...we'll see...

Anyway, thanks for checking in, Grant, and tell the foreman I've been out sick with a bad case of procrastination!

I hope all is well down under!

I just found your build log, BE, and I'm looking forward to following your progress. This was my second model and it was a big step up for me but it turned out to be my best effort. I'm sure you'll find ways to make yours unique and even more interesting as you often do. Good luck along the way and enjoy!

Hello Rick, I just read through your build log and you're doing a fantastic job on this wonderful model!

Your log has brought back a lot of memories of my build. I had my share of mistakes and frustrations along the way but, all in all, the whole building process brought me a ton focused enjoyment and satisfaction. It's such a well designed and beautiful model and it is now prominently displayed in our home as I'm sure yours will be too when you are finished. Good luck as you continue along!

Those bricks are amazing, Grant!

9 hours ago, DelF said:

lion in the second photo

That's a cool piece of ice sculpture! Sounds like this was an amazing trip.

Welcome to the MSW forum, Jose. I'm looking forward to seeing your models. 

My wife and I love Spain. She studied in Madrid for a year many years ago and we spent 10 weeks traveling throughout Spain in 2015. It's such a wonderful country. Where are you from in Spain?

Wow, that's a jaw-dropping, beautiful model, Derek, and a great build log to boot! Congratulations!

My wife and I and our son, who was studying in Buenos Aires at the time, spent a couple of weeks in Patagonia as part of a 6 week trip in Argentina in 2010 and Patagonia was spectacular. We particularly loved hiking in Fitz Roy Mountain Range in El Chaltén and in the Torres del Paine National Park. The hike up to the three Towers of Paine was amazing. Enjoy Glenn!