PeteB

Name of Ship - No particular vessel in mind but would like to see something with similar lines to La Jacinthe through to a composite steam/sail or steam luxury yacht – type that you would see anchored off Nice or Rhode Island late 1800s to1930s- eg Imperial yacht Standart (1893) being built by Alex Baranov in the current build logs.
 
Scale - depends on size but prefer 1/48
 
Country of Origin - not important just fit the bill for appeal.
 
Material Choice –Very Important to me being located here in Australia as it is difficult to source the nicer wood such as pear/boxwood/cherry etc especially in thick sheets or billets would pay what it takes to get the wood supplied in say 24”x 4-6”W by 2”D or in smaller sheets that is dressed to get around our quarantine.
 
Style - Either POB or POF or possible (Hybrid see below) but not solid hull – reason again is mainly location and cost of mail to ship the weight. Probably also an issue internally in the US?  It may be worth considering a Hibrid hull choice which would help both the newer modeller and those that do not want to spend the length of time on a full frame. I thought something like the build of Toms10 HMS Leopard POB/POF/POB.  For those new to full framing you could offer all the easier square frames and POB for the more difficult cant and stern frames? Also may appeal to those that are looking for a shorter 12 month build. It would for me as I intend to start with an accurate kit probably POB to get my eye back in before I tackel Eds Naiad but would love a hibrid to cut my teeth on frames.
 
Build time – I would be prepared to put in around what it takes to build an Naiad as I want to leave something of me behind when I move on but I also normally have a couple of projects on the go for when I hit the wall on the main one. So another POB or Hybrid would fit the bill there as a 12 mth project.
 
Price range - depends on the timber supplied but if it came in large planks as mentioned above whatever they are worth plus the design time and plans – realistically probably up to $850 – $1000. Having just spent around $450 for a used Byrnes a third of which was shipping cost that would seem reasonable.
 
Advanced or beginner......something in-between? - Maybe the hybrid design could address this problem – one lot of research same detailing for both with three hull construction choices? In regard to a kit for beginners I think we have to acknowledge that we have a passionate but pretty narrow field of interest compared to the real and virtual world out there.Not many kids these days know what a chisel is let alone how to use one – this is in no way a critism of them its just that they have grown up in a disposable world and the thought of repairing something let alone building something is completely alien to them. If you accept that thought then it seems to me (generally) that the new entrants to our hobby will be those now aged mid 40s who have built models of some sort in their youth and are looking to re-engage rather than abinitio.
 
My two bobs worth – hope I'm not out of order. - Cheers Pete

Name of Ship - No particular vessel in mind but would like to see something with similar lines to La Jacinthe through to a composite steam/sail or steam luxury yacht – type that you would see anchored off Nice or Rhode Island late 1800s to1930s- eg Imperial yacht Standart (1893) being built by Alex Baranov in the current build logs.
 
Scale - depends on size but prefer 1/48
 
Country of Origin - not important just fit the bill for appeal.
 
Material Choice –Very Important to me being located here in Australia as it is difficult to source the nicer wood such as pear/boxwood/cherry etc especially in thick sheets or billets would pay what it takes to get the wood supplied in say 24”x 4-6”W by 2”D or in smaller sheets that is dressed to get around our quarantine.
 
Style - Either POB or POF or possible (Hybrid see below) but not solid hull – reason again is mainly location and cost of mail to ship the weight. Probably also an issue internally in the US?  It may be worth considering a Hibrid hull choice which would help both the newer modeller and those that do not want to spend the length of time on a full frame. I thought something like the build of Toms10 HMS Leopard POB/POF/POB.  For those new to full framing you could offer all the easier square frames and POB for the more difficult cant and stern frames? Also may appeal to those that are looking for a shorter 12 month build. It would for me as I intend to start with an accurate kit probably POB to get my eye back in before I tackel Eds Naiad but would love a hibrid to cut my teeth on frames.
 
Build time – I would be prepared to put in around what it takes to build an Naiad as I want to leave something of me behind when I move on but I also normally have a couple of projects on the go for when I hit the wall on the main one. So another POB or Hybrid would fit the bill there as a 12 mth project.
 
Price range - depends on the timber supplied but if it came in large planks as mentioned above whatever they are worth plus the design time and plans – realistically probably up to $850 – $1000. Having just spent around $450 for a used Byrnes a third of which was shipping cost that would seem reasonable.
 
Advanced or beginner......something in-between? - Maybe the hybrid design could address this problem – one lot of research same detailing for both with three hull construction choices? In regard to a kit for beginners I think we have to acknowledge that we have a passionate but pretty narrow field of interest compared to the real and virtual world out there.Not many kids these days know what a chisel is let alone how to use one – this is in no way a critism of them its just that they have grown up in a disposable world and the thought of repairing something let alone building something is completely alien to them. If you accept that thought then it seems to me (generally) that the new entrants to our hobby will be those now aged mid 40s who have built models of some sort in their youth and are looking to re-engage rather than abinitio.
 
My two bobs worth – hope I'm not out of order. - Cheers Pete

I know I'm doing an Oliver Twist but I've been reflecting on my comments in my last post effectively writing off younger beginners which is not what I'd like to see happen. Maybe the way is to harness their mastery of computers and see if they can be tempted to put some skin in the game by physically constructing an object they have created on the "Dark Side" ie CAD modeling ?

Name of Ship - No particular vessel in mind but would like to see something with similar lines to La Jacinthe through to a composite steam/sail or steam luxury yacht – type that you would see anchored off Nice or Rhode Island late 1800s to1930s- eg Imperial yacht Standart (1893) being built by Alex Baranov in the current build logs.
 
Scale - depends on size but prefer 1/48
 
Country of Origin - not important just fit the bill for appeal.
 
Material Choice –Very Important to me being located here in Australia as it is difficult to source the nicer wood such as pear/boxwood/cherry etc especially in thick sheets or billets would pay what it takes to get the wood supplied in say 24”x 4-6”W by 2”D or in smaller sheets that is dressed to get around our quarantine.
 
Style - Either POB or POF or possible (Hybrid see below) but not solid hull – reason again is mainly location and cost of mail to ship the weight. Probably also an issue internally in the US?  It may be worth considering a Hibrid hull choice which would help both the newer modeller and those that do not want to spend the length of time on a full frame. I thought something like the build of Toms10 HMS Leopard POB/POF/POB.  For those new to full framing you could offer all the easier square frames and POB for the more difficult cant and stern frames? Also may appeal to those that are looking for a shorter 12 month build. It would for me as I intend to start with an accurate kit probably POB to get my eye back in before I tackel Eds Naiad but would love a hibrid to cut my teeth on frames.
 
Build time – I would be prepared to put in around what it takes to build an Naiad as I want to leave something of me behind when I move on but I also normally have a couple of projects on the go for when I hit the wall on the main one. So another POB or Hybrid would fit the bill there as a 12 mth project.
 
Price range - depends on the timber supplied but if it came in large planks as mentioned above whatever they are worth plus the design time and plans – realistically probably up to $850 – $1000. Having just spent around $450 for a used Byrnes a third of which was shipping cost that would seem reasonable.
 
Advanced or beginner......something in-between? - Maybe the hybrid design could address this problem – one lot of research same detailing for both with three hull construction choices? In regard to a kit for beginners I think we have to acknowledge that we have a passionate but pretty narrow field of interest compared to the real and virtual world out there.Not many kids these days know what a chisel is let alone how to use one – this is in no way a critism of them its just that they have grown up in a disposable world and the thought of repairing something let alone building something is completely alien to them. If you accept that thought then it seems to me (generally) that the new entrants to our hobby will be those now aged mid 40s who have built models of some sort in their youth and are looking to re-engage rather than abinitio.
 
My two bobs worth – hope I'm not out of order. - Cheers Pete

Interesting how you do it.
Very good performance.

Yesterday and today worked on the stern of the ship. Very interesting problem!

Name of Ship - No particular vessel in mind but would like to see something with similar lines to La Jacinthe through to a composite steam/sail or steam luxury yacht – type that you would see anchored off Nice or Rhode Island late 1800s to1930s- eg Imperial yacht Standart (1893) being built by Alex Baranov in the current build logs.
 
Scale - depends on size but prefer 1/48
 
Country of Origin - not important just fit the bill for appeal.
 
Material Choice –Very Important to me being located here in Australia as it is difficult to source the nicer wood such as pear/boxwood/cherry etc especially in thick sheets or billets would pay what it takes to get the wood supplied in say 24”x 4-6”W by 2”D or in smaller sheets that is dressed to get around our quarantine.
 
Style - Either POB or POF or possible (Hybrid see below) but not solid hull – reason again is mainly location and cost of mail to ship the weight. Probably also an issue internally in the US?  It may be worth considering a Hibrid hull choice which would help both the newer modeller and those that do not want to spend the length of time on a full frame. I thought something like the build of Toms10 HMS Leopard POB/POF/POB.  For those new to full framing you could offer all the easier square frames and POB for the more difficult cant and stern frames? Also may appeal to those that are looking for a shorter 12 month build. It would for me as I intend to start with an accurate kit probably POB to get my eye back in before I tackel Eds Naiad but would love a hibrid to cut my teeth on frames.
 
Build time – I would be prepared to put in around what it takes to build an Naiad as I want to leave something of me behind when I move on but I also normally have a couple of projects on the go for when I hit the wall on the main one. So another POB or Hybrid would fit the bill there as a 12 mth project.
 
Price range - depends on the timber supplied but if it came in large planks as mentioned above whatever they are worth plus the design time and plans – realistically probably up to $850 – $1000. Having just spent around $450 for a used Byrnes a third of which was shipping cost that would seem reasonable.
 
Advanced or beginner......something in-between? - Maybe the hybrid design could address this problem – one lot of research same detailing for both with three hull construction choices? In regard to a kit for beginners I think we have to acknowledge that we have a passionate but pretty narrow field of interest compared to the real and virtual world out there.Not many kids these days know what a chisel is let alone how to use one – this is in no way a critism of them its just that they have grown up in a disposable world and the thought of repairing something let alone building something is completely alien to them. If you accept that thought then it seems to me (generally) that the new entrants to our hobby will be those now aged mid 40s who have built models of some sort in their youth and are looking to re-engage rather than abinitio.
 
My two bobs worth – hope I'm not out of order. - Cheers Pete

Hi John,
 
thanks for your compliment and your extensive look into the build log, your interest in the KWdG build is much appreciated....
 
You have an open reservation for the port side promenade deck "Comodore Suite" on the backtrip NY-Bremen
 
Nils

Update
 
soldering the upper davit bearings in place, beginning with starboard side
 
Nils
 

 
10 boat stations = 8 davit pairs and 2 single ones per side
 
 

 
 

 
the still unpainted wooden chunks, will later on be the nav-light cabinets, access from the deck side, per door

Would love to see some options for wood type. Entry level = basswood. Premium level = boxwood or walnut or other exotics. Or maybe you could call it Painted level vs Stained level.
 
I have no problem with paying extra for premium wood. At the moment I am having Jason replacing the basswood included in my kit's "on the shelf"

If kitmakers would provide enough rope and decent blocks, there is no need for bulk-pakages ......
The problem is that many provide kind of lousy rope, and blocks that fot their rope....
 
Jan

Not that I am getting involved with the topic of kit subject matter but I do feel compelled to respond to this as it was a direct request of sorts...so please excuse the interruption.
 
HSM wrote
 
Oh, one more thing that I would like to see (from Syren specifically) is an option for bulk-orders of blocks. If you could offer a package of blocks to replace all of the kit blocks in the MS Rattlesnake (for example) builders could order that for the MS kit or any similar ship.
 
It is impossible to offer such a package for every kit, but a few generic 20 gun, 50 gun, 100 gun packages at 2 or 3 different scales could be doable...
 
It's amazing how easy something is to suggest when SOMEONE ELSE has to do the actual work ;-)
 
Sadly,  this will never happen but please allow me to explain why.   The answer is three fold.  Just so everyone knows.
 
- First...I would need to double if not triple my output of block/rope production so I could stock enough of these packages for individual kits or ship types.
 
- Second...the amount of time needed to just package up these blocks and rope now is enormous.   So to package by hand different amounts of different sizes included labeled packages and then sort them would take hiring another person to do that almost full time.  And when they were done....they could sit on the shelf for months or even years before someone might be willing to buy such an upgrade package so specific.
 
-Third...It would take weeks...months or even years to research so many specific ships....research that really should be done by the builder.   Especially if I have never built the ship before.  This is a question I get all the time....I got this one just a few days ago.  I think some folks just want the work all done and spoon fed like it was a fast food restaurant.
 
"I am building the Vasa and would like to replace all of the blocks and rope in the kit with yours.   Can you tell me how many blocks and what sizes I would need?   I also need to know how much rope to buy.   The kit isn't very good in this regard so sizes and quantities are unknown to me.  Is there some hard and fast rules that would tell me what sizes to use in the different areas of the rig?  Any help would be appreciated.  I have just finished the hull and I am anxious to get started on the rigging as quickly as possible.  Do have expedited shipping?"
 
I could spend several months writing what would amount to be a treatise on this subject for this customer.....while gathering the quantities and lengths....but seriously...who is building this model.  There are usually many books readily available to help the model builder figure all of this stuff out....as much as I want to be everyone's shortcut and help them out....it is an impossible task.  So please dont get mad if I respond in the usual manner if you should ask this question...
 
​I never built it...but there are several books on the subject.  Please refer to the parts list in your kit as a starting point.  Everything is in stock and ready when you gather up all the information.   You may consider signing up on Model Ship World to ask those questions.   I am sure you will find many people who have built that kit.      
 
Many ask for this because they also believe as a bulk package it will be cheaper.  But in reality because of the work involved as mentioned....I would have to charge a whole lot more.  Its cheaper if you guys do the math up front.  A lot less work for me too!!!
 
 
Oh and if I can slip this in....Wasp is on my short list already.   

And could the american producers please, please have a european agent?
Getting kits around/through custums without damage (sometimes they
open rattling packages with metal in them..) and at reasonable cost can be difficult and time-consuming.
 
Jan

Personally I would love to try a fully framed model, but lack the tools and skills to build completely from scratch. My main interest lies towards period ships (18th century-ish), which is well represented in the kit market as far as POB models go. Every person has their own particular favourite era, and saying we need more of this era, or that era might not be the best if that particular era is not of the greatest interest to the largest number of potential kit buyers. Sorry to upset all the foamers (the ones who foam at the mouth over their particular favourite subject, and yes that includes myself).
Seems to be for larger-ish ships 1:48 is the ideal scale for POF work, but other scales are not unheard of. As for price, I would expect something around the $500 to $800 mark, at the very least, for something along the lines of a small sloop.
 
So yes, I would love to see a 1:48 POF kit of the HM Snow Ontario, but I would still be interested for virtually any available POF kit of a ship in that same era.
 
Andy

What I would also like to see is a kit in a common universal scale, like 1/64th, or 3/16" = 1 foot.
 
Often, ship model kits are made in some truly frustrating scales. What the companies do, is to first figure out, through marketing, what is the most popular size of a completed ship model, taking into account the average display table size, or fireplace mantel dimensions. Once they come up with that figure, they alter their ship size to fit that space, and as a result, come up with some pretty unhelpful scales to manufacture their kit in. Try finding accurate replacement 12-pounder cannon barrels in 1/76.2-th scale. (Model Shipway's Essex, I'm looking at you. ) 

I´d love to see some french frigates, too. La Forte or maybe La Virginie.
 
Or a danish one, they built beautiful vessels like Hohlenberg´s 24-pounder frigate Perlen of 1805:
 

 
Another beauty, Schifter´s Galathea:
 

 
Launched 1833 and made the first danish circumnavigation of the globe in the years 1846/47.

Interesting topic.
Perhaps a bit theoretical but here's my request : 
 
How come there's so little of Jean Boudriot's work available in the kit market ?
Is this a legal or a copyright issue ?
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but I have only knowledge of "Le Chebec" released by Heller, a plastic kit , a few decades ago, I guess...
I'd love a 1/64 version of wonderful vessels such as La Vénus, La Renommée,...

I think I would also like to see a POF model of e.g. a British or French 6th Rate in a reasonable scale (1/64 or 1/48) available to buy in 3 "Modules": Bow, Midships and Stern. I'd suggest each section be similar in size and each module could be bought for sub $200, so that the work could be phased and planned to suit building a model of reasonable size. That way one could build a 28 gun Frigate without the masses of space required (for example a dedicated room/garage/hobby shop) and tools to build a a full POF model.
 
This would also allow each model to be sold by the manufacturer individually or as a bundle with a slight reduction in price, for example $200 each or $550 for "Modules A, B, & C".
 
Just a thought.... 

In Den Helder (netherlands) there is a nice example of such a transition-ship
SS Bonaire, steam/sail, nicely shaped hull, etc.
Would make a nice kit.
 
Jan

I really like the late-18th to early 20th century sailing vessels. They can be square sails (brigs, brigantines) or fore-and-aft (sloops, cutters, schooners). The old model of the Newsboy was a beauty; but Model Expo no longer offers it. It would be great as a POF kit.
 
I would like to see more planked models, especially plank on frame. I'm just finishing my first planked model, the Emma C. Berry. I've made many mistakes with it and would be tempted to do it again, but my wife would kick me out if i did. But if i had a new plank on frame. . . ?? (I might get away with it  ).
 
I need larger scale. At my age, my steady hand, keen eye, and nerves of steel are starting to fade. i can deal easily with 1:48; larger would be better. For example, i finished the solid hull Phantom from Model Expo but at 1:96 it was difficult. I would really like to see the Phantom as a 1:32 POF kit. It's a beautiful ship. But a good POB model would also be fun and challenging.
 
The kit must have quality materials and very good plans; the Berry is a good example--a great kit). Chuck's POB model of the Cheerful Is a good example of a very nice set of plans. (I hope he finishes his practicum).
 
II don;t mind spending a year or two to make a good model. I don't mind spending $200 - $300 for a good kit (even $350 for a really nice model).
 
I hope these comments help. I'd like to see some new, really nice kits come on the market.
 
Walt

I would love post WW2 Australian Warships in wood and metal at a scale of about 1:200. Especially my beloved HMAS Torrens.
 
chris

Now here's a question with a million answers 
 
Consistent scale. I'd personally prefer 1/48th but that can get large really quickly.
 
Smaller ships. No larger than 30 inches. Less than 24 would be better. Bigger may seem better but how many more incomplete Victory's do we need?
 
Period: Sail to Steam would be an interesting period. For me 1750-1900's.
 
Nationality: Don't care
 
Building method: POB or POF. POF preferred if laser cut. Not solid.
 
Materials: Wood  . Top-quality wood can get very expensive - no clue how to solve that one.
 
Cost: < $500. $200 would be better but it would have to be small to be that cheap.
 
I would also like to see some opportunity for customization. I would assume there are ships where a number of them were built to the same basic plan but then had variations that could allow the building of a specific vessel.  
 
Richard.
 
 

Merchant vessels, mid 19th century through the early 20th century, smaller vessels in larger scales with plenty of detail. Having researched such vessels from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I can tell you that there are plans out there and large untapped archival sources to supplement plans and builder's models from all parts of the US coastline. The material is there and such vessels would be good in POB for beginner to intermediate skilled modelers.
 
Russ

Just came across your build and very pleased that I have.
 
I find it refreshing to see someone practising a different approach to building, one which offers a shorter journey while still displaying all the external accuracy and which results in a model anyone would be proud to exhibit.
 
Love your carronades and especially your Treenailing which is a joy to look at - your choice of woods giving just the right contrast. Congratulations looking forward to seeing the finished project.
Cheers Pete

Hi Tom
I'd like to tag along as well - Great looking start nice clean frames and your CAD looks very nice too. Having only used basic autocad lite and no 3D been thinking about solidworks for modelling but didn't know if it would be suitable for this type of drafting - but from your work the curves look pretty nice to me. When you get a bit of "Spare Time" from Soccer and Modelling maybe a Solidworks CAD tutorial ?. Cheers Pete