teddym9

I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you folks who so thoughtfully encouraged me. Truly, many thanks! I apologize for not getting back to you all sooner. When I posted my plea for guidance, I guess I expected I'd be notified by email that I had messages to attend to in this forum. It was only last evening that I though I'd take a look here to see if anyone bothered to answered me, and boy was I pleasantly surprised! You ALL have been a HUGE encouragement toward getting me going. As I've stated in some of my replies to individual members, I remain committed to completing my Revell USS Constitution restoration before moving forward with anything else, so it'll be a few months before I can begin a wooden ship model; that and only if I don't return to work driving truck, which is my current occupation. I went on medical leave early last year from driving log truck when I sustained five injuries, and needed three surgeries. It's taken me this long to recover from all that, and even now, I'm still not there. I may not even be able to get back into driving truck because some injuries are permanent, meaning I might have far more time on my hands to put toward modeling. Teddy

I have been building plastic ship models since my ninth birthday, 20 July 1966 – 53 years – when my father had an old wooden school teacher’s desk and a Revell model kit of the Mayflower sitting on that desk awaiting my arrival home from school. Honestly, I was both thrilled and terrified at the prospect of building such a thing as I had never before built any sort of model. But my dad was an eccentric fine artist with very high expectations of his first-born son (me), and procrastinating or even backing away from that table and refusing to build the model was never an option. Not only would that have disappointed my father, but I would have likely earned a beating. To say that he was strict would have been an understatement! I have never built a wooden ship model, though I have aspired to for nearly all of the 53 years I have been involved in plastic modeling. Frankly, I never started because I am intimidated, and because I do not know if I possess the skills necessary to successfully complete such a model. One things has remained quite clear to me and evident to all my family and friends all these years is my love of the sea, and all things ships, particularly ships of sail! Over the years, family have purchased wooden ship model kits in anticipation of my turning out wonderful works of art, but every time I opened a model kit box to look at the contents, I have been utterly overwhelmed by all the strips of wood and the complex plans and directions; so much so that I close those boxes up, and slip them back into a larger carton, praying that one day I’d muster up the courage to actually get to work on one. I don’t quite understand what’s wrong with me. I have worked off and on as a fine custom cabinet and furniture maker over the past 40 years, and according to most people, it seems that everything I touch turns out a work of art, or so people say. And my lack of confidence remains beyond my comprehension. I’m wondering if perhaps I am fearful of failing should I try to build one of those many wood ship model kits stowed away as I talk myself out of getting busy with things like I’m too old, or my memory and dexterity are not what they used to me, etc. Honestly, I just do not know. Yet, I continue to peruse the hundreds of model ship kits online, particularly those of Model Shipways and Caldercraft, wondering and asking myself which one might be a first, entry-level kit for me considering my past experiences and demonstrated skills. So, I suppose I am down to writing you folks and asking your opinion as to where to start. I’ve attached pics of two plastic models; one of the Cutty Sark I completed in 1971 at the age thirteen, and the USS Constitution, which I am rebuilding. I actually completed this Constitution in May of 1976, just before my dad’s death, but over the years, through many relocations, kids, and whatever else went flying through a household full of rambunctious children, the model was so badly damaged that it was near unrecognizable. Instead of tossing it, I determined to rebuild the old girl. I started by determining what was salvageable and what I need to find in the way of parts. I then found a 1974 version of Revell’s USS Constitution on eBay, and scooped it up. I removed all the rigging and masts off the model, and as you can see in the pics, I am re-rigging the deck cannon at this point in the rebuild. I have also done some research on the paint scheme, and have tried to historically match the real ship at a period in her history. As to Cutty Sark, my dad the artist did the antiquing of the completed model with an airbrush and some oil stain mixed with paint thinner. Anyway, I would truly covet your honest opinion, based upon the attached pics, if I need to begin wooden ship model building with something very remedial such as Midwest Products’ Skiff (apprentice Kit Skill Level 1), or do you believe I may be able to dig right in and build something like Caldercraft's Schooner Pickle or the Snake, or Model Shipway's Charles W. Morgan (as that is one kit that was given me years ago)? In being honest with myself and everyone here, I have ZERO confidence in my skills, and I'm not sure why. I am at a loss for direction, and your advice is critical!