Bill Gormley

The timing for me to stumble across this thread is perfect.  I'm a newbie to MSW although not to modeling in general.  I've been on the plastic side of the hobby for the better part of a decade and just finished a two-plus year build of the Japanese battleship Yamato.  After a few months off it's time for me to select my next project.  I want it to be a wood ship and I have two options:  La Confiance (Constructo Modelismo) or Syren (Model Shipways).
 
The former is an orphan kit I rescued from my father's basement years ago.  It's a solid hull French fishing trawler by a company I haven't been able to find much information about and seems to be relatively straightforward (at least by comparison).  The latter was a Christmas gift from my wife last year and interests me much more.  I realized it would be on the difficult side as an initial build but received some encouragement here that, with the detailed instructions and the help of this site, it was realistic.
 
Am I about to make the same mistake as others before me?  Would I do well to cut my teeth on La Confiance?  Better to start with a simpler, solid hull kit of a subject that doesn't interest me or a more complex subject that really does interest me?  I plenty of modeling experience but I don't have a background working with wood.  
 
And just one thought - made previously, but that I would like to echo - is the need for the manufacturers to provide quality materials and solid instructions with so called "beginner" kits.  If the wood goes to pieces and the instructions read like a Rorshchach test then it's easy to see why the first build is often fatal.  It creates a high barrier to entry into the hobby and I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't addressed it.  

The timing for me to stumble across this thread is perfect.  I'm a newbie to MSW although not to modeling in general.  I've been on the plastic side of the hobby for the better part of a decade and just finished a two-plus year build of the Japanese battleship Yamato.  After a few months off it's time for me to select my next project.  I want it to be a wood ship and I have two options:  La Confiance (Constructo Modelismo) or Syren (Model Shipways).
 
The former is an orphan kit I rescued from my father's basement years ago.  It's a solid hull French fishing trawler by a company I haven't been able to find much information about and seems to be relatively straightforward (at least by comparison).  The latter was a Christmas gift from my wife last year and interests me much more.  I realized it would be on the difficult side as an initial build but received some encouragement here that, with the detailed instructions and the help of this site, it was realistic.
 
Am I about to make the same mistake as others before me?  Would I do well to cut my teeth on La Confiance?  Better to start with a simpler, solid hull kit of a subject that doesn't interest me or a more complex subject that really does interest me?  I plenty of modeling experience but I don't have a background working with wood.  
 
And just one thought - made previously, but that I would like to echo - is the need for the manufacturers to provide quality materials and solid instructions with so called "beginner" kits.  If the wood goes to pieces and the instructions read like a Rorshchach test then it's easy to see why the first build is often fatal.  It creates a high barrier to entry into the hobby and I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't addressed it.  

The timing for me to stumble across this thread is perfect.  I'm a newbie to MSW although not to modeling in general.  I've been on the plastic side of the hobby for the better part of a decade and just finished a two-plus year build of the Japanese battleship Yamato.  After a few months off it's time for me to select my next project.  I want it to be a wood ship and I have two options:  La Confiance (Constructo Modelismo) or Syren (Model Shipways).
 
The former is an orphan kit I rescued from my father's basement years ago.  It's a solid hull French fishing trawler by a company I haven't been able to find much information about and seems to be relatively straightforward (at least by comparison).  The latter was a Christmas gift from my wife last year and interests me much more.  I realized it would be on the difficult side as an initial build but received some encouragement here that, with the detailed instructions and the help of this site, it was realistic.
 
Am I about to make the same mistake as others before me?  Would I do well to cut my teeth on La Confiance?  Better to start with a simpler, solid hull kit of a subject that doesn't interest me or a more complex subject that really does interest me?  I plenty of modeling experience but I don't have a background working with wood.  
 
And just one thought - made previously, but that I would like to echo - is the need for the manufacturers to provide quality materials and solid instructions with so called "beginner" kits.  If the wood goes to pieces and the instructions read like a Rorshchach test then it's easy to see why the first build is often fatal.  It creates a high barrier to entry into the hobby and I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't addressed it.  

The timing for me to stumble across this thread is perfect.  I'm a newbie to MSW although not to modeling in general.  I've been on the plastic side of the hobby for the better part of a decade and just finished a two-plus year build of the Japanese battleship Yamato.  After a few months off it's time for me to select my next project.  I want it to be a wood ship and I have two options:  La Confiance (Constructo Modelismo) or Syren (Model Shipways).
 
The former is an orphan kit I rescued from my father's basement years ago.  It's a solid hull French fishing trawler by a company I haven't been able to find much information about and seems to be relatively straightforward (at least by comparison).  The latter was a Christmas gift from my wife last year and interests me much more.  I realized it would be on the difficult side as an initial build but received some encouragement here that, with the detailed instructions and the help of this site, it was realistic.
 
Am I about to make the same mistake as others before me?  Would I do well to cut my teeth on La Confiance?  Better to start with a simpler, solid hull kit of a subject that doesn't interest me or a more complex subject that really does interest me?  I plenty of modeling experience but I don't have a background working with wood.  
 
And just one thought - made previously, but that I would like to echo - is the need for the manufacturers to provide quality materials and solid instructions with so called "beginner" kits.  If the wood goes to pieces and the instructions read like a Rorshchach test then it's easy to see why the first build is often fatal.  It creates a high barrier to entry into the hobby and I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't addressed it.  

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have the Pontos set for the USS New Jersey so I know exactly what you mean.  The instructions look pretty good but you do hear complaints from time to time that they are insufficient.  I just finished Tamiya's new Yamato kit using the Pontos wood deck plus Tamiya's AM railings, degaussing cable, and 18" guns.  I have never drilled so many holes in my life.  Took me a couple years but after finishing and taking a break I'm ready for my first wood project.  Yikes.

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

I have this kit in my closet but have been patiently waiting for Pontos Model to produce a PE detail set to start it.  It's a daunting kit even with adding PE and a wood deck.  But it's a beautiful ship with graceful lines (at least after they added the Atlantic bow).  I'll be following along with interest!

It's been a while since my last post. I have another few weeks on my current project but then I hope to start on Syren. I realize the instructions that come with the kit are excellent - and I will start a build log - but are there any books you would recommend as a companion or first addition to my library.

It's been a while since my last post. I have another few weeks on my current project but then I hope to start on Syren. I realize the instructions that come with the kit are excellent - and I will start a build log - but are there any books you would recommend as a companion or first addition to my library.

Well, Santa came through and Syren was waiting for me under the Christmas tree.  It's a very attractive kit although vastly different from what I'm used to with plastic kits.  I couldn't resist reading the first few chapters to see how well I could visualize the steps.  Seems do-able, especially with the build logs and ready help available on this site.  I'm definitely motivated now to finish Yamato so I can move on to this.  In the meantime, a couple questions:
 
1) Most of my tools are oriented toward plastic ship modeling.  Has anyone compiled a list of basic "must have" tools?
2) Are there any clubs in central NJ that focus on model ship making?  I'm aware of the Ship Model Society of New Jersey but it's too far away (I'm near Princeton).  If there's a group nearby, I'd like to get involved.  And if there's an experienced builder nearby, I'd be interested to discuss hands-on lessons.

First off, thank you all for your input.  Lots of good information.
 
Chris - After poking around some more, I'm no longer convinced a LSS practicum is the way to go.  Sounds like a good kit + good instructions + lots of help from the members here is a better bet.  And I'm happy to hear you think Syren would be realistic for a first build (since I lean toward it).  Do you think there's any real difference in terms of the difficulty relative to Fair American?
 
Augie - How many wooden ship models did you have under your belt when you tackled Syren?  And with regard to the scale difference versus Fair American, does that translate into more difficulty with the details (e.g. rigging)?  I have a lot of tools and supplies, but they're all geared toward plastic ship modeling.  Certain items such as the airbrush, tweezers, files, etc. will transfer but I suspect I'll have to get the basics for woodworking once the time comes.
 
Jay - I'm drawn to Syren because of her lines, historic role, and the fact that she's a warship.  There don't seem to be that many other entry-ish level options that meet all three criteria (although I'm open to suggestions even if it means going with a manufacturer other than Model Shipways).
 
I have to admit, after reading through the build logs here over the last few days, I'm intimidated by almost every kit option.  That jogged my memory about an orphan kit I got from my father several years ago (his eyes were bigger than his appetite).  It's the French fishing trawler La Confiance from Constructo Modelismo.  Has anyone heard of this kit?  I've attached some photos of the box, instructions, and parts.  Any thoughts on whether it might be a good place to start?  

Well, Santa came through and Syren was waiting for me under the Christmas tree.  It's a very attractive kit although vastly different from what I'm used to with plastic kits.  I couldn't resist reading the first few chapters to see how well I could visualize the steps.  Seems do-able, especially with the build logs and ready help available on this site.  I'm definitely motivated now to finish Yamato so I can move on to this.  In the meantime, a couple questions:
 
1) Most of my tools are oriented toward plastic ship modeling.  Has anyone compiled a list of basic "must have" tools?
2) Are there any clubs in central NJ that focus on model ship making?  I'm aware of the Ship Model Society of New Jersey but it's too far away (I'm near Princeton).  If there's a group nearby, I'd like to get involved.  And if there's an experienced builder nearby, I'd be interested to discuss hands-on lessons.

First off, thank you all for your input.  Lots of good information.
 
Chris - After poking around some more, I'm no longer convinced a LSS practicum is the way to go.  Sounds like a good kit + good instructions + lots of help from the members here is a better bet.  And I'm happy to hear you think Syren would be realistic for a first build (since I lean toward it).  Do you think there's any real difference in terms of the difficulty relative to Fair American?
 
Augie - How many wooden ship models did you have under your belt when you tackled Syren?  And with regard to the scale difference versus Fair American, does that translate into more difficulty with the details (e.g. rigging)?  I have a lot of tools and supplies, but they're all geared toward plastic ship modeling.  Certain items such as the airbrush, tweezers, files, etc. will transfer but I suspect I'll have to get the basics for woodworking once the time comes.
 
Jay - I'm drawn to Syren because of her lines, historic role, and the fact that she's a warship.  There don't seem to be that many other entry-ish level options that meet all three criteria (although I'm open to suggestions even if it means going with a manufacturer other than Model Shipways).
 
I have to admit, after reading through the build logs here over the last few days, I'm intimidated by almost every kit option.  That jogged my memory about an orphan kit I got from my father several years ago (his eyes were bigger than his appetite).  It's the French fishing trawler La Confiance from Constructo Modelismo.  Has anyone heard of this kit?  I've attached some photos of the box, instructions, and parts.  Any thoughts on whether it might be a good place to start?  

First off, thank you all for your input.  Lots of good information.
 
Chris - After poking around some more, I'm no longer convinced a LSS practicum is the way to go.  Sounds like a good kit + good instructions + lots of help from the members here is a better bet.  And I'm happy to hear you think Syren would be realistic for a first build (since I lean toward it).  Do you think there's any real difference in terms of the difficulty relative to Fair American?
 
Augie - How many wooden ship models did you have under your belt when you tackled Syren?  And with regard to the scale difference versus Fair American, does that translate into more difficulty with the details (e.g. rigging)?  I have a lot of tools and supplies, but they're all geared toward plastic ship modeling.  Certain items such as the airbrush, tweezers, files, etc. will transfer but I suspect I'll have to get the basics for woodworking once the time comes.
 
Jay - I'm drawn to Syren because of her lines, historic role, and the fact that she's a warship.  There don't seem to be that many other entry-ish level options that meet all three criteria (although I'm open to suggestions even if it means going with a manufacturer other than Model Shipways).
 
I have to admit, after reading through the build logs here over the last few days, I'm intimidated by almost every kit option.  That jogged my memory about an orphan kit I got from my father several years ago (his eyes were bigger than his appetite).  It's the French fishing trawler La Confiance from Constructo Modelismo.  Has anyone heard of this kit?  I've attached some photos of the box, instructions, and parts.  Any thoughts on whether it might be a good place to start?  

First off, thank you all for your input.  Lots of good information.
 
Chris - After poking around some more, I'm no longer convinced a LSS practicum is the way to go.  Sounds like a good kit + good instructions + lots of help from the members here is a better bet.  And I'm happy to hear you think Syren would be realistic for a first build (since I lean toward it).  Do you think there's any real difference in terms of the difficulty relative to Fair American?
 
Augie - How many wooden ship models did you have under your belt when you tackled Syren?  And with regard to the scale difference versus Fair American, does that translate into more difficulty with the details (e.g. rigging)?  I have a lot of tools and supplies, but they're all geared toward plastic ship modeling.  Certain items such as the airbrush, tweezers, files, etc. will transfer but I suspect I'll have to get the basics for woodworking once the time comes.
 
Jay - I'm drawn to Syren because of her lines, historic role, and the fact that she's a warship.  There don't seem to be that many other entry-ish level options that meet all three criteria (although I'm open to suggestions even if it means going with a manufacturer other than Model Shipways).
 
I have to admit, after reading through the build logs here over the last few days, I'm intimidated by almost every kit option.  That jogged my memory about an orphan kit I got from my father several years ago (his eyes were bigger than his appetite).  It's the French fishing trawler La Confiance from Constructo Modelismo.  Has anyone heard of this kit?  I've attached some photos of the box, instructions, and parts.  Any thoughts on whether it might be a good place to start?  

First off, thank you all for your input.  Lots of good information.
 
Chris - After poking around some more, I'm no longer convinced a LSS practicum is the way to go.  Sounds like a good kit + good instructions + lots of help from the members here is a better bet.  And I'm happy to hear you think Syren would be realistic for a first build (since I lean toward it).  Do you think there's any real difference in terms of the difficulty relative to Fair American?
 
Augie - How many wooden ship models did you have under your belt when you tackled Syren?  And with regard to the scale difference versus Fair American, does that translate into more difficulty with the details (e.g. rigging)?  I have a lot of tools and supplies, but they're all geared toward plastic ship modeling.  Certain items such as the airbrush, tweezers, files, etc. will transfer but I suspect I'll have to get the basics for woodworking once the time comes.
 
Jay - I'm drawn to Syren because of her lines, historic role, and the fact that she's a warship.  There don't seem to be that many other entry-ish level options that meet all three criteria (although I'm open to suggestions even if it means going with a manufacturer other than Model Shipways).
 
I have to admit, after reading through the build logs here over the last few days, I'm intimidated by almost every kit option.  That jogged my memory about an orphan kit I got from my father several years ago (his eyes were bigger than his appetite).  It's the French fishing trawler La Confiance from Constructo Modelismo.  Has anyone heard of this kit?  I've attached some photos of the box, instructions, and parts.  Any thoughts on whether it might be a good place to start?