Bill Gormley

I know this question has been asked many times before ... but I'd appreciate some help selecting a first ship model.  As the topic title suggests, I'd like to limit the options to what is available from Model Shipways.  That's a somewhat arbitrary decision on my part to prevent decision overload but it's also based on my reading of the threads on this site, which suggest Model Shipways is a solid vendor.
 
By way of background, I've never built a wood ship model but have been heavy into plastic ship modeling for the past 5-7 years.  My current project - the Japanese battleship Yamato - is nearing two years and still going strong, if slowly.  I don't mention that to impress anyone but to demonstrate that perseverance won't be an issue regardless of the kit I choose.  I'm not afraid of complexity or a long time horizon.  I've attached one of the few photos I could find of a past project to give some sense of where I'm at ability-wise.
 
With all of that said, Christmas is around the corner and my wife is open to suggestions.  I've been thinking about one of the following packages and would appreciate any input:
 
1.  MS Bluenose ($220) + LSS "prep school" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
2.  MS Fair American ($250)) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $370
3.  MS Pride of Baltimore ($220) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
4.  MS Syren ($400) 
5.  MS Rattlesnake ($240)
 
Options two and five are what I'm leaning toward based on price and personal appeal.  Option four scores really high from a personal appeal perspective but looks more complicated and is expensive without any accompanying aids.
 
Do any of the above options stand out as an especially good choice?  Am I likely to bite off more than a first timer can handle with the Fair American?  And what would you budget over and above what I have above for tools?
 
 

I know this question has been asked many times before ... but I'd appreciate some help selecting a first ship model.  As the topic title suggests, I'd like to limit the options to what is available from Model Shipways.  That's a somewhat arbitrary decision on my part to prevent decision overload but it's also based on my reading of the threads on this site, which suggest Model Shipways is a solid vendor.
 
By way of background, I've never built a wood ship model but have been heavy into plastic ship modeling for the past 5-7 years.  My current project - the Japanese battleship Yamato - is nearing two years and still going strong, if slowly.  I don't mention that to impress anyone but to demonstrate that perseverance won't be an issue regardless of the kit I choose.  I'm not afraid of complexity or a long time horizon.  I've attached one of the few photos I could find of a past project to give some sense of where I'm at ability-wise.
 
With all of that said, Christmas is around the corner and my wife is open to suggestions.  I've been thinking about one of the following packages and would appreciate any input:
 
1.  MS Bluenose ($220) + LSS "prep school" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
2.  MS Fair American ($250)) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $370
3.  MS Pride of Baltimore ($220) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
4.  MS Syren ($400) 
5.  MS Rattlesnake ($240)
 
Options two and five are what I'm leaning toward based on price and personal appeal.  Option four scores really high from a personal appeal perspective but looks more complicated and is expensive without any accompanying aids.
 
Do any of the above options stand out as an especially good choice?  Am I likely to bite off more than a first timer can handle with the Fair American?  And what would you budget over and above what I have above for tools?
 
 

I know this question has been asked many times before ... but I'd appreciate some help selecting a first ship model.  As the topic title suggests, I'd like to limit the options to what is available from Model Shipways.  That's a somewhat arbitrary decision on my part to prevent decision overload but it's also based on my reading of the threads on this site, which suggest Model Shipways is a solid vendor.
 
By way of background, I've never built a wood ship model but have been heavy into plastic ship modeling for the past 5-7 years.  My current project - the Japanese battleship Yamato - is nearing two years and still going strong, if slowly.  I don't mention that to impress anyone but to demonstrate that perseverance won't be an issue regardless of the kit I choose.  I'm not afraid of complexity or a long time horizon.  I've attached one of the few photos I could find of a past project to give some sense of where I'm at ability-wise.
 
With all of that said, Christmas is around the corner and my wife is open to suggestions.  I've been thinking about one of the following packages and would appreciate any input:
 
1.  MS Bluenose ($220) + LSS "prep school" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
2.  MS Fair American ($250)) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $370
3.  MS Pride of Baltimore ($220) + LSS "freshman" practicum with photos ($120) = $340
4.  MS Syren ($400) 
5.  MS Rattlesnake ($240)
 
Options two and five are what I'm leaning toward based on price and personal appeal.  Option four scores really high from a personal appeal perspective but looks more complicated and is expensive without any accompanying aids.
 
Do any of the above options stand out as an especially good choice?  Am I likely to bite off more than a first timer can handle with the Fair American?  And what would you budget over and above what I have above for tools?