Wawona59

Hi Scotty, I just found your build log today so I know I'm late the party. Your AL Swift came out really nice; much better than when I built that kit many moons ago. IIRC, the kit I built had die cut parts and the bulkheads looked like they were formed with a router as there was a 1/6" gap all around them. I'm really impressed how much your planking improved from the first layer to the second. I also really like some of the small details you added such as the entry of the rudder stem into the transom. I like your homemade block sander too. Looks like I'm going to have to buy some containers of cashews in order to make one myself (at least that will be my excuse). We're sort of Pacific Northwest Neighbors. I live a little north of you in Renton, WA. Do you have any plans for your next build? Welcome to MSW.

I've had good experience with Model Expo's customer service as well. Even though I bought my Flying Fish in 1996, ME sent me a complete set of bulkheads, keel and planksheer to replace the parts that I screwed up. (see my build log to see how bad I did). No questions asked. Now, I'll just start over and do it right this time. I hope to be back working on the Fish soon.

Ahoy! and welcome to Model Ship World. This is a great site with lots of friendly and helpful people. Welcome Aboard

Hi Adrian, Welcome to Model Ship World and your start on your first wooden ship model. There a lot of kits available today aimed at the beginning wooden ship modeler. Model Shipways offers a 3-kit combo in which the beginning ship modeler works their way through three successive models; each one being a little more challenging than the previous model. Each model is designed to introduce new skills. Bluejacket offers several entry level kits as part of their Ensign Shipbuilder series. In addition to enjoying building process whichever model you choose, you should strive to FINISH IT. Nothing builds more enthusiasm and confidence than finishing a model and seeing it displayed in a case or on a bookshelf. good luck in your ship modeling journey. Feel free to post an introduction in the new members forum. Welcome to MSW

Snow Squall was briefly mentioned in a 1980's documentary called "Ghosts of Cape Horn" at 42:40. Keep watching for Lisa Gylkison's "Song of the sea". and Gordon Lightfoot's "Ghosts of Cape Horn". I heard that he wrote this song for this documentary.

Hi Luis Felipe, I just found your build log. Your Sir Lancelot is simply spectacular! Thank you for posting the many photographs of your Sir Lancelot build. Your photo of the mast tops and the large lubber's hole really illustrates what Clipperfan was trying to show me for my Flying Fish build (which I'll be getting back to soon after I finish a few other projects I have in the pipeline). As for projects, I think one of Donald McKay's "California Clippers" may be in order. There are already plenty of Flying Clouds and Flying Fish modeled. What about one of his lesser known clippers such as his medium clipper Santa Clause of 1854 or his extreme clipper Stag Hound of 1850? Modeling any of these will require some research; but that's part of the fun. I've really enjoyed reading your build log.

Welcome Aboard Nate! I recall building an 1805 Swift around 1985. It looked like the thin plywood bulkheads on the kit I had were cut out using a router as the groove around each bulkhead was about 1/16" wide. Those were the good ole days before laser cutting. Wawona59

Hi Sgmartz, The good news is that you probably have several of the tools you will need from your plastic modeling such as x-acto or excel hobby knives and #11 blades. You'll also need sanding sticks. The ones I get at the dollar store are more than adequate and much less expensive than the specialized hobby sanding sticks. A variety of tweezers will be invaluable. Here's a short list of some of the tools you will need: 1. Zona (brand name) fine tooth saw and mitre box 2. Set of miniature files. Get good quality files, I really like my set of Nicholson files and have used them for years. 3. Mini vice for holding your work. I like my Panavice as it has a ball and socket that allows unlimited angle adjustments. 4. Clamps of various sizes. I'm partial to wooden spring loaded cloths pins. The tip can be modified to suit many tasks and they are inexpensive. By flipping the wooden legs around, you can extend the depth for clamping in tight areas. 5. You will need a building board with a way to hold the model steady while you work on it. You can easily make your own. 6. You can probably get by without a fancy plank bending iron and form. You can just use a mini travel iron or hair dryer to provide the heat. I use an old iron for attaching monocote covering to RC airplanes. Don't be seduced by all of the fancy tools and machines on the market. It's amazing and satisfying what can be achieved with simple hand tools. Buy the tools as you need them and buy quality tools. IMHO, buying cheap tools is a false economy. Before you begin your Endeavor, I would build one or two simpler kits. I think the Bluenose fishing schooner would be a good choice. I like the kits produced by Bluejacket and Model Shipways. Bluejacket offers a model kit of the fishing schooner "We're Here" from the Rudyard Kipling novel Captains Courageous. Another option for a first wooden ship model is to buy a cheap wooden kit that's already been started and modify and build it into something you create. It would be a nice gift for someone when you are finished with it. Whatever model ship you build, I hope you will consider starting a build log. MSW has thousands of members. You will get a lot of help and encouragement here. I'll be starting up my Flying Fish build log again as soon as I finish a couple of gift ship models for friends. By the way, Welcome to Model Ship World.

Thank you so much for this info Clipperfan. I recently noticed the issue with the lubbers hole on Jared's build log. The photos you shared are definitive that the lubbers hole on the Glory are larger that shown in the plans and other references I've gathered. I assume that all of McKay's other clippers were similar. I've posted this to my "Fish File" which will be very useful when I get to that point. I've been on a hiatus from the Fish pending replacement parts and other more urgent projects. I'm making a gift for a friend using a discarded MS Phantom solid hull that I was given as a rough guideline. I'm also restoring/completing an inherited Mamoli Golden Hinde as a donation to the college library where I used to teach. After that I'll return to the Fish build log as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the progress that others on MSW members are making. Thank you for keeping me in the loop on the clipper projects.

Welcome Aboard to Model Ship World. After you finish your 18th Century Longboat, I'd suggest the New Bedford Whaleboat by either Bluejacket or Model Shipways. There are a number of build logs on MSW that you can follow. The instruction manual for the Model Shipways kit is outstanding and is actually a mini treatise on the history and construction of whaleboats. You can't go wrong with either kit. Wawona59

Welcome Aboard Ian, from a retired 64 year old college teacher. It looks like you are in good company as there are a few of us ex-teachers in the group. MSW is a great group of modelers. Good luck on your HMS Terror project. Perhaps you could start a build log when you are ready. Welcome to MSW! Wawona 59 John Newcome

Hello PierreS, Welcome aboard to the Model Ship World forum. MSW is a wonderful site. There are many excellent modelers on this site who willing to help other modelers. Thanks for asking about adding a signature to your profile. I had questions on that topic myself. Wawona59

Blaine, Welcome to MSW. I think the solid hull and shaped spars, (if I recall correctly) of the Marine Models kit will serve as a great starting point for building your Connie. I would not use the old metal fittings though except to use as a pattern. If you see your Connie project through to the end you will gain a ton of experience in research and fabricating parts. In my experience, the members of this MSW forum share and help each other which is one of the reasons this forum is so great. I wish you success in your Connie build and make sure you start a build log when you are ready. Welcome Aboard! Wawona59 John

I also use a tool to scrape out the grooves of my Nicholson Miniature files. Like Banyan I've used an old No. 11 blade usually with a broken tip. Of late, my tool of choice has been an old dental pick to clean out each groove. I've used this on my rattiest mini-file where the grooves were caked with brass, aluminum and styrene. This took a while but the file performance was restored to almost new.

Karen, thank you for sharing your build photos with us. Your artistry is stunning. I hope you will consider posting more of your work. Beautiful!! Wawona59 John Newcome

Hi Geoff, Welcome to MSW. This is a great forum for ship modelers and modelers in general. I've learned so much from the more experienced modelers in the group as well as the discussions on ship modeling techniques plans, research etc. Everyone has been extremely helpful and encouraging. I hope to see some of your work in a future post or build log. Welcome Aboard!! Wawona59 John

Hi Steve, Just discovered your CWM build log. Excellent work so far. I too am gaining considerable experience in fixing broken basswood bulkhead parts with glue and pins. I think the problem stems from me not paying attention to the grain direction on the laser cut parts. I use bamboo skewers and a draw plate to make my repair pins. They are cheap and strong. One package could almost be a lifetime supply. Keep up the good work! Wawona59 John

Welcome to Model Shipworld Igor. Your Ukranian Egg is beautiful and masterfully done. Welcome Aboard! Wawona59

Welcome to Model Ship World. Hope to see some of your work posted here. Welcome Aboard! Wawona59

Ho! Ho! Ho! Just found a picture of her sailing card from 1854 Wawona59

Beautiful work Niels. I recall as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's I helped my next door neighbor work in this Billings kit. I'm not sure if his Norske Love was ever finished. Since this is a scratch built hull, is this the plank on frame hull you displayed at the Museum of Flight February show several years ago? I've put my other ship modeling projects aside as my interest has shifted to Pacific Northwest and Seattle maritime history. I'm currently researching the lumber schooner Wawona (and C.A. Thayer) and the Downeaster St. Paul with an eye of building a 1/8" = 1' model of each. As you once told me, for ship modeling "the mood has to be right". I will never forget that. I do hope you remember the wonderful weekend we had at the Museum of Flight show several years ago. That was the show where we each wore our red NWSM shirts with yellow "ruler suspenders". As I recall, you were working on a Viking Dakkar at the time. I hope all is well with you. Please feel free to Private Message me if you get a chance. Wawona59 John

Hi Roman, Welcome to Model Ship World. It's nice to see a new member from the Pacific Northwest. This is a wonderful site with many knowledgeable, helpful and friendly modelers. I've learned a lot from many of the members here such as our recent thread on how to use a table of offsets and drawing your own plans. Welcome Aboard!! Wawona59

Welcome to Model Ship World. This site and its members have been a great help to me in both researching and building techniques. You've definitely come to the right place. Welcome Aboard Wawona59

Welcome Aboard! Impressive work on your Bismark. Your electronics are on a whole other level to me. You are definitely in the right place. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work. Wawona59