Anja

Hi Cliff,
 
Welcome to MSW.   For a first POF scratchbuild, I would not recommend the Hahn plans/"kit" from the Lumberyard as all you'll get is the frames and the decorations.  And there's really no instructions with the wood and plans.  You'd need to get Hahn's "Ships of the American Revolution" for instructions.  The instructions in the book do make a lot of assumptions on your expecrience however.  While they're fine models when done, I'll join Bill (reklein) in his recommendation for the Viking Ship.   Start easy on your self and then ramp up from there.

Welcome to MSW Cliff!
 
I do not know if there are any kits that would meet all of your expectations. I'm thinking it might be best to pick a ship you like and acquire the plans and any other drawings, pictures etc., that you can find on it and just go for a complete scratch build. The people on here will be better guides and instructions than what are found in most kits and that gives you more freedom to make sure you are getting the quality materials that you want to use.
 
In any case, best of luck to you on whatever you decide to do and I look forward to seeing your build!

An advantage with scratch building is that a reasonable set of plans is all you need to start.
The one tool you do not mention is a saw capable of resawing 1" and 2" lumber into stock
for use with a thickness sander and the Byrnes saw.  A 14" bandsaw is ideal,  a tablesaw
can do it, but is more unforgiving and the loss to kerf is about twice or more.
 
For detailed plans ANCRE offers a sizable inventory of monographs of individual vessels and several are of a vessel complexity that
would make a prudent choice as an initial project: cutter, brig, schooner.   These are French
in origin and there are also other smaller indigenous types.  The French products are generally
elegant in design and appearance.
On cursory thought, the similar monographs for English or American vessels are 3 mast - larger
vessels  that can be a bit over whelming for a beginner.
 

Hello Cliff and welcome aboard,
 
This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
If needed, you'll find plenty of help, advise and encouragement from everyone. 
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

Welcome aboard Frank,
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja

Welcome aboard Fernando,
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja

Welcome aboard Frank,
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja

Hello Cliff and welcome aboard,
 
This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
If needed, you'll find plenty of help, advise and encouragement from everyone. 
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

Hello Cliff and welcome aboard,
 
This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
If needed, you'll find plenty of help, advise and encouragement from everyone. 
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

I can not offer you but a welcome to our site, Cliff,  since I am not familiar with the subject you are asking about. In fact I got here expecting to see some answers to your question, since I am interested in doing some POF build some time. I am 10 years your senior... I may have less time than you to do all what I want to do!
 

 
Ulises
 

Greetings All!  I've just joined the Nautical Research Guild and am looking forward to learning from others as I get serious about model shipbuilding.  I've been a modeler all my life, researching and scratchbuilding extensively as a part of my Live Steam Locomotive efforts.  Along the way I've learned metalworking and have learned my way around a lathe and mill that helps my modeling efforts immensely. 
 
I've always been interested in ship modeling, particularly plank-on-frame construction and admiralty hull models.  Since I'm not getting any younger (now 58), I decided a few months ago to start research and begin building a ship.  I've built a few solid hull and POB model ships over the years...nothing to brag about, just enough to keep my interest and make me realize I'd eventually want to do it in a serious way.
 
So now I find myself faced with a multitude of online builds on the internet, with a seemingly endless list of models and plans available....I am interested in working with the highest quality materials (with all the time involved why use anything less?), and am interested in finding a POF ship model to build that has enough instructional support along with community support to allow me to reach out to others when needed.
 
I am currently considering the Oneida using a wood kit from the Lumberyard, or the Hannah using Hahn's plans & book along with a wood kit from the Lumberyard.  I like the look of the Oneida better (and I suppose that alone should be the deciding factor), but wonder if Hahn's upside down construction methodology makes the Hannah a more forgiving first POF project. I'm open to other possibilities, but like the era of these ships along with their military ties.
 
BTW, I have a fairly full complement of shop tools, including a Byrnes table saw (been using it for years cutting word for my railroad hobby), and plan to add his thickness sander soon...plus the usual complement of drill presses (large and small), disc sander, scroll saw and the like...so I'm not concerned about having the tools needed to process wood.  
 
I'm more concerned about picking a POF project where a fair degree of success is assured if I stick to it and do my part.
 
Look forward to input from the community here...
 
Best Regards,
Cliff
 
Cliff Ward
Cary, North Carolina

Welcome to MSW Cliff. I am sure you produce some wonderful models as a young 58 year old! All the best, Geoff

Hello and welcome aboard.  Is Shoosh your real name?
 
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an advanced builder.  This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
As for your build, make sure it has your interest and that you really want to build it.  
That way you'll be more likely to get through the trials and errors.
And when you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog. If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

Hello Don and welcome aboard, Glad to have you join in with us.
 
This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
Good luck with your Bounty, take your time and have fun.
When you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog.
If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja

Hello Jonk and welcome aboard.
 
By all means, feel free to start a buildlog. What model ship are you building?
 
As you already found out, this a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

Hello Don
A warm welcome form South of the Border. We all started with a first kit and many of us felt nervous on our first attempts. Some of us (I know I do  ) have horror stories telling the mishaps and frustration of taking an advanced model as a first project, so I think you are on the right track with your choice. As has been said, start a build log as soon as you get your work table ready to start!
 
Best regard
 
Ulises

Hello Don and welcome aboard, Glad to have you join in with us.
 
This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
Good luck with your Bounty, take your time and have fun.
When you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog.
If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja

Hello all,
 
I have spent a great deal of time wandering around this wonderful site and viewing the fantastic builds and reading the very helpful hints and tips posted. It is a joy to read about and view your various projects. You are all exceptional craftspeople and true artists and seem like a very friendly and helpful bunch. So I figured that it was time that I finally introduce myself and to quit watching from the shadows and to start participating.
 
I have always wanted to try my hand at wooden ship modeling but just never felt that I had the skill or the talent for it (...I am still not convinced LOL!).  Sailing ships such as the Canadian and American fishing schooners (especially the Canadian Bluenose and Bluenose II ships) of the early to mid 1900's have always fascinated me. So elegant and majestic in my opinion. In addition, the warships of the Napoleonic era have always interested me.
 
With that said and heeding the advice posted in various places on this website, I have selected my first model that I believe should (...should...) be relatively simple for my first attempt:
 

Its a Mini Mamoli 1:135 solid hull H.M.S Bounty. It's a small model ship, somewhere in the 11.5 inches in length by 9 inches in height size range (give or take). Despite its smaller size though it seems quite detailed! lots of small bits and bobs. The plans certainly are quite daunting and a tad vague (a LOT vague to be perfectly honest). But patience and careful studying will hopefully clear up any confusion. I need to pick up some supplies before I begin as well as obtain some reference materials. But I am excited and eager to begin!
 
Thank you all for taking the time to read my introductory post. Thank you as well for having me here.
 
Kindest regards,
Don
A.k.A Bluenose Fan     

Welcome Don.  Please start a build log in the kit section and ask away. There are many here who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  I'm sure someone around here has built this in the past. 

Hello and welcome aboard.  Is Shoosh your real name?
 
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an advanced builder.  This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
As for your build, make sure it has your interest and that you really want to build it.  
That way you'll be more likely to get through the trials and errors.
And when you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog. If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

There is no time like the present to jump in to wood its just as easy, don't let anyone scare you from wood models.    

G'day Shoosh, and another warm welcome from 'Down Under'.
 
Re stupid questions - the only stupid ones are the ones you don't ask because you think they might be too simple.  We're a friendly mob here and always ready to answer questions.
 
John

Hi Shoosh....
 
What the others said... jump in, open a build log for guidance, advice, etc.  
 

Hello and welcome aboard.  Is Shoosh your real name?
 
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an advanced builder.  This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
As for your build, make sure it has your interest and that you really want to build it.  
That way you'll be more likely to get through the trials and errors.
And when you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog. If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja
 

Hello and welcome aboard.  Is Shoosh your real name?
 
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an advanced builder.  This is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques.
As for your build, make sure it has your interest and that you really want to build it.  
That way you'll be more likely to get through the trials and errors.
And when you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog. If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone.
 
Enjoy your stay here.  I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew.
 
Regards,
Anja