spars

Welcome from someone al,ost(69) as you are. Have you been to see the Cerberus at Half Moon Bay? I've heard of her. Anyway, you have a vast of vessels of Australian origin to model.

I, too, am starting a New Bedford whaleboat, my second try. First was more than a disaster. I found some really good video footage on youtube about whaling and whaleboats, however I am not computer literate so I have no idea how to attach them. You can try New Bedford whaling as a start.

Welcome to the site. I grew up in Chicago in the 1950-60's. I was a high school teenager when the '67 blizzard hit and the city stopped I remember someone built a boat of concrete to prove it would float. Anyway have fun with your new hobby. I live in Minnesota so I can empathise with your winters. Our advantage is that we are better prepared I think. Now that I don't have to work, I keep a couple days' food and so on just in case.

THANK YOU. My father and his brother and my uncle served in the Pacific so this near to me.

Welcome. Everyone is new one time or another. Saw the kit. I'm a youtube afficianado and I know there are youtube viking ship footage from building to sailing. May be worth watching. 

Welcome to a 'nautical news site'! Here is the latest in information on how they do that in the model ship building. See something interesting? Copy the name and do a You Tube search. Never know what you can find. Yesterday I was 69 and received my Model Shipways Bedford whaleboat as a present to myself. Loaded with the stuff of model builders.

BTW and not to be forgotten the Australians' contribution to D-Day in all services. Looking forward to the battles for the Pacific. Who would have thought its the moslems who 'conquer' the islands.

Welcome! I've been off and on with ship model building. Currently I'm doing some WW II models for the 75th anniversary. Wish there were a creditable HIGGINS BOAT kit and/or plans. From the Louisiana swamps to Normandy and Okinawa, this plywood boat was there. Then again, I'm an old(er) man(age 69).

I, too, live in MInnesota, so...Hello! I found useful stuff just watching other modelers on YouTube. There's piles of people who do this work and I get to see which tools they use.

To me scratch built means no pre-manufactured parts except for rigging and deck furniture. BTW you in the islands have a great 75th anniversary celebration coming soon. The role played by all navies, civilian and military can be easily overlooked. Start small, work up, never be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes.

This is true craftsmanship. Good to hear from the world's most warred-on nation. Israel has a LONG history with vessels. Keep posting!

Sounds like you are a man with a plan. I think Model Shipways is great because they will replace properly identified parts/pieces you may mess up. And yes, they do answer their own phone.

BTW I spent a number of years in the Hoosier(who's your family) state known as Indiana.

Welcome indeed! Your are in the home of the Merlin engine from WWII. Used in watercraft I don't know.

Welcome! Just exactly is NW England? We're about two years apart and I served in the army europe from 72-74. I started with the whaler M.S. Morgan because I had interest since reading Moby Dick in 1966, then seeing the movie. Study-study-study. Ask questions. 

Hi! Always good to hear from a new person. Remember to DRY FIT before glueing. Measure twice, cut once. Have some bandaids available. LoL

Welcome Horst. I was stationed in Germany in the early seventies. Germany/Bavaria have some awesome undisturbed forests. I have found over the years this hobby can be all consuming. Have you thought of scratch build? With your knowledge of woods and growing working skills this may be a way to go.

Now that you are back - have at it! 

Welcome from a Chicago boy(age 68). I know modelers half your age who would give a lot to do as well as you do.

I'm a BIG fan of Model Shipways because they have graded kits but will also send you parts if you goof up. Keep all of your documentation so you can request parts. They are a friendly, more family oriented business. Buy tools as you need them. Sometimes it pays to do the same kit twice to rehearse your skills. Things get too intense, walk away for a day. 

You are more than welcome. France has a nautical heritage sometimes overshadowed by the English. You sound like the type modeler who would not be satisfied with small ships in bottles.

Welcome. Every mistake is a lesson learned. My dad's dad and his brother lived up there in Petosky. I remember seeing the bridge in the mid 1950's.

Love your vessel. It combines beauty with deadly effectiveness on water. Don't overlook model sellers' websites where there is tons of info.

Welcome from a former Hoosier. Attended Purdue, lived in West Lafayette and Franklin. I'm 68 and now have time to builds on my schedule.

Love the pic! Welcome! Don't let go of your dreams of building from scratch. Maybe you have already done so but there are many great and information youtube videos of actual wooden ships being built as bell as models of ships. Gets my juices going.

Welcome, salt water sailor. Just your backround is enough to inspire. My family since we came from Germany before WW I has been navy, except for me. I am army artillery. One of my grand dads shoveled in at per-WWI battleship! Pursue your interest in ship building. Loook up JoTiKa there in the U.K. They have the hands down best Victory kit on the market. Pricey but worthy of the expense. I know because I have one in my collection of kits.

Welcome Chris. Maybe this can help. Check out planking clamps at a site like Model Expo. Measure twice cut once.