To help kit developers and kit builders alike-What would you like to see developed for the hobby.

[mtaylor]

Chuck,

 

I'd say play to your strengths.  You design beautiful kits with a history. Instructions that are second to none. There's options on purchasing (that's a big plus) such that if the buyer wants better wood, they can get what they need from you and "good wood" from elsewhere.  This saves the buyer some cash on the kit.  Options on the fittings.   

 

You're already basically allowing your customers to "roll their own prices".  You have range of kits in work or available.  I take it that Winchelsea is next?

 

From what I see, you're doing right by your customers.

[Jack12477]

Chuck,

 

I  agree 100% with Mark's comments above.

[Beef Wellington]

I would LOVE the idea of any 'kit' POF kit with precute frame pieces - a definite buy as a stepping stone to fully scratch build.

[trippwj]

POF, mid-18th to early 19th century schooners, brigs &c. (merchant or fishing).

 

Scale, that's a tough one. I'm less concerned with all my models matching than being able to work on it. For example, I found 1:128 far too small when building, but the 20 inch product is a good size. 1:48 is easier to work, but the result if rigged is a burly beast.

 

I like the ala carte menu option - build it your way! Instructions (at least detailed guidance on sequence) would be most beneficial. Detailed step by step, maybe but, for a beginner, seem proscriptive rather than suggestive. (Oops - I missed that step, dangit! Now what? ShouldI start over? Tear out what I just did?)

 

Price point is tough. Done as ala carte, components bought over several months or years, total price can be higher, so long as component units stay in that target range!

[uss frolick]

Blue-Jacket already has an attractive, precut POF kit - the two-gun, schooner-rigged Revenue Cutter "Jefferson Davis", based on Chapelle's plan of her class.

[Guest]

As a total newcomer to wood I at first thought I had nothing to add here, but on reflection I do.

 

Even though the topic is "new kit development", I think its worth saying that with regards to existing kits I would like to see more/better information on all the manufacturer's websites.  A ship name, scale, and a handful of low resolution photos of the expertly finished product, frankly, doesn't cut it.  Show me what I am getting for my $100-$600 (don't rely on 3rd party reviews).  You don't have to give away the plans but a PDF of the assembly process is what gave me the confidence to finally click "buy" on my first kit.

 

As far as future development, I think there is a great opportunity to up the scale realism by embracing a more multi-media approach. Wood is nice, I like wood, and wood is the whole point here but there are many many parts-pieces which could stand to be resin, or even injection molded plastic.  There are just some details for which the over-scale grain of real wood shatters the illusion (ships wheel for example).  Also the plastic model world is doing amazing things with PhotoEtch and I see lots of opportunities for its incorporation in wooden ship building (beyond what its currently being used for).

Edited July 25, 2016 by Sunsanvil

[Trussben]

Ok, I'll throw a few cents in.

 

As a newbie scratch POF builder, I transitioned from "traditional" POB kits, however I did learn a lot from POB kits, mainly that the plans and instructions were mostly terrible ( exception being MS Confederacy IMO ).

I agree wholeheartedly with a lot of comments that having options for upgrading kits is great, but I think that's better left to the specialists like syren/crown etc.. to offer than the manufacturer ( it's not in their interest). Just check out the option kits available for a lot of plastic kits from third parties ( it's a huge business ).

Now I think I can say with reasonable confidence that a large amount of ship modelers want to build something with a history ( why so many Vic's and Connies ), but there are a lot of other ships with great history's that are being ignored but my point being that who wants to build 5 Vic's, we need to have choice, but who knows what they are interested in until they get inspired by seeing something different, ( DA comet, GH swiftsure, CP barge ).

 

I think what I'm trying to say is " if you build it, they will come" IF it's good quality, great plans and instructions, price reasonable for the subject matter ( $200 for a awesome barge, $800 for an awesome frigate, $1500 for an awesome first rate ).

 

Ben

[Chidokan]

I would like to see 'crew members' so as to help give a clue as to scale.. I find some on wargames figures websites,  but the general kit scales do not often match these... be nice to have sailors looking like they are altering rigging etc.

[EJ_L]

More scale figures would be nice to see but with so many scales available I would think that would have to be a custom order from someone with the time and equipment, mainly a 3d printer, who would be willing to do that. If anyone knows of someone who is let me know as I would love to have some sailors on my ships!

[Cornish_K]

I don't know if this applies to multiple manufacturers, but I think Caldercraft/Jotika missed a trick with their Ballahoo schooner beginners model which I'm currently building. The instructions are not designed for a beginner - they are simply a list of things to do in a sequence with minimal detail on technique or process.

 

It's quite possibly one of the reasons why I bounced off the hobby for several years after getting 2 or 3 planks into the first planking. Thankfully I found a way back into it by looking elsewhere for guidance (such as this site) and I now feel up to speed on how to approach the build. But the whole process of learning the hobby is way too obtuse in my opinion; it's totally different to any other kind of model making and there needs to be a lot more hand-holding for absolute beginners if you ask me.

 

Also, it really is in the manufacturers best interests to grab hold of newbies and shower them with amazing instructions on beginner models (I'm not suggesting they include a complete paperback guide, just... something substantial). It means once they've finished they will go back and buy a more advanced model that takes their fancy.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Cornish_K

[PeteB]

_{Name of Ship - No particular vessel in mind but would like to see something with similar lines to La Jacinthe through to a composite steam/sail or steam luxury yacht – type that you would see anchored off Nice or Rhode Island late 1800s to1930s- eg Imperial yacht Standart (1893) being built by Alex Baranov in the current build logs.}

 

_{Scale - depends on size but prefer 1/48}

 

_{Country of Origin - not important just fit the bill for appeal.}

 

_{Material Choice –Very Important to me being located here in Australia as it is difficult to source the nicer wood such as pear/boxwood/cherry etc especially in thick sheets or billets would pay what it takes to get the wood supplied in say 24”x 4-6”W by 2”D or in smaller sheets that is dressed to get around our quarantine.}

 

_{Style - Either POB or POF or possible (Hybrid see below) but not solid hull – reason again is mainly location and cost of mail to ship the weight. Probably also an issue internally in the US?  It may be worth considering a Hibrid hull choice which would help both the newer modeller and those that do not want to spend the length of time on a full frame. I thought something like the build of Toms10 HMS Leopard POB/POF/POB.  For those new to full framing you could offer all the easier square frames and POB for the more difficult cant and stern frames? Also may appeal to those that are looking for a shorter 12 month build. It would for me as I intend to start with an accurate kit probably POB to get my eye back in before I tackel Eds Naiad but would love a hibrid to cut my teeth on frames.}

 

_{Build time – I would be prepared to put in around what it takes to build an Naiad as I want to leave something of me behind when I move on but I also normally have a couple of projects on the go for when I hit the wall on the main one. So another POB or Hybrid would fit the bill there as a 12 mth project.}

 

_{Price range - depends on the timber supplied but if it came in large planks as mentioned above whatever they are worth plus the design time and plans – realistically probably up to $850 – $1000. Having just spent around $450 for a used Byrnes a third of which was shipping cost that would seem reasonable.}

 

_{Advanced or beginner......something in-between? - Maybe the hybrid design could address this problem – one lot of research same detailing for both with three hull construction choices? In regard to a kit for beginners I think we have to acknowledge that we have a passionate but pretty narrow field of interest compared to the real and virtual world out there.Not many kids these days know what a chisel is let alone how to use one – this is in no way a critism of them its just that they have grown up in a disposable world and the thought of repairing something let alone building something is completely alien to them. If you accept that thought then it seems to me (generally) that the new entrants to our hobby will be those now aged mid 40s who have built models of some sort in their youth and are looking to re-engage rather than abinitio.}

 

_{My two bobs worth – hope I'm not out of order. - Cheers Pete}

Edited August 10, 2016 by PeteB

[PeteB]

I know I'm doing an Oliver Twist but I've been reflecting on my comments in my last post effectively writing off younger beginners which is not what I'd like to see happen. Maybe the way is to harness their mastery of computers and see if they can be tempted to put some skin in the game by physically constructing an object they have created on the "Dark Side" ie CAD modeling ?

[janet bode]

JanetB

                                   I would love to see or buy if it was available a kit of the paddle steamer Waverly;the ship was built on the Clyde in the United Kingdom i think about 1930 or even

                                   before that in the second world war it helped in the evacuation of troops from the beaches of France.The ship has now been fully restored and in season you can

                                   even take a trip round the coast,with its two large funnels she makes a stirring sight.Many people in the u/k have made models of her but they are built from plans.

                                   I think as a fully working ship from the maybe just working paddles she would make a really fine model say 1/48 scale.

[Chidokan]

two things for me....

I live within driving distance of whitby and hartlepool, and we have local famous boats like Endeavour (done already) and the Redcar and Whitby lifeboats, along with Trincomalee. I wonder if the linked shops would do well selling replica kits, especially the lifeboat? I did think that the RNLI could make money from this if they did a series of early lifeboats, same at Trincomalee museum? Would you buy one? One of these days I will get around to modelling the Zetland, kit available or not...

[Jaxboat]

Good well designed (accuracy, plans etc) basic kits that can be upgraded with better wood, resin figures and parts instead of terrible castings. Your Confederacy  (my current build) is a good role model. Good plans that even a one or 2 kit person can put together with close attention to plans. Bought your resin figure head to replace "Marvin the Martian" as well as your cannons and now "rope". Modellers Shipyard in Aus has put out a series of kits at various price points where you can buy a CD of their Model expert actually building the model. I have learned lots from them such as how to do copper plating. 

Best

Jaxboat

[S.Coleman]

I love ships. But not only that, I would like to one day see a kit developed of a late 18th- Early 19th century Gold dredge.

 I really love dredges. Especially the gold rush Bucket line pond dredges. They are very interesting and unique.  There is a model of one in the Cromwell information Center based in Central Otago, New Zealand.

These wooden behemoths of the rivers and ponds are a big part of history during the gold rushes of the world and all come in lots of different shapes and sizes.

This type of model will incorporate lots of wooden boat building as well as offering the Adventurus modeler a chance to work lots with metal parts too.  

Lots of winch gear work for working the machinery and also control the anchor lines. Plenty of detail to include and lots of photos from around the world for research.  Anyway that is my two cents spent.

[Nirvana]

Sorry for the late chime,

 

Something I would like to see is

1920-1950

Motor Yacht

POF

1:20-1:30 scale (not to small or not to large)

Maybe removable superstructure to emphasize detailing. 

This is just an idea I like and found on the internet.

[Sailor1234567890]

Peterson designed Hermphrodite Brig Fritha in 3/8"=1' in POF would suit me just fine. Plans are available from Peterson's son Bill for a price and she's an absolutely stunning vessel. At that scale she's big enough for detail but not so big she won't fit in the house.

[mikeaidanh]

A Crown Timber Yard equivalent in the UK please.

 

Mike.

[Tallshiptragic]

Just a few simple wishes from myself,

 

Prince Royal - England 1610 as built, being a large complex vessel similar to the Sovereign. Wood POB around the 1/72 scale is nice to work on and not too large. Would pay up to $1000 (AUD) this would again be more of an advanced ship I'm assuming?

 

Brederode - Netherlands 1644 - Tromps flagship of about 60 guns, Wood POB (would be interesting to see POF but the dutch built their hulls at this time, planks first then set in the frames so very different to a typical POF look and while not impossible, possibly too costly to produce in commercial form) again 1/72 range (1/100 I find too small for details and 1/64 is nice but can be too large for display purposes) price again up to $1500 AUD (advanced)

 

Sophia Amalie, Danish/Norwegian 1650, 108 gun ship of the line,  built to surpass the Sovereign of the Seas. Wood POB 1/72 $1500 (advanced)

 

De Zeven Provincien - Netherlands 1665 - 80 gun flagship of De Ruyter, Wood POB, 1/72 up to $2000 AUD (advanced)

 

Preussen, Germany 1902 - steel five masted ship rigged windjammer. Wood or plastic/fibreglass hull POB 1/72 or 1/100 between $1500-2000 if at larger scale (advanced)

 

With the improvements in 3D printing, apart form the higher costs, it could be possible to see decorations made in this fashion - like the plastic decorations from billings etc showing more crisp detail. I use 3D printing in a lot of my modern builds mixed with PE parts especially on modern RC warships with great results (these of course being scratch built I can spend as much or as little as I feel though not sure how it would go in a commercial kit)

 

 

[lmagna]

I originally thought I had something new and original to possibly add to this topic, but after reading through it in more detail it turns out that my ideas have been expressed elsewhere. But then I thought that if the same ideas were expressed often enough then possibly it would increase the possibility of seeing what we would like to see at some point.

 

First off getting my personal period/ship/nationality choices out of the way, my preference would be American vessels of the American Revolutionary war, with ships like Lexington, Providence, Cabot, and Andrew Doria to name a few that would be representative of the majority of American vessels of the time.  I feel these small ships are much more representative of the Continental ships of the time than the larger frigates most commonly offered by companies.  The added advantage of these types of vessels is that they are smaller and could be built to a larger scale without taking over the house and having reduced rigging can make an interesting model that is more within the range of a beginner or novice.

 

That is where most of the rest of the idea comes in. It seems like most of the beginner kits have solid hulls to make it easier to obtain the hull shape without having to learn planking. I think that retaining this idea or using the bread and butter method of making semi solid hulls, along with Chuck's method of planking the much easier areas above the wales is kind of the best of both worlds for beginners, learning planking while not having to deal with the more complex bilge, bow and lower stern. This would also make the kit less expensive if the pricing on other solid hull kits are any indication.

Here is where I think another departure from the normal kit could be taken. An upgrade kit could be offered that instead of the solid hull it would include bulkheads and profile piece along with the extra wood needed to build the same vessel as a POB kit appealing to the more advanced modeler. The same thing could take the kit to the next level by replacing the POB items with material needed to build a POF kit. All of the same ship but different levels of challenge for the builder,  at different levels of cost of course.

 

Then the manufacture could also offer upgrade lumber to replace the standard kit selection.

I am not so certain about PE items. I do feel that there are many items that would enhance a kit of any level and of course make a much more refined and detailed model just as they do in the plastic kits of airplanes, ships, and cars. I just do not know if the PE parts should be included in the kits or if they should be an aftermarket item like in the plastic kit industry.

 

The hard to make carved details of the ship could be offered at additional cost for people like myself who have absolutely no talent in carving. They could be made from almost any material that glues well and holds the details of the original. Again Chuck is doing some very innovative work in this area. It would be nice to see a few figures that match the scale/nation/period as well.

 

I think models could be produced in this manner profitably and sales would possibly be extended on any given kit by offering several versions of the same kit to appeal to the skill levels of various potential customers. The same person could build the same vessel more than once as their abilities increased if they desired without having to return to the exact same kit. The same manufacturing technique could be applied to virtually any kit the manufacturer chose to release, and for each named ship that was created there could be at least three or four versions of the model. Hopefully this would increase the longevity of the kit sales for the manufacturer as well.

 

Hope this is still within the parameters of this subject and I did not stray too far into manufacturing rather than just “What ship”.

 

Lou

[vossy]

Maybe not one for the developers or manufactures, but in this hobby as general, I for one would love to see more affordable display cases. We spend $1000,s on the model, only to find they can very easily become super dust collectors because we cant afford/don't want to, spend the same amount on a display case.

 

[Kurt Johnson]

I would like to see more merchant sail, some early steamers and steam tugboats.

 

Kurt

[Peter Bloemendaal]

Well I've done my 25 posts, so I have earned the right to put my 2 cents worth in...lol

How about we modularize some of the big ships. We buy a stage 1 of, for example, the Victory.

It keeps the cost down, we can see how we go (less wastage if we crash & burn) and 90% into the build there is a red flag in the instruction: "Stop here and purchase stage 2 to continue with the kit" or finish it off with the last 10% of instructions.

The trick is to allow each stage to finish into a presentable model. People without space can decide to end up with a beautiful finished hull without full masts and rigging.

Stage 1 can be the basic hull, stage 2 adds deck furniture, more carronades, etc, stage 3, masts with basic standing rigging, stage 4, full rigging, stage 5 sails, flags, etc.

And most importantly, it keeps the admiral at bay when you only spent 25% of the ship per year. You can make it an annual birthday present....

[Jim Rogers]

Nuestra Señora de Atocha 1622 Spanish with the ornate stern carvings, Syren style instructions. I would pay $500 to $750 for a quality model.

[Thanasis]

I'm not a fan of kit models but I would like to see many more Mediterranean and more humble (less known) sea vessels (not Ancient).
Thx

Edited October 2, 2017 by Thanasis

[mitbok]

There are several kits for cat boats and lobster smack/friendship sloops but I think there are more examples of small craft with beautiful lines that sail

waters of the North East. Sandbaggers are overlooked as well as South Bay catboats. Would be nice if a line of classic NE sailing boats could be developed in

1/32 (or so) scale.  Since these models would not be big, expensive ($60-140 range) or complicated, kits could easily be sold at maritime museum stores.

And not to just seasoned modelers, I am sure a father with son tandem would be interested in buying one at Mystic after looking at real boats there.

[GrandpaPhil]

I would very much like to see a kit developed of some of the early US Navy ships of the line such as the Ohio or the Pennsylvania.  Perhaps in 1/72 scale.

 

Perhaps these could be made of plywood framing with basswood for the other hull woodwork and spruce dowels for the masting and rigging.

 

These carvings and other non wood fittings could be done in resin or cast metal for mass production.

 

I could see it retailing for between $750 to $1000.