Hello! New and looking to learn

[zreef]

Hello everyone!

 

It looks like I will be getting HMS Race Horse as a birthday gift and I am quite excited to learn how to build wooden models.  I have been building models since I was around 10, but mostly focused on plastic, metal, MDF, plywood, and resin ... and geared toward table top wargaming.  

For this first build my goal is not to end up with something that is display quality, but instead actually construct a piece for usage in some of the war-games I play.  This means its ok if the model does not end up 100% rigged, though that is my goal if I can accomplish it.  The other concern will be cutting the model down to the waterline, or at least an approximation of the water line.  My naive view of the plans and other build logs seems to indicate that this will actually make it a bit easier to plank as the bottom of the hulls seem like more complex curves for the wood.

I hope with this build I will learn enough to do a second of equal difficult, but focus on a display piece for my young son instead of a gaming piece. I am going to read up on all the race horse build logs I can find before starting. 

[spars]

I write this a lot but here it is. Research you tube. There are many, many videos on building scale model ships and other stuff. There are resources about certain models on sites like Model Expo. Dry run as much as you need to before gluing. There are resources for getting replacement wood and products. Lauck Street Shipyard has stuff. And have FUN!

[EJ_L]

Welcome to MSW! If you have not done so already set up a build log so we can follow along and help out when needed. Cutting down the hull to a waterline display does eliminate some of the trickier curves to plank over and from the sounds of the intended use of the model, may make gaming easier as well. I wish you the best of luck on your build and I look forward to seeing your work!

[zreef]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!  The crew models are slated to arrive next week, ship won't arrive until my birthday in Sept.  So until then its learning as much as I can, watching videos, reading build logs.  I will start a build log as soon as the crew is here and I begin painting them and the cannons.  I am going to remove the mortars from HMS Racehorse and modify the deck slightly to get her back to her sloop configuration. 

[geoff]

Welcome to MSW "zreef". All the best, Geoff

[Derek C]

Welcome Aboard,  this Site is full of useful and awesome forums . Make sure you float around and check them out . There is so many ideas , techniques , and information out there check it out .