Best Model Company with great Kit Instructions and Plans

[Sapot]

Hi All,

Amateur Builder, currently building the Artesania Latina Harvey 1847 Clipper (I understand that it’s not a real period ship, but fun to build), anyway, I’m finding that the Artesania Latina instruction book is lacking in details and guidance. The AL website offers limited assistance with build advice, so if possible, I am looking for guidance picking my next wooden ship model company, a company that has informative directions, accurate plans and a supportive website.

Ship I would like to build next:

1- Cutty Sark

2- HMS Victoria 

3- ???

Regards to All,

 

Simon Sapot

Boynton Beach, FL

Edited October 10, 2017 by ccoyle
Edited to remove private email address.

[Chuck]

Check out the poll of kit MFGs.

 

 

[Osmosis]

Hello Simon and welcome aboard.

 

A couple of us are meeting for lunch at Lesters  in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday 10/16 then taking a road trip to Miami to visit Model Expo. You are more than welcome to join us if you would like. I am planning on picking up my second build kit while down there and from what I have read here on this forum they are one of the top rated customer friendly companies with excellent quality kits and materials.

 

PM me if you are interested and I will give you the details.

[Sapot]

Hi Art,

 

thank you very much for your reply. Due to houseguest, I will have to take a rain check on the Model Expo road trip, but I will make sure to take a drive down to visit them as soon as I can...Enjoy.....Si

 

P.S.

checking out their website now.....

[mtaylor]

Simon,  

 

Search MSW for the ships you're interested in.  It's probable that the model has been built at least once and often the builder will put info in the log about deficiencies, instructions, etc. Basically the good, the bad, and ugly.  

[Sapot]

Hi Mark,

 

thank for the feedback , I’m looking over the excellent build photos in the gallery, so many talented builder!

 

regards.....Si

[MEDDO]

2 hours ago, Chuck said:

Check out the poll of kit MFGs.

 

 

Chuck's answer is all you need to make an informed decision.  That poll and thread pretty much gives a great overview of many of this sites users and their opinions about various manufacturers.  

[Sapot]

Hi Bob,

Totally understand: “You can’t get a job unless you belong to the Union, and you can’t join the Union unless you have a job” sort of like Catch-22.  Just looking for kits will informative instructions.

 

by the way, I once saw a display stand that a wooden model ship rested on, that was Timber Frame logs and made to look like a boat slip, I have been searching the web and Pinterest with no luck, it was an awesome display stand for a ship......Si

[Jim Rogers]

5 minutes ago, Sapot said:

Hi Bob,

Totally understand: “You can’t get a job unless you belong to the Union, and you can’t join the Union unless you have a job” sort of like Catch-22.  Just looking for kits will informative instructions.

 

by the way, I once saw a display stand that a wooden model ship rested on, that was Timber Frame logs and made to look like a boat slip, I have been searching the web and Pinterest with no luck, it was an awesome display stand for a ship......Si

The Model Shipways Virginia Armed Sloop comes with that stand. Their is a Practicum available for that kit.

[Tigerdvr]

Welcome aboard Simon. The Syren and Confederacy by ModelExpo have great instruction manuals designed by Chuck Passaro.

I find the manuals would help you no matter what ship you happen to be building. The kits are generally very good but quality and customer service seems to vary.

Most of the time very good but I have run into times when their CS was less than acceptable. 

I have finished the Syren (four years) and am one year into the Confederacy.

[MEDDO]

4 hours ago, Jim Rogers said:

The Model Shipways Virginia Armed Sloop comes with that stand. Their is a Practicum available for that kit.

Same with Model Shipways Pride of Baltimore II.

[Sapot]

Good Evening All,

Thank you all for your assistance, I found and printed the Building Instructions for a “Launch Way” on Model Expo’s  website, the instructions are located in the Parts Listing for the Phantom.

 

I am very fortunate to have found this website and a great support group of Modelers, thank you.

 

Simon