HakeZou Posted April 14, 2020 Share #1 Posted April 14, 2020 Hi everybody, another newbie here. We've all reacted in different ways to this pandemic. For myself, I've been having the urge to make something, to keep both my hands and my mind occupied, to have a large on-going project as a break from teaching and writing a book. Not entirely sure why I got so determined that it had to be a model ship, but here we are. I made plastic model cars and planes as a kid and, back then, I always thought it would be cool to make a ship. So I guess maybe this is an unfulfilled childhood fantasy. After much research on this forum and other sites, I finally bit the bullet last night. Ordered the Artesania Latina Bon Retour kit, along with some tools I didn't already have and some glue, stains, and varnish. Why the Bon Retour? Well...this site has some great advice for newbies to the hobby and I got intimidated enough by the kits I really want to make that I (wisely) chose to start with something simpler and more affordable. (Seriously, thanks to all of you who have posted guidance and recommendations for newbies, as well as those of you who've posted detailed build logs.) I'm a historian, so look forward to eventually building some of the ships that hold particular historical interest for me. I'm also a francophile, so am looking forward to doing some smaller French ships while figuring out how to do planking and rigging. Now, the long wait until the kit arrives and I can get started... GrandpaPhil, mtaylor, EricWilliamMarshall and 5 others 8 Quote Current build: HMS Terror (OcCre, 1:75) Built: Bon Retour (Artesania Latina, 1:25); La Provençale (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Saint-Malo (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Sciabecco Francese (Sergal, 1:49); Endurance (OcCre, 1:70); Le Martegaou (Billing, 1:80) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffT Posted April 14, 2020 Share #2 Posted April 14, 2020 Welcome to MSW. When you are ready to start the build be sure to start a build log in the build logs for ship model kits forum. Have fun! EricWilliamMarshall and mtaylor 2 Quote Jeff In progress: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48 HMS Sphinx - Vanguard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted April 14, 2020 Share #3 Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) welcome to MSW, good luck with your build and have fun! Oh and be sure to start a build log! Edited April 14, 2020 by Edwardkenway mtaylor 1 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEDDO Posted April 14, 2020 Share #4 Posted April 14, 2020 mtaylor 1 Quote Michael Shipwrights of Ohio Current Build: ... Completed Builds: Queen Anne Barge - Syren, Pinnace - MS, Halifax 1768 - LSS, Murrelet - Pygmy, Swift 1805 - AL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted April 14, 2020 Share #5 Posted April 14, 2020 I second the request to start a build log. There was one fellow who started on a similar trek: mtaylor 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HakeZou Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted April 14, 2020 Thanks for the welcome, all! I had been torn between the Saint-Malo and Bon Retour kits. What made the difference was seeing Philthy's build log and, especially, Invictaag's build log on BrexitModeller. Invictaag's log is very detailed and filled with tips that I think will be helpful (even though it was quite intimidating on my first read-through!). I'll be sure to do a log here, since I have no doubt I'll need the feedback and tips from those of you with more experience. Got the shipping notification from Ages of Sail this morning, so the kit is on its way! mtaylor and EricWilliamMarshall 2 Quote Current build: HMS Terror (OcCre, 1:75) Built: Bon Retour (Artesania Latina, 1:25); La Provençale (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Saint-Malo (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Sciabecco Francese (Sergal, 1:49); Endurance (OcCre, 1:70); Le Martegaou (Billing, 1:80) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted April 14, 2020 Share #7 Posted April 14, 2020 Welcome to MSW, HakeZou. Just remember, it's not a race but a hobby so enjoy the process. Duanelaker and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobG Posted April 14, 2020 Share #8 Posted April 14, 2020 42 minutes ago, HakeZou said: Thanks for the welcome, all! I had been torn between the Saint-Malo and Bon Retour kits. Welcome aboard, HakeZou. You made a good choice to build the Bon Retour. It's a lovely looking boat. My very first wood model was the AL Saint-Malo dory and it was not a very good kit in my opinion although it did get me hooked on model ship building. The materials and the instructions left a lot to be desired. I did enjoy making the hull and thwarts and painting them but I stopped without finishing the mast and sails since they just looked too historically incorrect. There are better dory boat models available than the Saint-Malo. I look forward to seeing your build log of the Bon Retour. Good luck! mtaylor 1 Quote Bob Garcia "Measure once, cuss twice!" Current Builds: Hms Brig-Sloop Flirt 1782 - Vanguard Models Pen Duick - Artesania Latina 1:28 Completed: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Co. Member of the Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjay Posted April 14, 2020 Share #9 Posted April 14, 2020 mtaylor 1 Quote Mark Phoenix, AZ Current builds; Previous builds, in rough order of execution; Shipjack, Peterbrough Canoe, Flying Fish, Half Moon, Britannia racing sloop, Whale boat, Bluenose, Picket boat, Viking longboat, Atlantic, Fair American, Mary Taylor, half hull Enterprise, Hacchoro, HMS Fly, Khufu Solar Boat. On the shelf; Royal Barge, Jefferson Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted April 14, 2020 Share #10 Posted April 14, 2020 Hello, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted April 14, 2020 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2020 Welcome! mtaylor 1 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceP Posted April 15, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 15, 2020 Welcome aboard the SS ModelShipWorld mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baker Posted April 15, 2020 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2020 Quote Regards, Patrick Finished : Soleil Royal Heller 1/100 Wasa Billing Boats Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch) Pelican / Golden Hind 1/45 scratch Current build : Mary Rose 1/50 scratch große-jacht / Yacht D'Oro 1/50 Corel Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch Shore leave, non ship models build logs : ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72 Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72 Autoblinda AB40 1/72 122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72 10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e) Centurion Mk.1 conversion M29 Weasel 1/72 SAM6 1/72 T26 Finland T26 TN 1/72 Autoprotetto S37 1/72 Opel Blitz buses 1/72 Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72 Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72 Cleaning the 1/72 military collection Si vis pacem, para bellum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duanelaker Posted April 16, 2020 Share #14 Posted April 16, 2020 Welcome! mtaylor 1 Quote David Builds in Progress: Phantom Pilot Boat - MS Completed Builds: Bounty Jolly Boat - AL Chesapeake Bay Crabbing Skiff - MW Grand Banks Dory - Bluejacket The Dinghy - MW Grand Banks Dory - MW 32 Pound Carronade - MS Skiff - MW Peterboro Canoe - MW On Hold: 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull - NRG Ponte Berlin - Corel Taurus Steam Towboat - MS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HakeZou Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted April 17, 2020 I think model ship building is going to suit me. Sat down this afternoon to start sanding the false keel...and then suddenly it was dinner time. Tonight the wife went to bed early, so I thought I'd sand some more of the frame...and now it's 3 hours later. Really enjoying the meditation of things so far. The woodwork also brought back some deep-seated memories that I had forgotten about. Every summer evening when I was a kid, our neighborhood gathered in Eldy and Glendol's driveway. We'd all bring lawn chairs and just hang out chatting until after the sun set. Eldy was a really special guy who loved kids, so we all bonded with him. Even though he was about 60 years older than me, I thought of him as a friend when I was in elementary school. He had retired from our town's steel mill after an accident claimed two of his fingers. But in his retirement, he took up woodworking with a passion. He made model stagecoaches (from kits) and Conestoga wagons (from scratch). He also made rocking horses (and rocking elephants!) and a variety of knick-knacks for decorating the house. By the time I was 9 or 10, he'd taught me how to sketch designs on the planks, to cut them out with a band saw, to sand, and to use paint and stain. My first project was one of his classic designs: a Dutch sabot with three tulips growing out of it (all in profile, nothing too complicated). This ship is bring me full circle in a way I hadn't expected! GrandpaPhil and mtaylor 2 Quote Current build: HMS Terror (OcCre, 1:75) Built: Bon Retour (Artesania Latina, 1:25); La Provençale (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Saint-Malo (Artesania Latina, 1:20); Sciabecco Francese (Sergal, 1:49); Endurance (OcCre, 1:70); Le Martegaou (Billing, 1:80) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jarman Posted April 17, 2020 Share #16 Posted April 17, 2020 Welcome to Model ship world. Paul mtaylor 1 Quote In work: -queen-mary-2 Finished: rms-titanic-1912 Finished: king-of-the-Mississippi Finished: Sanson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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