New member intro

[Dale Rappleye]

Hello all, new member from California. While not new to modeling, I do consider myself a beginner when it comes to ship modeling. I read the post titled A Cautionary Tale by ccoyle and I definitely fit the category of starting off biting off more than I could handle. My first attempt was the Armed Virginia Sloop kit from Model Expo. It was during the initial planking that I found I was in over my head. I set the model aside and drifted away from the hobby. 
There’s something about ships and modeling that just keeps drawing me back. The beauty of it just keeps pulling at me.

I have since restarted work on my model with a renewed interest and much more knowledge from reading build logs online and I have to say it appears to be going well. I look forward to continuing to learn from you all and eventually be comfortable enough in my builds to share them as well.

[ccoyle]

Welcome, Dale, from a NorCal ex-pat. The AVS is a well-regarded kit and is often suggested for beginners since it has minimal rigging and armament. As you have learned, even a "beginner" kit has sufficient challenges for s first-time builder. I hope your renewed enthusiasm will get you past any mental roadblocks on your project. Be sure to start a build log!

 

BTW, depending on your whereabouts, there are at least three very good local ship modeling clubs in California: South Bay Model Shipwrights (Bay Area), Ship Modelers Association (Fullerton), and San Diego Ship Modelers Guild.

[mtaylor]

Welcome to MSW, Dale.  Looking forward to seeing your log.

[Ryland Craze]

Welcome to Model Ship World Dale.  There are a lot of Armed Virginia Sloop build logs on this site.  You can find them by using the "Search" function at the top of this page.  Her is a link to a short AVS build log that was one of my favorites:

 

[JeffT]

Hello Dale and welcome to MSW 

[Dale Rappleye]

ccoyle, I was a member of the Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights for a period of time. They are a wonderful group of modelers and they were an incredible resource. Unfortunately, the distance I have to travel makes being an active member difficult and I just didn’t feel right about just popping in now and then.

I do continue to follow their activities as much as I can on Facebook.

Ryland, thank you for the link. I’m sure I will be binge reading build logs as I progress 

 

 

[Baker]

Hallo,

[Kevin]

Welcome to MSW

[Jim Lad]

Hello dale, and a warm welcome to the forum from across the Pacific.

 

John

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[Louie da fly]

On 6/19/2020 at 7:45 AM, Dale Rappleye said:

I’m sure I will be binge reading build logs as I progress 

That's great - but don't forget to start a build log of your own - both for the help and encouragement you'll get from other members as they look at it, but also to help others who may follow you doing the same model. Often your method of overcoming an obstacle will help someone else confronted by the same problem.