Jii Posted June 19, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 19, 2020 I'm new to modelling of any kind and the only nautical knowledge I have is from reading all of Patrick O'Brian's novels. I opened a 15 year old gift a few days ago (H.M.S. Endeavour -Artesania Latina) and made a few tentative beginnings. Wisely I read the cautionary note by Chris Coyle before blundering on further. I'm looking at a couple of easier kits, from Modellers Shipyard based in Sydney, and wondering what the experience has been with these kits. I'm especially interested in the quality of instructions provided, which with the LA kit (albeit 15 years old) are very basic. mtaylor, JeffT, Fernando E and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted June 19, 2020 Share #2 Posted June 19, 2020 I can't speak to their instructions, but Modellers Shipyard kits have been generally well received. We currently have sixteen build logs on hand for various Modellers Shipyard kits, which you can check out by clicking here. mtaylor, Jonny 007 and JeffT 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Hawker Hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted June 19, 2020 Share #3 Posted June 19, 2020 Welcome from Ballarat! 1 hour ago, Jii said: the only nautical knowledge I have is from reading all of Patrick O'Brian's novels. Well, IMHO that's a good start. There are a few threads with recommendations for beginners' models - have a look at this one - Though I'm not a kit builder, Model shipways and Vanguard seem to be well recommended for beginners, with clear instructions. mtaylor and JeffT 2 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted June 19, 2020 Share #4 Posted June 19, 2020 Welcome! mtaylor, Louie da fly and JeffT 3 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) On the building slip: 1:72 French Ironclad Magenta (original shipyard plans) On hold: 1:98 Mantua HMS Victory (kit bash), 1:96 Shipyard HMS Mercury Favorite finished builds: 1:60 Sampang Good Fortune (Amati plans), 1:200 Orel Ironclad Solferino, 1:72 Schooner Hannah (Hahn plans), 1:72 Privateer Prince de Neufchatel (Chapelle plans), Model Shipways Sultana, Heller La Reale, Encore USS Olympia Goal: Become better than I was yesterday "The hardest part is deciding to try." - me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted June 19, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 19, 2020 hello, and a warm welcome to the forum from down in Sydney! John Louie da fly, mtaylor and JeffT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjdale Posted June 19, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 19, 2020 Welcome to the forum from the Nation’s capital Jii. You’ll find there are quite a number of us Aussies here. Regarding first kits, although I’ve not built one, there are some nice offerings from Vanguard models available that are specifically designed with beginners in mind. There are also a couple of reviews of these kits here on the forum, and a few build logs underway. Although UK based, so postage will take a while in the current COVID environment, they could be worth waiting for. I don’t think you’ll find better sets of instructions anywhere. Louie da fly, JeffT and mtaylor 3 Quote Grant ____________________________________________________ Current builds: African Queen - Radio Control / Live Steam Previous builds: The Shipyard at Foss' Landing (Diorama), Hannah - Ship in a Bottle, NRG Capstan Project, 1869 Allerton Steam Pumper, Medway Longboat , Alfa Romeo Spider Gran Touring (Pocher) , Da Vinci Flying Machine, 1949 Chris Craft 19' Racing Runabout - Dumas - Radio, Bomb Vessel Granado, 1742 - Cross Section - Scratchbuild, HMS Victory (Mamoli 1:90), Cutty Sark, Armed Pinnace, Bounty, Santa Maria At another place: Stephenson's Rocket (OcCre 1:24) (click the title to follow the link) In the Gallery: Lancia Armata 1803, Bomb Vessel Granada, 1742 Cross Section, 1949 Chris Craft 19' Racing Runabout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted June 20, 2020 Share #7 Posted June 20, 2020 JeffT 1 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...
Louie da fly Posted June 20, 2020 Share #8 Posted June 20, 2020 Jii, when you've made your decision, you should start a build log - we love to see members' progress with their models and you can get advice from those who have gone before. Don't worry if you feel a bit daunted by it all - it happened to us all when we were first starting out. And don't worry too much about making mistakes. There's a lot of fun and fulfilment to be had, and even though you may be very aware of how it could have been better it's a learning process, and today's mistakes become lessons for your future builds. JeffT and mtaylor 2 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffT Posted June 20, 2020 Share #9 Posted June 20, 2020 Welcome to MSW mtaylor 1 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...
markjay Posted June 20, 2020 Share #10 Posted June 20, 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...
KingDavid Posted June 20, 2020 Share #11 Posted June 20, 2020 welcome! this forum is the right place for you! David mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harlequin Posted June 20, 2020 Share #12 Posted June 20, 2020 hello from England. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando E Posted June 21, 2020 Share #13 Posted June 21, 2020 Hello and a warm welcome from down south in Sydney. I've built two Modellers Central kits and am on my third one......(very slow progress on the current build due to work and other commitments )and can recommend their kits. They have detailed instructions on all their models (full colour and easy to follow) and they also have DVD's so you can watch an experienced model maker explain the build you choose step by step. As a newbie I found the DVD's extremely helpful Cheers and enjoy your new hobby.............Fernando mtaylor 1 Quote Current Builds - Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807 by Fernando E - Modellers Shipyard - 1:48 scale Previous Builds - S Lucia by Fernando E - Panart - Scale 1:30 Sloop Norfolk 1798 by Fernando E - Modellers Shipyard - Scale 1:36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jii Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted June 21, 2020 Wow! Thank you to all those members from my home country and much further afield that have taken the time to welcome me and encourage me. I really do appreciate the support. I have already learnt much from browsing through the various build logs. Sometime soon I'll order a new kit and with great trepidation commence a build log as suggested. I'm sure I will provide plenty of amusement for the experienced model builder - no laughing out loud though! Thank you again everyone for the great welcome and encouragement. I'm really pleased I joined. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted June 21, 2020 Share #15 Posted June 21, 2020 I don't believe for a minute there will be laughter at mistake and questions. We've all been there. RichardG and Fernando E 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...
Cabbie Posted June 21, 2020 Share #16 Posted June 21, 2020 Hello Jii Welcome to MSW Yes it can be a tricky business, model ship building, but very enjoyable. Whilst looking at kits look here https://thenrg.org/half-hull-planking-kit.php A lot of beginners get stuck with the fairing and planking, and learn the correct technique first up. It comes with a very detailed set of instructions. I am on to my 3rd model so far and as yet have not done one in the correct traditional method. I have ordered one and will arrive soon I hope, and will do before I start the ship boats for my Mermaid. And maybe get yourself a little fun build to do as well. Hooroo Chris mtaylor 1 Quote HM Cutter Mermaid 1817 HMB Endeavour 1768 by Cabbie - Artesania Latina - 1:60 - Kit Fiddle Every action has a consequence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted June 22, 2020 Share #17 Posted June 22, 2020 On 6/21/2020 at 1:16 PM, Jii said: Sometime soon I'll order a new kit and with great trepidation commence a build log as suggested. I'm sure I will provide plenty of amusement for the experienced model builder - no laughing out loud though! I think we all went through that feeling when we started out - it's natural enough, particularly when we mere mortals see some of the amazing builds that the really experienced modellers do. I know I still feel daunted by many of them, and very aware of my own shortcomings, and I've been on MSW for over 5 years! But I've never had an adverse comment, and certainly not ridicule - just supportive comments; and the occasional bit of "have you thought of doing it like this . . .?" which is usually very welcome. I have to say this is the best forum I've ever been on - others I've come across (which shall be nameless, but aren't to do with ship modelling) descend into namecalling and flame wars, which make one very unwilling to continue even with a subject you're really interested in. This has never happened on MSW in my experience - quite the contrary, everybody is supportive and those who are able to help, do so. mtaylor 1 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick01 Posted June 22, 2020 Share #18 Posted June 22, 2020 Hi - I've built one ship from Modellers Shipyard, HM Cutter Mermaid. Ideal for you with it's Australian history, regretfully it's not the most accurate kit given how much information is out there but there are a number of good builds on this forum that detail this little cutter well and it's not at all hard to alter the kit slightly to become a truer model. It was my second build and I found it straight forward and gave a pleasing result. Rick mtaylor 1 Quote Completed builds:- HM Cutter Mermaid. HMS Endeavour's Longboat Topsail Schooner Enterprize Arab Dhow Sultan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny 007 Posted June 22, 2020 Share #19 Posted June 22, 2020 G’day from across the ditch! Plenty of good advice already so won’t add much more other than a +1 for Vanguard models. I’ve just completed my first build and am well on my way through my second. Lots of good advice available on here when needed so well worth starting a build log. Good luck! mtaylor 1 Quote CURRENT BUILD HMS Bounty’s Jolly Boat - AL - FINISHED HM Schooner Ballahoo - Caldercraft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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