ClapTrap Posted July 8, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2020 Hey all, I have an old decorative galleon (I think it is "inspired" by a galleon, proportions seem a like wonky) that my parents are handing down to me for my first house. It's in pretty rough shape and I have very little modeling experience outside of the occasional 1/35 car kits. From my perspective, this looks like one heck of a project; the sails are brittle and covered in grime, the paint is wearing thin, and a few of the masts appear to just hang there. If I could restore it to just half of its former glory I may become addicted. My questions are: What exactly is this thing? Is it feasible to restore it myself? And if so where should I start? Thanks in advance, I've always loved motorboats and sailing and I feel myself slipping into a new obsession. JeffT, GrandpaPhil and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted July 8, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2020 Hello, ClapTrap. Well, the place to start is actually here, but since you've already framed the question, we'll have a go at it. Your ship is what we call a decor model, and you're right -- it only bears the vaguest resemblance to an actual galleon. As a model, it has essentially zero value, but as an heirloom it might at least have some sentimental value. Restoring it would entail removing the excess grime and reattaching the loose masting and rigging. Since the rig doesn't follow any actual practice, the best way to figure out what goes where is to examine the bits that are still attached -- the loose bits were probably attached in much the same way. And since it's not really a model but rather an artistic impression of a galleon, you can't do too much harm to it if you don't get the rigging done exactly the same as when the item was new. If you do, in fact, end up slipping into a new obsession, have a look around the forum at what first-time builders are working on. This is a great and potentially very rewarding hobby if you get off to the right start. Cheers! JeffT, mtaylor, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktiedens Posted July 8, 2020 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2020 Mark JeffT and mtaylor 2 Quote current build - HMS Vanguard - Model Shipways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted July 8, 2020 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2020 ClapTrap, First a warm welcome to MSW. See this galleon as a "cold case", you are the investigator. It will take time, but you will find the joy of restoring an heirloom to put on the mantel (if you have one). And yes, there's a danger to this..... addiction! Addiction to ship modeling. I wish you all the best and set up a log, I will follow you along. mtaylor and JeffT 2 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffT Posted July 8, 2020 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2020 Hello and 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...
GrandpaPhil Posted July 8, 2020 Share #6 Posted July 8, 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...
Ryland Craze Posted July 8, 2020 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2020 Welcome to Model Ship World ClapTrap. That is definitely an old decorative piece of art. It looks like a fun project to clean this up. Good luck on this and have a look at the many build logs on this site. There are many newly released kits designed for modelers getting into this hobby. Maybe we will see you with one. Just start a build log so that we may follow your progress. mtaylor 1 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted July 8, 2020 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2020 We do have topics for "Restoration" in the scratch area. There is one going on for an old galleon. The easiest way to find them, is go to the Scratch Area and in the search function (upper right hand side) use the keyword "Restoration". Before hitting the search, re-click on the word and change the settings to "this forum" and "content titles only". MEDDO 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...
Jim Lad Posted July 9, 2020 Share #9 Posted July 9, 2020 Hello and a warm welcome to MSW. I wish you all the best with the restoration of your "galleon". John mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Green Posted July 9, 2020 Share #10 Posted July 9, 2020 Clap Trap: Welcome! I have nothing to add. Follow the advise of the others and make yourself happy. I'm in Idaho now but I grew up in Sioux City. Believe it or not, I miss the flat land. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted July 9, 2020 Share #11 Posted July 9, 2020 10 minutes ago, Charles Green said: I'm in Idaho now but I grew up in Sioux City. Believe it or not, I miss the flat land. Where in Idaho? Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baker Posted July 9, 2020 Share #12 Posted July 9, 2020 And enjoy the restoration of this model. Maybe you discover a new hobby, building model boats. 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...
Charles Green Posted July 9, 2020 Share #13 Posted July 9, 2020 Nirvana: I'm in Boise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted July 10, 2020 Share #14 Posted July 10, 2020 As someone already addicted (and currently doing a restoration of a ship I made when I was a teenager) , every time I see one of these I think to myself "A bit of cleaning, some repair - that could look pretty damn good". I find restoring a model very rewarding -changing it from something dirty and damaged to something worthwhile. Start a buildlog and show us what you're doing - it'll give other members the opportunity to give help,advice and guidance on your journey of restoration. If after you've finished you find yourself addicted - well you're not alone Ryland Craze 1 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco 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 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEDDO Posted July 10, 2020 Share #15 Posted July 10, 2020 Welcome! Looks like a nice little project there. Definitely as Mark says above, look into the “restoration“ build logs here on the site as they do have a lot of great information 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...
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