Getting ready

[resoian]

Hi,

I'm just starting retirement and had always thought of building a few models in my new found spare time (decorating the house, gardening, wife and grand children permitting). 

I started making Airfix models as a young teenager in the 70's made a few of the historic figures and progressed on to ships. The last one I made aged 16 was Revell's USS Constitution a great model with good detail and attention to the rigging for a plastic kit. This gave me an interest in things nautical but I still had a love for aircraft so I left school and joined the Royal Navy Submarine service (yeah go figure that move).

For the last few years I've been buying models and tools and now have a few ready to start. Like everyone I want to build HMS Victory and even purchased the Mamoli 1-150 kit (don't worry I'm not ready to have a go at that yet).

Will probably start off with a couple of plastic kits to build my skills and work up to the challenge of a plank on frame Victory.

 

Having spent 10years in the Submarine service I was happy to find a plastic model of one of my old boats (HMs/m Resolution). Along the way also got a free kit of the USS Lafayette no offence to the crew and the good boat Lafayette I'm going to use her as my starter for 10. 

 

I have limited space and a wife not so willing to have models displayed all over the house so my idea is to try to make a few half models mounted on a plank and displayed on the wall (No such intention for the serious kits).

 

My questions 

Has anyone tried a half model of a submarine?

What about the material for the plank, ply or hard wood?

Should the plank be varnished to show the wood or painted a contrasting colour?

There are no models available for the other boats I served on has any one built a scratch built submarine plank on frame or carved hull?

In the future could do with an entry level plank on frame kit to try before I start on HMS Victory any suggestions?

 

I know is not a boat but I have great affection for the McDonald Douglas DC3 aircraft and plan to build a model of one as well. Wonder if it would work as a half model?

 

Pictures of my projects.

 

 

 

 

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard!

 

I'm not sure about a half-fuselage model of an aircraft. Half-hull models are nothing unusual, but something about a half-airplane doesn't seem quite right. 😉

[JeffT]

Welcome to MSW. I suppose if there is a will there is a way. A half fuselage airplane could be built from just behind the wings forward. Mount it to the wall as if its flying out from the wall.

[Baker]

Welcome to MSW, and good luck with the models

[Jim Lad]

Hello, and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[mtaylor]

Welcome to MSW.

 

For a have hull sub, we have one model being built:  https://modelshipworld.com/topic/20268-u-552-type-viic-submersible-by-yvesvidal-trumpeter-148-plastic/

 

 

I've seen half fuselage aircraft back as kid and visiting the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.  It could be done but there would a lot of scratch building.  There's are some models of bombers with very detailed interiors that could be done that way.    Look in the Non-Ship Models area in Shore Leave.

 

Here's a good article on picking your first wooden ship:   https://modelshipworld.com/topic/13703-for-beginners-a-cautionary-tale/

 

 

As for questions about finishes, etc...  the answer is "it depends".  Depends on the model, your tastes, and other factors.  

 

 

[Louie da fly]

Welcome to MSW, Resoian. With that list of projects ahead of you, you're not going to get bored for a long long time. (Oh, and apparently taking on new things is a great way to avoid Alzheimer's )

 

Starting of with a half-model submarine sounds very good. I always think a timber backboard with an attractive grain is a good way to go.

[resoian]

On 8/7/2020 at 7:06 PM, JJT said:

Welcome to MSW. I suppose if there is a will there is a way. A half fuselage airplane could be built from just behind the wings forward. Mount it to the wall as if its flying out from the wall.

Thank you, hadn't thought of having it fly out of the wall was thinking just a straight forward split nose to tail but what he heck I might try this as well. There are some cheap kits available on ebay for experimentation after all I'm planning a long retirement and want to build up my modelling skill levels.

 

But the joy of this kind of forum is to bounce those ideas about.

[resoian]

Dear All, Thank you for your warm welcome(s).

 

Im looking forward to getting started on my first kit it will be plastic and the first attempt will be as a half model mounted on a decent but of timber polished and varnished to show the grain. 

I will start a blog of construction but have a few outdoor household projects to get finished whilst we have some reasonable weather so looking to start in the autumn but planning and dreaming are some of the best bits of anticipation.

[Louie da fly]

Looking forward to seeing your build log (when you get the chance to start! )