CTYankee Posted August 19, 2020 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2020 Hello everyone, My name is James and I am not just new to this community but I am COMPLETELY brand new to the world of model ship building. I grew up on the coast of CT and have lived in a number of other coastal cities so I have always been drawn to boats and the history of shipbuilding, though I have spend only a small time on the water myself. In my youth I built a few plastic models here and there. More often than not I ended up with my fingers glued to the plane/car I was building, uneven paint and crooked decals. All of the above generally a result of rushing into things. I am hoping that with a number of additional years under my belt I can learn to take it slow, enjoy the process and improve the quality of my work. Especially detail work- this is the area where my projects fall apart. This is ironic, because I have a very critical eye for detail. I am a mechanical engineer who works in the world of product design. In my profession I lead teams that design consumer electronics products that at times work in micron and sub-micron accuracy. This model ship building endeavor will require an interesting balance between my instinct to grab the calipers and measure down to 0.01mm and the use of CAD, CNC and automation to achieve shape and symmetry and the need to find a solution with hand tools and technique. I am looking forward to share my project with you all (and to receive some help along the way). My first boat is the “Red Baron” by Bluejacket. It might take me quite a while as I balance the time demands of life and work with the need to go slow and learn new things on the way. I am on page 2 of the instructions and I already find myself in a state where I am doing more strategizing and thinking than doing- which for right now is fine by me. I will be starting a build log soon. See you all there. JeffT, Jack12477, Ryland Craze and 7 others 10 Quote James Current Build: Lobster Boat Red Baron (Bluejacket) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted August 19, 2020 Share #2 Posted August 19, 2020 Welcome aboard! I am a California native transplanted to the East Coast, so I guess the two of us balance things out. Sounds like you must work in Silicon Valley somewhere -- I last hung my California hat in Mariposa. mtaylor 1 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...
JeffT Posted August 19, 2020 Share #3 Posted August 19, 2020 Hi James, 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...
MEDDO Posted August 19, 2020 Share #4 Posted August 19, 2020 I think the Red Baron is a great start. If you get the time a build log would be a fine start for showing you work and asking questions etc 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...
Ryland Craze Posted August 19, 2020 Share #5 Posted August 19, 2020 Hi James and welcome to Model Ship World. The Red Baron is an excellent kit for someone that is new to the wooden ship modeling hobby. This kit has a detailed instruction manual with plenty of color pictures that will help you during your build. With your professional experience and critical eye for details, I have no doubt that you will create a highly crafted Maine lobster boat. I look forward to seeing your build log once you post it. 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...
toms10 Posted August 19, 2020 Share #6 Posted August 19, 2020 Hi James, Welcome. I am CT yankee... at least until I retire in 8 years. This is a great site where everyone helps everyone. I have learned tons here. Tom mtaylor and Ryland Craze 2 Quote Attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure. Finished: Charles W. Morgan, scratch 1:96 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/30666-charles-w-morgan-1841-scratch-196-pob-by-toms10 Finished: HMS Leopard, scratch 1:85 https://modelshipworld.com/gallery/album/2403-hms-leopard-scale-185 Finished: Constellation AL Kit, scale - 1:85 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/gallery/album/1383-constellation-al-185-by-tom-szabo/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted August 19, 2020 Share #7 Posted August 19, 2020 Hello James, and a warm welcome to the forum from the other side of the Pacific. John mtaylor and Ryland Craze 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted August 19, 2020 Share #8 Posted August 19, 2020 Hi James and Welcome to the great world of ship modeling, MSW! The Red Baron is a great choice to get started. Many of us (me included), starts with something that looks great but provides more challenges than one can coup with. Looking forward to your build log. Ryland Craze 1 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...
Louie da fly Posted August 20, 2020 Share #9 Posted August 20, 2020 Hi James, and welcome to MSW! The Red Baron looks like a good kit to start off with. not too difficult, but with a few challenges to keep youfrom getting bored. 12 hours ago, CTYankee said: take it slow, enjoy the process and improve the quality of my work. Exactly. I know (to my cost - see my latest post on my own build log) what comes of hurrying too much. I'm afraid I share your problem with rushing into things- but not as bad as it was. I do find ship modelling develops forces you into being more patient. Follow your own advice, take it at your own pace, and enjoy the ride. After (not too long) a while you'll find yourself with a beautiful model that you can be proud of. Make sure you start a build log - it's the best way to get encouragement, help and advice. You'll find the people here are very friendly and helpful. And don't be afraid to ask questions - there's no such thing as a stupid one. 12 hours ago, CTYankee said: I am on page 2 of the instructions and I already find myself in a state where I am doing more strategizing and thinking than doing A very good strategy. It'll pay off in the long run. And have fun with it! That's what it's all about. mtaylor and Ryland Craze 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...
mtaylor Posted August 20, 2020 Share #10 Posted August 20, 2020 I can't add to what's been said, but Welcome to MSW. Ryland Craze 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...
Baker Posted August 20, 2020 Share #11 Posted August 20, 2020 mtaylor 1 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 Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch To do : Prins Willem Corel, Le Tonnant Corel, Yacht d'Oro Corel, Thermopylae Sergal 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 Si vis pacem, para bellum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTYankee Posted August 20, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted August 20, 2020 Thanks to all of you for the warm welcome! I’ll be starting a build log very soon Glad to hear I picked a good boat @Chris- yes, Silicon Valley it is. I’ve been here 10 years, with two years in San Diego before that. Speaking of SD, The Star of India is a very cool iron hulled sailing ship that has been turned into a museum. That boat, along with the Mayflower II, are really what peaked my interest in old sailing ships. @Tom- I hope you are not leaving because of the cold! I am considering moving back and the though of winter frightens me. I guess I’d have plenty of time to dedicate to my new hobby. Ryland Craze, ccoyle and mtaylor 3 Quote James Current Build: Lobster Boat Red Baron (Bluejacket) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted August 20, 2020 Share #13 Posted August 20, 2020 James, if you're not acquainted with them yet, you may be interested in attending a meeting of the South Bay Model Shipwrights. They meet in Los Altos. mtaylor 1 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...
Mike from Aus Posted August 20, 2020 Share #14 Posted August 20, 2020 Hello James, welcome to this forum from down under in Oz. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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