HMS Ontario by David Lester - MarisStella - 1:48 - Terminated

[Tom in NC]

David:

 

Sorry about your throwing in the towel on this model.  I've never done that (yet) but I can imagine making such a decision.  I have done one project during this modeling lifetime (I returned to ship building a few years ago after a 45 year sabbatical -- called making a living)  that I went ahead and finished even though I was not happy with the work that I'd done. My son loved the thing so I gave it to him and he brags about my work.  I can live with that.

 

The real reason I'm writing is to tell you that I'm starting on the Model Shipways Charles W. Morgan next week (my birthday present to myself) , and I am planning to use your fantastic CWM build log as a guide.  I don't know if I can match your work, but I'm gonna try like hell.  

 

Best of luck on whatever your next project turns out to be. 

 

Tom In NC 

Tom Hoxie

[David Lester]

Hi Tom,

Thank you very much for your kind words. In my opinion, the CWM is a superb kit and so far as I can tell, the plans are very accurate. It was my favourite kit to build. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it too. If you haven't already done so, be sure to look at www.charleswmorganmodel.com. If I remember right, the builder's name is John and he has shared dozens of pictures of the real CWM which are very helpful for clarifying details. And be sure to look at this article https://thenrg.org/resources/Documents/articles/BuildingGuidefForATryworks.pdf which is really a good one. I think it was the same writer who also had a great tip for building the seven whaling boats. The exteriors are easy to shape, but the interiors can be very difficult to do. The suggestion was to glue up the layers of the boats, then cut them in half lengthwise. It's then much easier to carve the interiors. When you've done that simply glue them back together and carry on shaping the exteriors and adding the finishing details. I love this solution because it is so counter-intuitive but it works like a charm.

 

I have a few models under my belt now, but displaying them is getting to be quite a problem, so I'm trying to find homes for them. The CWM now lives at my son's house and my grandson now has my Rattlesnake displayed in his room along with his Lego collection. My last (completed) model was the Model Shipways Bluenose, which is another great kit and my daughter has expressed an interest in having it. The problem is, it's one that I really don't want to give up, so my next project will be a second one. I have ordered it and will be starting as soon as it arrives. It's a popular kit and is frequently out of stock at Model Expo, but I found one at Cornwall Model Boats. I can't believe that I will be building the same kit for a second time, but that's the way it's turning out.

 

Thanks again, and best of luck with your CWM.

David

[ShaneofGY]

Very late to the party  for me but as this was one of the potential return to modelling kits I was looking at, you may just have saved me a substantial amount of pennies.
I had been looking at Stefano from these which seems to have good reviews but may potentially be a big project for a start up.
Decisions, decisions, I keep going back to Vanguards offerings but I need to make my mind up soon

[David Lester]

Hi Shane, I can't comment on the Stefano. I know others have had good luck with it, but after my expensive nightmare with the Ontario, I would never choose it for myself. Also, it does look like a pretty big project.

 

Vanguard would be an excellent choice - any of Alert, Flirt and Speedy. My experience with Speedy, which I'm working on right now,  has been excellent. It offers enough challenge, but you don't have to "fight the kit" to get a good result, meaning it's well engineered.  And both the plans and instructions are excellent.

 

I'm also a fan of Model Shipways kits. They have great plans. The instructions are a little weak, but the plans are very comprehensive and the models go together well. They offer many good options.

 

Anyway, have fun making your choice.

David

[allanyed]

Shane,

 

Based on the many build logs and comments here at MSW, Syren and the Antscherl series from Model Shipways, as well as Vanguard, are worth your investigation for a realistic looking model as well as clear instructions.  

 

Allan

[ShaneofGY]

David/Allen

Thank you both for your input.

I continue to browse but looking at various reviews and both your contributions, I feel an order will be going in to Vanguard. 

Flirt or Speedy will be my choice, still deciding if I want to attempt coppering the hull or stick to painting so that will be the final decider.  

Shane

[allanyed]

If you decide to use copper sheathing you might want to study Yve's Bellona build as it is possibly the only coppering on the various build logs that looks somewhat realistic although they should overlap but don't.   The plates are to scale  and there are SMALL nail dents instead of what look like giant rivets seen on other build logs.    modelshipworld.com/topic/29729-hms-bellona-by-yves-vidal-caf-model-148/page/6/

 

Allan