1:24 Lowell Grand Banks Dory - by Model Shipways - Kit Review

[kurtvd19]

New Shipwright’s Series from Model Shipways

LOWELL GRAND BANKS DORY  -  Kit #MS1470

      Skill Level 1       Scale 1:24

Overall Length 10 inches   Overall Height 1 1/2 inches   Overall Width 3 inches

    Baseboard  3 1/2 inches x 11 inches

This is the first kit in the new Shipwright’s Series of progressive model tutorials designed by David Antscherl for Model Shipways a division of Model Expo.  These kits fill a void in our hobby for simple but good kits that teach the new model builders the necessary skills to enable them to move on to build bigger more complex kits. 

PHOTO OF FINISHED MODEL BELOW BY MODEL SHIPWAYS

27 PAGE INSTRUCTION MANUAL

For many years, Midwest Model Products manufactured a great series of kits that were designated as Level 1 through Level 4 designed to teach the beginner wood boat modeler the basic skills a wooden boat modeler needs to learn.  New ownership cancelled the line several years ago and the hobby has needed replacements which Model Shipways is now providing with the new Shipwright’s Series.

 

The Lowell Grand Banks Dory kit is labeled as a Skill Level 1 kit and the instructions say, “For this introductory kit, no previous knowledge is as­sumed or necessary”.  The second kit in the series, labeled as a Skill Level 2 kit is a 1:12 scale Norwegian Sailing Pram and the instructions say, “For this second, intermediate kit, some previous knowledge is necessary in order to be successful”.  (The Norwegian Sailing Pram is reviewed separately here on MSW).

 

 

 A nice feature of the kit series is the listing of all tools needed to build each kit. 

Unpacking the box finds a 27 page full color instruction manual, a list of all the parts contained in the box, eight sheets of laser cut Basswood, two strips of 1/16” x 1/16” x 12” Basswood, one strip of 3/64” x 1/8” x 12 Basswood, one strip of 3/64” x 3/64” x 6” Basswood and a 12” piece of 2mm (0.08”) nylon line.  Overall, the materials are very good.

 

 

There are two versions of this kit available.  The basic kit (#1470) and the basic kit with the addition of all tools, paint and glue needed to complete the kit (#1470CB).  The tools and paint included are tweezers, 6 mini spring clamps, 3 paintbrushes, 2 pieces of sandpaper (150 & 220 grit), a Model Expo brand (Xacto type) knife and 3 blades (#11, saw and chisel), wood glue, Model Expo brand 1 oz. bottles of acrylic Ochre paint and Bulwark Dark Green paint.

 

 

I highly recommend the new Shipwright series of kits from Model Shipways.  I recommend this kit for the first kit to build from the series.  If you are asked by a fledging modeler to recommend a good kit to start with I have no hesitation in recommending that they be told to look at the new Shipwright’s Series and that this kit be number one.

 

 

[BobG]

Nice review, Kurt.

 

These models are a great introduction to the hobby. I used to read MSW off and on for several years before I decided to actually build a boat and, by then, I knew very well that starting with a nice, basic kit would be the best way to test the waters. My first build was also a dory boat, the Saint Malo by Artesania Latina. After that, I was hooked. I would have bought the MS kit if it had been available back then.

[Ryland Craze]

That is a nice looking model.  I am glad that Model Shipways is producing a kit for first time builders.  You could not have a better teacher than David Antscherl, the designer of this kit.  The description of this kit states it is the first in a series of progressive model tutorials.  This is definitely what a new builder needs to improve their skills.  So many new builders come into this hobby, get frustrated with their build and leave, never to come back.  This series of kits should give them the confidence to complete their models and move on to more complicated ship models.