ccoyle Posted June 29, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 29, 2013 UPDATED JULY 2024 How would you like try building a model for free? Not only that, but how would you like to have as many attempts at completing it as you need without buying a replacement. One of the beauties of card modeling is that you can do exactly that -- build your first model for free, or at least pretty close to free. Many card model designers and publishers offer one or more free model kits. These usually come in the form of a downloadable PDF file. You simply download the file and print the kit on appropriate card stock. Technically the kit isn't completely free, since you supply the printer, paper, and ink, but you probably already have these on hand. One thing to keep in mind when considering a downloadable model is that almost all designs from anywhere other than the U.S. are formatted for A4-size paper. Occasionally designers will make their models available in 8.5" x 11" format, but this is the exception rather than the rule. U.S. modelers will need to scale their models to fit 8.5" x 11" or print the full-size pages in multiple pieces. The latter option wastes some paper and ink on redundant parts. With a free model, if you ruin it during construction, you're not out of a lot of money. Plus, you can simply reprint one or more pages and be right back in action. A WORD OF CAUTION!! Many unscrupulous vendors scan commercially available card model kits and then host the files at third party file sharing sites. Such are not 'free models'. They've been stolen. DO NOT PATRONIZE SUCH SITES! Models obtained from such sites are pirated and thus violate MSW's site guidelines. Besides, designing card models isn't a lucrative business. When you buy card models from legitimate sources, you help out our designer friends, who are often fellow modelers as well as designers. So where can one download some free models? Here are some sites to check out: Models 'n' Moore: This site offers a number of designs by the late Magnus Morck, mostly American Civil War gunboats. Paper Shipwright: Several free models of both warships and working boats. Give them a visit! Back to Part I: What is a card model? On to Part III: Shopping for Card Models Rik Thistle, ianmajor and BenD 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Speeljacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmajor Posted June 29, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 29, 2013 Excellent. Thanks for this info and very useful links. On the subject of copied commercial kits, do you have any advice on how to spot these so that we can avoid them? Quote Ian M. Current build: HMS Unicorn (1748) - Corel Kit Advice from my Grandfather to me. The only people who don't make mistakes are those who stand back and watch. The trick is not to repeat the error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevinne Posted June 29, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 29, 2013 Having built the plastic version of the V-106 torpedo boat, I always had a question about card models: Where does one get the fittings for things such as cannon barrels. Do you make them from card, buy them from a third party or construct them out of tubing? Quote Under construction: Mamoli Roter Lowe Completed builds: Constructo Enterprise, AL Le Renard Up next: Panart Lynx, MS Harriet Lane In need of attention: 14-foot Pintail in the driveway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted June 29, 2013 The short answer to that question is "yes"! Gun barrels can be rolled from paper, scratch-built from other media, or in some cases purchased as after-market accessories in the form of turned brass or aluminum barrels. Generic fittings such as railings and ladders are available as laser-cut or PE sets, and kit-specific detail sets are also available, usually including fiddly bits such as small armament, davits, and such. Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Speeljacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted July 5, 2013 On the subject of copied commercial kits, do you have any advice on how to spot these so that we can avoid them? First of all, never download a model from a third party file sharing site. Always download models from the designer's own web site or a site authorized to host them. Second, never buy CD's claiming to have "hundreds of models" from auction sites like eBay -- these are inevitably scans of commercial kits. If you shop at eBay or somewhere similar on-line, make sure the seller displays a photo of the printed kit booklet; it should have an artwork cover with the publisher's name plainly visible. ianmajor, qwerty2008, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Speeljacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmajor Posted July 5, 2013 Share #6 Posted July 5, 2013 Thanks Chris. Quote Ian M. Current build: HMS Unicorn (1748) - Corel Kit Advice from my Grandfather to me. The only people who don't make mistakes are those who stand back and watch. The trick is not to repeat the error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racedees Posted October 14, 2020 Share #7 Posted October 14, 2020 I found some ships on https://creativepark.canon/ and many other card models for free. Some are very basic, but ther are some worth a build I think like the Cutty Sark ccoyle, mtaylor and Canute 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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