Got a suggestion for books?

[USNCHief013107]

Probably a "loaded" question but here goes: If you could only buy 2 books that you could use to build any ship model with, which 2 books would they be? 

[GrandpaPhil]

Historic Ship Models by Wolfram Zu Monfeld.

 

That’s my go to.  It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good.

Edited January 6, 2022 by GrandpaPhil

[Gregory]

Definitely Historic Ship Models by Wolfram Zu Monfeld..

 

Considering they are free, any number of the instruction books available at ModelExpo would be my 2nd choice..

 

Particularly the one's by Chuck Passaro..  They are like tutorials that would apply to any number of ships besides the kit they

are written for.

 

A good example is the US Brig Syren

 

Look down the page for the 20 part instructions.

 

You will find similar if not as detailed, instructions for all Model Shipways kits..

 

They are not just instructions for the kit in question, they provide a lot of basic kit building and rigging information.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Gregory

[amateur]

Depends what you expect from the book

If you like cooking, buy a cook-book, if you are interested in history buy a history book. What I mean: your choice may depend on what you need/like

 

Mondfeld gives quite a lot of info, however, it does not very often go into the 'how do I do'.

Mastini (Ship modelling simplified) goes into extensive 'how to', but is rather focussed on 'kits' and not 'working from scratch'

Books like 'Young America' show both detail and how to, but are focussed on a very specific ship (although you can argue that a belaying pin, or a proper executed joint will show up in rather a few other shipmodels.)

 

A second thing you should take into consideration: books like Mondfeld (but lots more) are dating essentially from the late sixties, showing historic knowlegde from that period, building materials from that periode, and techniques from that period. Those techniques may still work, but both technique as well as machinery have come a long way since. The same applies to historic knowledge. You may like Mondfeld, you may consider him outdated. Depends on what you are looking for.

 

Third consideration: the whole digital universe is full of information. Google 'making deadeyes' or 'how to attach a block' and you will find loads of pages and instruction videos showing you how it can be done (the Passaro-tutorials are great indeed) . Far more difficult is finding detailed information on specific ships or of specific periods. The need for a 'general purpose book like Mondfeld is not so large as thirty years ago. You may consider therefore an alternative buying strategy: buy a book on something very specific: framing in the English Navy, Rigging of Tea-clippers, Books that can be read next to a hearth fire, with a glass of something, and getting all the general information from places like MSW. 

(and yes, Landstrom was my first book on ships, Hoeckel the second and Mondfeld came third.) 

 

Jan

Edited January 6, 2022 by amateur

[USNCHief013107]

Thank you for the tips, I now have a place to start. Cheers all!

Edited January 6, 2022 by USNCHief013107

[mtaylor]

Monfeld is my go-to starter when I need info.   Not the greatest for but for what it has it's enough to often answer my questions and get me started.   After that... it's a mixed bag of monographs from ANCRE, and assorted books like Hahn's, Dobbs and Moore, and others.  There is also the Net and Google is my friend for searching.   I do have a lot of site bookmarked as references.

[bolin]

I don’t have Monfelds book, so I can’t judge how it compares to my go to book, Harold Underhills Plank-on-frame models. It is a bit dated, and he does not describe the latest material or techniques. That is actually the books strength. He describe how to build a model using simple tools, many of which are home made. He wrote it just after the war when he had few tools available. This means that you learn the fundamentals, which can be simplified with access to better tools and materials. Such as modern glues.

[mtaylor]

10 hours ago, bolin said:

I don’t have Monfelds book, so I can’t judge how it compares to my go to book, Harold Underhills Plank-on-frame models. It is a bit dated, and he does not describe the latest material or techniques. That is actually the books strength. He describe how to build a model using simple tools, many of which are home made. He wrote it just after the war when he had few tools available. This means that you learn the fundamentals, which can be simplified with access to better tools and materials. Such as modern glues.

Underhill is a "how to" book while Modfeld is a "what this is" book.  Both are very useful though.