DB789 Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1 Posted February 9, 2022 Hi, I’m a new member and looking to get started making wooden ships. I have limited experience - made some plastic models as a kid and more recently my only experience with wood - a Guillows RC balsa aircraft - completed but never actually flew as it came out too heavy. I read the excellent guide to choosing a first model on MSW, but I think I need a model that is both very easy to start with and has a practicum / step-by-step guide to learn the skills. The practicums for the Sultana and Phantom look superb but I suspect that both models are too complex for me as a first build. I’m thinking of starting with the Maristella Beginners Level 1 boats. Would anyone recommend these? Many thanks for any help and advice. Dan ccoyle, Ryland Craze, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Dan Current Build: Yacht Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Previous Builds: Fifie (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Nisha (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Zulu (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Saucy Jack (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Erycina (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HMS Alert (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Grecian (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Ranger (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HM Gun Brig Adder (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Waiting to be Built: Speedy (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted February 9, 2022 Share #2 Posted February 9, 2022 (edited) You might consider one of the smaller boats from Vanguard like Erycina, Nisha Fifie ‘Lady Eleanor’, Zulu ‘Lady Isabella’.. You can download the manual for free for some if not all of these at the Vanguard site. The vanguard manuals are like practicums, and there are many logs here at MSW.. If you want to order in North America, another of our sponsors Crafty Sailor has many of these kits.. Edited February 9, 2022 by Gregory Keith Black, mtaylor, Ryland Craze and 1 other 4 Quote “Indecision may or may not be my problem.” ― Jimmy Buffett Current builds: Rattlesnake On Hold: HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett ) In the Gallery: Yacht Mary, Gretel, French Cannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted February 9, 2022 Share #3 Posted February 9, 2022 Welcome aboard! I have no personal knowledge of the MarisStella kits, but the company is well-regarded. Model Shipways also offers a progressive series of kits aimed at beginners, designed by David Antscherl, who is a respected modeler and member of our community. You can check those kits out HERE. BlueJacket Shipcrafters also produces kits for beginners, particularly those who think they might prefer the solid-hull approach to modeling; the owner of that company is likewise a member here. You can browse the BlueJacket offerings HERE in the "Ensign Builders" category. Cheers! Ryland Craze, Keith Black, allanyed and 1 other 4 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB789 Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted February 9, 2022 Super - thank you both. I’ll have a look. I’m UK-based so I’ll see what is available here. Ryland Craze, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Dan Current Build: Yacht Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Previous Builds: Fifie (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Nisha (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Zulu (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Saucy Jack (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Erycina (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HMS Alert (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Grecian (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Ranger (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HM Gun Brig Adder (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Waiting to be Built: Speedy (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted February 9, 2022 Share #5 Posted February 9, 2022 1 minute ago, DB789 said: I’m UK-based so I’ll see what is available here. Definitely check out the Vanguard kits, then. Owner Chris Watton is one of the best in the business. Gregory, Ryland Craze, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted February 9, 2022 Share #6 Posted February 9, 2022 10 minutes ago, ccoyle said: Chris Watton is one of the best in the business. Don't forget, Chris is a member here and always quick to answer any questions... Keith Black and Ryland Craze 2 Quote “Indecision may or may not be my problem.” ― Jimmy Buffett Current builds: Rattlesnake On Hold: HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett ) In the Gallery: Yacht Mary, Gretel, French Cannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJohnson Posted February 9, 2022 Share #7 Posted February 9, 2022 Welcome to MSW Dan 👋 I can only echo what the others have already said about initial models to have a go at, there a few of the Vanguard Trawlers being built on MSW at the moment, you can use the search facility to look them up in the kit build section of the forum. Keith Black, mtaylor and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Andrew Current builds:- HM Gun-brig Sparkler - Vanguard (1/64) , HMAV Bounty - Caldercraft (1/64) Completed (Kits):- Vanguard Models (1/64) :- HM Cutter Trial , Nisha - Brixham trawler Caldercraft (1/64) :- HMS Orestes(Mars), HM Cutter Sherbourne Paper Shipwright (1/250) :- TSS Earnslaw, Puffer Starlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted February 9, 2022 Share #8 Posted February 9, 2022 You can buy BlueJacket kits from Premier Ship Models in the UK mtaylor, Gregory, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted February 9, 2022 Share #9 Posted February 9, 2022 Welcome to MSW, Dan. When you're ready, by all means open a build log. It's the best way to get help and also to meet other modelers. Ryland Craze and Keith Black 2 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...
Keith Black Posted February 9, 2022 Share #10 Posted February 9, 2022 Dan, welcome to MSW. Hope to be seeing you build log in the not too distant future. Ryland Craze, mtaylor and Gregory 3 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB789 Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share #11 Posted February 9, 2022 Thanks for such a warm welcome. I need to have a look at all these and do some research. The Vanguard instructions certainly look ideal for me. mtaylor, Gregory and Keith Black 3 Quote Dan Current Build: Yacht Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Previous Builds: Fifie (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Nisha (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Zulu (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Saucy Jack (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Erycina (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HMS Alert (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Grecian (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Ranger (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HM Gun Brig Adder (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Waiting to be Built: Speedy (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted February 9, 2022 Share #12 Posted February 9, 2022 Hi Dan and welcome to Model Ship World. You have received some good advice on selecting your first ship model kit. I look forward to seeing your choice for your first build. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 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...
DB789 Posted February 12, 2022 Author Share #13 Posted February 12, 2022 Thanks again for all the advice. I have had a good look at the options and have settled on Vanguard’s Fifie “Lady Eleanor” as my first model. As well as being an attractive little trawler, her hull looks to be a relatively straightforward shape for a first build and the rigging quite simple, as well as superb detailed instructions (having these available on the website was a huge selling point for me). I’m sure I’ll make lots of mistakes, but this looks like an good place to start. I will post a build log, but it will be a very slow (and probably messy) build. I’m expecting most of the rest of the year - between kids and work I suspect i’ll only get 3-4 hours each week working on her. Keith Black, ccoyle, Gregory and 1 other 4 Quote Dan Current Build: Yacht Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Previous Builds: Fifie (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Nisha (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Zulu (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Saucy Jack (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Erycina (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HMS Alert (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Grecian (Vanguard Models, 1:64), Ranger (Vanguard Models, 1:64), HM Gun Brig Adder (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Waiting to be Built: Speedy (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted February 12, 2022 Share #14 Posted February 12, 2022 welcome to MSW Dan mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niwotwill Posted February 17, 2022 Share #15 Posted February 17, 2022 Hi Dan and welcome aboard. You've been given excellent advice on where to start and how to get help. This forum and build logs has been invaluable to my building. I'm building Erycina by Vanguard and it is not a beginner kit but still a simple model. The David Antscherl kits are a great way to start and make fine looking models along with his great tips of how too. Just a personal note of starting too big I did and lost interest with it and came back to a smaller kit that I could finish and admire while working on a larger model. Regards and welcome Will Keith Black and Dave_E 2 Quote Current Build: Erycina 1882 Fishing Trawler by Vanguard Models 1:64 scale Syren by pearwill Model Shipways 1:64 scale On Hold: HM Cutter Cheerful Syren Shipmodel Scratch 1:48 scale 1776 Washington Row Galley scratch scratch from NRG plans #121 1:48 scale Completed Build: Charles W. Morgan by Artesania Latina circa 1988, Lowell Grand Banks Dory 1:24 scale by Model Shipways, Norwegian.Sailing Pram 1:12 scale by Model Shipways, Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack 1:24 scale by Model Shipways Member Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_E Posted February 17, 2022 Share #16 Posted February 17, 2022 Hi Dan- Welcome aboard! 👍 Keith Black 1 Quote Dave Current builds: Rattlesnake Completed builds: Lady Nelson On the shelf: NRG Half Hull Project, Various metal, plastic and paper models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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