LCdr Dave Posted May 28, 2022 #1 Posted May 28, 2022 Hi Everyone, Moved to waterfront and feel the need to have a ship in the house. I've been modelling off and on for nigh on 50 years (had a bit of a hiatus during my military career) - mostly military miniatures then figurine painting, an O scale railroad, etc. I came across a Billings Boat model of the Mayflower in a second-hand store. It had been started (I'm told the lady had expert guidance but didn't get to finish it but all the parts were there) which makes me a little leery but... I've been perusing the site and the web for assistance and it appears that I inadvertently chose a dark horse. Only a few people even attempted it and less completed it. The instructions are a joke - at best they are guidance. So much to learn! So I have a hull that has been decked and some planking applied above the deck level and that is my starting point. At some point I will go through the box of parts to see what I have but first I need to finish building my work bench (I also dabble in furniture building) to fit my new hobby room. I figure I have lots of research and learning to do before I get going anyway. Anyway, that's me. I had good experiences with the model railroad line and hope to duplicate that here. There are some fantastic pieces of work here! Cheers from Vancouver Island, Dave Baker, Edwardkenway, AJohnson and 11 others 14 Quote LCdr Dave Current Build: Mayflower - Billing Boats
CPDDET Posted May 28, 2022 #2 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome! And thanks for giving us a peek into your background. As for your Mayflower: If there is any site that can assist you this one is it. Tons of experience here and a great group of friendly, helpful shipwrights. Dave Keith Black, Egilman, Edwardkenway and 5 others 8 Quote Current build: NRG Half Hull Previous build: MS Bluenose
Jim Lad Posted May 28, 2022 #3 Posted May 28, 2022 Hello Dave, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John mtaylor, Edwardkenway, Egilman and 3 others 6 Quote
Edwardkenway Posted May 28, 2022 #4 Posted May 28, 2022 welcome to MSW Egilman, mtaylor, Dave_E and 2 others 5 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 - on hold HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64 - FINISHED Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - FINISHED Providence whaleboat- 1:25 - FINISHED Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED
JeffT Posted May 28, 2022 #5 Posted May 28, 2022 mtaylor, Dave_E, Egilman and 1 other 4 Quote Jeff In progress: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48 HMS Sphinx - Vanguard
Baker Posted May 28, 2022 #6 Posted May 28, 2022 Best is to start a build log mtaylor, Keith Black and Egilman 3 Quote Regards, Patrick Finished : Soleil Royal Heller 1/100 Wasa Billing Boats Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch) Pelican / Golden Hind 1/45 scratch Current build : Mary Rose 1/50 scratch große-jacht / Yacht D'Oro 1/50 Corel Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch Shore leave, non ship models build logs : ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72 Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72 Autoblinda AB40 1/72 122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72 10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e) Centurion Mk.1 conversion M29 Weasel 1/72 SAM6 1/72 T26 Finland T26 TN 1/72 Autoprotetto S37 1/72 Opel Blitz buses 1/72 Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72 Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72 Cleaning the 1/72 military collection Si vis pacem, para bellum
allanyed Posted May 28, 2022 #7 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome aboard David!! Glad to see you giving ship modeling a go. 7 hours ago, LCdr Dave said: The instructions are a joke - at best they are guidance. Yours is not alone, but as stated above there are many here that can help you get through it. Keep in mind there are a couple alternatives that would be much better choices to start to hone your skills. Allan Keith Black, mtaylor and Dave_E 3 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
druxey Posted May 28, 2022 #8 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome aboard, Dave! mtaylor, Dave_E and Keith Black 3 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv
Keith Black Posted May 28, 2022 #9 Posted May 28, 2022 Dave, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. mtaylor and Dave_E 2 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
Peanut6 Posted May 28, 2022 #10 Posted May 28, 2022 Glad to have you join us Dave. Your background should really help you transition to wooden model ships. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to attempt to pick up after someone else on a challenging build for your "toe in the water" initiation. There is nothing to say you couldn't put your Mayflower in drydock and select a kit better suited for a first build. What ever you decide, rest assured you've come to the best place to obtain help, guidance and to learn the techniques of the hobby. Everyone here is eager to share their knowledge and give advice in an honest and nonjudgemental fashion. Sometimes it isn't always what you want/hope to hear, but it is always to your benefit. A build log is the best way to document your progress and show a situation if/when you need a little help. It is also of major assistance to others who are building the same ship as you've set a course that can be followed. Take your time and be patient. Remember that we all make mistakes, even the best shipwrights here were beginners once and any mistake can be fixed (if you decide it is worth fixin'). Take your time, be patient and enjoy the voyage. Keith Black, Dave_E and mtaylor 3 Quote Take care and be safe. kev Current Build: HMS Bounty's Jolly Boat - Artesania Latina On the shelf: Oseberg #518 - Billing Boats
AJohnson Posted May 28, 2022 #11 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome to MSW Dave! 👋 Loved Vancouver Island when I was lucky enough to vacation there many years ago! 😀 mtaylor and Keith Black 2 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
Dlowder Posted May 28, 2022 #12 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome to MSW. I started the Billings Mayflower back in 1999 and it sounds like I got about as far as the one you have. I stopped when I got to the point of needing to bend planks around the bow. I'm not going to get back to it until I finish some other projects. Don't look at the dust! David Dave_E, mtaylor, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Current Build: HMS Victory Cross Section
mtaylor Posted May 28, 2022 #13 Posted May 28, 2022 Welcome to MSW, Dave. Yes.. the Billing kit is not for beginners. Historically, their instructions are not for the faint of heart and sketchy is an understatement as they are really just a guideline as the plans are the important part. Good advise has been given about starting simple and also build logs. You might look into the ModelExpo's beginner's kits. Dave_E, Keith Black and Peanut6 3 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)
allanyed Posted May 28, 2022 #14 Posted May 28, 2022 Dave and David Be sure to peruse the list of tutorials in the Articles data base here at MSW. There is a wealth of information, including how to taper and spile or wet bend the planking at the bow to avoid the make-believe style of planking shown in many kits. Allan Keith Black, Peanut6 and mtaylor 3 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU
Dave_E Posted May 28, 2022 #15 Posted May 28, 2022 (edited) Hi Dave, Welcome to the forum, lots of experience and fun here for sure. Welcome aboard! LCdr in the RCN? Edited May 28, 2022 by Dave_E Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Dave Current builds: Rattlesnake Completed builds: Lady Nelson On the shelf: NRG Half Hull Project, Various metal, plastic and paper models
LCdr Dave Posted May 29, 2022 Author #16 Posted May 29, 2022 Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Jeff, you a Led Zep fan? ..and Jim I thought your avatar would be upside down ... I will start a build log once I actually start to build or make any kind of progress. Getting the work space finished must come first! Cheers, Dave Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote LCdr Dave Current Build: Mayflower - Billing Boats
LCdr Dave Posted May 29, 2022 Author #17 Posted May 29, 2022 Haha! My ship looks the same as yours, David, minus the stain. No navy experience - Army, but I figured I should translate to the navy for fun. Dave mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote LCdr Dave Current Build: Mayflower - Billing Boats
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