Le Coureur by ChazG - Shipyard - 1:96 - CARD

[ChazG]

Well started this build - not at all what I expected. Quite intriguing. Anyway dry fitted the  keel and frames went together very nicely.

Its all VERY SMALL !!

I have obtained the card for the further parts (which I was a  bit surprised wasnt in the kit )and awaiting the spray adhesive to laminate the card.

I would have happily paid a bit more for a few sheets of card of the correct thickness without the faff of lamination.

But its a much more interesting little project than I was expecting.  Nice to  discover something new !

[GrandpaPhil]

These kits are a lot of fun!

[ChazG]

At this cheap end of the market the instructions are not totally clear to a newbie in the field  - bit like  plastic model visual method.  But I think I have figured  the issues by dry building. 

 

It transpires that they give the parts  which are laser cut for the hull AGAIN on the main sheet, so they can be ignored.

 But on the same sheet are many parts which need to be laminated and used.

And it took me a while to figure that the build has a double main deck - one plain paper part 3 (with the number missing !!) and a very pretty printed deck part 21 - both laminated to .5mm .

 

I also did some strength testing by dropping the dry build several times and can report its very resilient.

 

 I was very impressed by how well the laser cut parts fitted.

 

Really great fun as Grandpa says.

 

So over the weekend  some gluing I think !

[ChazG]

I am having real grief with fingers and eyesight  in cutting out the quite tiny parts, tried a gun or two as an experiment.

Just found Catopowers Wolf build - all paper laser cut at that scale. One is tempted!! 

 Another learning  feature is that these models seem to need a lot of painting for edges etc . I just had not realised .

[ccoyle]

Chaz, 1/96 scale for sailing ships is a real challenge in any medium. I think you would find it very helpful to try one of the simpler free models that dot the internet landscape. You can find links in the card modeling tutorial.

[BenD]

2 hours ago, ChazG said:

Just found Catopowers Wolf build - all paper laser cut at that scale. One is tempted!!

I've been watching that build as well. I have the HMS Wolf on the shelf and keep looking in the box at the perfectly cut laser parts, drooling a bit.. then eventually putting it back. Need to finish other projects first. 

 

The 1/72 card kits are more expensive but you get so much more. I'd say do as much as you can with this one then try out laser-cut ones. They even have the Le Coureur in 1/72.

 

I'll be watching your progress, good luck.

[GrandpaPhil]

Chaz,

The Shipyard kits are some of the better kits that I have seen, in any media.  
 

I have most of their product line in my cart and/or wishlist at Ages Of Sails.

 

They originate in Poland where card models are very common.

 

Shipyard kits lend themselves very handily to modifications, bashing or becoming templates for scratch building.  
 

The instructions are more plans with assembly diagrams than instructions like would come with a plastic kit.

On a personal note, card models have been a lot of fun for me.

 

Having said that, they do come with a learning curve.

 

As far as glue goes, I typically use Mont Marte, a PVA glue, for about everything.

 

My best advice is to just work slowly and take your time.

 

I usually try to seal my work in periodically too.

 

If you have the option, it is easier to edge paint pieces before installing.

 

My last bit of advice is to preshape everything before trying to glue.  That will prevent warping.
 

Edited May 26, 2023 by GrandpaPhil

[ChazG]

Humm I wish i had used PVA !

Started using UHU as recommended in the build instructions.

Not good ! The UHU was quite hard to apply - quite "gummy" and stringy" and the card delaminated a bit and the glue seemed to "wet" the surface - so teeny trace of warp. And the glue  dried too fast while trying to fit many small fiddly pieces.

Was I using the right UHU I ask - just UHU all purpose?

 

I had the sense to stop , disassembly was mostly  easy . Let things settle then a touch of acetone released the joints that were harder stuck . So try again tomorrow, but with a somewhat diluted PVA rather than UHU.  I think that will better suit my personal application, assembly and adjustment speed.

 

But this paper model approach is sucking me in !!  I need to remember it was an assessment method to help select a suitable wooden Kit.   For a few pounds well worth wile and cheap fun !

But this scale is FAR too small so I will have to head to 1/64. 

I see Billings still do Lilla Dan - my first ever build whch must have been some 40 years ago  - how time flies !

What do people think of that kit _ i know Billings are not a hugely highly rated maker but nostalgia plays a part !

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome to the Card Side!

 

I built a ship out of card to see if I could.

 

I am now on my 4th.
 

Fortunately converting to 1/64 only involves a photocopier and a 150% scaling from 1/96.

 

I am most likely aborting my Shipyard Mercury build and buying a new one for that same purpose.

 

I have another one sitting in my Ages of Sails cart.

 

My Coureur kit will be used for that as well.

 

Also,  I do not thin down the PVA.  I just use apply it thinly.

 

I have never used UHU.

Edited May 27, 2023 by GrandpaPhil