Hello

[DerekMc]

Hello,  I'm new to the forum. Long time model builder focusing on free flight airplanes, high power amateur rocketry and narrow gauge model railroads. I like models of all types!  I've always likes boats and ships so now that I'm an empty nester I'm looking at building a ship of some sort.  I'm checking out the resources on this site and it all looks cool.  I love reading related to my interests so I joined The Nautical Research Guild pretty much for the Journal!

I have a dedicated room in a new home for my modeling and am in the midst of the set up. Still building a bit on the side though. The initial set up should be done in the next couple of weeks.  Big decision at the moment is how to vent the spray booth!  

 

A few of my modeling interests and figuring out how to insert images:

Peanut scale rubber powered flying Farman Moustique.  Not exact scale but it flies great! Balsa and Japanese Tissue

 

 

One of my high power rockets. A fanciful missile. 60 inches long.  I traded it to a friend.

 

 

The rocket on its way a few years ago- it hit about 3000ft (900m+) altitude.

 

 

Finally, a picture of me launching one of my Free flight competition rubber powered airplanes-  FAI F1B International class

 

 

Looks like I figured out how to share pictures. 🙂

Now to explore the site and research a nice first build ship!  Long term goal is a nice 1/48 ship to receive freight from my narrow gauge model railroad.  Lot's of options! 

Edited November 11, 2023 by DerekMc

[Knocklouder]

[mtaylor]

[Keith Black]

 Derek, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. 

[Thukydides]

welcome to MSW.

[Baker]

[bruce d]

Welcome to MSW from the UK. 

[Louie da fly]

Welcome to MSW, Derek! You might like to have a look at this site to work out what vessel you'd be best starting off with.

 

But definitely start with something simple, learn the skills that are specific to ship modelling (particularly wooden ship modelling!), and work up to something more complex as you gain confidence.

 

And when you begin your build, you should also start a build log. If it's a kit, go to https://modelshipworld.com/forum/130-build-logs-for-ship-model-kits-by-era-launch-date/ and choose your time-period, then follow the instructions here to begin the log: 

 

A build log is a great way to get help and advice from people who've been doing this for years. In my experience the membership here are very helpful and friendly.

 

And have fun with it! That's the whole point of doing this stuff.

 

Steven

 

[Wawona59]

Derek, Welcome to Model Ship World!  You've got quite a variety of modeling interests; aircraft, rockets, trains and now ships.  What kind of ships are you interested in?  Bluejacket and Model Shipways have some nice entry level wooden ship models that would be a good choice as a first ship model.  As it's been said many times on MSW, start small and work your way up to more complicated models later.  Although tempting, I would save the USS Constitution or HMS Victory for later.  This is a great forum.  Welcome Aboard!

[DerekMc]

On 11/12/2023 at 1:51 AM, Louie da fly said:

Welcome to MSW, Derek! You might like to have a look at this site to work out what vessel you'd be best starting off with.

 

But definitely start with something simple, learn the skills that are specific to ship modelling (particularly wooden ship modelling!), and work up to something more complex as you gain confidence.

 

And when you begin your build, you should also start a build log. If it's a kit, go to https://modelshipworld.com/forum/130-build-logs-for-ship-model-kits-by-era-launch-date/ and choose your time-period, then follow the instructions here to begin the log: 

 

A build log is a great way to get help and advice from people who've been doing this for years. In my experience the membership here are very helpful and friendly.

 

And have fun with it! That's the whole point of doing this stuff.

 

Steven

 

 

Thank you Steven. I will check out the thread you shared for sure. Believe me, I intend to have fun!

[DerekMc]

14 hours ago, Wawona59 said:

Derek, Welcome to Model Ship World!  You've got quite a variety of modeling interests; aircraft, rockets, trains and now ships.  What kind of ships are you interested in?  Bluejacket and Model Shipways have some nice entry level wooden ship models that would be a good choice as a first ship model.  As it's been said many times on MSW, start small and work your way up to more complicated models later.  Although tempting, I would save the USS Constitution or HMS Victory for later.  This is a great forum.  Welcome Aboard!

 

Thanks! I do have a variety of interests for sure. I'm not as involved with Free Flight contests and rocketry due to housing moves. Those events are a multiple hour drive away now.  I will still participate but at a lower level.  The model railroading and shipbuilding are "in my house" events that travel with me wherever I move. 

I decided to go with a Model Shipways Norwegian Sailing Pram as a first build. It's on its way and I'm looking forward to it's arrival.

[Ryland Craze]

Hi Derek and welcome to Model Ship World.  You have picked a good kit for your first ship model.  There are a lot of build logs on MSW for this kit and here is a link to them: https://modelshipworld.com/tags/Norwegian Sailing Pram/

 

I hope you start a build log on your model so that we can follow your progress.

 

 

[allanyed]

1 hour ago, DerekMc said:

I decided to go with a Model Shipways Norwegian Sailing Pram as a first build. It's on its way and I'm looking forward to it's arrival.

Welcome aboard.  You have made a very wise decision in your choice for a first build, you obviously did your homework.  We lose too many novitiates because they have chosen kits that are too advanced or are poorly designed.

Allan

 

 

 

[Auger]

Welcome! You’ll fit right in.

I need to come hang with you. Looking to build a L1 rocket here soon. I also still build the little ones although we’re limited to 500 ft AGL in France. Booooooooo……

 

 

[DerekMc]

20 minutes ago, Auger said:

Welcome! You’ll fit right in.

I need to come hang with you. Looking to build a L1 rocket here soon. I also still build the little ones although we’re limited to 500 ft AGL in France. Booooooooo……

 

 

Nice rocket!  Good luck with your Level 1.  I'm Level 2. I thought about Level 3 but it's to expensive. Those M size motors are pricey!   500ft AGL would be tough.  My club launches from a sod farm with 9,600ft limit. It's mighty nice! 

[Auger]

Might need to talk to you off-line about that. Maybe your club can answer an expat’s questions.

[DerekMc]

As I first posted, I'm organizing a new modelling room after a move.  I have lot's of tools. Many extras because a modeling friend of mine died recently and I received several boxes from his widow.  Lot's of great railroad books and tools. I hope to organize the extras and duplicates and make them available to fellow modelers. 

 

One corner of the room with a messy workbench:

 

 

Time to get organized. There is a ship kit showing up soon!

Edited November 13, 2023 by DerekMc
spellcheck

[DerekMc]

The clean, standing level workbench-  That's a big cork building board ready to go. I use this bench with a TAIG lathe as well.

 

[DerekMc]

Same bench with a free flight airplane I'm rebuilding and recovering. It's a plane originally built in the mid Fifties.  The builder died around 2002 and the plane was a gift to me.  All it needs is covering and it will be flying in honor of it's builder.

 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[DerekMc]

And it begins! 🙂 Kit arrived today and I checked to make sure all the part were present. One sheet had a split so grabbed the glue and clamps. 

 

 

I'll probably start a build log once I get going.