New member from Montana

[DanBArt]

Hello,

I am a new member residing in the state of Montana.   I am in my late 40s, a 20-year veteran of the rail industry,  and have been an avid modeler for most of my life.  Modeling subjects of interest for me have ranged from cars, armor, aircraft, motorcycles, and sci-fi to an occasional plastic sailing ship model.  

About 10 years ago I purchased the Heller 1/100th HMS Victory kit as a 'retirement' project, when I get there.  I've been lugging that huge box around for years but so far have resisted the urge to start it.

I do love wooden sailing vessel models but l have also been intimidated by them.  It's a slightly different skillset than is required for plastic modeling.  A couple years ago I purchased a very old Marine Models viking ship kit that I'm planning on starting soon.  Near as I can tell the model is from the mid-70s and appears complete.   More on that kit in a dedicated build post.  After that I bought a very cheap wood kit off Amazon that I think will build into a nice little model with some work and patience.   It is mostly my sampler to try out a planked hull as the old viking boat is a solid hull.   And lastly I have a Revell viking ship plastic kit that is started but I put down a couple years ago.  

I'm here for history and resource materials, wood kit tips and tricks, part and material supplier information, and people and projects to keep me motivated.   Thanks for having me. 

[Keith Black]

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

[Knocklouder]

This is the place to be !!!!

[Jaager]

1 hour ago, DanBArt said:

It is mostly my sampler to try out a planked hull as the old viking boat is a solid hull. 

It is not necessarily an  either-or situation.   Do a final shaping on the outside of the solid hull.  Fix it to a base upside down and use it as a mould for planking.  Study the planking run using serious sources. I don't think the serious up curve at each end is what it appears to be.  It is carving in large chunks of wood I think - not my area.

[DanBArt]

Thank you for the warm welcome! 

[JeffT]

[mtaylor]

[Baker]

[Jim Lad]

Hello Dan, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[allanyed]

Hello Dan,

Welcome to the fray.  It is great place to share and learn, enjoy the ride.

Allan

 

[ScottRC]

Welcome,

I was raised in Great Falls and went to school in Havre and was the only one building sailing ships in my club.  I now live in Kansas.

[DanBArt]

Thanks again to all the new comments.   While I'm a very experienced modeler in plastic, much of ship modeling is new to me.  Between my modeling, art, and mechanical background experience I'm confident I can become skilled at this as well, assuming my eyes and hands keep functioning ok, and I like the nature of the materials utilized in this niche.  Thanks again for having me. 

[No Idea]

Welcome to MSW Dan 

[DanBArt]

23 hours ago, Jaager said:

It is not necessarily an  either-or situation.   Do a final shaping on the outside of the solid hull.  Fix it to a base upside down and use it as a mould for planking.  Study the planking run using serious sources. I don't think the serious up curve at each end is what it appears to be.  It is carving in large chunks of wood I think - not my area.

Thank you.  That thought had crossed my mind, to use it as a mold but it's quite small and not really a shape or size that I would think I would like to build again.  A technique I may employ, however,  is planking on top of the solid hull itself, for the sake of finer detail on this model. 

[Mercator]

Welcome from landlocked Idaho. Like you I have been modeling for many years but only recently started on wood models. Indeed some people do plank over solid hulls. I, personally , never did so. Instead started with an "easier" and smaller kit which had a hull form that I could tackle. Also double planking is a must for beginner. Good luck it is a challenging but rewarding hobby.

[DanBArt]

2 hours ago, Mercator said:

Welcome from landlocked Idaho. Like you I have been modeling for many years but only recently started on wood models. Indeed some people do plank over solid hulls. I, personally , never did so. Instead started with an "easier" and smaller kit which had a hull form that I could tackle. Also double planking is a must for beginner. Good luck it is a challenging but rewarding hobby.

Thanks for the information!   Yes, we'll see what I decide to do on that old model.  It does seem a bit of a complex form to plank for a beginner.   

I'm also looking at some very basic kits to cut my teeth on.  The China Amazon kit I have is supposed to be my sacrificial lamb as it literally cost under 20 bucks but seems a nice little kit for that paltry price.  Both of these 2 kits are designed to fulfill the role of test mules though the viking ship is a very old, classic kit that I really want to do justice.

[DanBArt]

13 hours ago, ScottRC said:

Welcome,

I was raised in Great Falls and went to school in Havre and was the only one building sailing ships in my club.  I now live in Kansas.

Another Montanan!  It seems Model Ship World is a small world!  I'm in the Billings/Molt area.  Born and raised in Laurel.

[Capt. Kelso]

Welcome. If you are new to wooden ship modelling, especially planking, a couple of quick suggestions. The NRG Store offers a 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (click on the NRG tab above). This kit provides step by step instructions to include tips on calculating and spacing planks. Also, Model Shipways Shipwright Series has excellent kits, there are numerous postings on this site regarding the Dory.

 

Regarding the Marine Models Viking Kit, it was either first released in 1966 or 1967. I have a copy the 67 Catalog (yes, I have been around a long time) and it is the first kit listed, $17.50. I built this kit and planked it many years ago. While I have planked numerous solid hulls, this one was a particular challenge. Trying to replicate the curved planking on the bow and stern was a tedious task, couldn't use basswood strips, had to use a sheet of basswood and French curve template. And, as with any solid hull kit, thinning the bulwarks requires patience.

 

Good luck with your projects, this site is a good place to get feedback and tips.

[Wawona59]

Welcome to Model Ship World Dan!  You are definitely in the right place.  There many forum members who freely give their advice as well as share research information.  Everyone is friendly and encouraging; even when I posted pictures of my hatchet job on a clipper ship model.  You will definitely find MSW to be a valuable resource.  Make sure you check out the other forums on the MSW site and "how-to" articles.  I encourage you to read Chuck Passaro's article on planking as well as his planking videos on YouTube.  He makes planking look so simple.

 

Welcome Aboard! 

[DanBArt]

5 hours ago, Capt. Kelso said:

Welcome. If you are new to wooden ship modelling, especially planking, a couple of quick suggestions. The NRG Store offers a 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (click on the NRG tab above). This kit provides step by step instructions to include tips on calculating and spacing planks. Also, Model Shipways Shipwright Series has excellent kits, there are numerous postings on this site regarding the Dory.

 

Regarding the Marine Models Viking Kit, it was either first released in 1966 or 1967. I have a copy the 67 Catalog (yes, I have been around a long time) and it is the first kit listed, $17.50. I built this kit and planked it many years ago. While I have planked numerous solid hulls, this one was a particular challenge. Trying to replicate the curved planking on the bow and stern was a tedious task, couldn't use basswood strips, had to use a sheet of basswood and French curve template. And, as with any solid hull kit, thinning the bulwarks requires patience.

 

Good luck with your projects, this site is a good place to get feedback and tips.

Thank you so much for this valuable information!   I am looking hard at the dory,  though may jump up to the Norwegian pram or even the lobster smack first.  I definitely want something with some masts and sails.  I have enough model ship experience to know I want that aspect of the challenge.   But I have a soft spot for the dory though too, as I've featured them in my own art as did Homer.

The date on my Marine Models kit plans is 1966, so yes, 66 or 67 would be correct.   It came with a full catalog and price list from either 73 or 74 (the year I was born), and a hand written letter from someone within either a distributorship that sold the model or Marine Models itself.  Planking it would be very difficult I think, and I don't think it will be my last viking subject,  so I kind of want to stay a little true to what the model is...an old solid hull,  and try to use my own craftsmanship to make it an accurate and attractive model. 

I will certainly check out that NRG Merchantman as well...that sounds like a great subject.  Thank you! 

[DanBArt]

6 hours ago, Wawona59 said:

Welcome to Model Ship World Dan!  You are definitely in the right place.  There many forum members who freely give their advice as well as share research information.  Everyone is friendly and encouraging; even when I posted pictures of my hatchet job on a clipper ship model.  You will definitely find MSW to be a valuable resource.  Make sure you check out the other forums on the MSW site and "how-to" articles.  I encourage you to read Chuck Passaro's article on planking as well as his planking videos on YouTube.  He makes planking look so simple.

 

Welcome Aboard! 

Thanks so much!  I will definitely look fir Chuck's videos!  I searched a bit on YouTube for so good videos but was a bit let down in what I found.  I'm pretty sure I did not see his videos.  Thanksa