New member, happy to be here

[Joanie]

Hi. 

 

I'm working on my first model, the Billing Boats Bluenose #576 (the 1:65 version). It is actually going surprisingly well as I work my way through the body of the boat (decking, planking, furniture and fittings, etc.). The work isn't perfect, but, for a first effort, I am pleasantly surprised. I'm really enjoying the work of it. It is very satisfying. 

 

I am starting to get a little bogged down with the masts, rigging, and sails. Billing seems to take a minimalist approach to their drawings and instructions. I'm struggling to discern what I am supposed to do from the meager drawings. The what is minimal, and the how is non existent. (I'm not sure how typical this is.) I've done some reading, and I'm getting a better sense of where I'm going, but still I wish I had some good, systematic, model specific instructions to work from.

 

I'm hoping that I can begin to ask some specific questions and learn a few things in this site.

So far, I've loved this experience. I get stuck; I figure it out. I make a mistake; I fix it... It is lovely and contemplative and slow.

 

I will read some more and then put out a few questions.

 

I do have one immediate question, however. I'm looking for a few good books, something systematic with enough theory. In a perfect world it would read like a modern college science textbook--structured with lots of good, clear photos. I'm dubious that such a thing exists. Despite my presence here, I am much more of a book person than I am a computer person. I'm not good at digging around on the internet for info. So far I have Ship Modeling Simplified, by Frank Mastini, Ship Modeling from Stem to Stern, by Milton Roth, and Rigging Period Fore-and-Aft Craft, by Lennarth Peterson. (There were a few others as well that I returned.) These are all okay, but none of them are ideal.

 

Thanks.

 

Joanie

 

https://www.billingboatsusa.com/product/576-bluenose/

 

https://bluenose.novascotia.ca/virtual-tour

 

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Welcome, and very nice job on the hull! 

[Dziadeczek]

Also, I recommend "Historic Ship Models" by Wolfram zu Mondfeld.

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

 

I agree wholeheartedly with @Dziadeczek about “Historic Ship Models” by Wolfram Zu Mondfeld!

 

I have worn several copies out over the last 30 years and the newest copy always sits on my workbench.

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard!

[Wawona59]

Welcome to Model Ship World Joanie.

 

I'm partial many of the older modeling books.  One of my favorites is The Ship Model Builder's Assistant by Charles Davis.(1926).  It's available at many used book stores such as Powell's Books.  I think it still might be published by Dover Books.  I like this book because Mr. Davis frequently explains how various pieces of sailing ship equipment works.

 

Good luck in your ship modeling journey.  Beautiful work on the schooner model by the way.

 

[Baker]

Very nice work 

[bruce d]

Hello Joanie and welcome to MSW. 

The hull is looking good.  Maybe you have already used the forum's search facility to find other build logs for Bluenose and see how they tackled the masts and rigging?  Together with the reference material from the reccomended books the logs should complete the job the Billings instructions started. 

Bruce 

[Keith Black]

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

[Ryland Craze]

Welcome to Model Ship World Joanie.  Your Bluenose is coming along nicely.

[Knocklouder]

Bob M

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Ahoy Joanie !    'Glad to have you aboard.   You've done VERY well so far, and I understand your frustrations that the instructions and illustrations in the Billing kit are somewhat lean.  But I have a suggestion to offer that will come in most handy at the stage of the build you are in.  It is a book (now out of print, but a copy can be found on-line ... I got mine through Amazon.)

 

  It is "Bluenose II - Saga of the Great Fishing Schooners" by L.B. Jenson  published by Nimbus (1994) ... Soft cover 11 x 14 format of the original hand drafted drawings with cursive text.

 

  Don't be put off that the subject is the Bluenose 2,  as the author has included hull drawings of Bluenose (I) on pp.66-67 - and notes that the masting and rigging of the two schooners were virtually identical.  So the copious and detailed drawings of everything above deck level (sails, rigging, blocks, etc.) are perfectly useable for both Bluenose and Bluenose II.  (As can be found today on-line, there was a controversial 're-build' of Bluenose II where many changes were made, although the 'new' ship looks much the same at a distance.  The A.L. kit seems to model the present version, so I'll use Jenson's book to be closer to the original Bluenose II.)

 

  The Jenson book goes FAR more into the origin, contemporary schooners, the life of the fisherman and much more.  I can heartily recommend this book, and can't imagine building a model of Bluenose or Bluenose II without consulting it.

 

Fair sailing !               Johnny 

[DanielD]

Welcome to MSW!

[Joanie]

Thanks everyone for the warm greeting and the kind words. I have worked very hard up to this point, so it is nice to get some positive feedback.

 

Thanks also for the book recommendations. I will spend some time with these.

 

Joanie

[SiriusVoyager]

Welcome to MSW!  I have been doing this a little over a year now, and I have found that The Ship Model Builder's Assistant by Charles G Davis and Historic Ship Models by Wolfram Zu Mondfeld seem to be the best books go spend the most using and have the most detailed, but general, information.  They both have a textbook type feel to them.