A Long Time Coming

[Poppa Jim]

About sixty years ago I ran across a copy of To Glory We Steer, one of the Richard Bolitho series by Alexander Kent, in the Plattsburgh AFB library and started a decades-long on and off love affair with the fighting ships of that era. Made a few half-hearted attempts at modeling but was rapidly overcome. Then, about a month ago I ran across an ad in Smithsonian magazine for Model Expo’s Shipwright Series which sounded right up my alley. Currently working on my second attempt at the Norwegian Sailing Pram, waiting on the glue to dry after breaking (again!) the goddam aft transom support and trying to balance my latent OCD/perfectionism with a desire to learn some skills, which will involve tolerating mistakes. The Grand Banks Dory came out fair on the second try (I can only tolerate so many glue-unglue-reglue cycles before I start over from scratch). Gonna make a third attempt later. 
Been lurking the forums and build logs for a week or two and am seeing an improvement in my skill level as a result. Enjoying the new hobby, especially since my back will no longer tolerate golf. 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[Keith Black]

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

[Jim Lad]

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

 

John

[GGibson]

Welcome Jim!  The Norwegian Sailing Pram was a good start for me in this hobby.  You will enjoy your time with the ships you build.  Frustrating at times, yes, but you will have fun.  

 

My son and his family lived in Hanford for a few years, so flew into Fresno a few times. 👍

[Poppa Jim]

I am enjoying it!  Planning on staying with the smaller, less complex ships before I venture out of the kiddy pool, so to speak. My long term aim will be the Rattlesnake. 

[Chuck Seiler]

Call me a heretic, but I liked the Alexander Kent/Bolitho novels better than Patrick Obrien/Aubrey.

 

Welcome to the club.  Good luck!!!! 

 

[Poppa Jim]

6 hours ago, Poppa Jim said:

Aubrey started out as 75% shoot 'em up, 25% soap opera.  Over the course of the series that distribution was reversed.  Bolitho started out in combat and stayed that way.  I much preferred that.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Poppa Jim

[SiriusVoyager]

Welcome to MSW!

[mtaylor]

Welcome to MSW, Jim.  I suggest you start a build log when you're ready to do the kit.  It's probably the best way to get help and encouragement when you need it and you'll meet other modelers along the way.