The Built-Up Ship Model by Charles Davis: Still Worth Using?

[dcicero]

I came upon a First Edition of Charles Davis' The Built-Up Ship Model a while back.  It's a cool book, but I wonder how useful it is now.  The book was originally published in 1933.  I love reading old model building books just to see how people built ship models before most people had a lot of power tools, computers, digital research capabilities and all the modern stuff like photoetch and really great fittings.

 

So, if a guy wanted to build the Lexington, would Davis' methods be worth pursuing?  Or has the Swan-class books completely replaced this old book?

 

 

 

Dan

[Wawona59]

Charles Davis' ship modeling books are still relevant today, in my opinion.  They show you how a respectable ship model can be built without a shop full of power tools.  I also like Harold Underhill's books such as Plank on Frame Models vol.1 and 2 and "Masting and Rigging of Clipper Ships and the Ocean Carrier".  I enjoy using hand tools primarily to build my wooden ship models.

 

 

 

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  I'm doing a solid-hull model in basswood using a sliced 'bread and butter' buildup from a drawing of accurate ship's lines (but won't document on MSW until the exercise is complete ... as I don't want to post another unfinished build).  Things have so far gone smoothly, and (from a restoration of a 70 year old solid pine model) there are advantages to solid hulls.  You can fill and re-paint damage, drill into the hull where needed, pin into the hull anywhere you want - and there is a nice 'heft' to it.

[catopower]

When I first began ship modeling, more than 30 years ago (!), I had the Davis books in paperback and tried building the Lexington.

 

Having never built a wooden ship model before, I wasn't up to the task, lacking skills and knowledge, so it was a failed attempt. In fact, I don't think I got very far at all before I realized this was way too much for me at that time. I think it could be done if you have the plan set, but there may be easier or more well documented methods of building up a framed model from scratch.

 

Also, it's been argued for decades how that ship is very unlikely to actually represent the Lexington. So, you should just be aware of that.

[druxey]

As Clare pointed out, the model in Davis' book is NOT the Lexington. However, I've had a soft spot for this book ever since, aged about ten, I found a copy in my local library!