I think I figured out why I like ship models

I would not say I have a favorite amongst the modeling genre. But, I really do like ships. The few modeling competitions I've been to, I find myself oogling over the ships the most.

And I don't mean the flat top diva's, I mean the battle friggin wagons! I love a big hunk of metal floating in the water with big guns! One of these days, I will take a trip to see the USS Missouri, or USS North Carolina. 

Yeah, Steve, I understand why you like ships!

I would imagine a ship model would be something you could look at once, then come back to look at it again and again and find details you didn’t see before.  I need to get over my intimidation of building ships to join the ranks!

There is something about a ship that gives me a sense of "Man, did I do that?" which other subjects don't offer to me.

What seemed to me months ago a mass of lines and threads, actually turns into a organized mechnism where each line has a purpose and will actually work.

I also am intrigued with the artistic nature of ships, whether its an Elizibethan Gallon, a pre-drednaught, or a dazzle painted battleship, they all seem to offer some sort of value to the eye.

I built a big Mayflower years ago,  spent night after night for months carving, sanding, rigging and hand making the case. Sometimes I will just sit there and look at it again, and not really remembering the work that went into it. I'm fascinated at looking at it and all the little intricacies. When I finally complete the 1/98 scale HMS Victory, it will amaze me for years.

Part of it might also be that you’re so crazy talented at modeling water.

I only dabble in ships myself, but I think one can achieve that “a lot going on” in most any genre. With armor, autos, aircraft, sci fi, or real space, a lot can be added to make a story, or multiple stories, be it a small vignette, or full diorama with only a single subject piece. 

Scale has a lot to do with it. One would be hard pressed to tell multiple stories on a 1/700 Fletcher class destroyer. But make it the 1/144 scale kit, and the possibilities really expand....

WWI & WWII planes are my favorite with sailing ships coming in second. There has always been at least one or two ships being built on the bench while waiting for glue/paint to dry on something else. Just finished the Emma C Berry for the 1/2 wall in the living room. The Scottish Maid still sits on the mantel. Both were picked out by my wife for me to build. The next is being rigged now. It's the U.S.S. Kearsarge. That's going to be in the living room also. Hope the pics are OK. Still getting used to transfering photos from the wifes phone and working with Google photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GbNubyick9yb4oey9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TjB8n5qApgkot2qc6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fsiskLJUGSVe9akJ6

After the Kearsarge is finished, I have to build a Gato sub for one of my cousins whose father was a submariner in WWII. Started it about 2 years ago. Opened up all the limber holes on one side so far and some other minor work. Little by little I'll get it done with all the other cleaning and fixing work from the museum.

Jim  

Steve, I agree. Though I am not a ship builder, I want to be. I dabbled in it and I will do so again... God willing. There is something about ships that moves my spirit. Especially, masted ships. A well done ship is something I can admire for hours.

Dang Jim, some nice looking stuff there.

This isn't the best picture of my Mayflower but It's all I could find.

I first became interested in ships reading the Hornblower novels.  I built a destroyer when I was about in third grade, and then a revenue cutter when I was in eigth grade.  Both were wood- these were the before-plastic era.  Anyway, the revenue cutter was a topsail schooner and had a fair amount of rigging, including ratlines, so I had an early introduction to rigging.  While I built airplanes and cars as well as ships, my ability to tackle rigging so many years ago gave me a skill that has produced some nice models and kudos, and I think that reinforces my willingness to tackle sailing ship models.

I must say, however, the big 1:00 scale heller Soleil Royal is challenging me- I have been building that thing for almost twenty years off and on.  Every thing is done now except rigging, and the rigging on that thing never ends!

Steve, your Mayflower looks awesome. It’s funny because the Mayflower is what I want to build most. I have a plastic version to build but I have been toying with popping for a wood kit. 

And yes, nice work Jim.

I started out in modelling way back when.  In the late sixties I built them all,  WW2 warships, my dad was Navy. I also did the small USS Constitution and also the 1/96,  I think, one.  I have loads of fun rigging it.  I also did the USS Kearsage.  You can't find that one any more, I gave it away to one of my brothers old girlfreinds decades ago.  I love ships.  Unfortunately, they can really take up room in apatments.  Tanks and aircraft, not so bad. Now that I've been in a house for the last 20 years, it's not so bad.  Recently I've been building a few.  I still love Ships of all types. 

Thanks MC! My uncles started me building ships when I was 6. I think the best one I ever built was the Gorch Fock. Built it back in the mid '80s. Kept it for about 15 years then gave it to my then boss for her office as I was running out of room in the workroom back then. As of a couple of years ago, a new boss has that office but the ship is still there.

Jim  

AHA ! 

    Oh Boy you hit a chord here . Wooden , Then Plastic and all that . When I was little it was wood then Plastic gifts sets .Victory at Sea and American Commerce  with a Ship , Plane  and Car and a Tugboat .All Revell . I think at one time I built everything they produced .

 I once did something that resulted in a Chewing of my afterside .But the punishment was worth it. My Foster Father ( May he rest in Peace ) Gosh I loved that Man . He was a Tool and Die maker ( Do they have any of those anymore ?)

 He had brought a Hardwood Dowel about three inches in diameter home for a work project . Then He and Mom went on Vacation .I was bored .

 So , The eight foot White oak Dowel became Eight Submarines ! All with guns, grey paint and detailed conning towers ! . After the hubbub he started buying me very complicated plastic ship models .Why ? Turned out he hoped I would follow in his shoes ! If Circumstances had permitted I would have . Instead I became a Marine and PowerPlant Design Engineer specializing in Nuclear applications for power ! . Nope , never worked on the N.S.Savannah but I did work on some of those big grey airbases in the Sea !

 Now Model ships are one of my therapies . Love It !