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First serious build a "lu-lu"!

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  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: Port Charlotte, FL
First serious build a "lu-lu"!
Posted by Arthur on Sunday, November 30, 2008 11:00 PM

"Toying" with models off and on throughout my life, at age 52 I've decided to get serious about the craft, mechanics and artistry of building plastic models.  Taking  to heart every bit of advice and direction I can possibly read from the writings of the oh so many more experienced builders out there. 

As my first build, I have chosen the USCG Lightship Nantucket.  Just as I expected, it has tested my wits for many aspects of a good build project.  I have been exposed to your typical gap/seam filling, texturizing surfaces that are just too smooth out of the box, painting, weathering and general wear and tear challenges.  It's been GREAT FUN! 

However, what I did not expect was the stocking up on builder's styrene supplies in order to repair, rebuild and often times scratch build parts that were just so poorly manufactured that there just wasn't any alternative.  The Lindberg kit that I have must be taken from a mold that is about 50 years old and NEVER re-tooled.  Be that as it may, I have still thoroughly enjoyed this build, because now I know that there is very little that can come up in my future builds that will intiimidate me or that I won't be able to handle.

Even though she is my first build, I will forever take the greatest pride in my Nantucket, because I've learned so, so much from the adventure.

Thanks for allowing me to share my experience with you.  Enjoy your building.

Arthur

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by u-boater on Monday, December 1, 2008 7:51 AM

PICTURES!PICTURES!Sign - Welcome [#welcome]

I'd really like to see the results of your hard work.

Thanks for sharing this with us.It's great to hear that you had such a great time with your build.In my opinion,that's what it's all about...

Creating,and taking pride in your creation.

Welcome to the world of fine scale modelling!Make a Toast [#toast]

www.resinilluminati.com
  • Member since
    May 2006
Posted by thunder1 on Monday, December 1, 2008 9:28 AM

Hey Arthur

 That NANTUCKET lightship model is as old as you!Cool [8D]

You are correct, (it was a Pyro, then Life Like then Lindberg,) I don't believe any one at the molding plant did any "upgrades" to the tools. Still, it's a good looking model when complete, I'm interested on how you painted it. The Lindberg 1990 release had the ship's hull painted half red and half white, real "prototypical", not! As for you stock piling building supplies to correct a 52 year old model, congratulations, welcome to the world of better modeling. The more modern the kit, the less "Kit bashing" you'll do but I love trying to straighten out an older kit, it tests one's resolve. And through the wonder of the internet, doing a little research on a particular ship is no longer a major obstacle. Unless of course you are scratch building then a trip to the National Archieves or such  might be a road trip. Welcome aboard!

Mike M.

Former NANTUCKET light vessel crewman

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Portsmouth, RI
Posted by searat12 on Monday, December 1, 2008 10:14 AM
Welcome aboard!  Sounds like you had fun, and just think; there are so many other kits out there to work with!
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: vernon hills illinois
Posted by sumpter250 on Monday, December 1, 2008 1:49 PM

PICTURES!PICTURES!Sign - Welcome Sign - Welcome [#welcome]

  Ditto!!!!

Each new kit.......will probably require one or more new tools! "Toying time", is ended, learning time, begins. Welcome aboard! 

Lead me not into temptation ..................I can find it myself

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Richmond, Va.
Posted by Pavlvs on Monday, December 1, 2008 9:21 PM
Ditto on the pics. Perhaps you can submit them to FSM's reader gallery. Reminds me of the project I am working on: a 1:350 scale sumner of 1959 vintage. I'm not hampered by the quality of the kit but rather by the fact that ships from about 1950 to about 1975 have eluded the kit makers. I have had to kit-bash (operative being bash, lol) most of what is above the weather deck. Still, this has been a fun adventure into my first true precision build in my nearly 40 years of model building that up to a couple of years ago was mainly planes. I hope to see pics of your lightship and as soon as I can figure out how, I will post pics of my USS Douglas H. Fox, DD 779

Deus in minutiae est. Fr. Pavlvs

On the Bench: 1:200 Titanic; 1:16 CSA Parrott rifle and Limber

On Deck: 1/200 Arizona.

Recently Completed: 1/72 Gato (as USS Silversides)

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, December 1, 2008 9:40 PM
The Pro Nantucket was one my favorite builds of fifty years ago. I would love to build it again, but at this point I have more kits on the shelf than life expectancy.

Welcome to the joys of modeling, Authur!

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research

 

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Monday, December 1, 2008 11:56 PM

Yeah, let's see some photos!  Apparently I'm not the only one around here with a soft spot for Coast Guard-related models.

I don't think I ever built that Pyro/LifeLike/Lindberg lightship myself, but I did get familiar with quite a few other kits from the same original source.  They were basically sound, well-though-out representations of interesting subjects - subjects that, unfortunately, the manufacturers have ignored in recent years. 

LIndbergh has come back to life under new management recently - and I'm pleased to see that the old lightship is in the company's current list of products:  http://www.lindberg-models.com/water_model70860.html

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

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