Okay !
Are you game ? Lets say 1/350 , How do you do this ? First , Pick your ship . Then pick the setting and lastly , remember, most work better using the paper method.That means , Waterline Versions .
If you choose to try this, the sky is the limit ! There is not one vessel ever created , That you can't build ,even sailing ships ! This method allows you to use 1/350 P.E. and other after-market stuff !
Yes ! The ships built this way, are strong enough to support even resin conversion kits ! Brass fittings , Go for it !
The paper method requires the waterline plate and then you build up the rest with a verticle profile plate and frames , creating somewhat of an egg-crate ! You know how egg crates can be ! STRONG !
This is even good for newbies .Why ? it's simple , straightforward and looks good .Plus with plastic sheet the bow curves and sterns can be more properly shaped .
I have taken a ship of paper and translated it to plastic .Much better shape and way more accurate overall .Of course it's a German style Dreadnaught from W.W.1, Brass gun barrels , props and all . The hull and main deck areas are still a W.I.P. so there's more to do .
I think all ship modelers should try at least one paper ship .Sure , most are waterline but there are a choice few that are full hull from large to very large to very small !
Again , are you game ? They can win at an I.P.M.S. contest ! ( if that's your thing ) .I prefer to just show them off and hear people say , " That's Paper " ?
Now the thing is we're talking plastic here .Plenty of Evergreen sheet in .010 and .020 . You will learn tricks that will allow you to graduate to brass parts ( gun tubs ,bulwarks etc. ) and open new avenues to build your favorite vessels .
Now, for the sail ship afficionado , you can go Wood masts , spars and the works . You can even trim the ship out in wood , Or , ( I've done this once ) overlay your plastic hull with very thin wood veneer ! Deck too .
This opens up a whole category to you .Motoryachts and the classic speedboats from the forties and fifties and that includes a 1/24 scale "RIVA " from Italy with Teak , oak and mahogany !
The nice part of this is, ship sections for dioramas ! You can then use all those weld line and rivet decals too ! But the paper style construction will open up ideas you never thought of .How about a nice " On Deck " vignette at a set of twin forties ? All lightweight and Very realistic looking in 1/35 scale . Try this method .You really won't regret it ! Tanker-Builder