Bill,
I started preparing for my retirement back in 2013 ( Worked 43+ years for IBM) . So, once I decide on this hobby I began buying up various kits either on sale at several well known online Hobby shops or Ebay. My colection started on some 1/400, 1/500, 1/600 Ship kits but then in 2014 I got intrested in the FSM forums and so... I now have 1/72, 1/80,1/100, 1/130, 1/150, 1/200, 1/300 etc. sailing kits. I took advice from your forums and started small amd easy on a Pyro Barbary Pirate followed by the smalest Viking ship ever ( by Glencoe) Both got my version of scratch building for masts and simple rigging. My currect project is a Pyro Brig of War. I narrowed the hull a bit and it no longer looks like a bathtub toy. I am intrested in the older Heller and Airfix kits. I saw John Tilleys, and others, lists of kits worthwhile to build and I started a collection based a bit on this which will last me till I am 86 ( if I build 1 a month-LOL). My Thanks to you and the other contributors to the forums. Now I have something to do besides painting my 22 room house.
Except for some tanks and planes that I did till I got intresed in Guitars and Girls (and 1 HMS Hood that I filmed in a cement trough while blowing up and sinking it) my modeling skills are limited. I am really good on putting together IBM main frame computers though. Thanks for the interest and reply.
Jim.
P.S. I am the same age as Prof John Tilley but without his Historical and Maritime knowledge. to help correct that I have ordered a bunch of books...The Neophyte Shipmodeler's Jackstay, History of American Sailing Ships, and Rigging of Ships in the Days of Spiritsail Topmast 1600-1720. I also expect to collect The History of the American Sailing Navy , Ship Models in Miniature, and Seventheenth Century rigging: a Handbook for Model-Makers. I already have the "The Ship" by Bjorn Landstrom and Seamanship in the age of sail by John Harland. And, Someday, "The 100 gun Ship Victory ( Anatomy of a Ship) by John Mckay...(It's always good to have a goal- even if unreachable).