Dapper Tom by Model Shipways

Having-fun

am looking a Columbus's ship: La Nina, La Santa Maria, and La Pinta, I also looking at the Bounty. All these model are made by Artesania Latina,

Sadly, the AL (hich many o us reer to as "Artist in the Latrine") kits are neither simple to build nor entirely accurate for scale.  The instructions, also, leave a great deal to be desired.

The Amati Colobian ships probably fit your agenda better, generously scaled and reasonably good instructions.  Check out Olha Batchvarov on Youtue who does a masterful job on Piñta.  Playlist here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2yU7nOqNxV-IE_K3eWvI5XAohRNWuHHT

Now, the Columbian ships are a pig in a poke, too.  There are no "authentic" plans for any of the nine vessels Cristoforo took to the new world in his several trips.  Most of what we know about the rigging is infered from other vessels, many coming from far later in history.  So, you want to approach them as "fun" rather than as "fidelity" to history.

Now, of "to scale" and "to history" the more modern Model Shipways and BlueJacket kits are far better.  Many of those feature Practicum in either booklet or DVD (or both) format.  With some precise step-by-step instructions. 

The later kits with their actual frame style construction are superb--if more than a passel of work.  The 3/16" scale MS POB kits can be quite good, too.  If needing a whole toolbox of skills.

Solid hull kits are often deceptive, too, to the novice.  They are seldom "fully finished" and typically need detailed and precise work to finish them (Bluejacket's Constitution being a classic example of a solid hull needing rather a lot of finish work).

And, sadly, more than a passing amount of naval jargon is required for these kits.  There are just too many "sticky out things" and "pooched out/in bits" to not need to get specific.  A deadeye and a bullseye are unique and separate things (if similar in appearance when in small scale).  Knowing the difference between a "floor" and a "ceiling" is pretty important, too.

All just part of the process.

An indispensable tool for the beginner is a little book called the Neophyte Shipmodellers Jjackstay.

https://www.amazon.com/Neophyte-Shipmodellers-Jackstay-George-Campbell/dp/B0007E9G0E

Pick one up for less than $ 10.

That Dapper Tom came out well. I have been building a stash of ols yellow box Ms kits. they can be found on ebay for about 1/2- 1/3 what they originally cost.

Bill

CapnMax82  thank you for your recommendation about the La Pinta model and Artesania Latina, it is to bad that I read your post to late, by the time I read your comments I had already ordered La Pinta from Artesania Latina, if I had read your comment before, I probably would have ordered the model from Amati.

I am starting a build log of La Pinta, let us see how it goes.

Thanks Joe

Many, many years ago I built an "Artist in the Latrine" model of the Scottish Maid (my avatar). It was a very difficult model to build. It took a long time to complete as it went on and off the shelf of doom many times. My main problem was caused by my carelessness. The plans were laid out on the floor of the room I used then as a workroom. I left the door open by mistake and one of the cats went in and made them almost totally useless. Could not get a replacement from them but I was lucky that a member of the forum had a set from one that he built and sent them to me. A rough idea of what it was like to build it comes from the wife. She said "I never heard that kind of language come from him and so often from his workroom. It's a good thing he kept the door closed."

It was built OOB and it looks OK for what it is. Here's a pic or two of the build.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zgwiGHdpKcujPX1R7

Lots of members here know tons more about these ships than I will ever know. Listen to their advice as it will save you a lot of headaches in the future.

Good luck with your build. I'll be following along with everyone else.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

fox

It was built OOB and it looks OK for what it is. Here's a pic or two of the build.

It does indeed.  I think many of us, of a similar time frame, who went down the road for wooden ship kits started with Scottish Maid.

And, it's an interesting road.  Scottish Maid was an actual ship, and as-built plans of her exist.  AL's representation is decent, if in a 75% sort of way.  In much the way that a Hurricane resembles a Spitfire sort of way.

After the fact, what I determined was that, for the same effort the kit required, I could have just scratch-built.  Especially after replacing so many of the parts--either from re-working ones that didn't work.

One of the key things an AL kit will teach a person is that you absolutely, positively, must taper planks.  And, that task is as much art as science.

Amen to that Capt.!

Jim 

Stay Safe.

GMorrison

An indispensable tool for the beginner is a little book called the Neophyte Shipmodellers Jjackstay.

https://www.amazon.com/Neophyte-Shipmodellers-Jackstay-George-Campbell/dp/B0007E9G0E

Pick one up for less than $ 10.

That Dapper Tom came out well. I have been building a stash of ols yellow box Ms kits. they can be found on ebay for about 1/2- 1/3 what they originally cost.

 

Bill

 

You say that I should be able to pick up this book for about $10, but, aparently Amazon was not notified of this, because they are asking $650 for the book.

Joe

Having-fun

 

 

GMorrison

An indispensable tool for the beginner is a little book called the Neophyte Shipmodellers Jjackstay.

https://www.amazon.com/Neophyte-Shipmodellers-Jackstay-George-Campbell/dp/B0007E9G0E

Pick one up for less than $ 10.

That Dapper Tom came out well. I have been building a stash of ols yellow box Ms kits. they can be found on ebay for about 1/2- 1/3 what they originally cost.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

You say that I should be able to pick up this book for about $10, but, aparently Amazon was not notified of this, because they are asking $650 for the book.

Joe

 

There's at least ten on eBay in the $10-$25 range. Don't go by Amazon 

Having-fun

 

 

GMorrison

An indispensable tool for the beginner is a little book called the Neophyte Shipmodellers Jjackstay.

https://www.amazon.com/Neophyte-Shipmodellers-Jackstay-George-Campbell/dp/B0007E9G0E

Pick one up for less than $ 10.

That Dapper Tom came out well. I have been building a stash of ols yellow box Ms kits. they can be found on ebay for about 1/2- 1/3 what they originally cost.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

You say that I should be able to pick up this book for about $10, but, aparently Amazon was not notified of this, because they are asking $650 for the book.

Joe

 

Bill