wood ship models

Alert:  Model Expo's website now indicates that the solid-hull Sultana is back in stock (having been missing for several months. This is another good kit for newcomers; a lot of fine modelers have cut their teeth on it.

I just bought a Model Shipways brig Syren, the first plank-on-bulkhead kit I've ever bought.  I'll do another post about it later, but it looks pretty terrific.

I also suggest Midwest for a first wood kit.  Okay, the offerings are not as sexy- no Victory or anything similar, but they are aimed at less practiced builders, and have about the best instructions of any ship kit I have ever built, even with photographs!

eBay

I'm a big fan of Bluejacket too - especially its fittings. (As Mr Stauffer has noted before, Model Expo/Model Shipways has cut way back on its fittings range recently.  I have no idea why.).

Another good company to start out with is Midwest  It's kits are strictly small craft, but they're well designed, the materials are good, and the instructions are excellent.

Bluejaket is another source of wooden kits, but they do not have as many 3rd party kits as Model Expo. I am a long time ME customer and definitely recommend it.  They have fittings, supplies and tools as well as kits.

Unfortunately MS took the Katy off the market several years ago - though some retailers' ads say they have it in stock.  (I'd call first.)

The Model Shipways Phantom is a beautiful ship and a good one for newcomers - if you like solid hulls.  Same goes for the Bluejacket Mary Taylor.  MS seems to be getting away from solid hull kits; there are only three left in the catalog - and  two of those are marked "out of stock." 

If you want to jump in with a plank-on-bulkhead kit, I haven't built any of them so I don't know just what to recommend.  Here's the link to the Model Shipways POB page:   http://www.modelexpo-online.com/search.asp?SKW=cat1_SW%20cat2_b0 .  I strongly recommend starting with a small ship on a large scale.  The road to success in modeling is paved with Constitution and Flying Fish kits that beginners have bought and abandoned.

And Pawel is right:  for heaven's sake stay away from the HECEPOBs - the kits by Mamoli, Corel, Artesina Latina (aka Artist in the Latrine), etc. 

Hello!

Swift? Just not the one from Artesania Latina! It's full of bugs. Model Shipways Katy is comparable but a lot better instructions and the details on it are correct. Good luck with your projects and have a nice day

Paweł

If you arelooking for a good starter wooden ship model.....try the Swift kit. You can find it on ebay for around 20.00 to about 40.00. It is a plank on frame kit.