Age level for Revell Titanic

I would say she would need some supervision while building it. There is a considerable amount of painting that is going to need to be done. The kit needs to have a spray white primer applied before painting. Then She should paint it with acyrilic. If She has enough patience she can build it.

I think she is old enough for it. With you around to answer any questions.

I say go for it! I was a bit younger than that when I put together the Revell U.S.S. North Carolina. I didn't paint it, but it went together pretty nicely and I was very proud of the result.

Regards,

I have already been informed that "we" are going to paint it, just like Daddy does with his itty bitty model ships. She may balk at driling out all the hundred some odd portholes, though!

As one who has built two of these kits, I think it is quite appropriate for your daughter to build. If she is building for the first time, you can have her paint the broad areas, (hull, waterline, upperworks, decks, etc.) while you touch up the details. Then she can do the assembly under your supervision. This kit is easy enough to go together, you just have to watch out for how the upper decks go together inside the hull sides. She may just enjoy this enough to try other kits as well; hopefuly enough to get her hooked on model building.

Thanks for the advice, guys. It's going slower than anticipated because she DID insist on drilling out all the portholes ... how many portholes does this damn thing have, anyway???

Update on the Titanic build, it DOES look like a ship now! It has been hard for me to sit back and let her do all the work, but it's her model.

One question, about rigging this Revell kit - the masts look awfully flimsy, and I'm concerned that they won't take the strain of gluing thread to them. Has anyone rigged the Titanic with the stock masts, or did you use brass rod?

Could you post some pix while your daughter is watching somewhere else?

QUOTE: Originally posted by mfsob Update on the Titanic build, it DOES look like a ship now! It has been hard for me to sit back and let her do all the work, but it's her model. One question, about rigging this Revell kit - the masts look awfully flimsy, and I'm concerned that they won't take the strain of gluing thread to them. Has anyone rigged the Titanic with the stock masts, or did you use brass rod?

mfsob, yes the masts are a bit flimsy, but with enough tension in the two tie-downs, they should remain straight without any hassle, as you can see here:





I know the rigging is a bit hard to see; I used 'invisible' sewing thread.

The key is to rig the four center lines in between the rods first. then tie two more pieces on the rods, connecting the two rod ends together, and look like a 'D' on each end. Then take two more long pieces, and tie them to the middle of the small pices that are tied to the rods. When these are pulled tight, they will form a triangle at each end.

Now take the whole rigging assembly, and carefully line it up between the masts at the heighth you want it. Once you know where you want it, mark the location of where the forward mast will be, and then take the loose end and cement it into the bow of the ship. Pull it tight, then wrap it around the forward mast, making sure it doesn't bend forward. (If it does a little, don't worry. That can be remedied when it is tied to the aft mast) Now stretch the rigging across the ship, and wrap it around the aft mast, making sure the mast is straight. If there is a little forward bend in the forward mast, add some of that to the aft mast to match. Then, when you pull tight and secure it to the flagstaff on the stern, you'll be able to pull both masts straight.

Use CA glue to secure it; you'll definitely need to do this for your daughter. She can assist in holding the rigging. Also, if you have two of those 'third hand' hobby alligator clip holders, use those to hold the two rods at the distance you want to rig them when you're rigging the four center lines. Makes things easier.

Or if you really want to make things easier, use brass rod; although that won't provide the 'taper' of the masts the weay they are molded.

Good luck, and as someone said, post pics of her progress when she's at a friend's house, then surprise her with all the great replies!

Thanks for the great pics and the detailed instructions. She's still debating that, but I have one last question - Any way to make the flag decals less fragile? She wants to use them but I'm doubtful about how long unsupported decal film will last.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mfsob Thanks for the great pics and the detailed instructions. She's still debating that, but I have one last question - Any way to make the flag decals less fragile? She wants to use them but I'm doubtful about how long unsupported decal film will last.

You're very welcome for the assistance. I hope your daughter also enjoyed them as well, and that they gave her some motivation to keep going. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say, we are all lookiing forward to pics of her progress!

As for the flag decals, a friend of mine suggested that I put them on a small sheet of aluminum foil that is trimmed to fit the flag. I know, tough to do on flags so small! He then said once the decals are dry, seal them in Future or other clear topcoat and then put them on the masts. Once this is done however, don't touch them since they become very brittle and will crack and fall off. Still, if left alone, the combination of foil and topcoat seal will be strong enough for your decals to last for quite some time.

Hope this helps.

Thanks AGAIN for the tips. I told her about the flag idea and she stared at me like I was nuts, so we just wrapped the decals around the staffs and trimmed the uneven edges when they were dry. She said she thought it looked great!

I'll try to post some photos this weekend.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mfsob Thanks AGAIN for the tips. I told her about the flag idea and she stared at me like I was nuts, so we just wrapped the decals around the staffs and trimmed the uneven edges when they were dry. She said she thought it looked great! I'll try to post some photos this weekend.

LOL! That's cool about her reaction to the foil idea. It is a rather advanced technique. I'm glad to hear that they went on okay.

Looking forward to seeing pics. This should be good.

Well, here they are, taken by the ace modeller and photographer herself (am I raising an independent kid or what?) I know the quality is not great, she was trying out one of those new Kodak disposable zoom cameras. The green fuzzy stuff along the front of the shelf display is the "water." We're still looking for a suitable "iceberg." Just a production note, my daughter painted all of the large hull areas (I helped with the masking) and the decks, etc., while Daddy handled the detail work. We used Testor's spray cans and bottles - their "wood" color is odd indeed - and a Model Master desert tan shade that she liked for the funnels.

Very nice!

It's hard to see, but are the masts rigged? I know you'd written about attmpting to rig them.

Regads,

No, she opted not to do that at this time, but DID keep the little spreader bars in case she gets ambitious later. Once the itty bitty flag decals went on, she pronounced it done and we had a launching ceremony (sans champagne).

I think part of the art of this hobby is knowing when enough is enough. Some of us could tinker forever, but then nothing would get finished.

That's a great build, and your daughter should be proud!

Regards,