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Wooden Ship Kits?

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  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Thursday, August 30, 2012 10:40 PM

David K- good luck with that build, and please keep us updated on your progress!

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Thursday, August 30, 2012 10:15 PM

Yeah....it was a great deal!  I bought it.

It definitely needs some re-work...he did a bunch of the planking, and it looks really sloppy, with lots of gaps, and some of them are cracked where they bend...I tested the glue-points, and they can be removed easily.  But I'm going to have to look around for some replacement material so I can re-plank it.

Also, a few pieces of the frame have been broken off at the upper corners.  It's obvious the semi-planked hull has been sitting around for awhile!  But, I think with some planning and a little elbow grease, I can get the planks off and repair the broken frame corners.  And it shouldn't be too hard to find some new planks, right?

Aside from that, everything else is brand-spanking-new!  Plans, instructions, lumber, sails, hundreds of fittings and accessories.... it's all still sealed in original bags...I can't believe the sheer number of fittings, rigging cord, nails, brackets, etc.....it's a HUGE kit!  And the metal pieces are really cool-looking!

I'm in the throes of a pretty serious build right now, so I can't really begin to think about working on the Corel Berlin, but I'll see if I can find replacement planks and keep my mind turning around the possibilities for repairing the frame parts....

Maybe I'll put up a few pics, and see if I can get any advice/feedback...

I can tell you this:  When I decide to get working on this thing, it's going to be a very long project!

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Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Miami, FL
Posted by Felix C. on Thursday, August 30, 2012 2:47 PM

^^Bargain and Corel has nice fittings.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Thursday, August 30, 2012 2:32 PM

Yeah, from what I understand, that's a typical wooden kit experience, Chuck!  Seems the complex kits, especially the Imported ones, become a huge pain, and people often find them too tedious, or too inaccurate, or just plain screwy, with nonsense instructions, or parts that don't fit.....

Nonetheless, I happened across a craigslist ad today, a gentleman selling an old Corel Berlin 1:40 scale, for a pretty good price....that kit is selling at Model-expo on sale for something like 800 bucks (which seems inflated to me, but anyway)...and he's agreed to sell it to me for $50.  Seriously.  So, it's a good enough deal for me to meet up with him after work, and see how it looks....but for 50 bucks, it's kinda worth it just to try one out, and I happen to dig the Galleon-looking style of the ship.

Now for the bad:  Yes, it's a HECEPOB!  He has done some work to it already, some of the planking has been installed on the hull, but he gave up soon after starting, so there could be some re-do work.  Also, he bough the kit some 20 years ago, and it's been in storage almost all of that time, so the materials could be in bad shape, though he assures me it has held up just fine over the years....

So, I guess I'll see what's what in a few hours, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I mean, come on...fifty bucks is fifty bucks, but it's worth taking a look, right?

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10:29 PM

My first and only experience in building a wooden ship goes back to my high school days, starting in about 1955.  I finally finished her after graduating from college in the late 60's.  It came out to be a decent model, but as far as I am concerned, took far too much time and fiddling around with nasty little bits and vague plans, basically just a big drawing of the thing.  About ten years ago, I finally threw it out after it self-destructed of old age.  Today's kit ships are probably much nicer, and more expensive, but I do not feel inclined to try another at this stage of the game.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:48 AM

Thanks, guys...it seems there's a lot to consider in the area of wooden kits....

maybe I'll just keep my eyes open, and try to learn what I can about brands, techniques, pitfalls, etc., in regards to wooden kits...

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:06 AM

For getting your feet wet with wooden ship models, it is hard to beat the Midwest kits.  These are smaller craft, largest two masts.  But the instructions are super good, and virtually all the wood is precut.  No tricky measuring for tapering planks and fairing lines.  Start with something simple.  The Midwest kits build into very nice looking boats/ships. Most of the models are hard-chined vessels with simplified planking, and the planking is die-cut.

Keep in mind that the imported kits are much more difficult.  Planking is not an easy skill to acquire, and do not choose a kit that requires too much rigging- stay with one or at the most two masts.  There are two daunting jobs in building a plank on bulkhead sailing vessel- the planking and the rigging.  Either task is daunting to a novice, and these tasks lead many to abandon projects. I have seen estimates that the majority of such kits are never finished.

While there are not many solid hull sailing ships left, if you can find one this is another route to getting started. It at least eliminates one of the two major challenges.  If you do insist on a planked model I'd hold out for Model Shipways.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 11:45 AM

I have built both solid hull and plank-on-bulkhead kits.  There are good ones out there but do your research first about the ship that interests you.  There are also some horrible kits.

Many people argue that you should start with a simple kit and work up to more complex ships. I disagree; in my opinion you should start with a ship that captures your imagination and learn the skills while you work. You are far more likely to complete that ship instead of a simpler one that you are bored with.

I love the Caldercraft/JoTiKa kits in the Nelson's Navy line.  They are quite accurate meaning they actually depict the real ship, and they are easier to build. And, you can find ships ranging in price from the $200's on up.  Model Shipways kits are also quite nice, as are Bluejacket's. I have Corel's HMS Bellona, which is okay, and am working on Constructo's HMS Pandora (which is not so okay).  Unfortunately, the building materials of most companies is less than adequate, particularly with their use of plywood that tends to delaminate when you use it.

I love building these ships, and have developed skills and techniques that help get around some of the errors of the HECEPOB companies. Therefore, I recommend that you try it if you are interested.

Bill

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Wooden Ship Kits?
Posted by David_K on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 10:43 AM

Hello all-

So, looking to the future, and I'm wondering if I should consider getting my feet wet in the area of wooden kits?  What are the popular views on wooden kits?  Any advice?

I've read about Jtilley's contempt of the HECEPOB kits.  Much of his disdain seems to stem from the commonly-found inaccuracies of these kits, and he has said that while they may be of quality, they are designed by those who know little or nothing of how a real ship works (totally paraphrased)...

Those who are familiar with my (limited) experiences building model ships, might know that I care little for *authenticity*...my current build of the Black Swan will testify to this (the encapsulated mast-capstan remains!)...

So my main question is:  Are there good wooden kits out there, HECEPOB or otherwise, that are somewhat budget-friendly, and fun to build?  Or are they mostly a pain in the butt?  Would I need special tools/skills to even think about trying one? Any specific brands or types that are recommended?

I've been looking at some Mamoli kits, and would most likely go for a cheap, smaller one with simple rigging.

Any insight into the realm of wooden kits?

Thanks again!

David

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

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