Wood model kits

First impression- company calls its products "toyz". But that's not fair, translated language.

It's always great to find another ship model company that makes ANYTHING anymore.

There are a bunch of websites that concentrate on wooden ship kits. You might look there.

Bill

I was looking for a specific wood kit yesterday, and Google directed me to Walmart.  They have a group of cheap plank on frame kits for like 15- 30 dollars.  I am going to order one today (free shipping if I pick it up at my local) store.  I am not expecting much, but at that price I am willing to take the risk on whether it will be buildable.

I have an old wooden kit of hte Robert E. Lee I started several years ago.  The hull is painted and that is as far as I got.  It's probab; time tp tale ot pff the window shelf in my garage and do some more.  This model of the USS Salem is slow work.

I looked on the Walmart website and couldn't find them. How did you do the search?

Bill

My preferred site is www.agesofsail.com for any wood kit. www.Model_Expo.com used to be amajor source but they are a shadow of their former selves.

John Tilley used to refer to these kits as HECEPOB kits, or "Hideously Expensive Continental European Plank-On-Bulkhead" kits. However, many have improved their kits since John left us. But, it is important to realize that there has never been a kit that has been perfect, and many of John's justified complaints against the egregious practices of plastic manufacturers apply to the wooden kit industry as well.

My biggest pet peave among the wood kit industry is that few manufacture both guns and blocks that are scale representations. For example, has anyone ever noticed that the guns on all two or three decks of a ship-of-the-line model are all of the same caliber? Or that the blocks on these kits are so large that no man could pick up the real things at that scale? Few plastic kits would do that, although some plastic kits do so.

Of the wood kits, I strongly recommend those by Caldercraft. Amati is also quite good. Bluejacket and Model Shipways are excellent as well.  The rest are reasonably good models that can be made excellent with effort.

Bill Morrison

Hi Guys!

        I was cruising after I posted here a while ago. There a site called, "Old Model Kits.Com." Sometimes they will post kits in wood of the more modern W.W.2 Period .Haven't seen Sail anything yet. I am familier with what they are though. Our L.H.S. in Buffalo ,N.Y. had them when I shopped there. They were sometimes cheaper than the Plastic.  The Fletcher Class destroyer was the same size as the Aircraft Carrier though,(18" ).  The fleet was somewhat limited do to size. Again though they were all Pretty much shaped up for you to sand and assemble. They didn't have the blah at the ends to carve off and shape. Much better than Comet and some other kits.

         I think what he does based on some of his comments is, Buy Estate Sales Model Stashes. He commented that one had been sold by him and he wound up getting it back in his last purchase! He inventories ALL the open ones, and those with plastic covers keeping them closed, He sells As Is, Where Is. I have dealt with him and I think he's fair on prices based on some other sites I won't buy from.

Tanker-Builder

. I have dealt with him and I think he's fair on prices based on some other sites I won't buy from.

I find good deals on older Model Shipways yellow box kits on eBay. I now have a stash of a half-dozen or so which will keep me busy for a while.

My attitude about wooden kits is that two masts are plenty and that any cross yards are pretty optional and add time and effort to any ship model.

Buying old kits can be an adventure. I have found paints, aftermarket line, home built wood parts boxes, home made tools.

Bill

Bill,

I agree with you about the older yellow box kits. I also include older, solid hull Bluejacket models as well. I recently found a really old Bluejacket kit, the Half Moon. I also have the Cabot to go with the Alfred. It is fun to look and to find other unknown older kits!

Bill Morrison

warshipguy

I looked on the Walmart website and couldn't find them. How did you do the search?

Bill

 

 

I specifically used the search terms "model ship kits Walmart".  I was amazed at the number they have.  I went ahead and ordered the kit I liked best, and should get it late next week.  It will be arriving late next week, free postage.  I am not expecting much, and will let folks know what I think of it.

If you're interested in a wooden ship, I'd recommend getting on Model Expo's mailing list. Their catalog prices are sort of high, but they are constantly running sales and specials that you learn about via their mailings.

Thank you!

Bill

Stevinne

If you're interested in a wooden ship, I'd recommend getting on Model Expo's mailing list. Their catalog prices are sort of high, but they are constantly running sales and specials that you learn about via their mailings.

 

ME also has good tools for ship modeling, and lots of rigging fittings (blocks, deadeyes and belaying pins).  They are having a sale on a longboat that I might bite on first of next month.  I have been on their mailing list for several decades now- I think four or five.

A lot of answers but no answers. I wanted to know is anybody has had any exp. With woody Joe kits

The Woody Joe kits are made in Japan. They are high-quality kits, though their designs include some elements that may be off-putting to wooden modeling purists, such as some parts being provided in plastic, much like Billing Boats kits. As far as I know, they also do not provide English instructions, so they are not suited to beginners; builders who are used to working primarily from plans and diagrams should not have too many problems. Woody Joe kits are not expensive relative to the usual prices of wooden kits. At the time of this writing, the yen is weak against the dollar, which makes Woody Joe kits more affordable for the time being.

BTW, you can find many discussion threads about Woody Joe at Model Ship World.