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Best Way to Start? World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Best Way to Start?

Posts 1 to 28

Hi folks Having recently retired I am looking for something to keep me occupied! I have always wanted to take up modelling (ships nor walking around a catwalk!) Anyway has anyone a good idea on how to make a start? I don't want to spend a fortune on tools and then find I am totally rubbish at it. Cheers Brian

[QUOTE=Brian Porker;10026712]Hi folks Having recently retired I am looking for something to keep me occupied! I have always wanted to take up modelling (ships nor walking around a catwalk!) Anyway has anyone a good idea on how to make a start? I don't want to spend a fortune on tools and then find I am totally rubbish at it. Cheers Brian[/QUOTE] Brian, Here are a few tips. 1. Visit your local Model Shop and ask if there is a Model Boat Club in your area. If yes pay them a visit. There you will find a wealth of knowledge and assistance. 2. Invest in a couple of subject magazines "Model Boats" or "Marine Model Engineering" - these often contain a free plan and building instructions 3. Start simple - A plastic or wood kit. 4. Ask questions on this Thread of the Forum - the guys here are only to glad to help and nothing is too much trouble. You don't have to be a Chippie or Engineer and don't be daunted by Sandy's, Robbie's and Ivor's expertise - we are all modellers and we learn all the time. Get started and good luck - it keeps the brain active, the hand steady and the wallet empty - but it is worth it. Dave H

Morning Brian , Everything Dave said is right as far as I am concerned , start small and work up What area do you want to :confused:go for Plastic Navy Ships [ these are great introductions to the craft , and if you wish to go into Radio control they can often be converted to R/C without much trouble . As far as tooling goes ....well thats up to you .....but make a note in your Diary to go to the International Model Boat show at Warwick where you can buy everything under the sun at very good prices , and see beginners and Pro's alike who will be very kind and not condescending to your questions and interests Normally speaking Modellers are a great bunch who help each other as we all had to start some where :o

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10026844]Brian, Here are a few tips. 1. Visit your local Model Shop and ask if there is a Model Boat Club in your area. If yes pay them a visit. There you will find a wealth of knowledge and assistance. 2. Invest in a couple of subject magazines "Model Boats" or "Marine Model Engineering" - these often contain a free plan and building instructions 3. Start simple - A plastic or wood kit. 4. Ask questions on this Thread of the Forum - the guys here are only to glad to help and nothing is too much trouble. You don't have to be a Chippie or Engineer and don't be daunted by Sandy's, Robbie's and Ivor's expertise - we are all modellers and we learn all the time. Get started and good luck - it keeps the brain active, the hand steady and the wallet empty - but it is worth it. Dave H[/QUOTE] Thanks Dave for your invaluable advice. I will do as you suggest and visit a local shop and check out some magazines as well. I just hope her indoors is ready for the clutter! I had better stow things away at the end of the day or install a heater in the shed and throw out all the gardening stuff....Maybe not! Cheers Brian

[QUOTE=Brian Porker;10027101]Thanks Dave for your invaluable advice. I will do as you suggest and visit a local shop and check out some magazines as well. I just hope her indoors is ready for the clutter! I had better stow things away at the end of the day or install a heater in the shed and throw out all the gardening stuff....Maybe not! Cheers Brian[/QUOTE] That's the spirit of a born modeller Brian. Over the years I have been relegated to the Shed, then the Garage, sometimes the Dining Room and when the weather is adverse [yes, even here in Sunny Devon] to the Office upstairs [converted third Bedroom]. Occasionally the Ayatollah [gawd bless 'er] makes me clear it all up into what she terms a "Organised Shambles" [tell she is married to an ex Matelot]. Another tip - If you have a local ""Pound Shop" rummage around because they often do an inexpensive set of Craft Tools [Scalpels etc} even better if you have one of these "Pound Hardware Stores". A lot of us use "Squires - Tools & Materials" and if you PM me your postal address I will ask them to send you their Catalogue. Dave H

Brian, what can I add to the excellent advice already posted? The answer is, in the Paul Daniels vernacular, not a lot. Both Ivor and Dave have summed it up admirably, so the only further advice I can give is: Don't be afraid to PM any of us if you need advice, we'll gladly pass on what we know, generally on a postage stamp.:D;) Happy modelling my friend. Sandy.

Brian, excellent advice from our resident "actually working on a project" modellers and their sage comments will put you on the path to an enjoyable pastime. My modelling efforts have been put on hold due to the large discrpancy between the cost of excellent models that I would want to build and my paycheck at the moment (don't let that daunt you, there are plenty of inexpensive starters out there!) so I compensate by forming the cheering section for our current hard workers (they may debate "cheering" -- :) ). I would suggest checking out the website Britmodeller.com as well, as there are many fine ship models there with great photos and "How I Did It" narratives. Phil Reeder, who occasionally posts on this forum, has many of his projects on that site, and he is world-class and very generous in sharing his expertise. If and when you decide to actually sit at the work bench and start a project, pick a ship you would really love to see converted from those packages in a box into a beautiful ship, flags flying, on it's stand or at the local pond. Welcome to the forum, and good luck! Regards,

Great advice from our man in Hawaii Brian. Hey Don - Ever since being in Honolulu I have toyed with the idea of building the iconic vessel moored at the Maritime Museum there - "Kon-Tiki" but the one that really got to me was the big clipper being restored "City of ?????". She was Matson's first and as his first, I believe was the first Oil Tanker in the world three/fourmasted ploughing between San Francisco and Ohau. Her story is fascinating to be told another day perhaps. Dave H

[QUOTE=ivorthediver;10026864]Morning Brian , Everything Dave said is right as far as I am concerned , start small and work up What area do you want to :confused:go for Plastic Navy Ships [ these are great introductions to the craft , and if you wish to go into Radio control they can often be converted to R/C without much trouble . As far as tooling goes ....well thats up to you .....but make a note in your Diary to go to the International Model Boat show at Warwick where you can buy everything under the sun at very good prices , and see beginners and Pro's alike who will be very kind and not condescending to your questions and interests Normally speaking Modellers are a great bunch who help each other as we all had to start some where :o[/QUOTE] Thanks Ivor, I will probably start with plastic as you suggest. Just found out that the local model shop has closed down. I will go further afield. Brian

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10027128]That's the spirit of a born modeller Brian. Over the years I have been relegated to the Shed, then the Garage, sometimes the Dining Room and when the weather is adverse [yes, even here in Sunny Devon] to the Office upstairs [converted third Bedroom]. Occasionally the Ayatollah [gawd bless 'er] makes me clear it all up into what she terms a "Organised Shambles" [tell she is married to an ex Matelot]. Another tip - If you have a local ""Pound Shop" rummage around because they often do an inexpensive set of Craft Tools [Scalpels etc} even better if you have one of these "Pound Hardware Stores". A lot of us use "Squires - Tools & Materials" and if you PM me your postal address I will ask them to send you their Catalogue. Dave H[/QUOTE] Thanks Dave Just been to the pound shop and bought a couple of items..... and a plastic frog that will frighten rabbits in the garden!... Don't ask! Brian

[QUOTE=Don Boyer;10027188]Brian, excellent advice from our resident "actually working on a project" modellers and their sage comments will put you on the path to an enjoyable pastime. My modelling efforts have been put on hold due to the large discrpancy between the cost of excellent models that I would want to build and my paycheck at the moment (don't let that daunt you, there are plenty of inexpensive starters out there!) so I compensate by forming the cheering section for our current hard workers (they may debate "cheering" -- :) ). I would suggest checking out the website Britmodeller.com as well, as there are many fine ship models there with great photos and "How I Did It" narratives. Phil Reeder, who occasionally posts on this forum, has many of his projects on that site, and he is world-class and very generous in sharing his expertise. If and when you decide to actually sit at the work bench and start a project, pick a ship you would really love to see converted from those packages in a box into a beautiful ship, flags flying, on it's stand or at the local pond. Welcome to the forum, and good luck! Regards,[/QUOTE] Thanks very much for the advice Don I will definitely check out that website. My local shop hs closed down so it will be out with the bus pass to go further afield! I think my favourite ships were weapons or battle class destroyers but I will probably start with a plastic MFV! Brian

[QUOTE=Brian Porker;10028105]Thanks very much for the advice Don I will definitely check out that website. My local shop hs closed down so it will be out with the bus pass to go further afield! I think my favourite ships were weapons or battle class destroyers but I will probably start with a plastic MFV! Brian[/QUOTE] Now that you have started "nosing" around Brian I could venture a suggestion. One of the most widely built warship kits has got to be "HMS Snowberry" a WWII Corvette. I can't think of a club which doesn't boast at least five, all converted to Radio Control and possibly a good first try. It was originally a Matchbox Kit and later produced by Revell. Were you to start with her you would have the weight of the Modelling Forum there for advice and troubleshooting. Any questions you don't want to risk on the Forum can be PM'd but no question ever goes unanswered by our Modellers. Dave H

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10027200]Great advice from our man in Hawaii Brian. Hey Don - Ever since being in Honolulu I have toyed with the idea of building the iconic vessel moored at the Maritime Museum there - "Kon-Tiki" but the one that really got to me was the big clipper being restored "City of ?????". She was Matson's first and as his first, I believe was the first Oil Tanker in the world three/fourmasted ploughing between San Francisco and Ohau. Her story is fascinating to be told another day perhaps. Dave H[/QUOTE] I didn't even know there was a Kon-Tiki replica at the Maritime Museum!! Shows you how often I get to Honolulu from my place which is as far away from the "big city" as you can get without drowning. I'm not a fan of the plastic palaces of Honolulu and envrions, and even less of a fan of the traffic hassles getting to and from. I've been back in the islands since 1997 and I think I've been in Honolulu twice. Gettin' old and crotchety! The four-master you mentioned is a steel ship and the last of her kind I believe, and I'm embarrased to mention I've forgotten her name. Merchant vessels are not my forte. There was a big hassle a few years back over restoring the ship, which had deteriorated to the point there was talk of scuttling her. I assume the ship lovers have come to the rescue since, as there has not been any further word.

[QUOTE=Don Boyer;10028130]I didn't even know there was a Kon-Tiki replica at the Maritime Museum!! Shows you how often I get to Honolulu from my place which is as far away from the "big city" as you can get without drowning. I'm not a fan of the plastic palaces of Honolulu and envrions, and even less of a fan of the traffic hassles getting to and from. I've been back in the islands since 1997 and I think I've been in Honolulu twice. Gettin' old and crotchety! The four-master you mentioned is a steel ship and the last of her kind I believe, and I'm embarrased to mention I've forgotten her name. Merchant vessels are not my forte. There was a big hassle a few years back over restoring the ship, which had deteriorated to the point there was talk of scuttling her. I assume the ship lovers have come to the rescue since, as there has not been any further word.[/QUOTE] Hi Don, Now you have set me a task [oh no says her indoors, not another]. I am going to find that ship's name, I have it on vidio somewhere. She was "City of ???????". Her history is as I said, first Matson Line ship, sail, and she ploughed between San Francisco and Honolulu loaded with Oil. When she was decommissioned and lay idle for years the decision was taken to tow her out and turn her into a reef for divers [like the WWII small tanker and the Constellation airliner in Honolulu Bay]. The local population didn't agree and a "one dollar a head" collection was made to save her and begin the restoration - when I visited in 1996 they work had begun but with a lot more to be done. Her berth was/is at the Maritime Museum between Waikiki and Honolulu. Off thread I know but I am sure Brian will forgive us. Shaka my friend. Dave H

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10028125]Now that you have started "nosing" around Brian I could venture a suggestion. One of the most widely built warship kits has got to be "HMS Snowberry" a WWII Corvette. I can't think of a club which doesn't boast at least five, all converted to Radio Control and possibly a good first try. It was originally a Matchbox Kit and later produced by Revell. Were you to start with her you would have the weight of the Modelling Forum there for advice and troubleshooting. Any questions you don't want to risk on the Forum can be PM'd but no question ever goes unanswered by our Modellers. Dave H[/QUOTE] Thanks very much Dave HMS Snowberry looks terrific however I have decided to start with a humble version of HMS Belfast. I remember going around HMS Superb when she came to Shottley and was absolutely gobsmacked at the time, cruisers have always been a favourite with me even though I never managed to serve on one. Maybe next time it will be the Snowberry if I survive my first attempt. Mind you this time of the year the garden is screaming for help. Best regards Brian

Just to jog memory Brian.............photo of Blake 124 Class taken onboard SUPERB off Shotley, 1957! These have been posted before, but from one who can only watch in awe the talents of people like Ivor and Sandy, and whom never got beyond "plastic kits"....... Airfix HMS VICTORY and Revel CSS ALABAMA
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Brian I to like the Crusier type and was tempted to have a crack at HMS BLAKE ......but ended up making HMS MANXMAN instead [ my first model ship ever ] and although it was a challange ...I loved every minute of it Attach photo's of My Model HMS MANXMAN and HMS BELFAST in London for you to compare .....good luck
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[QUOTE=Scurs;10028478]Just to jog memory Brian.............photo of Blake 124 Class taken onboard SUPERB off Shotley, 1957! These have been posted before, but from one who can only watch in awe the talents of people like Ivor and Sandy, and whom never got beyond "plastic kits"....... Airfix HMS VICTORY and Revel CSS ALABAMA[/QUOTE] Thanks Scurs... brilliant! I was in Grenville div so obviously not on the photo. What a day that was. We also had a day on HMS PLover the last coal burner in the navy. Brian:D

[QUOTE=ivorthediver;10028516]Brian I to like the Crusier type and was tempted to have a crack at HMS BLAKE ......but ended up making HMS MANXMAN instead [ my first model ship ever ] and although it was a challange ...I loved every minute of it Attach photo's of My Model HMS MANXMAN and HMS BELFAST in London for you to compare .....good luck[/QUOTE] Thanks Ivor, if I get anywhere near that on a first attempt I ill count myself lucky. I thought the Belfast one was particularily good! (joke). Brian

Brian...........re PLOVER..............as a Sea Cadet in 1956, I spent a fortnight in her (or was it a week?, can't remember)..........real "sea time", went from Worthing to Pompey! Well the 14 year old I was thought it great! We slung our hammocks on Mining Deck, but actually messed in whatever mess it was......forrard end of mining deck and down hatch!

[quote=Brian Porker;10028576]Thanks Ivor, if I get anywhere near that on a first attempt I ill count myself lucky. I thought the Belfast one was particularily good! (joke). Brian[/quote] Brian ...lets keep this in perspective here....... HMS Manxman was a kit and when I bought it I knew very little at all about the Navy ....to my discredit ............. I joined this Forum to enable me to understand what it was I was putting together and what it was for and who worked it This Forum and the Kind Hearted , patient , people who read it helped me to understand and build that model , along the way I found out so much about the ships the Crews and the life [ some may argue that I should re read all the posts and digest the information again] and in asking questions I found out first hand from the retired Navy crews all the things that they had forgotton , re made friends with others on the ships they served on ..........I was the winner and the model the result of their kindness Now thanks to them I am brave enough to build a model ship with little or no information .....just their help and treasured pictures that they shared with me If you feel this is going over the top ....read my posts :o

[QUOTE=ivorthediver;10026864]Morning Brian , Everything Dave said is right as far as I am concerned , start small and work up What area do you want to :confused:go for Plastic Navy Ships [ these are great introductions to the craft , and if you wish to go into Radio control they can often be converted to R/C without much trouble . As far as tooling goes ....well thats up to you .....but make a note in your Diary to go to the International Model Boat show at Warwick where you can buy everything under the sun at very good prices , and see beginners and Pro's alike who will be very kind and not condescending to your questions and interests Normally speaking Modellers are a great bunch who help each other as we all had to start some where :o[/QUOTE] Hi Ivor, I did not think to find the callosed hands of a stoker in this part of ship but now that I have found you maybe you can help me out in a small problem. An old friend passed away some time ago and his good lady passed to me one of his unfinished projects. It is the model of a coaster which I would like to finish and provide a name for it. The nearest I have found to a match is the SS Shetland, a Currie line vessel from Leath. It is close but not right. Maybe the gang can shed some light on the problem. Pics attatched. Paddy
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Hi Paddy, Curries 'Shetland' was a 'short sea trader' described as a three islander,( ie foc'sle, Midships accomodation bridge and Funnel, and poop deck) This one looks more like a tanker, although there is no pipe work or pump houses etc. Neither is there any Hatches, so you could make her either. If you Google Curries SS Shetland, you should get an image of her. Good Luck Jim

Yes I would go along with that Jim ,..... but what are you going to do with it now Paddy ? Are you going to sail it ? ....or put it on a shelf ? And just listen here now my friend [B][U]If I can make Model boats with hands like shovels [/U][/B]....and fingers like sausages I'm dam sure you can Have a look at the" HMS Troubridge" thread on the Modeling threads and [B][U]you[/U][/B] should feel quite at home there ........not a kit ....I bought a hull of a Destroyer and scratch built the rest so come on join the Dockyard gang were [B]ALL[/B] here to help you with anything you are not sure about ........and anyway as a Stocker you get precedence:D So come on nows a good time to start .......and you will be amazed how it mops up the hours:eek:

Hi Paddy, Nice looking ship whatever her name. Is she static or radio controlled. If not RC then if you consider taking Jim's advice - you could go for Cargo or Tanker which means some conversion work which would be the ideal time to consider going RC. If you have never done it before - fear not because there are a host of we modellers on the Forum and every one of them willing to help. As Ivor says he started fairly small but has now almost completed a Carrier from scratch and a magnificent job it is too. Good luck Dave H

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10030493]Hi Paddy, Nice looking ship whatever her name. Is she static or radio controlled. If not RC then if you consider taking Jim's advice - you could go for Cargo or Tanker which means some conversion work which would be the ideal time to consider going RC. If you have never done it before - fear not because there are a host of we modellers on the Forum and every one of them willing to help. As Ivor says he started fairly small but has now almost completed a Carrier from scratch and a magnificent job it is too. Good luck Dave H[/QUOTE] The smalest boat I have built is about 18 tons and on up to 25 tons but I am sure the principle is the same, just smaller fingers, pointy pliers and chopped off needles for drill bits. I will see what I can do but I think the bow is fundamentaly wrong. May-be combings instead of guard rails might make it look better. IT has an old taycol horse-shoe magnet motor that might still work if I put the right Volts through it. The hull is a solid block of wood (must have taken ages with a pen knife). No attempt at RC but it should be straight foreward to set up By the way Ivor how big is your carrier, has it a name, how big is it (in inches, not tons) and what did you use for the hull. Paddy.

Hi Paddy ........great to see you back in circulation . She is about 8 1/2 ft long by 15" wide at her widest point by 11" up to the flight deck She was built in two sections so that I could get it in the Car and on the dining room table [ duck incoming ]and she is HMS Victorious 1/96 scale built in memory of your old shipmate" Chalky White " ~The Hull was made of Fibre Glass and was made from an Illustrious hull and converted to Victorious from pictures and help from Forum members along with Anatomy of a ship byRoss Watton....everything else was scratch built except the Aircraft which were kits converted to suit the period I was aiming for which was mid Sixty's ish As Dave has already said we are all here to help should the need arise Kind Regards Ivor and Karen
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[QUOTE=ivorthediver;10030702]Hi Paddy ........great to see you back in circulation . She is about 8 1/2 ft long by 15" wide at her widest point by 11" up to the flight deck She was built in two sections so that I could get it in the Car and on the dining room table [ duck incoming ]and she is HMS Victorious 1/96 scale built in memory of your old shipmate" Chalky White " ~The Hull was made of Fibre Glass and was made from an Illustrious hull and converted to Victorious from pictures and help from Forum members along with Anatomy of a ship byRoss Watton....everything else was scratch built except the Aircraft which were kits converted to suit the period I was aiming for which was mid Sixty's ish As Dave has already said we are all here to help should the need arise Kind Regards Ivor and Karen[/QUOTE] The pictures look great Ivor. I can immagine the time spent on your projects must take a weighty lump out of your days. I did not realise that hulls like these are on the market. Are there lofting plans available for models? When I limited my experience to bigger boats I was forgetting my years of building ceder strip canoes, this sometimes involved copying the shape of a succesfull boat by making my own lofting plans, then adding or leaving out stations to improve the performance. If you need to I can run a mini course on how to copy any hull and make the stations on which to fit your outer skin. I even toyed with the idea of making a cedar body for a VW Beetle, all is possible if you have one to copy. Paddy.

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