Monday, June 18, 2012

ADMIRALTY STYLE SHIP MODELS

Admiralty style ship models were built by ship builders from the 15th to the 19th century. They served as a design aid for the engineers, a simulator for those responsible for operating the vessel and as a “show and tell” display to be used for those raising funds from investors. An Admiralty ship model will have some parts of it un-planked exposing the framing and internal and deck furnishings. Usually masts, spars and some rigging are in place. The keel, stern post and stem are erected and the ribs are attached to the keel. This will then represent the general form of the hull. Some of the planks are then applied to the ribbed frame. In some Admiralty ship models the entire hull will be planked while only a portion of the deck will be planked. In other models, a side of the hull will be left un-planked while the deck is planked. Another version will have the entire hull un-planked while the deck is planked. An Admiralty style ship model could also be a cross section of the hull. This is where all the planking is in place however the model would only represent part of the ship such as the bow, mid section or stern. The advantage of building an Admiralty ship model to the ship model builder is that you can add detail to better represent the purpose and era of the ship. Using the Bounty as an example, representation can be made for the galley, armament room, carpentry shop, hold, captains quarters etc . The Bounty’s botanical mission was to pick up bread fruit plants so some plants can be added as well as an area that would have been used for the studying of plants and animals discovered along its journey. Prior to starting the ship model the builder should not only study the ship that is being represented but also the era in which the ship was built. Ship building changed from century to century. More realism could be added like ballast placed in the hold prior to adding cargo. As an alternative to the standard plank on bulkhead that most ship model kits utilize, the builder can either convert the kit to a plank on frame or purchase one of the few plank on frame kits that are available. Exposed ribs can be fashioned using the bulkhead pieces as templates. Add reinforcement to the ribs between the decks by constructing beams. Some of the plank on frame kits that are available are the US Frigate Confederacy, Bounty, US Essex, America, Victory, USS Constitution and Santisimo Trinidad. Scratch building a plank on frame ship model is also possible. Ensure that you have good quality drawings and are familiar with how ships hulls are designed. If you do build a plank on frame model, you’ll probably achieve more satisfaction. The beauty of any ship model is the intricate detail. A plank on frame ship model allows you to provide detail not just on the upper deck but also on the decks below.

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Ship Model Fittings Catalogue

Cast Your Anchor Ship Model Fittings Catalogue TORONTO, ONTARIO – CAST YOUR ANCHOR announces it has published a ship model fittings catalogue to be able to better serve our customers. Cast Your Anchor, Canada’s only nautical hobby store specializing in ship models has published an industry first ship model fittings catalogue. This catalogue has been designed to give our customers an ability to view the entire range of ship models fittings that are available. Once a selection is made, the customer is able to view more product detail on line. The advantages to our customers of a printed catalogue are that no technical savvy is required, you can mail in the order form and pay by cheque or you can shop when its convenient to you to make a phone call. The customer is also not tied to a single location – computer - when he wants to look for fittings for his ship model. We find that a printed catalogue helps our customers to better visualize a specific ship model fitting prior to making a decision to buy. In addition to the ship model fittings there is a small section on selected specific ship modeling tools. There are many tools available but the ones in our catalogue are the tools used by our in house modelers. They are tried and tested and fall into the requirement of a tool that is reliable, well ma de and makes ship model building trouble – free. Our mandate has been to make the hobby of ship modeling an enjoyable experience for all builders. We don’t’ just sell product, we are model builders as well. Because we have tried all the tools and kits we are able to make informed recommendations. We are also very happy to share are building techniques with you. Check out Cast Your Anchor’s website; http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com. Our only business is ship model building. ABOUT CAST YOUR ANCHOR CAST YOUR ANCHOR is a one-of-a-kind hobby store focused on ship modeling. In addition to carrying a large inventory of ship model kits, ship modeling tools and ship model fittings we have experienced technicians to help answer any questions related to static or radio control model building. For further information: Wray Hodgson Cast Your Anchor Inc. 416-686-8529 http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com CAST YOUR ANCHOR is a one-of-a-kind hobby facility focused on ship modeling. In addition to carrying one of the largest inventory of ship model kits, ship modeling tools and ship model fittings in North America.

June 2012 Newsletter

June 2012 NEWSLETTER We hope everyone had a terrific un-winter like winter season and your model building went well. We’ve been very busy at Cast Your Anchor! Catalogue: Cast Your Anchor has published its first printed catalogue. We have added model ship building specialty tools to our fittings catalogue and can now send this catalogue to you either through the post office or electronically to your computer. Send an email to castyouranchor@bellnet.ca and we’ll get a catalogue out to you right away. Fittings: Cast Your Anchor continually adds different fittings to its arsenal of model ship parts. Check with us often to see what’s new. We have also changed how our fittings categories are displayed on our website making it much faster to select the right part. We are also offering to purchase unused fittings from all of our customers. Contact us if you would like to sell your excess fittings. Running on Empty: Our in-store display case is empty. If you would like your work of art to be admired by your fellow modelers or if you would like to offer your model for sale, give us a call and we’ll see if your master piece will fit into the case. Bounty Build: You all are probably wondering how progress is going on the Bounty model I’m building. Not only do I continually spend time ripping apart and rebuilding certain things on the model, I am also obsessed with adding detail to the inside decks. I must say that the Artesania kit certainly allows for imaginative detail and artistic license. This is what this model is all about – a feast for the eye! I want whoever sees it to keep discovering new details as they admire my handiwork. I have revised my timeline to completion to 2014 – good thing I’m not in any rush. Specials We have managed to make some really good buys on fittings in recent months. Check out our specials page often because we’ll be adding the parts as they arrive at our door. And when they’re gone – they’re gone. Gifts Our buyer has been busy over the winter. Check out the new products on our Gift site www.castyouracnhor.ca. We have new pre-built models, a line of bells and nautical instruments and a few interesting odds and ends. Cast Your Anchor hopes that you have an enjoyable and safe summer.