Ship Modeling Decisions

Choosing the model ship you want to build is a fun, interesting and exciting exercise. You have to consider the history of the ship, the shape, the level of detailing you want, the type of vessel and the skill level required to fashion the model. You need to understand the differences between different ship model kit manufacturers such as the level of instruction provided, quality of fittings, and accuracy of the model.

So now you have selected the ship model you want to build and you have decided on the manufacture of the kit. Great! Let’s talk about some other decisions you need to make prior to building.

Where will you model be displayed?

There are multiple manufactures of the same model ship. Typically the kits will be available in different scales. Each of the scales has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider where in your home you are going to display the finished model. Some scales are good for representing sensible size without involving too much intricate work. Other considerations include the skill of the builder, the level of detail you want and the space in which you have to work.

How is your model ship to be displayed?

Is the model to be in harbor, sailing at sea or in battle with other ships? It’s important to determine this so you will be able to decide on the sails and gun placements. As an example, if the ship is in battle not all sails would have been in use so your model should have some of the sails furled. Also the display of the guns is important. Most guns barrels are displayed outside of the gun ports which would indicate a battle is brewing. Models usually have all the guns outside the ports but in real action, some of the guns would have been just fired or in the process of being reloaded. Some of the breeching would be loose and some under tension. If the ship is sailing at sea, all of the gun port lids would be closed and the breeching would be under tension.

Can you obtain research material on the ship you want to build?

Let’s face it, commercial ship model kits are subject to the demands and limitations of mass manufacturing processes. That’s not to say that the plans and fittings are not reasonable replicas of the ship. However much detail and accuracy are sacrificed in the production process. It’s necessary therefore to obtain material on the ship that provides you with historical accuracy. Some of the resources for this research material are books, nautical archives, artist renderings, and specific historical marine institutions. Along with information on the ship itself you should also research marine technology of the era.



What is the era of the ship you are modeling and what country did it come from?

This is very important because as time went on, different techniques were used to build the ship. You want to make sure that your model uses the correct fittings for the era in which it sailed. As an example, the hulls of ships were sheathed with elm or fir planks from the late 16th Century to the middle 18th Century after which copper sheets were used. The exception is Spain and Portugal which sheathed the hull in thin lead from the early 16th Century.

What Skills do you Posses?

The basic skills of a ship modeler are working with wood, metal, carving and finishing. Most people are quite comfortable with working in one of these mediums. You do not need to be an absolute expert –practice makes perfect in the end – but you should have a pretty good idea of these techniques. Theory is a fine thing, and can be useful now and then, but it is no substitute for practice. You may consider commercially available parts available at Hobby Stores like Cast Your Anchor if you are not quite comfortable with your skill level in a certain area.

Is your ship model to be coloured or are you going to leave the natural wood finish?

All ships had finishes applied to protect them from the harsh environment of the seas. Of course the choice is yours on how you want to finish your model. Should you decide to put a finish on it, you should try to keep to the finishes available at the time the ship existed. For example, below the waterline the hull was often painted with wood-coal tar, which coloured it a dark brown or almost black. After the 16th Century, sulpher was added to the tar which left the hull with a yellowish-grey tinge to it. If sulpher was not used, a white lead paint was and this left the hull a dirty white colour.

Ratlines September 2008

Welcome to RatLines!
With this edition of the Cast Your Anchor newsletter, we bring you a new name. We have always strived to keep ship model builders up-to-date and starting this month we’ll provide you with even more great information, in-store and website specials, and new insider tips.

fall special… A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO THE HOBBY!

Bluenose II Kit with DVD and Tools ONLY: $249.95

We are offering this highly detailed kit with a fantastic “How-To” DVD and ALL the TOOLS to get you started.
A Planked Hull and Deck static model the kit includes
• Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions • All Die-Cut Parts
The Tool Package includes a miter box & saw set, hobby knife, square, sandpaper and wood glue.
SPECIFICATIONS: Scale: 1:75, Length: 710mm, Height: 590mm, Beam: 110mm
NUMBER OF KITS AVAILABLE: 36
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Web Site: Visit our new website at www.castyouranchorhobby.com. We offer information directed solely for model ship builders. You’ll find useful tips, a wide variety of kits, tools & parts for all your shipbuilding needs. We even have a Scratch Builder’s section. Can you hear the foghorn?

Fall Events: Cast Your Anchor will be participating in the Kingston Road Village Fall Festival and the Christmas Parade. More details in October’s issue.

REFERENCE LIBRARY: Cast Your Anchor is building a reference library for the use of our customers. It is professionally catalogued and will be expanded as resources permit. In addition to modeling books available for purchase, our library includes all manner of materials related to specific models.
September’s MODELING TIPS

This month’s MODELING TIP FOCUS: Ship Modeling Books

Although there are many ship model books available they can sometimes be difficult to find and often hard to know which would be the most useful investment. Cast Your Anchor is an innovative hobby store located in Toronto, Canada. We specialize in the Art of Ship Model Building. Here are our Recommendations for Ship Modeling Books
The Ship Model Builder’s Assistant. Charles G. Davis
One of the best general information books on the hobby. The first of three books written by Davis and originally published in 1926, it is an enduring classic for ship model builders of all levels. “Indispensable for the serious model builder, this book offers hobbyists a true understanding of the masting, rigging, and most important fittings of American clipper ships and packet ships of the Great Age of Sail…enhanced with over 270 clear, detailed drawing of ships’ components”.
Ship Modeling Simplified. Frank Mastini
“Here is the advice you need for a trouble free start in an exciting hobby”. A wonderfully detailed volume on ship model construction this book addresses choosing the right kit for your abilities, how to decipher complicated plans, setting up an efficient workbench and buying the right tools. Based on the great Canadian schooner Bluenose the information and described techniques easily carry over to any ship model you are consider ing.
The Art of Rigging. Captain George Biddlecombe
Another classic in the Art of Ship Model Building. Originally published in 1848 by Captain Biddlecombe (Master in the Royal Navy), this Dover edition has been extensively revised and updated. It includes valuable information on Rigging Terms, Directions for Rigging Operations, Progressive Methods of Ship Rigging, Reeving the Running Rigging & Bending the Sails, plus Tables of Quantities & Dimensions of Standing & Running Rigging. “…It is believed by modern experts to be the best manual ever produced on rigging the sailing ship”.
OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS: Cast Your Anchor has the ability to obtain out-of-print and hard-to-find books. Tell us what you’re looking for at: www.castyouranchorhobby.com



COMING NEXT MONTH: The tale of Cast Your Anchor…