Bespoke ship models.
Discussion
Over to the collective hive mind.
My dad was in the RN back in the 50's and 60's and I'd love to get him some models of ships he served on. Sadly, the one he has the fondest memories of is not exactly one that's going to set the Airfix buying public alight. He served on HMS Vidal - a survey ship that was involved in the landing on Rockall.
Does anyone have any rough idea how much a model would be if scratch built?
Also, does anyone have experience of the Airfix HMS Victorious kit? He was on the first commision following it's refit in the 50's - he is an active member of the Victorious association - well, at the last reunion he drank an awful lot of rum.
SD.
My dad was in the RN back in the 50's and 60's and I'd love to get him some models of ships he served on. Sadly, the one he has the fondest memories of is not exactly one that's going to set the Airfix buying public alight. He served on HMS Vidal - a survey ship that was involved in the landing on Rockall.
Does anyone have any rough idea how much a model would be if scratch built?
Also, does anyone have experience of the Airfix HMS Victorious kit? He was on the first commision following it's refit in the 50's - he is an active member of the Victorious association - well, at the last reunion he drank an awful lot of rum.
SD.
I built the Airfix HMS Victorious many years ago. It dates from 1959 and is very basic by modern standards. It was re-released last year, but I’d expect the moulds are pretty tired and that it would take a hell of a lot of work to bring it up to a decent standard. It all depends on what level you’re looking for.
Not sure about the other ship. A decent scratch built model will take someone many, many hours to research and build. I’d have thought these days 3D printing at a small scale might be do-able at a lower cost. There are a few specialist manufacturers of small scale resin ships - have you done a decent search for existing models?
Not sure about the other ship. A decent scratch built model will take someone many, many hours to research and build. I’d have thought these days 3D printing at a small scale might be do-able at a lower cost. There are a few specialist manufacturers of small scale resin ships - have you done a decent search for existing models?
Can't see anything, probably doesn't help the she appears to be a one-off rather than a member of a larger class so sales will always be limited for a kit manufacturer, wouldn't be worth investing in the design and tooling time, even for a resin or short run kit. Interesting vessel though looking at her history.
Scratch building is going to be expensive. Depending on what scale you'd want I expect it would easily be 4 figures (I know a few guys that do commission models of aircraft and have an idea of what they charge). 3D printing is a possibility but you still need a decent CAD model to start with. You might be able to find a downloadable model of a ship with a similar shaped hull (would need research) and then a new superstructure designed. Still someone's time to pay for though.
Scratch building is going to be expensive. Depending on what scale you'd want I expect it would easily be 4 figures (I know a few guys that do commission models of aircraft and have an idea of what they charge). 3D printing is a possibility but you still need a decent CAD model to start with. You might be able to find a downloadable model of a ship with a similar shaped hull (would need research) and then a new superstructure designed. Still someone's time to pay for though.
Could do a paper version, but of course that's a whole difference kettle of ballgames in terms of design.
I'd love to have enough cash in the bank to retire, and build bespoke models for people - CAD, print, bit of machining etc., but I'd make a loss on every one and wouldn't want to part with them. Totally unviable as a business, but would be nice.
I'd love to have enough cash in the bank to retire, and build bespoke models for people - CAD, print, bit of machining etc., but I'd make a loss on every one and wouldn't want to part with them. Totally unviable as a business, but would be nice.
There's another option OP, there are platforms which connect people with 3D printers with people who need items printed. There are also places like thingiverse, CGTrader etc you might be able to find a print file ('.stl') of the ship for a small sum or perhaps free.
Then it would be a case of making sure the chosen printer was capable of printing decent quality before you hand your money over.
Then it would be a case of making sure the chosen printer was capable of printing decent quality before you hand your money over.
I found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OCEANIC-GB-SURVEY-SHIP-...
It looks a pretty poor model but as a base it might be usable to rebuild.
If you can find another one.
It looks a pretty poor model but as a base it might be usable to rebuild.
If you can find another one.
Many thanks to all, I hadn't seen that small HMS Vidal model, in fact, I've never seen one like that before. It has the correct buff colouring on the funnel - I'm not sure I could do much else to that model due to its small size and I'm not even sure my dad could really see it.
I'll have a look out for the Airfix Victorious kit, if it doesn't end up looking like a Spitfire I will have done better than I've done before.
I hadn't thought of 3d modeling, I'll investigate that and see what can be done.
SD.
I'll have a look out for the Airfix Victorious kit, if it doesn't end up looking like a Spitfire I will have done better than I've done before.
I hadn't thought of 3d modeling, I'll investigate that and see what can be done.
SD.
shed driver said:
Many thanks to all, I hadn't seen that small HMS Vidal model, in fact, I've never seen one like that before. It has the correct buff colouring on the funnel - I'm not sure I could do much else to that model due to its small size and I'm not even sure my dad could really see it.
I'll have a look out for the Airfix Victorious kit, if it doesn't end up looking like a Spitfire I will have done better than I've done before.
I hadn't thought of 3d modeling, I'll investigate that and see what can be done.
SD.
If you can't use CAD solid modelling, but have the motivation to learn, then modelling a ship like that would be very do-able. Break it down into blocks, model them and get them resin printed, or even buy your own printer for significantly less than £200. The project would live and die on the availability of plans and/or reference images though. There must be original dockyard plans somewhere. I think there's an archive somewhere; could try here:I'll have a look out for the Airfix Victorious kit, if it doesn't end up looking like a Spitfire I will have done better than I've done before.
I hadn't thought of 3d modeling, I'll investigate that and see what can be done.
SD.
https://www.rmg.co.uk/shop/ship-plan-prints-scanni...
Choose a scale that is supported by aftermarket details (photo-etch railings, masts, helicopter, brass bollards etc etc), and it could be a really nice project if you're so inclined.
It's the kind of thing I'd love to do if I had a personal link to the ship. I've posted this before on the master of scratch-built ships:
and while it's by no means a step-by-step guide, it contains extracts of build articles:
...and contains images of his hand drawn plans for HMS Dido (which he built as a model):
IIRC he obtained his original plans for his builds from the Admiralty archives.
dr_gn said:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/hms-vidal-3...
https://picclick.co.uk/Hms-Vidal-Survey-Ship-Stunn...
That model is absolutely breathtaking - I'll have to break out the piggy bank I think.https://picclick.co.uk/Hms-Vidal-Survey-Ship-Stunn...
The Eagle cutaway is interesting - I think my dad has a copy of that. He's certainly got Janes Warships 1957-58 which has some details.
Thanks everyone for looking - PH at its best.
SD.
Funnily enough (or maybe not knowing the power of the internet) this https://sdmodelmakers.com/. came up on my Facebook.
Probably a bit spendy tho but just shows there are companies set up do do that kind of thing.
Probably a bit spendy tho but just shows there are companies set up do do that kind of thing.
Drawweight said:
Funnily enough (or maybe not knowing the power of the internet) this https://sdmodelmakers.com/. came up on my Facebook.
Probably a bit spendy tho but just shows there are companies set up do do that kind of thing.
When it says "request a quote" for a stock model....you pretty much know what you're in for.Probably a bit spendy tho but just shows there are companies set up do do that kind of thing.
Chatham dockyard archives email is
library@chdt.org.uk
I'm only a 10 minute drive from Chatham dockyard so if they have anything I might be able to arrange to visit their library and copy the drawings once restrictions are lifted (we are in tier 3). My son is mad about ships so he would love a visit down there.
library@chdt.org.uk
I'm only a 10 minute drive from Chatham dockyard so if they have anything I might be able to arrange to visit their library and copy the drawings once restrictions are lifted (we are in tier 3). My son is mad about ships so he would love a visit down there.
lufbramatt said:
Chatham dockyard archives email is
library@chdt.org.uk
I'm only a 10 minute drive from Chatham dockyard so if they have anything I might be able to arrange to visit their library and copy the drawings once restrictions are lifted (we are in tier 3). My son is mad about ships so he would love a visit down there.
Maybe you could do a new-tool Westland Whirlwind? Then you'd just happen to have a 3D model of one to put on the ship...library@chdt.org.uk
I'm only a 10 minute drive from Chatham dockyard so if they have anything I might be able to arrange to visit their library and copy the drawings once restrictions are lifted (we are in tier 3). My son is mad about ships so he would love a visit down there.
dr_gn said:
Maybe you could do a new-tool Westland Whirlwind? Then you'd just happen to have a 3D model of one to put on the ship...
There's a real one just round the corner from the office at the Manston Museum. It's a bit tatty though. The Corgi team did one a few years ago but unfortunately it was when they were still making physical patterns so I don't have any CAD for it.Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff