Ships & stuff!
Discussion
Hi all, I've been lurking here for quite a while so a few months ago decided to have a go at a few scale model kits. I'm in my fifties now and never really got into modeling in my younger years so this is all pretty new to be; be gentle 
My first effort was a C47 and found an Airfix kit which included a jeep & trailer & stuff. I know it's not the correct color but I was more interested in techniques than historical accuracy at this stage. I cut up the box lid, sprayed it and had a go at a diorama. I didn't think it turned out too bad, shame about the windows though, I think all them airbourne squaddies inside decided to brew up & steam up the windows (that's my excuse, sticking to it) 
I hadn't thought about sailing ships but was wandering around Lidl (yes, not very PH, sorry) and came across a Revel Mayflower going cheap. It's an old kit, only a year younger than me as it happens but thought; why not? Although the kit is based on the replica built in the 50's and no doubt as good historical knowledge as available, I didn't fancy painting all those colours. Following my C47 principle, I've allowed myself some 'artistic licence' (probably wracking up a few points by now) .
Some of the joins are a bit iffy so don't look too close! Time to get the masts on;
|https://thumbsnap.com/imXbnBPb[/url]
I managed to loose all three of those crossed wooden bits that sit above the crow's nests so had to sand down some sprue pieces and make some more. Consequently fitting the shroud things was a pain, although I suspect it would have been anyway. I can understand why more experienced modellers prefer to make their own from templates. So on to make a start on rigging;
I was dreading this, but actually quite enjoying it. I've finally reached a point where I'm thinking; Yeh I can do this (where previously I was close to throwing it straight out the window)
Sails are on now, so now I can get stuck into the really fiddly bits of rigging; wish me luck!
[url][url]
My first effort was a C47 and found an Airfix kit which included a jeep & trailer & stuff. I know it's not the correct color but I was more interested in techniques than historical accuracy at this stage. I cut up the box lid, sprayed it and had a go at a diorama. I didn't think it turned out too bad, shame about the windows though, I think all them airbourne squaddies inside decided to brew up & steam up the windows (that's my excuse, sticking to it) I hadn't thought about sailing ships but was wandering around Lidl (yes, not very PH, sorry) and came across a Revel Mayflower going cheap. It's an old kit, only a year younger than me as it happens but thought; why not? Although the kit is based on the replica built in the 50's and no doubt as good historical knowledge as available, I didn't fancy painting all those colours. Following my C47 principle, I've allowed myself some 'artistic licence' (probably wracking up a few points by now) .
Some of the joins are a bit iffy so don't look too close! Time to get the masts on;
|https://thumbsnap.com/imXbnBPb[/url]I managed to loose all three of those crossed wooden bits that sit above the crow's nests so had to sand down some sprue pieces and make some more. Consequently fitting the shroud things was a pain, although I suspect it would have been anyway. I can understand why more experienced modellers prefer to make their own from templates. So on to make a start on rigging;
I was dreading this, but actually quite enjoying it. I've finally reached a point where I'm thinking; Yeh I can do this (where previously I was close to throwing it straight out the window)
Sails are on now, so now I can get stuck into the really fiddly bits of rigging; wish me luck!
[url][url] Zad said:
For a first go, they are genuinely rather spiffy. I hope you keep up modelling because I suspect you might be rather good at it! I find learning to be the enjoyable part, but that inevitably starts with something being a bit wrong.
Thanks Zad, yes, plenty going wrong at the moment but I know what you mean about learning being enjoyable (mixed with degree of frustration!). I'm working my way through rigging now. I'm still on with the first mast, I can't believe how many sections there are to complete.
7mike said:
Thanks Zad, yes, plenty going wrong at the moment but I know what you mean about learning being enjoyable (mixed with degree of frustration!). I'm working my way through rigging now. I'm still on with the first mast, I can't believe how many sections there are to complete.
It's looking great, keep at it 
Are the sails what came with the kit?
If you want to make yourself feel better about the amount of rigging, take a look at the Heller 1/100 HMS Victory kit
I'm hoping to start mine later this year and I'm under no illusions that the rigging alone is probably a 6 month minimum project!
Squirrelofwoe said:
It's looking great, keep at it
Are the sails what came with the kit?
If you want to make yourself feel better about the amount of rigging, take a look at the Heller 1/100 HMS Victory kit
I'm hoping to start mine later this year and I'm under no illusions that the rigging alone is probably a 6 month minimum project!
Are the sails what came with the kit?
If you want to make yourself feel better about the amount of rigging, take a look at the Heller 1/100 HMS Victory kit
I'm hoping to start mine later this year and I'm under no illusions that the rigging alone is probably a 6 month minimum project!
Thanks, I've just about got the first mast done now, the sails are the plastic molded ones, I was pleasantly surprised they didn't look too bad once I cut them out. I was reading about people using tea bags & all sorts to weather them. I just dripped some very thinned paint down them, seems okay.
I've just had a look at a few pics of the Heller Victory; that's stunning. Hope you'll consider a build thread when you begin?
Both look good. I wouldn't have guessed the airplane wasn't the right colour if you hadn't pointed it out. Things look different colours in different light, they get dirty, paint fades etc so I wouldn't get too hung up on correctness, after all the point is to enjoy and relax. Kutgw!
Super Sonic said:
Both look good. I wouldn't have guessed the airplane wasn't the right colour if you hadn't pointed it out. Things look different colours in different light, they get dirty, paint fades etc so I wouldn't get too hung up on correctness, after all the point is to enjoy and relax. Kutgw!
I couldn't find any of that wavy masking tape for the lower colour either But thanks, yes I'm enjoying learning
7mike said:
I couldn't find any of that wavy masking tape for the lower colour either But thanks, yes I'm enjoying learning [/quote}
Although not a real ship, in the movie "Bright Eyes", Shirley Temple sings a song called "The Good Ship Lollipop" - which is not about a ship at all but rather an American Airways Douglas DC-3! But thanks, yes I'm enjoying learning [/quote}I think those colours look OK to me. USAAF Olive Drab faded rapidly so you can see very dark Olive Drab aircraft or very light ones - sometimes a combination of shades on the same aircraft. TRy and find some original (not colourised) photos of USAAF Olive Drab aircraft and you will see what I mean.
Simpo Two said:
Just keep plugging away, and work from the inside out and from bottom to top. When your eyes start to cross over, take a break for a couple of hours, or come back the next day 
Great advice thanks, I have some cheap ASDA reading glasses and also a clip on flexi light thing my wife bought me but think I need a better light source. It's certainly improving my patience, much more prepared to take a break these days rather than throw it at the cat I love the detail on your model, which ship is it?Eric Mc said:
Nearly finished, I cheated a bit with some of the rigging, took a few short cuts. It's a bit messy in places if you look too close but overall I'm quite pleased with it. Naturally, I've been searching online for others' pics and having spent hours staring at the instructions and trying to get the rigging as correct as possible, I've notice quite a few others have skipped some bits too, so not feeling too bad about it!
Squirrelofwoe said:
That looks superb, the wood effect has come out really well- looks like a wooden ship rather than a painted plastic one. Top work!
Very kind of you to say so; thanks
Zad said:
It does look very wood-y! Any chance you could give us a quick overview of your paint technique? Looks like it could come in handy.
The kit is a Revell one from 1966 and although the moldings were a bit rough the actual wood looking texture is quite good, I thought. I just brush painted it with the pots supplied with the kit although I also managed to find a Humbrol acrylic paint (No186 Matt brown) by chance in a local model shop and I think I used that for the upper part of the hull and the masts etc. Again, all just brushed on. I think I tried varying the shade a bit to make it a bit less uniform; just added a bit of the supplied black paint but that's about it. Having finally finished the rigging it seems a lifetime ago when I actually put the hull together & painted it, can't believe it's only a few months!
|https://thumbsnap.com/Vprn7XfJ[/url]
Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff