Here it is, the first fully wooden ship model that I'll try my hand at building. I did a bit of reading and wanted to find something that wasn't overwhelming for a beginner, but that wouldn't be quite so simple as the plastic model kits that I did as a youngster. Those aren't "easy", mind you, but working with wood and assembling a ship in a form closer to the real deal is an experience that I wanted to pursue, so here we are.
The kit that I ended up choosing to be a decent beginner option is a kit sold by Amati, an Italian company that's been in business since 1879. Their reputation in the field of nautical model kits is well established, and they are one of the only companies producing kits for historical ships as well, so that was one factor in the decision. When I say 'historical' ship models, I mean models of Egyptian ships, Greek biremes and triremes, Roman warships, Viking longboats and so forth; I plan to build all of these into the future, if possible.
Another factor was the boat I ultimately went with, a J Class yacht that was raced in the 1934 America's Cup as the UK challenger boat, Endeavour. This style of ship should be a little easier for a beginner, especially when it comes to adding planks to form the hull. The curves of the hull are a bit more graceful and straight than the dramatic curvature of a hull like you would find in an Age of Sail warship.
That's enough of the backstory, for now. I'll be updating a build log as I go, with pictures forming the main way I can share my progress. To start with, here are photos of the kit as it comes in the box, complete with all the tiny, tiny pieces and parts. I just may need a magnifying glass of some sort before I'm through! 😳
3 Responses
Good luck with the build. I remember building a couple sail boat models in my youth. Rigging was a pain. Patience and methodical is the key!
oops just saw the post date LOL. Hope it went well. Pictures please.
I apparently took the “patience is key” adage to heart quite strongly! LOL I do have some more pictures to add, I’ll work on getting those posted tonight actually. But, I’m only now at the stage of gluing on the hull planks, which is quite tedious as you surely know. I’m nearly done with that I think, some sanding and whatnot to clean it up before getting to deck planks. It’s quite enjoyable so far, I must say. Just time consuming and I don’t like taking time away from podcast work either, as limited as my time is already. Frustrations of my own creation though! 😂