Retro Model Builders.

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12 August 2009 at 18:29 #22583
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
I am currently working on a model of the RAF Crash Tender using the plans form the celebrated Keil Kraft kit. Yes, I know you can buy modern kits for this with preformed hulls etc. but I am building it from plywood as it used to be constucted just for the pleasure of it. This has made me wonder how many modellers are or have recently taken this route?

It would be interesting to see the results of a survey.

Rick Devonshire.
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12 August 2009 at 18:29 #6588
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
How many prefer to construct models from years gone by?
12 August 2009 at 20:17 #22592
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Well, my preference is for prototypes between the 1890s and the early 1950s. I don’t find modern vessels very attractive but it has to be said they are very popular modelling subjects.

Or did you simply mean building from old kits or using traditional construction methods?

Colin
13 August 2009 at 06:31 #22601
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
Actually I was meaning the construction of models by more raditional methods and in particularl plans/kits from a time before preformed plastics came to play such a significant part.

Rick.
13 August 2009 at 06:55 #22603
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Theres an interesting question. I cant imagine that you could answer that without a survey to be honest.

However, looking at previous posts, the ones featuring more “traditional” models get the most views (as a general and totally unsubstantiated statement). But does this mean the bulk of viewers actually build like this or they are just interested?

I would view a steam build with interest but have no intention of building the same myself.

I am not a kit person generally and most of my boats are “homemade” . Two ARE kits, and two have fibreglass hulls (rest scratch built) but the other 11 are all mine. So saying, nothing is “plank-on-frame”, mostly “flat bits on bulkheads”.

We had a long running thread about scratch-building a while ago. It rambled on a bit as long threads do but may be worth a read?

Ashley
13 August 2009 at 07:07 #22605
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
Thanks Ashley,

I go as far as to admit I have a much greater regard for the models I have made where I have shaped and built every part including the hull rather than those where I have just put together a set of preformed parts. But then I have the time being retired.

Rick.
13 August 2009 at 08:38 #22610
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hello Rick

Its timber and traditional methods for me.

Paul
13 August 2009 at 09:06 #22612
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
I must confess, I prefare modern methods of producing my own plugs, moulds and then moulding in GRP.

Some might say that that is the easy way out, but believe me, there is as much if not more work and detailing that goes into the original plug for a mould as does a one off in timber.

I find that quite often, depending on size of hull,traditional methods of hull and superstructure are used in order to produce a plug anyway,( because of weight restrictions) and then multiple mouldings can be made from one mould.

There is the added bonus that the boat won’t sink when planks spring, if moulded from grp.

I know Paul’s Barrel back is an absolute masterpiece of woodworking skills as well as modelling skills, but there are many facets of model ship building that are easier for the “moulder”………….just my twopenneth.

neil.
13 August 2009 at 09:46 #22613
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
I prefer the traditional building methods too, don’t like styrene much although it does have its uses. GRP is a useful material too but I don’t much like the mess and smell – nothing like fresh sawdust!

However, Neil is correct when he says there is just as much work in constructing your own GRP hull from a plug you have made. Each to his own I think.

Colin
13 August 2009 at 19:30 #22621
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
but I don’t much like the mess and smell –

it’s the only way i can get high, LEGALLY, these days, Collin…………don’t knock it mate, lol
13 August 2009 at 22:11 #22625
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Neil. How about vac-forming? Have you tried this? I am going to have a go as and when i resume work on my SRN4 hovercraft. mainly because I know a man who can!

the difference in original build is mainly is in the strength of the hull former; this has to be very strong, preferably solid, to withstand the vacuum forces wot are significant.

I have been told.

So saying its reasonably cheap, and results in a very light hull. ideal for smaller craft.

I can recall reading a series in whatever magazine it was (years and years ago) regarding the construction of, I think, HMS warrior; It was steam powered and VERY LARGE. The chap spent ages and ages on it, building a hull in the “normal” manner, with P.O.F and all the other little details, and then he made a mould out of it to replicate a fibreglass hull, the original was destroyed in the process… smashed to bits. All that work!! I may have cried. The effort. Gosh

Ashley
13 August 2009 at 22:55 #22630
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
i do a small amount of vac forming, ashley.

i.m lucky in that being an ex cdt teacher, i have a few mates in schools that can form small items such as funnels, lifeboats etc for me if i make a wooden master.

but such set ups in school are limited usually to a max size of A3 plastic.

for hulls you usually need a larger industrial vac former with 3 phase pumps and large beds, and these run into high cost price bands.
14 August 2009 at 03:56 #22633
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
I seem to have sparked off quite a discussion on this topic!

Rick
14 August 2009 at 06:49 #22635
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
My contact can mould up to 4 foot by 8 foot sheets !!!!

Rick. Good subject for a topic I would say . Ashley
14 August 2009 at 16:48 #22642
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
I prefer to build models of ships long past.      Very seldom build anything modern.    During the years that I built up my plan collection (in old technical journals), never purchased any that were published after about 1965!

I choose what to build from these journals based on what mood I am in at the time.   Sometimes it is a passenger liner, other times a tramp, or sailing ship.   Tend not to like building too many small ships.   Happiest around 5,000 tons or so.    Currently building DESEADO (Royal  Mail cargo liner 1961) and that is bordering on my maximum date preference.      I build all nationalities of vessel, it is only the ship that interests me, not who owned them or what they were used for!

I have a miniature vacuum box that I use for the lifeboats.   Very handy when I have 20 or more to make for one ship.

Here is my ASAMA MARU, a model that gave me great satisfaction.    Not fussy about what materials go into them, wood, metal, plastic – anything that comes to hand.

Feeling a bit bemused at the moment.   I was on the points of packing it all in because of the world financial crisis.   Models piling up all over the place both here and at London auction house.   No-one wanting them.   Then all of a sudden, five sold in quick succession.

Normal service has now been resumed.

Bob
14 August 2009 at 17:01 #22644
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Good news then Bob – we can look forward to a few more then!

In my first job, working for Furness Ship Management in London I was responsible for paying the officers of the Deseado. Would have been 1966/1967.

Colin
15 August 2009 at 08:36 #22650
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
For me, being ham fisted and usually hitting the bank (as I have no eye to handset co-ordination ) building models out of ply means that they stand a chance of bouncing off and not doing a Titanic impression.

I have tried balsa, styrene and card and none of these models have survived unscathed or even finished the sail on the surface….You have seen the advert about “if Carlsberg made” well in my case its more like “if Mr. Bean sailed model boats”

Paul
15 August 2009 at 09:01 #22652
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
I like your style, Paul.

I don’t think I have used Balsa since I built a Bustler tug from MAP plans in 1962.

It was hard to get a decent finish on then, and I presume it hasn’t changed since.

GRP bounces well!!! lol
15 August 2009 at 09:47 #22653
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Nothing the matter with balsa as long as you cover it with something. I still use gumstrip paper very successfully and have used nappy liner tissue with polyester resin as well!

Colin
15 August 2009 at 18:33 #22663
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Hello Rick,

I think I know what sort of boat you mean. I have just finished a Lesro Sportsman which is a wooden cabin cruiser type, I managed to get hold of a Rapier from the same manufacturer- they have stopped making them now and I took delivery of Sea Queen last week. Enough to keep me going for a while. I have decided to build this type of boat now as they were the sort of thing that was current when I was lad and had neither the money or skill to have a go.

I also enjoy collecting plans- I have more than I will ever have time to build, especially the rate I go. I particulary like the designs of Vic Smeed, as many of us do I suspect, and have a half finished double sized Silver Mist. So yes I like to build traditional types of model in wood. I’m sure you will have come across the Fireboat website but if you haven’t there is much of interest for souls of this persuasion.

All the best,

Ian Gardner

PS Your photo of Colwyn Bay reminded me of happy holidays at Weston Super Mare when I was a child sailing a Star yacht up and down the sea ponds on the beach there – also used to have Tri -Ang clockwork boats.
17 August 2009 at 07:45 #22685
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
Hi Ian,

There would seem to be many of us who look back to earlier experiences of model boat building when, if you want a model you had to start from either the plan and a few sheets of ply or a die-cut kit. There was no other option.

Like you I have a box full of plans going back quite a number of years, many of which were drafted by Vic Smeed. I wonder what has happened to Vic, is he still with us? Probably the editor could be persuaded to to produce a biography.

Yes, I have found the Fireboat web site, just demonstates the ongoing interest to in these older craft.

You mentioned Star Yachts, there was one on ‘Bargain Hunt’ recently, complete with its original box. I don’t think many of us could produce one of these!

Many thanks for your input,

Rick Devonshire.
17 August 2009 at 08:34 #22686
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Renovated Star Yacht……………………A fiver at Woodvale Bric a Brac stall……A few years ago

Bob
18 August 2009 at 07:08 #22709
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
I like your renovation project, Bob. I had a star yacht when I was a lad, the ‘Endevour’ by name and spent many happy hours on the old pond in Erias Park with it. As a mass produced model it sailed well. I must look out for one as a renovate myself.

Rick.
18 August 2009 at 19:36 #22718
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Two Star Yachts repro`d in papier mache for Geoff`s Grandson……..Ben Walton

Sailing next week at Colwyn Bay

Bob
19 August 2009 at 07:58 #22719
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
They look good, Bob.

Since the hulls will probably be hollow is the displacement less that an original ‘Star’?

Rick.
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