Creating Interest in Model Boats

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Paul,

The Preussen is not a complicated ship, just repetitive and I have built two (see attached) One at anchor, one under full sail. I have also built Jervis Bay, sister ship to Largs Bay. Scandi Singapore – no chance The picture at anchor is the model photographed from a low angle with a sea superimposed over the lower part – Both of them also brought little interest at ship model society. All I got was "I could never do that!" type comments Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 29/10/2018 18:15:23

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

And here is the Jervis Bay, sister to Largs Bay. One of the first of my models to top the £1,000 mark at the London auctions (Christie's).

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Bob,

Why bother to look for recognition from people who are basically not interested? It seems to bother you but you are flogging a dead horse there.

The important thing is whether you are satisfied with your work. Obviously collectors are too so isn't that enough?

I build models that I appeal to me and judge myself to my own standards. I am simply not interested in what others may think but clearly you are rather sensitive in that respect.

Your models have a good commercial value and are in demand (setting aside delivery problems) so what does it matter if your local club doesn't appreciate them. It is a reflection on them, not you.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

Don't worry, you are a legend anyway with your miniatures, recognition for our efforts are rare, my boats have made the front cover of Model Boats 3 times this year but scarcely a mention from my club mates at the lake !!

Regards Ray

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks for replies, but I really think that none of you have actually undrstood what I am getting at. I am not seeking recognition at all – the recognition from colletors is what has been putting pressure on me for years. Example "When are you going back to sea?" "Next week" I say, "Will you have time to make another for me by then?"

"What are you making next?" I tell them, "Put me down for it!"

"Have you got plans for ……?? "Yes, do you want a copy of them?" "No, can you build one?" "I don't do private commissions" "I don't want to buy one, I just want to see you make one!"

"Can you make me 16 rowing boats?" "What for?" "A boat I am making!" "What boat?" "Titanic!"

"Why don;t you make them yourself?" "I don't like making boats!" "Titanic's a ship!" "I call it a boat!"

What I am really looking for, is to be able to converse and compare notes and methods with other ship model builders who are doing the same thing, and see what others are building in the same line. The only execption is my Facebook group that has over 800 members now, many of whom are producing models of merchant ships and actually have things to say. Only yesterday, one of them told me of a new C V Waine book on British coasters that is full of plans. I had never heard of it, but ordered one, and it should arrive Wednesday.

I only took my last model to the model society on Saturday because the buyer was going to collect it there, but he didn't turn up, although I have every reason to believe he still wants it, as he is a regular customer.

I am not all that sensitive, but there seems to be little point in showing anything anywhere if the interest stands at just about zero. i.e. 365 views here in the scratch build section on the restoration of the iron barque Gulf Stream, and it was not until yesterday that a single comment was received, and even then not a single request to see a photo of how it turned out!

As I have said before, I often get requests for plans and general info, and usually stop everything to oblige, but it is only occasionally that I receive a simple "thank you" by e-mail or eventually a photograph of what they have produced from the plans!

So as Colin correctly asks, why flog a dead horse!

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 29/10/2018 20:44:00

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

You will enjoy the British Coasters book, I bought it 30 years ago from Maritime Models in Greenwich plenty of drawings, my 20" Briarfield came from this book.

Regards Ray

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Bob,it would be a shame if you stopped, or at least stopped posting about your creations. I think they are pretty awesome. Not in my skill set at the moment that is for sure.

As for the younger generation not wanting to get involved, mostly it will be down to time and maybe computer games. Okay definitely games, but not all is lost. One of my issues is that for me to go boating I have to drive 40+ minutes depending on traffic, to get to Bushey Park.  Wimbledon might be an option but still a good hoof away.  Tom has so much going on with school, after school clubs and finding time to spend with friends etc, that spending a 3 hour round trip does not appeal. Wonder why.

However, as I said not all is lost. He was fortunate enough to have a couple of friends over last Wednesday as it was half term. We planned a day around playing in a park, boating at Bushey and geocaching. So I charged the batteries packed up the boats and off we went. Spent a hour in the park and then off to the lake. You know what, they had a absolutely fantastic time spent ages pottering around finding things to do with the boats made up games around docking them and trying to be careful not to disturb the passengers. They even found a log close to the bank that they discovered the boats would fit in between. Made for another game. That is what they do. Find things to make a game out of.

It seems one of them had such a great time he wants to do it again. I think it might call for printing of Ashley’s lander plans, cutting them out and letting him glue it together. Then he can call it his own. So there is a future, you just have to be patient and choose your timing.

BTW, got the cannons working, much to the ducks disappointment.

Andy.

Edited By Andy C on 30/10/2018 08:03:51

Edited By Andy C on 30/10/2018 08:04:32

Edited By Andy C on 30/10/2018 08:05:02

Edited By Andy C on 30/10/2018 08:05:55

Edited By Andy C on 30/10/2018 08:06:43

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Ray,

We are not talking about the same book. I have the one you mentioned with the Briarfield plan in it, and have built it myself in the past. The book I have just ordered is British Motor Coasters, and it was only published on the 28th September last. It is about motor coasters, not steam coasters. I should be getting it tomorrow.

Andy

I am not all that bothered whether the younger generation build them or not. But it would just be good to have someone to exchange modelling notes and techniques with, and see what others are building, such as Ray's Briarfield above. But it is quite time-consuming putting extensive build logs on various forums and getting hundreds of views without a single comment., and as Colin says, no point in flogging a dead horse!

I have long-since regarded the local ship model society as just a pleasant social occasion where we have lively discussions on various subjects, mainly nautical, but very few models are ever taken along these days. At the meeting on Saturday there was my Helen Craig, a large, partially completed fishing boat, three biplanes and a village diorama!

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Going back to the ealier comments about model making not being particularly useful for life skills there is an interesting item in the news today where a prominent surgeon is bemoaning the lack of dexterity of medical students who may be keyboard wizards but fumble when stitching you up or carrying out delicate surgery as they have never been taught craft skills.

**LINK**

So us modellers can all be brain surgeons if we want after all!

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Thanks Bob,

I'll look out for the Motor Coaster book it should be a great source of plans etc

Regards Ray

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

A lack of manual dexterity seems to be a point of pride with the money making classes – they make a lot of money so can afford to buy dexterity from others. The downside to this is that it has become seen that not having manual dexterity is part of the path to riches. A bit like medieval warrior classes avoiding literacy.

……………And don't forget Marlon, whose ambition was to be either "a brane surgeon or a man wot goes down sewers in big boots".

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I put an image of the repaired model of the barque Gulf Stream on Facebook last night stating: "I have finally restored it! This model has caused me so much worry, stress, agitation and work in putting it all back together again, that it is no longer for sale! It will now join our permanent collection!" Would you believe that I am already getting enquiries as to if it is available? No wonder it is all wearing me down. Went in town today and purchased a small model railway truck for £1 Not that I intend to take up model railways, but it has a calming effect just looking at it! Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Bob

If you want to deter any further enquiries then just post something along the lines of "This model will be sold to the first person to arrive to collect it with £1000 in used £20 notes".
As regards calming objects, this one does for me.

Other brands are available…..but generally they're rubbish.

Dave M

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Trucks can be troublesome as Thomas the Tank Engine knows only too well.

Dave's solution appeals more as a calming solution although the 3 litres on the bottle might be terminal…

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I found the truck quite interesting. Very detailed. Probably wouldn't have bought it if we hadn't been following the railway modelling series on TV. Will give the Jack Daniels a miss. I used to be quite fond of Whisky, but can't remember what type – Glen Moranjie rings a bell, it was very cheap at sea, and everyone raved about it!.

Bob

[S MParticipant @sm83187]

Dystopian view, an interesting comment.

Neither a dystopian view or anything else other than a stark reminder of the society we live in unfortunately, where people are so obsessed with money and obtaining it by any means so they can pay overinflated prices for the latest trainers or mobile phone which seems to carry some sort of kudos.

Stark reality check, mans desire to create was forced through necessity, the necesity to survive and this takes many forms and is heavily influenced by society itself, the need to hunt food, the necessity to grow food, and the necessity of fire and shelter were the earliest examples and still remain so today. These days people go to the supermarket to hunt their food, go home to ready built houses instead of building them themselves, turn on their central heating instead of lighting fires, the ethos remains but the application differs.

Lets look at the previously mentioned stereotype, a man sits in an office and designs a building, what follows:

Someone has to take that design and work out all the steel sizes for the structure and do stress analysis and ensure it meets all current parameters.

Someone has to work out all the fixing types and designs.

Someone has to take the drawing and turn it into a kit of parts to be manufactured and specify everything from hole sizes, cutting angles, and welding specifications.

Someone takes this steel and cuts it to the cutting list, an unskilled man be todays definitions, and marks all the cut parts.he cuts with a unique number, meanwhile another team of fabricators makes the brackets and fittings.

This moves into the drilling area where everything is marked and drilled.

This goes to the assembly area and it is welded together into sub assemblies.

It then goes to be coated or painted.

So, from a simple idea it takes a lot of people to put this idea into a working product and they range from todays definitions of unskilled to fully skilled and they all have the one thing you cannot buy! EXPERIENCE.

[Empire ParkstoneParticipant @empireparkstone]

Or just use a 3D Printer

[S MParticipant @sm83187]

Not yet cracked the 3D printer to print complex steel sections and fabricate them.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Most steel sections and connections in building are fairly simple. Obviously it's the size that's the problem.

BMW have 3D printed a complex motor cycle frame and swinging arm in metal. Far more complicated than could be machined.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Fortunately not much call for Structural Steelwork in Model Boat construction

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

It depends on if we are talking about "Boats" or "Ships" Ships have plenty of steelwork about them, such as their entire main structures! – Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

You really need to read the whole thread to see what has inspired Paul's comment, regarding SM's views of the rest of humanity.

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Perhaps we should get back to the topic subject matter rather than delving into discussions on the human condition.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Topic tidied up. No more arguments please and stick to the subject.

Colin

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

I have just collected and read through the special edition of model boats, I enjoyed reading every article and gained information from'each of them, especially the ones by Colin and Dave, my thoughts are now would it be possible to reproduce it as a 'beginners guide to boat modelling'? I know it would cost money to do that but with help from the current advertisers that would help, it could then go onto the shelves in bookshops, libraries and model shops as a stand alone publication.

Regards and thanks to all for the help given on this forum.

Eddie.

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