The End of the Line

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Sunday, 29th December, 2024

Although I stopped building model ships quite a few months ago because of advancing age, I decided to sell two models from my permanent stock – one completed in 1988 and the other in 2021. Both were without carrying cases, and I deceided to make them before they were collected.

Just going to the timber merchant for base wood and thin plywood was a trial. Difficult to find parking, then when I got inside, everything was changed, and I was told that they were under new ownership, and a lot of stock had been discontinued, but I finally found what I needed, but was so weary and breathless at the end of it, that I had to ask an assistant to put it in the car, which he did willingly.

That was yesterday, and today, I found that cutting the two baseboards on the bandsaw left me worn out. Then the search for hinges, handles, screws and catches for them among my own stock left me exhausted.

The cutting and assembling of the sides should not be as bad, because it is thin plywood that I can cut with a knife and steel ruler. Fitting the cases out with metal and woodwork should not be too difficult, but I will be glad when it is done.

I have not missed building model ships at all, as the pressure that was put on me to keep everyone happy was rather too much for me.

I have now topped 80 years, and ageing at a greater rate than ever before. Drawing is about the only thing that I can do without any great effort, as all that is needed is white card, pens and a set of curves.

I am even having problems on the internet trying to cope with the obsession of light grey lettering on a white background. I can maintain my model ship group on Facebook, because they have the provision to make it negative – white lettering on a black background.

I have not been to North West Model Shipwrights for several months now, since they dropped the word “shipwrights” from the title, and aircraft models seem to be dominating it these days.

So that would appear to be that, but I thought I would let you all know.

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Sorry to hear that Bob, I’m a few years behind you but still soldiering on at the moment although fraying at the edges. My  biggest problem with modelmaking is the loss of one eye which robs you of binocular vision and close up depth perception plus you only have 50% of original light input which doesn’t help. To some extent I have managed to get around that by building to a larger scale such as my Greek Fishing Boat but I still want to complete my ss Miltiades at 1:150 scale which is a rather different proposition.

I’m having problems with the scale railings art the moment but a Mayhem member, Steve Mahoney from New Zealand, has very kindly to produce the necessary digital artwork for me which may save the day. Fellow modellers are very supportive and I am very grateful for the help.

Getting older is very frustrating as things you used to take for granted become difficult or no longer possible.

I suppose it comes to us all eventually. Models left to make exceed the remaining time available.

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks Colin.   I am in similar position with the eye.   My left eye no longer focuses close up, but is not so bad on distance.   But the breathlessness is extremely annoying.    But I have had a clear run of more than 70 years model shipbuilding, and I can still enjoy the drawing that does not use energy, is non-polluting, and does not require perspective in my case, because they are all straight profiles.

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

And without looking it up, who knows where Wray Castle actually is?

[Richard Simpson]

On Richard Simpson Said:

And without looking it up, who knows where Wray Castle actually is?

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It doesn’t really matter, does it, because it is a ship profile, but for anyone interested, it was named after a mock castle built in the 1840s that stands on the side of Lake Windermere, and for forty years was a merchant navy training college for radio officers.   I was one of the second intake of cadets in 1959 – it had opened in that capacity in mid 1958.     With the demise of the radio officer in the MN, it closed down and is now a theme park for Beatrix Potter who lived there for 3 months or so, and the 40 years as a merchant navy training establishment was erased completely from its history.    Not that that worried me overmuch.  Classed as a “failure” after failing the 11+ I went to Wray Castle at the age of 15 with not even an O level tp my name.    My training at the Castle set me up for life, and I was able to quit the “rat race” at the age of 48, after 31 years at sea, and take up writing and full-time model shipbuilding.    I owe Wray Castle everything.      Hence my interest in the ships that bore that name.. 

 

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

More images of Wray Castle.   Me in the centre on the ruins – just qualified, age 16 – 1960, and in group photgraph, 3rd from right – front row.   

 

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

I should have known.

No it doesn’t really matter does it, it was just a point of interest.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Another Wray Castle – Not a particularly handsome sailing ship! –

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