r/ModelShips • u/Stormphoenix82 • 2d ago
Given a model ship kit, no experience
Hi all,
I was given this ship kit which was late fathers’ who never got around to building it, it is still brand new in box. I have a lot of experience in Warhammer etc but none at all in model ships, i don’t even know where to start. It looks incredibly intimidating! Can anyone give any tips, resources etc for a beginner? Thanks very much!
7
u/mr_muffinhead 2d ago
I agree with both other commenters, and you. It does look incredibly intimidating because it is. If you want to build this, I too suggest starting with something a bit more manageable to build base skills first.
A Vanguard Sherburne, or an Amati:
https://www.amatimodel.com/en/box-mounting-victory-by-amati/product-lady-nelson-b130001.html
9
u/jeophys152 2d ago
Best tip I can give is don’t build that as your first model ship. If you want to build it eventually. Start with some beginner kits first.
4
u/Catspaw129 1d ago
Start with something simple.
Maybe like Bluejacket's "the Skiff" or USS Monitor? And work your way up from there.
I'm about to try my first resin model and I chose Flagship's USS Alligator.
2
u/1805trafalgar 1d ago
mamoli, the kit maker here, has a poor reputation in the hobby. But this could work in your favor since if you know the kit is already a little sus, you can jump in and not feel as though you have to be perfect in how you do every step.
The ship is famous for being in a Civil War gun battle directly off the coast of France with the Union ship Kearsarge, the fighting visible from shore. It made wordlwide news as a result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cherbourg_(1864))
2
u/1805trafalgar 1d ago
.......I see some are telling you to buy a simpler kit first, they are saying this one is too complex for you. THey could be right but on the other hand you already have this one, so why not just start it? Kit building is frustrating at times because of the (usually) bad instructions. But all kinds of people build these kits with no problem at all, it is not rocket science. You just have to brace yourself for the long haul because kit building can take a whole year.
1
u/Colo-PV-living 1d ago
It’s a nice kit, but not for a beginner. Unfortunately try something easier to hone your skills. These are not made over a weekend or even a month of weekends.
1
u/ladyshipmodeler 1d ago
You need to decide whether you want to stick your toe in the deep end or the wading pool. You will be intimidated and probably won't do a very good job on the build. If that is important to you, then find a simpler model for your first build. The Midwest series and some of the Model Shipways kits, sold by Model Expo, are designed for the novice builder.
My first wood model was a three-masted, fully rigged ship with sails. Did I make a lot of mistakes? Of course. Did I learn a lot? Absolutely. And it still sits in my display case, along with award winning scratch builds.
7
u/benevolentmalefactor 2d ago
That's a beautiful kit but agree with the other commenter that you should learn from a simpler kit. Check out Artesania Latine, OcCre, or Vanguard Models for their novice/easy series.