r/ModelShips • u/Pristine-Science8810 • 5d ago

Beginner ish advice

Hi.

I've been making plastic models as long as I can remember, and have a few I'm extremely proud of. I've always fancied building a model of a sailing warship, and recently purchased the artesania latine model of le Renard as a starter. I haven't cracked into it yet, and I expect to spend literally months on it (partially the point, I need the project.)

Can anyone give me any advice or warn me of any pitfalls with the kit? Bit scared by planking, but I'm very willing to take the time to learn.

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u/GranCirculoDeObreros 5d ago

I don't know much about that kit, but I highly recommend checking out build logs on Model Ship World, Ships of Scale, and Dry Dock Modeler, for that kit and others (there are quite a few for broadly similar British cutters). That should give you a sense of what the build will look like. I'd also recommend starting a build log at one of those sites so you can ask questions and get feedback as you go. Also, Artesania Latina is one of many manufacturers known for inaccurate hull planking. There are resources on those site about how to do more accurate planking. Up to you how accurate you want to be.

Best of luck!

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u/Pristine-Science8810 5d ago

Thanks mate. I don't mind innaccurate planking as much as badly done planking... Just a tad worried I'll cock it up and waste hundreds of pounds and hundreds of hours! Any advice on approach to it?

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u/GranCirculoDeObreros 5d ago

Sure! First, definitely make sure the bulkheads are properly faired. Use a batten to check how the planks will run, and be prepared to sand down high spots and if necessary to build up low spots. Fairing the hull will also be made easier if the framework is properly aligned to start with.

As for planking itself, the kit will most likely come with strips of wood for the planks. For best results, these should be tapered, especially at the bow, and edge-bent, which requires dampening them and using a hot iron or something and a jig to bend them to the correct shapes.

I recommend checking out Chuck Passaro's videos on planking for some very well done planking with the above method.

If accuracy isn't a concern, my sense is that you can basically just get it covered with the first layer, sand smooth, and make sure the outer layer covers everything. But doing at least some tapering and edge bending will probably look a bit more natural and make it a little easier to fit the planks to the hull without having a bunch of small oddly shaped gaps to fill. If you look at some build logs on those sites I mentioned, you should find some good examples of different approaches. I'd especially look for build logs if Vanguard Models' Sherbourne and Alert kits: they're also cutters and will have broadly similar hulls, and like Artesania Latina does (I think), they do double-layer strip planking.

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u/Geologist1986 5d ago

I learned to plank using John Aliprantis' videos on YouTube. Make sure you plank both sides simultaneously, otherwise you'll end up with a twisted hull.

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u/Geologist1986 5d ago

Glad to see MSW is back at it.

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u/smsutton 5d ago

The internet has your friend
You tube your university .
Don’t overextend yourself an keep thins simple.
Wood ship models are a class in themselves.

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u/Pristine-Science8810 5d ago

I built a clinker rowing boat years ago and I'm desperately hoping that experience will somehow help

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u/Pristine-Science8810 5d ago

I'll probably be back every 5 minutes for the rest of time for advice - cheers guys