Ship Modeling Simplified: Tips and Techniques for Model Construction from Kits

I have never done a model much less a wood ship. I thought the book helpful but was in great detail of how to build a ship that was over my head. I thought I would see easily laid out names and skills. They were there to some degree. I just need something simpler for my simple mind. No doubt the writer is very knowledgeable and I am sure an excellent builder. The only reason for three stars is that I expected something different.

Over the past year or so, I've been tempted to adopt wooden ship building as a new hobby. I've modeled for years in other media (plastic, paper) and am also a woodworker, so it seemed like a good fit. Also, my son has been really getting into the Napoleonic wars and life in naval ships, so that was an added inducement. My typical method when becoming interested in something is to read anything I can about the subject. Consequently, I noticed on the net many references to this book and how good it is. So, I bought it.After reading it, I understand much more about the whole process of building these model ships. The author is (was?) obviously very familiar with the process and had developed many techniques that worked for him. Would those same techniques work for someone else? Maybe...One of the main problems for a novice looking to get in to this hobby is that the terminology of the time was unique and not necessarily logical. Nor, are the terms carried through to our own day. So, you have to put up with a fair amount of bewildering words. For instance, did you know that the Vangs connected the Gaff in the same way as a Stay?My biggest two criticisms of the book is that the author used these terms repeatedly and that some of his techniques appear easy but are not. I suppose the use of the proper terms is a good thing, I just wish the approach would have been more descriptive - i.e. add more diagrams or a pictorial dictionary of the terms; this was started with the naming of the various sails and masts, but stopped there. As to the techniques mentioned, some of them were really set up to allow you to build one model after another - but I am not sure that I want to spend the time and money to build these fancy jigs when I might only build one model ship in my lifetime!Another, more minor nit, is the loose organization of the logic flow in the book. At the beginning of each part, the author gives an overview of the flow. Unfortunately, in the body of the text, he then bounces around and does not necessarily follow his own order. Also, the overall sequence I think is flawed. The last two parts have you attach all the rigging and then add the various boats and their connections. But, in those models that I've seen it seems like adding the stuff on the deck would be easier to do before the rigging is all attached so you do not have to maneuver around that mass of fine wires.Please do not take these criticisms as reasons not to buy the book. I thought I learned a lot from reading this brief book (only 115 pages). I am now looking at the actual model I purchased and can visualize a lot better what needs to be done and why it needs to be done in the order he recommends. So, I would concur that this is a good book - although not a great one.

I’ve read it three times. Essential and a great first book on ship modeling. Buy it for yourself or introduce someone else to this wonderful hobby.

A great book for beginners in the realm of model shipbuilding. I'm only about one quarter through, and have learned more than in years of plastic shipbuilding and model rocketry through childhood and young adulthood teaching hundreds of 10 to 17 yrs. old boys at summer camp to build beginner through advanced and expert model rockets. Especially good with terminology used for all parts of tall ships, from bow to stern, deck to keel, shrouds and sails, and anchors, cannon and ordinance, detailing, varnish and paint to finish your mastercraftwork. There's even an English/Italian glossary at the end to describe every part on a working sailing ship. Loaded with detailed descriptions and drawings to illustrate just about every part of woodworking and shipbuilding, with numerous helpful hints and how to desciptions for beginners and experienced modelers. Shows techniques for bending wooden planking for the hull, laying down decking and bulkheads, gluing, sanding and finishing your work.

I've been making wood furniture as a hobby for almost 30 years and decided since I had the tools to try a wood ship kit. It occurred to me the parts would be small so I looked around for a well rated book on the subject and found this. It's a useful read, especially for a newcomer, because it describes what could be involved, how to fit things in different ways, tools, sources of information, and what the parts of the ship are (lots of them, many more than expected). For someone with experience you may learn some new ways to fit or make parts, some of his techniques are clever and inexpensive.

Having come back to the hobby after 20+ years, I wanted something to help refresh my former skills, and thought a book devoted to kit models might help (even though I was well past the kit-model stage when I left). It's a very good book, beginner to advanced. And what a great, entertaining writer! Very informative, clearly written - and funny! A side benefit: Mastini's Italian-English dictionary at the end of the book also helped me refresh my Italian as well. Two lessons for the price of one: can't beat it.

I got this book before I started working on my first ship. It was an easy book to read and explained things in ways that people not familar with ships can understand. It was great in giving you the basics of what tools you need to get started, what to look for in picking out a ship (especially early on as you do not want to pick one too diffcult which will dampen your spirit with hobby), definitions of many common terms, and the basics on most of the skills that are required to build your first ships. Basically this book builds a great foundation to start your hobby. As you move along in the hobby and get into more difficult ships, you can get additional books specific to certain skills which I would recommend. The more detailed books however, are just more detailed versions of the basic skills that are covered in this book. For anyone that is starting out, or thinking of starting out in the hobby, this book is a requirement.

This book takes you from setting your workshop up through to your completed wooden model ship. Full of tips and advice. It is the most complete and useful book I have read recently regarding model boats.

Easy to understand, obviously written with a wealth of experience in model boat making, The author passing on his skills to enthusiastic model boat makers.

Alright to wet the appetite, then may need to progress to more detail.

My partner has been building model ships for years. Instructions for kits are generally poor and vauge. This book has been written by a model maker. The author includes his own experiences, where he has made mistakes over the years and how to avoid making them yourself. You can't fault it. My parner is over the moon with it. Experienced modellers, novices and first time model makers will benefit. My parner loves his christmas present!

It is well produced and easy to understand . Lots of good practical advice.