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Author Topic: Model boat display convention?  (Read 5010 times)

Celestialsphere

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Model boat display convention?
« on: July 21, 2010, 12:04:24 pm »
Hello Everyone.

I am building my first static model ship, the 'M.V. Goada Chief' (with a weblog on the ModelWarships.com forum).

My question is if there is a convention which way a model boat or ship faces in a display cabinet, or on a shelf - left or right?

When I googled "ship profile" I have noticed most ship side views face to the right, wheras aircraft profiles tend to face the left side.
Not all the time but more often than not.

Interesting. Is there a nautical norm?

Cheers

Andrew

Melbourne, Australia.

 
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victorian

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2010, 04:19:31 pm »
A very good question.

On a quick check most builder's models in original cases for which I have photos do indeed seem to face to the right as you say. However, many of these were built to be viewed from either side, often with identical plates on both sides. So the predominance of right handed ships might have more to do with a left-handed photographer than any convention!
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2010, 04:44:32 pm »
There is a convention that drawings are prepared with the bow to the right. As Victorian says, this may to some extent carry over into glass case mounting but as these were often meant to be viewed from both sides - shipping company windows for example I don't suppose it matters very much.

Colin
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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2010, 07:38:09 pm »
A very interesting question indeed.   :-))

Taken a step further, can I pose a general question.  " Which way do you prefer the model to face when constructing it on the bench."  

I know you have work on both sides but I'm finding I always like her to face left most of the time when fitting out.  Sometimes she faces down into the water, but we won't go into that.  %)

Ken

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tobyker

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2010, 10:48:33 pm »
A modeller called nautical Norm
was building a boat on a form.
He asked all over the place
which way it should face;
Mayhem says "to the right", Norm.

Sorry. The phrase "nautical Norm" just jumped out at me and set me off. Nursey says I'll be OK if I keep taking the pills.

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red181

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2010, 10:48:38 pm »
A good one, I always prefer bow left, and always carry that way, cant carry the boat the other way around, all fingers and thumbs!
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yorkiej

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2010, 12:48:50 am »
I always display the best side to the viewer. Thats my convention !!!!! :} :} :} 8)
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Peter Fitness

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2010, 06:41:07 am »
Quote from: yorkiej on July 22, 2010, 12:48:50 am
I always display the best side to the viewer. Thats my convention !!!!! :} :} :} 8)

If I did that, the model would be in a dark cupboard  {-) {-)

I seem to have a model facing left when building, but I don't know why. It just seems more natural for me  %%

Below are 2 photos I took on board QE2 of models of two old Cunard ships, SS Russia and SS Mauretania, and they're both facing left. Also one of the GWR ferry, St David, taken at STEAM, in Swindon, Wilts. It's facing left, too.

Peter
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gondolier88

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2010, 07:20:45 am »
I built my last one right to left- didn't like it- so now i'm building one bow left, much easier.

Do you think being right handed has anything to do with it?

As for drawings- I imagine that all drawings are done that way so that in series layed over the top of each other you could check differences in ship design between ships of the same class etc.

Imagine if one guy suddenly thought, 'you know what I'm going to do it the other way...', probably a mate of oh so perfect Nautical Norm, Justin B Awkward maybe.

Greg
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Netleyned

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2010, 07:23:32 am »
I think most of us tend to scan from left to right because its the way we read
I tend to look at vessels scanning from bow to stern (beginning to end?)
Therefore I always display vessels facing to the left.

Yours aye

Ned
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Celestialsphere

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2010, 03:35:44 am »
Well thanks Everyone

For my first question I've provoked some thought!

There's some differing opinions and apparently no definitive answer - each to his own obviously.

I have to say I wasn't expecting a limerick but there's many different ways to express yourself...  :} Very good.

My model is being built off a 'bow facing right' plan (M.V. Goada Chief by J. Pottinger, Model Shipwright) with the model sitting the same way on my bench.

Cheers

Andrew

Melbourne, Australia
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Peter Fitness

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Re: Model boat display convention?
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2010, 08:00:32 am »
And welcome to the forum too, Andrew. The Australian contingent is growing  :-)) O0

Sorry I didn't welcome you the first time  :embarrassed:

Peter.
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