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[Ramsey 2]

Hi Every One
I have been a long time looker ( I love the work some of have done )and as a newbie I have a lot of questions .
Years ago I did ducted fan r/c but my eye site is not so good any more, so I need a new hobby .
Here are some of the questions I have.
Where are the best places to buy the hull from ?
Where do I get the structure for the hull ?
Where do I get all the fittings from ?
Where are the best places to get the radio and motors ?
Do the hulls come with the props and rudders built in?
What kind of time is involved in createing one of the ships?
I have found a few sites on the web that carry these .
http://www.scaleshipyard.com/
http://www.sirmarmodelships.com/links.asp
http://www.floatingdrydock.com/
http://www.homeportmodels.com/
http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/
Has anybody done any buisness we these people and are they as good as there stuff looks
Thanks for your thoughts Robert
 
 

[J.beazley]

Welcome aboard

To sum up all the questions in one it really depends on what ship your wanting to build 

Jay

[Bunkerbarge]

I think if you have so many questions, non of which are easy to answer, until you know what sort of thing that you are after, you need to go to a show and look at a large selection of completed models on the club stands and have a browse around the trade stands.

This will be the best way forward to helping you decide on a direction.

Another usefull move, of course, is join your local model boat club who will be happy to show you thier models and offer advice as to how to get the required materials together.

Your choice will depend on your preferred type of model , which in turn will depend on your skills and abilities and the time you have available to make it.

If you are a newbie, I would suggest a kit and if this is your first model probably an all inclusive type to make life that bit easier to get you into it.

[cdsc123]

Hi Robert

What type of vessel have you got in mind? The ones with some connection to you come out best I find.
The points of supply for the larger warships are listed by you, so presumably you want to go that route.

Unless of course, a Vosper MTB (or similar) grabs you.. 
Let us know, as there's a whole other list of places to go.

Regards,

[Holmsey]

Hi Robert.
I have modelled all my life and I decided to build a Type 42 in 1/96. The reason was because I liked the ship and had some excellect photos of HMS Gloucester. The only real option was a Sirmar kit, I didn't want to scratch build a hull. I knew it was complicated but the fun was working out how to do it. Look at the reference section at some of the books listed.
As to your questions:
It took me about a year.
You generally fit the running gear yourself
The decks and superstructure is built from plasticard and plywood
Radio and motors from a good model shop: Howes of Oxford or Westbourne Models in Bournmouth to name two.
You can buy extra fittings from all those suppliers.

Ask any more questions if you wish.
Also speak to Paul of PSShips, he is the hairy face of Sirmar.

Holmsey

[Ramsey 2]

I was looking at the Candian Halifax for a starter ship.
The structure looks pretty easy .
Robert

[Holmsey]

Speak to "The Mountie" Admhawk

Holmsey

[DickyD]

Speak to "The Mountie" Admhawk

Holmsey

Believe Darren is working nights at the moment, whatever time that is in Canada, so not sure what time he will be on here, might be best to send a personal message.

[malcolmfrary]

Best bet is to go to a large show, large because there is more chance of finding what you are looking for, find something that takes your eye, and talk to the owner.  Most exhibitors are only too pleased to tell you all about their model.
You then need a club that has similar interests to you, preferably in your area. 
If you are interested in warships, a yacht racing club will be of little benefit to you.
There is a list of sailing waters on http://www.modelboatlakes.co.nr/ which is not complete as not all clubs have declared themselves, and elsewhere on this forum is a section with clubs, in no particular order, and again not comprehensive, but you might find the information a useful start.

[DickyD]

Begs the question. Why dont people put their location on their profile so that you can advise them what is available in their area ?  :-\

[Shipmate60]

It might be so no-one knows where they are!!

Bob

[DickyD]

Something to hide eh  ?   :-\

[Ramsey 2]

I am from Burllington Vt. in the U.S.A
Nothing to hide .
There is not alot to do in the winter up here
Robert

[DickyD]

OK Robert so half of what we have said you'd best ignore.
If its things Canadian you are thinking of then Darren who we fondly know as "the mountie" but whose name on here is Admhawk is probably your man. Send him a personal message he aint a bad bloke.
Once you decide what boat you want then let us know and you will get more advice than you can handle.

[meridian]

This time last year I was in a similar position to you, I knew I wanted to build model (RC) model boats but I really did not know what type. My approach was to read dedicated magazines, Model Boats and Marine Modelling International, use the www for research and visit as many shows as I could, to find out what type of model attracted me. I also knew that I had no boat modelling experience whatsoever so I decided that I would not be too ambitious with my first boat/ship, i.e. not a complex 1:12 scale Lifeboat or highly detailed warship, but one that I could comfortably complete and enjoy and not one that I lost interest in half way through because I was out of my depth (no pun intended!). I must admit that this has been a past weakness of mine with several "hobbies/interests" discarded as a result.
The outcome was that I chose a "beginners" kit that I not only enjoyed building, in a reasonable time, but one that also enabled me to begin to gain a set of skills which I could transfer to more complex models at a later date. The model is also great fun to sail, which I manage to do fairly regularly, at a local club, which I joined during the build. I recommend that you join a club if you can.
Having gained confidence and some experience with my first build I am now being a little more adventurous with my second model and have chosen a semi-kit with which I am able to do a fair amount of scratchbuilding using detailed plans. Of course the big advantage is that I now have a model which I can enjoy sailing whilst building the second in between- the best of both worlds.
I realise that your own position will be different from mine but I do advise you to take some time to do some research, it really does pay off.

[Ramsey 2]

Thanks guys
But the real question is who do I buy from ?
I have read a lot of negative things out on the www.
I don`t have disposable income .
I would hate to order something and not have it show up.
So the real question is. Who has a good rep with you guys
Thanks Robert   

[meridian]

I can highly recommend Model Slipway here in the UK. You get excellent, reasonably priced kits coupled with helpful, friendly service.

www.modelslipway.com

[DickyD]

I can recommend Westbourne Models who are excellent wih their service and prices and who are probably one of the largest stockists of model boats and fittings in the UK

http://www.westbourne-models.com/#1X0

[DickyD]

Robert if you could be a bit more specific about what you want to build we would find it easier to help.
For example do you want to do a kit, if so, naval or other. Type of ship ie. tug, warship, merchant vessel.
Do you want to buy a hull and scratch build the rest.
Do you want a semi kit ie. part kit part scratch build.
The thing is a lot of the companies we deal with over here tend to specialize in a type of build or a type of ship.

Richard

[malcolmfrary]

A universally available good start for a beginner wanting a warship is the Revell Snowberry corvette.  Its low enough in price to not be a heart-breaker if it goes wrong, small enough to carry easily, and big enough to get both hands in when fitting out.  There is also plenty of information available and lots of variations to build it into.  You just have to not have any hang-ups about plastic.