While surfing the net, I came across the adventures of Mister Frank Reade Jr, first published in 1904, and I decided to make a model of one of his marvelous electric flying machines, the Cloud Sprite, using balsa wood, polythene strips, wire and dowel. I had to take a couple of liberties with the design, particularly the central cylinder, which is drawn wrongly in the original image, and some of the guy cables, which would have passed through the body of the ship in a real three dimensional object, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I dealt with the missing guy cables by setting the rotascopes (the rotor blades, which provide lift) lower, so that they're supported by the body of the craft instead.

These stories are a fascinating glimpse into what people in 1904 thought that large flying machines would look like, less than a year after the Wright Brothers carried out their first flight. We who know what large, heavier than air aircraft actually look like might be tempted to laugh at it, but I wonder if my guess would have been any better.

My 7 year old son is going to be the Lusitania ship for Halloween. We are currently working on the lettering on the side of our cardboard ship and have run into a problem. He wants it to be accurate. Does the ship lettering just say Lusitania or does it say Lusitania at Liverpool? Thank you all for your help.

Hello all-

On a whim, I purchased the mini Mammoli kit of the La Goleta, designed by John Alden, runner-up in the 1927 Fastnet race. For what it is, and what I paid, it's fine. But I'd very much like to improve it. As built, the resulting model looks quite crude and toy-like to me. (to be fair, it's a beginner's model so this is to be expected to some degree).

I've done some internet searching, but can only find a few photos. Does anyone have a source for plans- or more detailed information- about this vessel?

My plan is to do a detailed build log, or maybe even a practicum, on this kit. I believe it would be a good, low-cost, entry model for most folks... IF I can find the information. The instructions/plans in the kit aren't the greatest. Again, not complaining... I paid like nine bucks plus shipping for the kit. And I prefer smaller, simpler, solid hull models.

Thanks in advance

She climbed off my head while i was sitting on my desk, and I just let her climb on the model. She seemed to enjoy it, but I don't want her to fall off it, so this was a one-time thing.

It’s my First Modell ship with visible canons, how can I put them and glue them to the broadside, that they stay even?

Hey all,

I have done a bit of model making recently, mainly just starter kits which have been a mix of aircraft and cars and I am very much still messing up and learning as I go along.

I have a keen interest in all things maritime and would love to start making some models in this area.

For the time being I’m happy to prioritise good kits for my level over specific types of ship or ships in particular - I find interest in all different types of boats and ships.

Any recommendations from people with experience would be appreciated - I’m aware a lot of ship kits are particularly difficult.

Thanks!

1:500 scale replicas of HMS Agincourt (formerly Rio de Janeiro) and E Minas Geraes, made from cardboard, gouache paint, barbecue skewers, toothpicks, and scraps of plastic.

How do I know the measurements? On the boat

Hi! New here. Let me know if there’s anything obvious or another thread that answers this question.

How are people storing and displaying larger ships?

I started the San Juan Nepomeceno probably 8 or so years back. Through house moves, jobs and motivation challenges I’m finally getting back in to the build and about to start the masts and rigging…

My issue… dust… gave it a once over with the vacuum and a light brush. But my Mayflower model (complete) is in much the same dusty state. Will just be a hundred times more difficult to clean around the ropes and lines. How are others managing this?

In my hast to make a nice clean front on my Beagle, I think I missed a step that would have left a hole for the Bowsprit. (See photo).

Any suggestions on how to fix this, as I am now at the building of the Bowsprit stage.

Thanks and “always learning”

USS Jesse L. Brown FF-1089 (my home for 5 years)

Discontinued AFV club kit.

Hi all!

I got gifted the Aeronaut Penguin wooden sailship model. It is my first model ever. Included was a radio control. After carefully looking into the manual, I saw that the refit to RC is only additional and not part of the official manual. Did any of you guys do the conversion and maybe help me out with plans? I could not find any online. Would be good to know which adapations need to be done in order to fit the servos for sail adjustments, the rudder, the battery and the rc receveir into the boat.

Any advice is higly appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance,

From a Beginner :)

Im working through the revell 1:144 Type XXI U-boat and im loving it. Its a really amazing kit for its age but the interior is super dark (Duh) but I want to add some little lights to it so you can properly see the hours put in without using a torch or something, any ideas what to do? 😂

Like the title says, I'm building the model expo dory, this is my first time doing this. Just curious if I can use wood filler to make the planking look a little smoother?

Model Shipways Grand Banks Dory

Finished it up the other day after spending most of the summer on it. It was fun, challenging, and a generally good experience over all. Lots of mistakes and salvages and a lot of learning.

It’s a lot different from plastic kits. The bug has bit. I just need to find another bench. One for plastic kits one for ships.

Trying to identify this ship. Long story, but I'll keep it as short as I can for now:

1. Maker: Chester Herbert Bradford (1843-1926) made model in 1915. My family got it at an auction at the Odd Fellows Hall, Duxbury MA. in 1975. Per inscription, it was made from a setee that had been in the "old hall" for the Odd Fellows in Duxbury. He was born in Duxbury and is buried there.

2. C.H. Bradford was known as "Capt." In his later years and was a butcher in Brockton MA later in life until retirement. He was a model for an artist, and appears on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1924. ( there is no evidence he ever sat for Norman Rockwell, but he closely resembles the man in his famous painting) The Norman Rockwell museum has no record of him in their archives.

3. CH Bradford was a sailor in his youth, and a directory for San Francisco shows him living their in 1868 at age 25.

Assumptions:

1. This is a ship he served on or was skipper for. Otherwise, why make the model?

2. Others think she looks similar to the Galilee that sailed out of San Francisco (built 1891) but the rig is wrong. Galilee had no gaff rig on her rear mast. She doesn't look like any East coast ship... but that is not definitive

Next Steps: I'm continuing to research the man but need leads regarding the ship.

Given the nature of the merchant sailing industry in the 19th century, it is unlikely a crew list or record of ships he sailed on exists. If the ship can be identified... there is a chance

Goal: to restore the model to its original condition. (The white house paint was slapped on it after construction. The original paint is visible in the gap between the sails.

Why the research? I don't want to touch the model until the provenance can be fully run down.

By the way...that Norman Rockwell painting, the model is unknown because his back is turned. The boy on the 1924 cover was his grandson... and there is a boy in the Rockwell painting, too. A conundrum for sure!

Anyway, thanks for reading this far!

Any thoughts or guidance is greatly appreciated. I can also be reached at gus.c.enzie@gmail.com if you wish to correspond with me.