Would you like to print a copy of this book to read offline? Click Here to download the printable PDF version

Model Ship Kit Sitemap

Preface - The unprecedented success of How to Make Clipper Ship  Models, first published in 1927, has stimulated the author to prepare the present work as a companion book, to inform the novice how to make worth-while models of old-time ships.

As with the other work, this book is progressive; it com­mences with some description of notable old models, then goes on to outline the "whys" and "wherefores" of old-world ship modelling and touches lightly on materials, tools and their uses.

Preface - 2 - The remarkable success of the first edition of this book has been marked by the receipt of an unusually large number of letters of appreciation particularly from those who have used the book as an introduction to the fascinating hobby of old-time ship modeling.

Preface - 3 - More than a quarter of a century has elapsed since the building of the Royal Albert, the Ark Royal and the Carrack, whjch formed the main examples of the model ship­wright's craft in the first edition of this book. During that time many hundreds of such models have been successfully built by amateurs in all parts of the world.

01. Introduction - Brief Description of some Old-time Ships and their Performances, together with Notes on the Part played by them in the development and expansion of World Trade—Illustrated with Photographs of Fine Old-time Ship Models.

Contemporary models of old-time ships are nowadays very scarce and precious things; most of them have found permanent homes in the great museums of the world, others in the collections of wealthy connoisseurs.

02. Building Old - General Introduction to the Subject—Various Ways briefly indicated, with notes on technical Requirements and Skill—Tools and Materials needed are few and simple to manipulate.

The building of old-time ship models is one of the most fascinating of hobbies, the work is clean and simple, can be carried out practically anywhere by either sex, without fuss, bother or mess; the result is a picturesque reminder of the spacious days of romance and high endeavor. What stirring tales of derring do, what stupendous feats of human endurance are called forth when we recollect the names of Cabot, Columbus, Diaz, Raleigh, Drake, Frobisher, Sir Richard Grenville and the epic fight of the little Revenge against tremendous odds.

03. Carrack - A Typical Carrack Described—Full Size Details oi every Part given on the Folding Plate—Every Process Clearly Described and Illustrated with Action Photographs.

The name Carrack has been given to a variety of ships and by many students is considered to be derived from fourteenth century boats of modest size.

04. Scenic Models - Making a Scenic Model of the "Ark Royal," at one time the Flagship of Sir Walter Raleigh—The Hull is constructed of Cardboard and Full In­structions are given for building an interesting Model.

The details for this model of the Ark Royal, which was originally built for Sir Walter Raleigh, are based on an old picture in the Macpherson Collection, in the Naval Museum at Greenwich.

05. Hulls Construction - Reviews some Practical Methods of Building the Huli, of any Old-timeShip Model—Explains in Detail the Building of a Cardboard Hull and How to Make one on the Laminated System.

The hull is a very important item of any ship model as virtually it is the foundation upon which the whole of the ornamental or spectacular part is built.

06. Royal Albert - A Survey of the Work Involved in the Construction or a Characteristic Ship of the Line of the period 1700—Tools and Materials needed with some Notes on their Use.

The model bearing the title Royal Albert forms the chief  subject matter of the next few chapters, and is a fine example of what can be done by the novice.

07. Hull + Stand - Further Information about the Wohk on the Hull of "Royal Albert," particularly with Reference to the Stem Head. Gunports and Wales.

After the main portion of the hull of the Royal Albert has been completed as described in Chapter V., there is a considerable amount of detail work still remaining to be done, including the building up of the stem head, the completion of the wales, making gunports and numerous other items which for convenience can be looked upon as being parts of the hull.

08. Stern Gallery - A Distinctive Feature, Characteristic of Old time Ships—Picturesque Work at the Stern Gallery fully explained, each process described in detail.

The hull of a sailing ship has from the earliest times gaily decorated at the bow and stern, a practice particu­larly prevalent during the Middle Ages. Indeed the sterns of most old-time ships were noteworthy for splendour of appear­ance, magnificence of carving, and profusion of gilt and paintwork.

09. Masts + Spars - The Various Stages of the Work described in detail— Alternative Methods explained—Making and Fit­ting the Tops and Crosstrees.

Masts and spars comprise all those rounded pieces of wood which support and spread the sails. On most models they are made of good quality yellow pine straight in the grain and as even in quality as may be procurable. The first stage is to cut the pieces to length and width from a board of suitable thickness.

10. Deck Fittings - Detailed Treatment of Deck Fittings—How to Make and Fix them, Fully Illustrated with Line Drawings, Photographs and Action Pictures.

Deck fittings, in the ordinary way, comprise various components used on or about the decks which can be fixed in place when the model is otherwise complete; but on the Royal Albert this course cannot be followed exactly, nor is it easy to determine what is, and is not, properly described as a deck fitting.

11. Standing Rigging - Standing Rigging Defined and Described—Methods adopted in Rigging the "Royal Albert"—Explan­ation of Details and Fittings involved and their Uses described.

Rigging is a word applied in a colloquial manner to the  whole system of ropes which support the masts, move the yards and spars, handle the sails, and so forth.

12. Sailmaking - Information about the Making of Sails, and How they should be Rigged—Detailed Instructions foe. Mak­ing Blocks and Tackles employed in conjunction with Them.

Custom has evolved two classes of old-time ship model; one group exhibits a remarkable perfection of detail but seldom provided with sails.

13. Running Rigging - Running Rigging defined—Methods of making Tackles described         simplified ways of rigging a repre­sentative Scale Model.

Running rigging is a term customarily applied to all the ropes and tackles employed to move the yards, hoist and handle sails, and generally to work the ship.

14. Painting - Various Methods of imparting a Neat Workmanlike Appearance to a Model are here dealt with in Considerable Detail.

Matters that could be dealt with under the title of this chapter would be enough to fill a bulky volume, but here attention is directed particularly to the various methods of preparing the surfaces of wood, cardboard and other materials; the choice and application of various pigments and some hints on such items as polishing, lacquering and the like.

15. Repairs - A Few Hints on how to Restore an Old Ship Model—The Methods to Adopt, Pitfalls to Avoid, and some Remarks on the Importance of Historical Accuracy.

Hidden in a dusty loft, cupboard or the spare room, one occasionally comes across a genuine old-time ship model, built years ago by craftsmen who had the advantage of knowing and seeing the ships they modeled.

16. The Information - Helpful Suggestions as to the Way to seek out any Available Information concerning a Particular Ship or Model.

To make a good scale model of any old-time ship necessitates a good deal of reliable information, especially such vital matters as the dimensions of the hull, the lengths of the yards and so forth. The general rig and proportion of the boat may be difficult to ascertain, and much of it may not be' obtainable at all!

THE END