I finally decided it is time to start a new model, the chosen one ( That I can afford ) was the Golden Hind by Occre.
I received the box and when I looked at it, the first think that came to my mind was “I paid $195 bucks for such a small model?” I was under the impression when I ordered that the ship was going to be larger than what I received, maybe I did not check the size and assumed (you know what assume means) that it was bigger.
It came very well packaged and with sufficient wood and parts to do the model, true to Occre, the instructions are one page with very limited written instruction and the rest are photos and drawings, the drawings are scale 1:1 and very detailed. So far I have been able to follow them and have not made any mayor errors, maybe I am getting more experience in the building of models.
Due to a problem with my computer I was not able to show a photo at the time I started building it, the attached photo show most of the first line of planking already installed, may be because I have increase my experience level or maybe this ship is an easier build, but, the construction is going quite fast.
Attached please find the photo in question:
As I was looking for the next ship to build, I found out very quickly that wood ship models have increase quite a bit. I was looking at the CSS Alabama, but, they are asking about $360 for it, beyond my budget at this time. I going try to convince my Admiral that I need to increase my model purchase budget. Will see what happens. (I hope she won’t kit me out of the house).
I know what you mean Joe. I’m in the same club. Love to build these boats but hard to afford them. Got lucky and my wifes nephew gifted me the Bluenose II AL kit. Been trying to save up for another ship but it’s tough.
I guess I am lucky in that the fact my Admiral supports my hobbies very strongly. She also , along with me, hope I can pass these hobbies onto our grandkids. Time will tell on that.
I am thinking to replace the doors included on the kit with one build my me, it appears to me that the door that comes with the kit is way to fancy for a war ship build back in the 1700s. Attached I have put a photo of the door that comes with the kit (the one on top) and the one I made ( The one below ). Would like to get some comments on which door to use.
Joe, the ship is actually earlier, 1500s (16th Century). No reliable images exist of her, so most models are based on the various replicas. The most recent being 1988, I think.
But that was a time when very refined architecture came into being, particularily at the end of the gothic era. Golden Hind seems to have been a better example of english galleon ship building.
Here’s a door from Castle Desmond in Ireland, built around the same time. Obviously its not the original door, but the door frame probably is.
In particular the through-bolts are a nice design flourish. I’m sure that the hinge straps were more simple and robust, but it’s a nice example of finish carpentry.
I’d probably make the opening a gothic style too, but that’s just for fun.
I haven’t built a Hind since when, several of the Revell kits with the Drake character, but it’s a special little ship and (maybe) is part of our local history in Northen California.
Have you thought about what device to decorate the transom with? Hind, ER Coat of Arms? What came with the kit?
Hello! I think it’s a good idea to build the door yourself, but I think you need to pay closer attention to the size of wood you are using. Did you check how wide and how thick the planks would be in real life if you took the scale into account? Also don’t underestimate the desire of the master carpenters of that time to show off and prove their superiority. They wouldn’t just slap a few pieces of wood together, that would be below their standards.
I’d recommend getting on the email list for Model Expo. They have sales almost every week and you can sometimes save a lot - it just requires a little patience to wait for the model you want to see a reduction, but you usually get a couple of shots at it each year. Another good option is Cornwall Model Boats over in England. For some reason, there prices seem to be comparable to Model Expo sale prices. Shipping adds a little, but it’s not unreasonable. Both sites have a good selection of ships.
After reading your comments and looking at the provided photograph, it make me think that the carpenters of that time did very good work, and the fact that this ship has a lot of ornaments, I decided on trying to use the door that comes with the kit. but, added the detail of the frame and the hinges to make it look more authentic. See the attached photo. In the photo is the kit door after I painted the details, the wood on the side is to mount the door on that wood, then attach them to the actual ship in an effort to make the door more relevant.
Here is a photo of the ship as it stands today, I am finished with the first planking, sand it, added some wood putty to smooth it out, and sand it again, it is looking pretty decent. The next step is to start adding the second planking.
Well until next time, and please, please, keep the comment and advisers coming, I appreciate them
I read an article on Drake and the ‘Hind’ a few days ago and Drake had the ship built for him in a good shipyard and he saw it as an extention of his status and position. Therefore not only would the craftsmen have created a handsome and appealing product, in this case a door, but Drake would have had them flogged if they slapped together a shody plank door. There would be a decorative element to it, more than a form follows function appearance.
As for the hinges on the kit door and the castle door, they were more than decoration. They spead the doors weight over multiple pieces of wood and fasteners, which were wrought iron not steel. And again handsome and appealing appearance would be paramount.
BUT in the end it is your ship and up to you as to how to build it and how to change it.
Here is another update on the Golden Hind build. I have been doing some repairs around the house so I have no been putting updates on the build. I am taking my time with this build to keep my frustration level down and also to stretch the build hoping that the prices of the models go down in prices (wishful thinking).
I finished building the hull and its components and installed most of the furniture on the deck, now I am working on the shroud lines then will follow with the installation of the rat lines. See the following photo for details.
Looks like she’s coming along very nicely. Very nice finish on the hull. I love watching the rigging come together. That’s where I’m at on the Bluenose II.
Can’t get nothing done on her for a while as the workroom is all packed up and in the garage waiting for the new flooring to be installed. Going to make some changes to the room when the flooring is in. I was running out of shelf space so I measured everything, used graph paper to see where I could make changes. Think my planned set-up will work and give me quite a bit of room to put future builds. But, as the saying goes, “Best laid plans”. Will probably end up with the 12" square useable work area anyway.[;)]
For people who want to try a wood ship model, Amazon carries several lines from Asia. Don’t know which country, 'cause the instruction sheets are in some Asian language. But the instructions have good diagrams. The prices range from $13 to about $50. They are smaller scale than European models but that is nice- I am running out of display space. Best of all, youtube has several videos of builds.
I have some odd news on this front. Some of my Paper-Model Sites are offering Plank on Frame or Bulkhead, pressed wood models with, get this, a full wood frame and keel set and or a full wood deck kit, or if you want to go all the way. All the wood needed and then you just build what amounts to a more engineered wood model kit with low wastage!
They are sailing ships, But they are offering two WW1 kits and Civil War vessels too! Ther are some new folks on the market now and this firm ORIEL is a new one through Fenten’s Papermodels. The scales are all over the place too. From 1/87 to 1/200 and so on. T.B.
Joe