As I start the rigging on the Dreadnought, I got to wondering- how many people rig their ships? Even modern ships generally have signal halyards, HF antennas and maybe even some standing rigging.
I see a number of ships at shows not rigged. Same with biplanes. So wondering, how many folks do rig ships, how many do not?
Seems to me, if many folks do rig, there is room for some PE products that might make rigging easier.
I caught the bug rigging 1/72 biplanes and 1/700 ships–they just looked naked and unfinished (to me) without at least something there.
The good news is, when I build something in a larger scale, it’s like a bonus, not quite so fiddly or eye straining.
I rig, but on the few 1/700 ships I’ve done, it seems unnecessary. At the scale distance you look at a 1/700 ship, most rigging is invisible. That said, the flags are visible, and something has to hold them up!
I rig, but only if my eyes and shaking hands allow.
Jim [cptn]
I usually do but on large projects I keep putting it off. I wonder if I’ll ever finish the Constitution (it’s half rigged) and I may need a secind lifetime to get the Soleil Royal done and that’s if I’m lucky. I just got my Dreadnought and assume I’ll rig it.
No matter what scale, I have to rig it. Although I still have a 1/350 Arizona with bare masts.
I do rig my ships. However, that being said, it’s not a lot of fun and it usually stalls me for a while.
One thing I’ve tried to develop a better sense of is pre-setting the rigging that comes up from the deck. It gets pretty hard to get a stay wire down in between boats, ventilators and PE railings.
As for boat falls, it used to be that rigging those was considered to be what separated the “men” from the “boys” in the circles I followed. Including the boats swinging free…
At 1/350 though it’s pretty much impossible. I agree that a PE set at different lengths would be helpful.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
I guess I’m the oddball of the bunch. I think rigging is the best part of the build. It’s just relaxing. And the more rigging the better. I’m re-rigging my Heller Chebec right now, including her guns, and will be getting back to my Heller Victory after that.
I’ve only recently took the dive into 1/350 with the Gallery Models LHD-1 Wasp. Rigging was limited but it did make a huge difference in her appearance. Right now I use stretched sprue, but have been thinking of moving to piano or guitar wire, which scales really well. This will be nice since my wife has stashed the 1/400 Academy Titanic Premium edition in the closet for Christmas.
Phil
Hi DON: Just so you know,I rig everything.I have been tempted NOT to rig 1/700 ,but you know what they say(WHO,S THEY,ANYWAY ?) where there,s a will there,s a way.
1/700 requires a LOT of cat whiskers and fly tying line,but it can be done.On 1/350 I even do swing out and rig the boats.This makes a focal point that,s rarely seen.Of course ALL my clients expect it too.
Now as for my own it may just have flagbag/signal lines and a few stays(the ones you,d expect) thats how I handle that. TANKER-builder
I love rigging like Phil does but then I mainly build sailing ships. That being said, I did rig the U-Boat I built for my younger brother before he passed away this year.
steve
I rig all of my ships, although I no longer build smaller scales.
Bill