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A new naval project. What to do now?

Started by AlessandroSPQR
35 replies 145 likes Last activity: 11 days ago
#1

A new naval project. What to do now?

Greetings to all ship modelers!

Now that I've finished the ship model that's been keeping me busy for years, I need to decide what new project to begin.

I have these options:


1. Restoration of a wooden RC speedboat I didn't build.
This should be my first job, but I don't like restoring; I prefer to build from scratch, or at most, build from other people's designs or ready-made kits. That's why I always put it off.

2. Restoration of a static metal model of an Indonesian Navy warship (Laksamana-class corvette), not built by me.
This would also be a priority because it's in poor condition, but the same applies to the first one, so this one has been postponed as well.

3. Mast installation for a static wooden model built by me at Kit (Sergal) Mantua Model.
This Sciabecco is in excellent condition; after the move, I lost track of it and then abandoned it to focus on projects from scratch. It's worth dedicating some time to it. Moreover, given its size, I might find a place for it, but unfortunately only in the cellar. I say unfortunately because it's very beautiful to look at.

4. Plastic warship from a static kit, possibly convertible into a navigable RC model.
Building a warship has always been an obsession of mine because before I started building wooden naval models, I built plastic airplane models, and WWII and modern warships have always been my passion.
Even though plastic kits are very simple, painting them will be a lot of fun for me, so this time it won't be so much the pleasure of building them but the final effect.
I'm torn between the RN Roma battleship and a 1:35 model produced by Italeri.
The only thing holding me back is space. I need to find a model I can store in the basement.

5. Self-built motorboat hull [planing type] from scratch based on my own design.
I intend to build a motorboat from scratch out of wood (resin-coated and varnished). The design (which I find very satisfying starting from a blank sheet of paper) will be the product of my imagination. The topsides will initially be minimalist because the goal is to perform various tests on the mechanical and electronic components, particularly the brushless motors.
I'll need to find a size and scale that will allow for acceptable space both in the basement and in the car.
I could then complete it to make it visually pleasing, as if it were a display model.

6. Hull for a fishing vessel or bulk cargo vessel [displacement type].
I intend to build a hull from scratch out of wood (resin-coated and painted). Again, the design will be a product of my imagination. The topsides will initially be minimalist because the goal is to perform various tests on mechanical and electronic components applied to a displacement hull.
As with the speedboat, I'll need to find a size and scale that will allow for acceptable space both in the basement and in the car.
I could then complete it to make it visually pleasing, as if it were a display model.

7. RC schooner, with full sails controll. The model will be based on my original design.
This is the project that fascinates me and interests me the most. I intend to capitalize on the various experiences I've gained to create a model that's beautiful to look at on static display but highly effective under sail. It will also have to be propeller-driven.
It won't be antique, so I won't have too many constraints to follow to make it authentic and faithful to the originals, and I'll be able to adopt more practical solutions (such as using turnbuckles instead of deadeyes for the shrouds).
It won't be a warship, so I won't have to go crazy with the cannons, both in building them faithfully to the originals and in removing them every time the deck lids are opened.
I would devote a lot of effort to the functionality of the sails and their control.
In this regard, I'm awaiting the final outcome of RossM's sailing ship to draw inspiration from his ingenious solutions and ask for advice.
Given its size, I think it will remain a dream for a long time. However, I might start drawing it.
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#2

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Alessandro,

How about going for a simple scratch-built model?
After a long, tedious project, it’s always nice to build something a bit easier—just to catch your breath and enjoy the process again.

As it happens, a certain modeler from this forum=, will soon be starting a build log on a push tug… and that got me thinking. As soon as I finish my Juanita, I’ll be starting a build log of my own for a push tug as well.

This type of build can be quite straightforward, especially if you have the right blueprints. I happen to have a very old set of plans that I’ll be using for mine.

I’m sharing the blueprints along with a few photos of real vessels for reference—the first two are actual boats built from those same plans.
😎
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#3

A new naval project. What to do now?

That's a diverse list of options there!

If it was me choosing, but I'm not of course and ultimately it comes down to what you want to build.

But based on the fact, that like me you like producing your own designs and scratch building then that immediately rules out 1, 2 and 4.

Given your comment at the end of 7 then yes I'd start drawing it (I get a lot of satisfaction from that and have drawn a few I haven't built yet and maybe never will) particularly as you're have just finished something with sails and given it's complexity sounds like a long term project again.

So that leaves 5, 6 and 3. 5 would be my choice as that is my main area of interest but for you it could be 5 or 6. Work on 3 whilst you are working on the design for 5 or 6. I usually have more than one build on the go at anyone time and combine these with drawing up future builds - I find this increases and maintains my enthusiasm.

Chris
Scratch building 7 Faireys at a scale of 1:12
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#4

A new naval project. What to do now?

Thanks for your comments, Chugalone and Chris.

Chris, you had no doubts about your favorite, hahahaha.
Don't worry, when I do issue #5 (sooner or later), I'll go back and review all your work, and your advice will be very valuable, as will Zooma's.
I'm thinking about it, but it's still fun to see what others think.
I've noticed that many people, like Jumpugly for example, are already thinking about another ship model while they're building something, and some have several lined up.
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#5

A new naval project. What to do now?

My toodo is similar. Im in CA now for a few weeks. My son bought in Sept in Leeds at that hobby shop a nice tugboat model Bankert 516 Billings Boats. Directions are only pictures with a few comments, very few. A lot of questions could have been easily answered in instructions manual they had printed. All wood is great n plastics too. Just manual is lacking and you need to guess. Just cutting the hull n deck.

Back home i left the Krick Vll German sub midway done. Hull cut n parts but found manual lacking. RCshipyard.com has fixes for it. Printed out new parts. So it’s ready to assemble.

My DE1040 Garcia and the USN Crocket just need final details done. My Carole Queen Dumas needs railings. A few dozen other small stuff still not done. Whike here I purchased 1950’s solid wood kits to bring home. Right off plane I go to hobby shop. I have a few models here in closet to finish up too.
Howard hager
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#6

A new naval project. What to do now?

For me it always is important to choose a subject to which one has a personal connection, special interest etc. This is what keeps me going with my present project which will still take a few years to complete. To me, and I don't want to take away from anyone who may feel put out by my comments, it would need that required enthusiasm for a project to carry me through the down periods saving me from abandonment. I couldn't take on say a common kit which is being built by many people.
Seeing chagalone's posts I would take the tug, which I enclosed below photo of a tug, on which I travelled for a consulting job I did many years ago for an oil project from Iquitos on the Rio Napo to Ecuador. I spent 3 weeks on it, no A/C, showers with a capt., 2 engine personal, cook, decks hand and owners representative in convoy with 3 other tugs each pushing 2 barges. But other than a few photos I have no plans or other technical data.
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#7

A new naval project. What to do now?

Chug, those mid size US towboats are great looking! Good luck on your build. (You might inspire me to get going on mine, the M/V Arne Christiansen) ahead of the queue I have.

Lew
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#9

A new naval project. What to do now?

I think you have already chosen which to it had to be ...

Philuk👍
Liked by jumpugly and chugalone100 and
#11

A new naval project. What to do now?

That's true, Phil.
In fact, Chris's advice ("Work on 3 while you're working on the design for 5 or 6") is the one that reconciles various practical needs and desires.
Liked by Hsailer and chugalone100 and
#12

A new naval project. What to do now?

My main area of interest are the earlier Fairey Marine boats with timber hulls and the Huntsman 31 and Swordsman kits have and are being built by many folks. Nothing wrong with that of course and indeed that is positive. I would have built them as part of my fleet if they were available at a scale of 1:12 (well the Swordsman was but not the version I wanted and kits are very rare now) but as it is I've had to produce my own drawings and scratch build which adds another layer of interest for me. Four of my seven Fairey builds are unique (I've never seen others built or drawings anyway) and doing the research and producing the drawings has produced a great deal of satisfaction.

Given what Hhager says about instructions and manuals I think I'd struggle with a kit! Apart from Airfix when I was young I've never built one. Having done the drawings I understand the construction (well mainly!) and change things on the fly.

My next two projects, the water-jet and outboard are also much modified or own design. But I'm really resisting starting them whilst I still have so many Faireys requiring finishing!
Scratch building 7 Faireys at a scale of 1:12
Liked by jumpugly and Hsailer and
#13

A new naval project. What to do now?

Jock, I totally agree with your philosophy. Mine is much the same; most of my builds represent boats that I had some type of connection with. Some loose in nature, others more intense.
Building from kits is fine for anyone. After all getting someone interested in the hobby all of us enjoy so much is what’s important. Kit building often inspires someone to move on to scratch or semi-scratch building. 👍
Liked by JockScott and jumpugly and
#14

A new naval project. What to do now?

Peter N, boom boats are a very interesting subject. Known as the fork lifts of the logging industry they are extremely acrobatic in their maneuvers. Do some online research & I think you will become even more interested in building one.
Here’s one I built several years ago.
Keep everything above deck EXTREMELY light. By nature these boats are unstable. Weight topside will likely result in rolling over in a turn creating surface bubbles when it sinks. Trust me, I have experience!
Liked by AlessandroSPQR and Hsailer and
#15

A new naval project. What to do now?

Lew:
My mind is set up already, that’s my next model Based on my blueprints. I of course might trick a couple of things just to make it more interesting.
I was thinking to build her anywhere from 30-40”, but 36” seems the right size.

At the bottom of the plan it shows the vessel length as 125 ft (full scale).
Convert to inches
125 ft × 12 = 1500 inches (real boat)
My model, I want: 36 inches.

Scale calculation
Scale=
1500
36
​
=0.024
Invert it:
36
1500
​
≈41.7
Final scale:
≈ 1:42 scale
😎
Liked by hermank and pressonreguardless and
#16

A new naval project. What to do now?

JockScott:Hi Joe,
I completely understand your point, and I actually agree with you. That personal connection is what really keeps a project alive, especially during those long stretches when progress slows down. Without that, it’s very easy to lose motivation and let a build fade away.

Your experience on that tug sounds incredible—three weeks on the Rio Napo in a convoy like that is something not many people can say they’ve done. That alone is more than enough reason to bring that particular boat to life as a model. You already have the most important ingredient: the story behind it.

As for not having plans, don’t let that stop you. With your photos and your firsthand experience, you actually have a big advantage. You can work from similar tug designs and adapt the details to match what you remember.
Many of these push tugs share common proportions and layouts, so a set of general blueprints can get you 80% there, and your memories will take care of the rest.
In a way, that makes the project even more unique—because it becomes your tug, not just a copy of a set of plans.
If you decide to go that route, I’d be more than happy to help you get started with some reference drawings and ideas.
😎
Liked by Hsailer and hermank and
#17

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Chris, I understand your penchant for home-made projects and I completely share your passion for creating something new.
Consider that just completing the drawing is a great achievement for me, but I often think about how pleasant and convenient it is to simply follow instructions that you already know are precise and accurate. I assure you, it's very relaxing.
It's true, however, that there are varying degrees of difficulty. It ranges from the plastic kit to the blank sheet of paper.
Here are the degrees of difficulty, in my opinion.
1. The plastic kit has precise instructions; you just glue the pieces together perfectly (there may be a few small defects or burrs in the plastic castings, but nothing major).
2. The wood and plastic kit, in which the hull is already supplied as a single piece or, at most, in two pieces to be joined together.
3. The wooden kit with frames and planking. In this situation, the biggest obstacle for many is the hull itself. I know so many people who bought beautiful kits but abandoned them immediately after building the hull. I remember that for me, the transition from plastic airplane kits to wooden ship models was traumatic.

4. Point three can be broken down into many further steps. In fact, some kits are well-explained, while others are too brief.

5. Drawings and construction steps illustrated without materials. In this case, the only difference with kits is that you have to source materials, hardware, and every single element yourself.

6. Only the construction plan.

7. In this case too (as with point three), point six can be broken down into many further steps. In fact, some construction plans are well-explained, while others are too brief and limited to just a few lines of the hull.

8. No plans, only images taken directly from real ships or from the internet.

Then, logically, there is the intrinsic difficulty of the type of ship; It's obvious that the hull of a sailing ship is much more complex than that of a barge, just as it's obvious that the topsides and masts of an 18th-century vessel are infinitely more complicated than those of a motorized trawler. A square-rigged sailing vessel has much more complex rigging than a schooner or a modern sloop, and so on.

Finally, I'd consider scale. Generally, the larger the scale (and therefore the greater the detail), the easier it is to work with. It's also true, however, that large scales allow no compromise; every element must be represented clearly, without excuses.
Liked by Hsailer and hermank and
#18

A new naval project. What to do now?

Chug, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. For the time being I have got my hands full with abt 35ft of tubing. But before I would attempt a 'quasi' model of the tug 'Mariana' I probably would do the Pamir. I was quite taken reading in the papers about her demise off the Azores in 1957.
Liked by hermank and chugalone100 and
#19

A new naval project. What to do now?

Chug, looking good. When I build my model one of the first things I look at is what figures are available near the scale I want. With your 1/43 scale you are close to '0' scale. My plans are to build my Arne at 1/35 scale (lots of figure choices) giving me a hull length of 42 inches.

But, before that I have a bunch of partially built models to continue on plus some fix-ups.

Lew
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by chugalone100 and hermank
#20

A new naval project. What to do now?

Wow Jock, what a choice, the Pamir! I read about this training ship and its tragic end.
Is that the one in this photo, right?
Congratulations on your choice.
Anyway, after the Deutschland Esso tanker, I realized you don't like easy models, hahahahahaha.
Just a curiosity: where will you get the construction plans for this ship?
Liked by pressonreguardless and hermank and
#21

A new naval project. What to do now?

Yes, Alessandro, that's her. I thought Heller had a kit for the Passat, which is a sister of the Pamir. Once I get to that point I think another trip to Germany for sure.
Liked by AlessandroSPQR and chugalone100 and
#22

A new naval project. What to do now?

JockScott,
Are you referring to the Pamir—the large steel sailing ship, a four-masted barque and one of the last commercial windjammers still operating in the 1950s?
As I understand it, the grain cargo shifted in the holds—a known risk if not properly secured—which caused the ship to list heavily. Combined with the storm conditions, she lost stability and eventually capsized. Out of 86 people onboard, only 6 survived. A tragic event that really shook the maritime world.
So what you’re saying is that this powerful, real-life story drew you in—possibly even more than the idea of building the tug Mariana?
A tug like Mariana is quite the opposite type of project—more focused on machinery, piping, winches, and overall function. It’s about realism and engineering rather than romance, often built as a working RC model.
That said, I know you’ve got a strong feel for both sides of the hobby.
😎
Liked by SimpleSailor and EdW and
#23

A new naval project. What to do now?

Lew:

Great advice—that’s a really good point about the figures. I’m going to rethink the scale and likely change it.

“By wise guidance you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” — Proverbs 24:6

This forum has an abundance of counselors for sure.

I double-checked the blueprints, and at 1/35 scale the model would only come out to about 26", which is a bit smaller than what I had in mind

I may need to look at a larger scale to get the size I’m after—open to suggestions if anyone has gone through this before.

😎
Liked by hermank
#24

A new naval project. What to do now?

Fortunately towboats do not have a large crew so you don't have to make many figures.
My Wiesel (schnellboot) is 1/40 scale and I wanted about 15 figures on the deck. I used 1/35 scale figures, shortened by a saw cut at the waist.
Lew
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by chugalone100 and hermank
#25

A new naval project. What to do now?

You are quite right, Chug, about the Captains misjudgement on securing the cargo. Just piling bagged cargo on top of the bulk is not good enough if encountering rough weather. Ships built for bulk cargo loads have the top side plates inside the cargo hold installed at the angle bulk cargoes will form when poured from a spout in order to fill all empty spaces. We used to secured half loads of bulk cargo by laying down tarps with cables on the bottom and once the load is reached they will secure tarps over the top and tighten to stop loose bulk to move, similar to tying up a parcel. The captain was unfortunately inexperienced and blew caution into the wind to depart quickly.
Liked by pressonreguardless and AlessandroSPQR and
#26

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Jock, do you mean the one in the photo (1:50 scale)?
This is a plastic kit, if I'm not mistaken.
I thought you wanted to build it out of wood.
In that case, there's a Heller kit, even one from Pamir itself (see photo).
Liked by hermank and JockScott and
#28

A new naval project. What to do now?

Alessandro, I thought I saw one made of wood and the plastic is 1:150 scale. But this is still far in the future. If need be I can always get the plastic kit for proper hull shape, fittings etc.
Liked by hermank and AlessandroSPQR and
#29

A new naval project. What to do now?

I am in the middle of creating some new web sites and I just finished adding (and updating) a page I actually created several years ago on scale figures for model boats. As we mentioned something about figures here I thought some of you might be interested.
Lew
https://www.rcflorida.org/lmbfig/
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Black Shoe and chugalone100 and
#30

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Jock, even though the Pamir is a future project and very far away in time, I recommend you buy the kit as soon as possible (perhaps by looking for a good offer) or as soon as the right opportunity arises because you might not be able to find it anymore.
Liked by chugalone100 and JockScott and
#31

A new naval project. What to do now?

Good point Alessandro. I think I might just do that. At least it inspire me to live long enough.
Liked by AlessandroSPQR
#32

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Jock, as an alternative to buying the plastic kit, you can already get some construction plans.
I found these links:

BAUPLAN PAMIR

Blueprints > Ships > Ships (Other) > SS Pamir 1905 (Barque)

I hope they're helpful. I don't know how accurate they are, but the price doesn't seem too high.
You definitely have the skills to build it yourself.
Do you have experience with rigging?

https://shop.vth.de/bauplan_pamir_-11-3200133/

https://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/ships/ships-other/89748/view/ss_pamir_1905_barque/
Liked by SimpleSailor and JockScott and
#33

A new naval project. What to do now?

Thank you Alessandro. That is very kind of you to invest your time in helping me out.
It definitely sounds like the way to go. No, I am not experienced with the rigging and I still have to finish the Blue Nose Billings 1:67 Scale I started back in the 70's, had part of the rigging done but took it back down when I moved from Montreal to Vancouver.
I just had my sister sew the sails. Another project to get done.
Liked by chugalone100 and SimpleSailor and
#34

A new naval project. What to do now?

Great, Jock, reviving the Blue Nose seems like a great idea.
If I'm not mistaken, it's a schooner, so it requires fewer standing and running rigging than square-rigged ships.
If it's a static model just for display, you shouldn't have any major problems, and it's a great satisfaction.
However, for a sailing RC model, controlling gaff sails (i.e., with the boom) poses pitfalls that square-rigged sails don't. I discovered this while building the models.
I'm obviously only referring to scale models, not real sailing ships (I can go into more detail on this topic if you're interested).
I'm still looking for the ideal solution. When I thought of mine, I wasn't yet familiar with the Robbe Valdivia scale model or Gary Webb's models.
To gain more inspiration and solutions, I'm waiting for the completion and launch of RossM's RC naval model.
Liked by chugalone100 and JockScott
#35

A new naval project. What to do now?

Yes, you are right it is a schooner and will be a static model. As another distant ambition I thought it be fun to do a scratch built from the various available plans but in a slightly larger scale. I might be wrong but I don't see a problem controlling the main sails (with the boom, small forward, larger aft). I have no experience with the sail servos but I can imagine starboard and port sheets will be running over one only. As one side gets hardened up the other is eased, so some tension is exerted on both.
For your benefit enclosed 2 picture of the my Blue Nose present state
Liked by EdW and AlessandroSPQR and
#36

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Jock, it's a static model, but it would be a shame not to finish it. I hope you finish it because there's not much left.

What you wrote: "But I can imagine the starboard and port sheets will be running over only one. As one side gets hardened up, the other is eased, so some tension is exerted on both." is an important point, but I have my doubts and we'll have to talk about it again.
However, it will be difficult for me to explain, and I'll need some sketches.
It would be very helpful to have someone with a lot of experience in this specific area help.
I'd like to discuss it again as soon as possible.
Liked by Northernflotsam and chugalone100

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