The Most Magnificent Ship Models We All Should Own
I started collecting ship models a few years ago.
I really enjoy the classic lines of the antique tall ship models.
The intricate details of the hull made as the real ship, plank on frame.
The intricate details require an immense amount of skill to transfer to something so small.
To space the boards properly and bend them to the proper contour takes time and skill that is hard to imagine unless you have tried to do it yourself.
Each board is nailed and glued to make sure it is firmly attached and will not warp or buckle.
The deck is now added and any special wood types are added now mahogany, cedar, rosewood, teak and many other exotic woods.
The details are then added to the deck.
All the small details like the wheel house, the cabins, and the cannons and captains quarters are also added.
These planks are also laid by hand glued and nailed in place.
The finished hull structure is then sanded and varnished multiple times till the finish is a smooth and as glossy as a dining room table.
Back when these ships were in the ocean they probably had a copper plate over the hull to protect them from a worm that would eat its way through the hull.
The model I have has tiny strips of copper nailed to the hull like the original ship.
This option adds considerable value to the ship model; there are not many model boats with a copper hull.
After the hull is complete it is time to stand the masts.
The Constitution model ship I own has three main masts on the deck, these are made from dowels after the jib mast is installed with the other three masts it is time to start running the rigging and hanging the sails.
This to me is the most difficult part of building a ship model.
There are hundreds of feet of string required to rig the sails on this 36 Inch long model.
There is no glue involved as all the rigging is tied with real nautical style knots.
The rigging has to be taught for the sails to look correct and that is where the skill is required.
When completed this is the most aesthetic part of the grandeur of these ship models.
Now the rest of the hardware, deck cleats, cannon balls, windows, and all the hardware which is made from metal and plated gold brass or chrome.
I really enjoy the classic lines of the antique tall ship models.
The intricate details of the hull made as the real ship, plank on frame.
The intricate details require an immense amount of skill to transfer to something so small.
To space the boards properly and bend them to the proper contour takes time and skill that is hard to imagine unless you have tried to do it yourself.
Each board is nailed and glued to make sure it is firmly attached and will not warp or buckle.
The deck is now added and any special wood types are added now mahogany, cedar, rosewood, teak and many other exotic woods.
The details are then added to the deck.
All the small details like the wheel house, the cabins, and the cannons and captains quarters are also added.
These planks are also laid by hand glued and nailed in place.
The finished hull structure is then sanded and varnished multiple times till the finish is a smooth and as glossy as a dining room table.
Back when these ships were in the ocean they probably had a copper plate over the hull to protect them from a worm that would eat its way through the hull.
The model I have has tiny strips of copper nailed to the hull like the original ship.
This option adds considerable value to the ship model; there are not many model boats with a copper hull.
After the hull is complete it is time to stand the masts.
The Constitution model ship I own has three main masts on the deck, these are made from dowels after the jib mast is installed with the other three masts it is time to start running the rigging and hanging the sails.
This to me is the most difficult part of building a ship model.
There are hundreds of feet of string required to rig the sails on this 36 Inch long model.
There is no glue involved as all the rigging is tied with real nautical style knots.
The rigging has to be taught for the sails to look correct and that is where the skill is required.
When completed this is the most aesthetic part of the grandeur of these ship models.
Now the rest of the hardware, deck cleats, cannon balls, windows, and all the hardware which is made from metal and plated gold brass or chrome.
Source...