ship-models-faq/part24
Willem Bennet
Rec-models-scale-archive-name: Ship_Modeling_FAQ/part24
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Last-modified: 22 June 2001
This is the Frequently Asked Questions FAQ (part 24) on ship modeling.
If you have acess to a browser (e.g., Netscape, Explorer, etc), you can
find a version of this FAQ (with illustrations) at:
http://www.seaways.com/faq/faqind.html .
Obligatory Disclaimer: The information contained in this message was
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author(s).
The questions being addressed are listed in part 01 of the FAQ.
###############################################
103. What are some good books... ?
A: What you will consider a "good book" depends GREATLY upon the
period and style of modeling you do -- a book on plastic
submarines will prove of little use if you are researching
ships of ancient Egypt.
Instead, the following list(s) are by general topic. Prices,
where shown, indicate the book is currently in print. these
are the LIST price; such books are frequently available for
much less in "remainder" book sales or as used books.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
-----------------
"The Neophite Shipmodeller's Jackstay", George F. Campbell; Softbound,
62 pages
Probably the best basic introduction to wooden shipmodeling.
"Ship Modeler's Shop Notes", Nautical Research Guild; Softbound, 216
pages, ($19.95)
Practical book for all ship modelers; a compilation of shipmodeling
articles from the Nautical Research Journal.
SHIPMODELING TECHNIQUES
-----------------------
"The Ship Model Builder's Assistant", Charles G. Davis; Softbound, 288
pages ($6.95)
Detailed descriptions and drawings of masts, rigging, and major
fittings of American clippers and packets.
"the Built-Up Ship Model", Charles G. Davis; Softbound, 256 pages
($6.95)
A detailed guide to building a ship model, in this case the brig
Lexington (American, 1775).
"Plank-on Frame Models", Harold A Underhill, Brown, Son, and Ferguson,
1960.
Two volume set detailing the building and rigging of the Brigantine
Leon.
"Modeling the Brig Irene", E. W. Petrejus, N. V. Uitgeversmasschappi
"Ed Esch", Holland, 1970.
"Boat Modeling the Easy Way A Scratch Builder's Guide", Harold H.
"Dynamite" Payson; Paperback, 195 pages, illustrations, photographs,
8 1/2 x 11 ($19.95) ISBN 0-87742-320-2
"Boat Modeling with Dynamite Payson - A Step-by-step Guide to Building
Models of Small Craft", Harold H. "Dynamite" Payson; Paperback, 182
pages, 280 illustrations, 8 1/2 x 11, ($19.95)
"Ship Modeling from Scratch - Tips and Techniques for Building Without
Kits", Edwin B. Leaf, Paperback, 184 pages, drawings, 7 3/8 x 9 1/8
($17.95) ISBN 0-87742-389-X
"Building Plank-on-Frame Ship Models", Ron McCarthy; 8vo, 192 pages,
illustrated, Conway Maritime Press, London, 1994 ($34.95)
"Shipbuilding in Miniature", by Donald McNarry, New York, Arco 1983
ISBN 0-668-05800-5
"Ships in Miniature", by Lloyd McCaffery, Cedarsburg, WI, Phoenix
Publications 1988 ISBN 0-9615021-3-4
"Building Warship Models", P. C. Coker, 313 pages, illustrated, R. L.
Briant Company, Columbia, South Carolina, 1974; ISBN 0-914432-01-X.
PERIOD SHIP RESEARCH
--------------------
"Navy Board Ship Models, 1650-1750", John Franklin; Hardbound, 192
pages, 150 photos, 16 color plates($36.95)
Survey of dockyard models, their construction and function.
"Shipcarver's Handbook", Jay S. Hanna, Hardcover, 108 pages, 7 1/8 x
10 (17.95) ISBN 0-937822-14-0
Design and lettering, set-up and carving techniques, woods, tool
sharpening, finishing and gold leafing (full-size modern practice).
"Ashley Book of Knots", Clifford W. Ashley, Hardcover, 610 pages, 8 3/4
x 11 1/4 ($50.00) ISBN 0-385-04025-4
Standard reference work on knots, splicing, etc.
RIGGING ETC.
"The Rigging of Ships in the Days of the Spritesail Topmast, 1600-1720",
R. C. Anderson, Conway Maritime Press, England, 1984.
"The Arming and Fitting of English Ships of War 1600-1815", Brian Lavery,
Conway Maritime Press, England, 1987.
Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War 1625-1860", James Lees,
Conway Maritime Press, England, 1984.
"The Construction and Fitting of the English Man-of-War 1650-1850",
Peter Goodwin, Conway Maritime Press, England, 1987.
Masting and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier", Harold A.
Underhill, Brown, Son, and Ferguson, Scotland, 1946.
"The Americal Fishing Schooners 1825-1935", Howard I. Chapelle, W. W.
Norton & Company, New York, 1973.
Covers all aspects of the "Gloucester" fishing schooners and their
fittings.
SPECIFIC SHIP AND SHIP-TYPE RESEARCH
------------------------------------
"Old Ironsides - The Rise, Decline and Resurrection of the USS
Constitution", Thomas C. Gillmer, Hardcover, 239 pages, photographs,
7 1/2 x 9 1/2 ($24.95) ISBN 0-87742-346-6
"Die Kieler Hansekogge, der Nachbau eines historischen Segelschiffes
von 1380", Baykowski, U., RKE-Verlag, Kiel 1991
"The Anatomy of Nelson's Ships", C. Nepean Longridge, Model & Allied
Publications, England, 1955.
Primarily concerned with building a model of H.M.S. Victory, but
lots of useful information on Napoleonic War practices.
"Conway's History of the Ship, The Age of the Galley", originally
published by Brassey's (UK) ltd. 1995. Published in the US/Canada by
the Naval Institute Press, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-024-X.
There are some good articles, with enough reconstructed detail to
use as a basis for modeling bronze age-sixteenth century galleys
(mostly warships).
The Anatomy of the Ship series of books. Each volume covers a specific
vessel (list $32.95 each)
The Aircraft Carrier "Intrepid"
The Aircraft Carrier "Victorious"
The Type VII U-Boat
The Liner "Queen Mary"
The 20-Gun Ship "Blandford"
The Battlecruiser "Hood"
The Flower Class Corvette "Agassiz"
The Submarine "Alliance"
The Cruiser "Bartolomeo Colleoni"
The "Susan Constant", 1607
The Battleship "Yamato"
The Armed Transport "Bounty"
The Royal Yacht "Caroline", 1749
The Bomb Vessel "Granado", 1742
The Destroyer "Campbeltown"
The Type XXI U-Boat
The Ships of Christopher Columbus
The Escort Carrier "Gambier Bay"
The Battleship "Dreadnought"
The 74-Gun Ship "Bellona"
The Frigate "Diana"
The 100-Gun Ship "Victory"
The 32-Gun Frigate "Essex"
The Battleship "Warspite"
The Cruiser "Belfast"
The Fairmile "D" Motor Torpedo Boat
The Destroyer Escort "England"
The Destroyer "The Sullivans"
The 24-Gun Frigate "Pandora" 1779
The Four Masted Barque "Lawhill"
HMS "Beagle" Survey Ship Extraordinary, 1820-1870
The Heavy Cruiser "Takao"
The Schooner "Bertha L Downs"
Captain Cook's "Endeavour"
The Cutter "Alert" 1777
The Battleship "Fuso"
Good reference for old surviving ships:
"International Register of Historic Ships", Norman J. Brouwer, Naval
Institute Press (Orig. Anthony Nelson, Ltd., 1985); ISBN 0-87021-306-7
This is a fascinating read for those of us who like this stuff.
All the vessels we've talked about here are described, as well as
semiintact clipper ships in Argentina and an 1868 monitor, guns in
place, used as a graffiti-covered breakwater in Melbourne.
(Phil Gustafson)
The following reviews are from John Berg:
The 20-Gun Ship Blandford by Peter Goodwin. Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis, 1988. Hardback, 119 pages, 9.5 inches high by 10.5. $36.95.
Drawings, plans, model photos. ISBN 0-87021-058-0.
Provides superb graphics. The Blandford, while not quite the
size of the HMS Surprise, a 5th rate like the Surprise and
gives the detailed drawings of the ship's hull, deck
arrangement, and rigging. Invaluable to modelers, too.
The Bomb Vessel Granado 1742 by Peter Goodwin. Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis, 1989. Hardback, 125 pages, 9.5 inches high by 10.5. $36.95.
Many drawings, plans, model photos. ISBN 0-87021-178-1.
Useful to both the scratch-build modeler and the reader of
Forester who wants to know more about the bomb vessel.
Provides insights about Jack Aubrey's first command, the Sophie,
since the Granado is also a 14 gun, brig-sloop with a
quarterdeck and stern windows. [See also page 6, col. c.]
Captain Cook's Endeavour by Karl Heinz Marquardt, Anatomy of the Ship
Series, 138 pages, hardback, 224 illustrations, $36.95.
The Endeavour, made eternally famous by Captain Cook's first
voyage on her in 1768-71, was chosen by Cook because of her
strong construction. The author describes her build and rig
based on information found in the Endeavour's journals, a mine
of previously unused, primary-source information.
The Armed Transport Bounty by John Mckay, USNI, 1989, 120 pages, many
photos, drawings, plans, and detailed sketches, $36.95.
A member of the Anatomy of the Ship series with the usual
superb graphics. Thanks to a reproduction built in Australia,
the book has many photos as well. Patrick O'Brian uses the
Anatomy of the Ship books and models to visualize action
about ships.
The Schooner Bertha L. Downs by Basil Greenhill and Sam Manning, 1995,
hardback, 128 pages, 250 Illustrations. 9.5 by 10.25 inches. The
Anatomy of the Ship Series, Naval Institute Press, ISBN 1-55750-790-2,
$36.95.
The North American schooner Bertha L. Downs was one of the many
large four-, five-, and six-masted schooners built on the banks
of the Kennebeck River at the end of the nineteenth and the
beginning of the twentieth centuries. These huge wooden
vessels were almost universally employed in the coastal trade,
chiefly taking coal from Virginia to New England. Contains
superb drawings and much new material about the life of the
vessel.
Bertha L. Downs was launched in 1908 and after ten years in
the lumber and coal trade was sold to Danish owners, renamed
the Atlas, and like a number of her contemporaries made a
profitable living through the 1920s and 30s. She was finally
broken up in 1950 in Germany having spent forty-two years
working under five flags.
Close cousins to the Anatomy of a Ship series is the Conway Ship Types
series. Excellent large graphics and superb research
The Bomb Vessel, Shore Bombardment Ships of the Age of Sail by Chris
Ware, 1995, hardback, 128 pages, 100 illustrations, 10.75 by 10.75
inches. Conway Ship Type Series, $38.95.
In the Horatio Hornblower stories, the bomb vessel represented
a specialization of the warship into a floating siege engine
carrying huge shell-firing mortars for the purpose of
bombarding stationary targets.
The Heavy Frigate, Eighteen-pounder Frigates: Volume 1, 1778- 1800 by
Robert Gardiner, 1995, hardback, 128 pages, 80 illustrations, 10.75 by
10.75 inches. Conway Ship Type Series, $38.95.
The first of two volumes specifically devoted to the large
single-decked cruising ships armed with 18-pounder guns. First
introduce during the American Revolution, the frigates grew
rapidly in size, number, importance and becoming the typical
frigate of the Nelson era that we read about Patrick O'Brian's
Aubrey Maturin series.
[Not in the format of the Anatomy series but a superb reference on the
Victory and written specifically for the modeler of HMS Victory: large
foldout drawings.]
ANATOMY OF NELSON'S SHIPS by C. Nepean Longridge, 1956, hardback, 283
pages, 7.5 by 9.75 inches. Naval Institute Press, ISBN 0-87021-077-7,
$39.95.
A truly splendid reference. By creating this book for the
serious model builder of the HMS Victory, Longridge packed an
immense amount of detail about Nelsonian ships in general and
the Victory in particular. A Patrick O'Brian fan will "see"
more clearly the action described after reviewing the hundreds
of illustrations, the scores of clear photographs, and the
detailed plans, many which foldout to the size of 4 and 6 pages
in area, in this book. What is a truck, why catharpings,
where's the kevel, how the channels are supported, what's the
location of the spirketting, and the purpose of the limber
passage.
One photograph shows the wardroom as a bright, attractive room
with officer cabins on either side. Another photograph of the
ship's entry port reminded me of the entry way into aircraft
carriers which have gangways leading into the side rather than
to the weather deck. It made clearer the image of the many at
anchor receptions described by O'Brian and Forester. One
incongruous photograph shows WWII damage suffered by the
Victory from a German aircraft bomb. For the modeler,
everything is included in this one book, hull, standing
rigging, running rigging, modeling tips, and construction of
special tools and jigs. The immense index contains over 1200
entries.
The following is from Clayton A. Feldman, MD:
A Personal Research Library:
============================
Anglo-American Sailing Vessels of the Eighteenth Century (With
Commentary)
The problem confronting beginning and intermediate ship modelers is
quite straight forward: For both, the major pitfall is error
compounding error. Increasing awareness of this negative process tends
to be followed by frustration, wheel-spinning attempts at ongoing
correction and finally exasperation and dropping-out. The problem often
results from the limited availability of readily accessible guidance.
This in turn leads to poor choice of subjects for modeling and rather
random, undirected library building. Without at least a purpose-built
library (and better yet, some form of mentoring in addition), failure
to understand the limits of one's personal knowledge rapidly puts the
modeler into the unfortunate state described above, precluding accurate
and effective work. What then can be done to prevent such talent-wasting
scenarios from developing?
If one could control the entry point into ship modeling for the
beginner, the job would be relatively easy. One would select a simple,
quality kit -- a sloop or schooner from a quality manufacturer and one
book, probably George Campbell's "A Neophyte Ship Modeler's Jackstay",
as the starting package.
This would permit the beginner to get the look and feel of the hobby
with a bit of guidance and see if it appealed to him. If it did, he
would then be encouraged to purchase a bit more advanced kit, together
with a small library consisting of (in this author's opinion) one book
and two articles. The book is the Merritt Edson- edited "Ship Modeler's
Shop Notes"; in it are excellent chapters on research and ship
selection for modeling as well as innumerable articles on construction,
tools and processes.
The two recommended articles are Charles O. McDonald's "Books as a
Key to Modeling Success" (Nautical Research Journal, Vol.31, No.1, pp
17-36) and Peter Sorlien's article "Before the Chips Fly, A Few
Thoughts to Guide the New Ship Modeler" (Scale Woodcraft, No.6, 1986,
pp 23-29). The first article is a master book collector's personal
guide to library building for ship modeling and nautical research. It
philosophically suggests that the library builder is well-served by
sticking to one general era and not many different types of vessels and
by rather ruthlessly limiting his library to that era and type. The
second article is a general introduction and guide to the selection of
kits, the understanding of the basic research process and the general
philosophy of proper ship modeling.
This second ship modeling project and its associated library expansion
would start the process of converting the hobbyist into a sort of
scholar craftsman. From here on, or perhaps after a couple of more kit
models, it would be all library building and scratch modeling or
serious kit bashing, with the personal library being the primary source
for the basic research.
It should be noted that the library suggestions above and those to
follow form a basic library only for mid-late eighteenth century small
and medium-sized Anglo-American vessels, the author's personal area of
interest. Other times and places require different libraries and a bit
of research before beginning book purchases. One must also realize that
much of the information for these smaller vessels is interpreted and
derived from the primary source material for larger vessels, thereby
expanding the library somewhat beyond that which seems 'ruthlessly'
related to the small vessels themselves. In any event, here we go:
First: The Ruthless TWO BOOK Library:
1. Chapelle, Howard I., The Search for Speed Under Sail,
W.W. Norton Co. Inc., New York, 1983.
2. Petrejus, E.W., Building the Brig-of-War Irene. "De Esch",
Holland, 1970.
Outrageous, you say? Not at all. At least half of all the interesting
smaller American vessels of the era are found well-drawn and described
in this particular Chapelle work. They are interesting because they
were fast and therefore were used in interesting applications, mostly
as privateers and smugglers. Although Chapelle's text is almost totally
undocumented, for which he has come under revisionist historian attack
recently, he is extremely detailed, generally authoritative, a
marvelous draftsman and a most adequate source of information gathering-
type basic research. Serious research, however, can never end with
Chapelle.
The Petrejus book is practically a single volume encyclopedia. It
contains historical research, magnificent engravings and prints,
contemporary (always remember, in academic historical parlance,
contemporary means at the time of the historical period under study,
not modern times (e.g., then, not now) construction techniques, rigging
and fitting data, spar tables and very detailed modeling techniques all
in one. Applied specifically to the modeling of a Dutch revision of an
early nineteenth century English brig, it applies quite generally to
our era and type and is a very good source for further library research.
And Then: The Compleat (almost) Two Foot Library:
A fairly complete plans source, historical database, and modern and
contemporary practices reference library can be had by the addition of
another fifteen books to those previously described. Carefully placed
notes about the house prior to birthdays and holidays can greatly
assist in the speed of acquisition. The books are:
1. Steel, David, Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking and Rigging
(1794), Sweetman Reprint, Largo, Fla.,1983.
2. Lever, D'arcy, The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor. (1819),
Sweetman Reprint, New York, 1963.
3. Steel, David, The Elements and Practice of Naval
Architecture, 1805. Sim Comfort Reprint, London, 1977.
4. Chapman, F.H., Architectura Navalis Mercatoria, 1768,
Sweetman Reprint, New York, 1967.
5. Gill, Claude S. (editor), The Old Wooden Walls: Their
Construction, Equipment, etc. Being an abridged edition of
FALCONER'S Celebrated Marine Dictionary. W&G Foyle, Ltd.,
London, 1930.
6. Millar, John F., Early American Ships. Thirteen Colonies=20
Press, Williamsburg, Va., 1986.
7. Chapelle, Howard I., The History of the American Sailing=20
Navy, W.W. Norton Co. Inc., New York, 1949.
8. Chapelle, Howard I., The History of American Sailing Ships,
W.W. Norton Co. Inc., New York, 1935.
9. MacGregor, David R., Fast Sailing Ships, Naval Institute=20
Press, Annapolis, 1988.
10. MacGregor, David R., Merchant Sailing Ships, 1775-1815,=20
Argus Books, Ltd., Watford, Herts, England, 1980.
11. Lees, James, The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of=20
War, 1625-1860, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1984.
12. Goodwin, Peter, The English Man of War, 1650-1850, Naval=20
Institute Press, Annapolis, 1987.
13. Lavery, Brian, The Arming and Fitting of English Ships of=20
War, 1600-1815, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1987.
14. Harland, John and Meyers, Mark, Seamanship in the Age of=20
Sail, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1985.
15. Howard, Dr. Frank, Sailing Ships of War, 1400-1860, Mayflower
Books, New York, 1979.
Most of these books are still in print or in re-print editions. The
Gill Falconer, or one of the other Falconer reprints, will have to be
sought out in a nautical used book store. Lacking rich and generous
relatives, one may have to find a library for accessing Steel's Naval
Architecture.
With these volumes added to our historical research and plans sources,
we complete the basic documentation of American naval and private
vessels. The two additional books from Chapelle contain extensive
historical and naval architectural data and scores of the best drafts
of American vessels ever drawn. The Chapman book is the single most
valuable collection of contemporary plans, unfortunately few of which
could be considered American. They are, however, essentially generic
types, divided by nautical design and use, by (European) nation of
origin and by size. Chapman also has very nice sail plan drawings.
A very enjoyable American vessels scrapbook, the Millar book has
over two hundred copied and/or reconstructed drawings of colonial and
Revolutionary era American vessels available for perusal, together with
brief historical summaries of the lives of the vessels. It is often a
good place to begin one's search for a choice of modeling projects. The
two MacGregor contributions are the scholarly delineation of the
English side of our era's smaller vessels as the Chapelle works are for
the American side. To these books must be added the basic primary
contemporary sources on rigging and spar-making (Steel and Lever), the
general mini-encyclopedia of eighteenth century naval architecture
(Falconer), and the not-to-be-done-without (but very expensive) Steel's
Naval Architecture, the only primary source available for actual
dimensions and scantlings (the size of the smaller timbers) for the
smaller vessels. This latter listing is actually a pair of books, the
reference book itself and a magnificent over-size folio of large scale
engravings of interesting ships of the era.
The modern standard compendium of masting and rigging is Lee's book,
that for construction is Goodwin's and for fittings, Lavery. The
Harland-Meyers book provides a great many otherwise missing details by
both describing and sketching a great many processes showing how the
ship and its equipment were actually used. Frank Howard provides a
general overview of the era in a very good book ("Sailing Ships of
War"), which misses being a great book only by lacking an index.
New books for the research library are appearing at a rapid rate, and
the would-be library builder must often decide within a fairly short
span of time whether or not to buy, as single edition production runs
are common. In the past few years alone, we have seen Brian Lavery's
two books on the ships of the line, a whole slew of Conway Publishing
volumes in the Anatomy of the Ship series, the magnificent Jean
Boudriot series on a wide variety of French vessels of this era,
Franklin's book on Navy Board models, and a modest number of reprints
of eighteenth and early nineteenth century reference books -- Steel,
Falconer, Sutherland, Fincham and others, if you want names to look
for. Most of these books are available from the book shops and mail
order hobby suppliers who advertise in "Seaways' Ships in Scale".
Although these suggestions are mainly for a reference library, one
would be remiss in not mentioning at least a few books that deal
largely with model construction techniques. Of course much valuable
construction information is available in the Edson and Petrejus volumes
mentioned above. "Ship Modeler's Shop Notes" is useful for models of
all types, with information on built-up lift models as well as plank-on-
frame. It also is crammed with time-proven techniques for block and
spar making, casting metal fittings, making rope, painting, coppering
and just about everything else the modeler needs to know. Modeling the
Brig of War Irene is similarly useful and broad-based. The hull
technique described is the lift method of solid hull building, but the
fitting, finishing, spar making, etc. techniques are universal in
application and the details are especially useful for smaller-than-ship-
of-the-line vessels.
For plank-on-frame modelers there are two additional recommendations,
the old favorite "The Built-Up Ship Model" by Charles Davis and the
very well received fairly recent work of Harold Hahn, The Colonial
Schooner. The former is fifty years old, written in a charming style,
and full of very useful construction and research data hints the size
of gunports, the height of sills, the weight of anchors, etc. It is
also full of anachronisms and is itself based on an error of
identification, Davis having substituted an English brig of the turn of
the century for the American Revolutionary War converted merchant brig
"Lexington". The hull construction techniques are universal and very
easy to understand and the drawings are wonderful.
Hahn's work has turned his slightly simplified style of P-O-F building,
admittedly a model maker's convention rather than an exact reproduction
of contemporary practice, into the middle-of-the-road standard. Widely
used by modelers, this technique, using several jigs for building the
frames and a unique fixture for holding the frames upside down in place
during construction, provides for excellent continuity of form and
alignment of frames as the hull is built.
I picked up a new paperback (magazine size) book last week called:
"The Painters Guide to World War Two Naval Camouflage",
by Patrick Hreachmack. It is published by Clash of Arms Publishers, so
as you might guess it is for 1/2400, 1/1200, up to 1/700 ships. While
not a substitute for the Floating Drydock books, it covers, the US,
British and Commonwealth, German, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Polish,
and Russian Navies. It gives a description of the colors with matches
to Floquil, Humbrol, and MM paint lines. Notes on deck colors, aircraft
colors, and other tidbits are covered. As an example, Japanese ships
colors depended on the shipyard where they were built or repaired.
There are of course a lot of side views of camouflage schemes. On the
down side, since it is written for war gamers it covers lots of schemes
for ships not produced in plastic (3 pages of Tribal class destroyers)
and omits popular plastic ships (Rodney, P of W,....). It also notes
FAA a/c as gray on top, which in that scale I guess XDSG and Slate gray
would look like ...gray. OTOH, the last 4 pages contain an extensive
list of references. At, $18.95 it isn't cheap, but it a good starter
book. (Bob Sigman)
The late Dana L. McCalip said:
I have been following the thread on the "beginner" and what is needed
to help him or her in the development of their ship model building
hobby.
As far as I am concerned the answer is patience, perseverance and
having access to a well-rounded library. This latter point on the
library is of paramount importance and something that cannot be taken
too lightly. I can speak from experience on this as I have been in the
ship modeling game as a hobby and semi-professionally for the past
forty years. You cannot expect to build high quality models unless you
know how to check and verify accuracy and authenticity and to do that
you must have a hard copy database from which to operate. The Internet
and e-mail list may in the future fill the void if ship lore and naval
construction books were abandoned; but it cannot do it now nor in the
near future.
Considering this I have recommended a list of ten basic books for
beginners new to the ship modeling hobby. Naturally, this list is
purely subjective and will possibly not have the complete support of
other experienced ship modeling list members. It is however based on
past experience and is part of my current library that consists of
over three hundred volumes on the subject.
Here they are. I have tried to rank them in order of importance to
the beginner:
* Campbell, George F. - The Neophyte Ship Models Jackstay
* Mondfeld, Wolfram zu - Historic Ship Models
* Nautical Research Guild - Ship Modeler's Shop Notes Manual
* Petrejus, E. W. - Irene
* Lees, James - The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War
1625-1860
* Underhill, Harold - Sailing Ship Rigs and Rigging
* Underhill, Harold - Masting and Rigging the Clippership and Ocean
Carrier
* Davis, Charles G. - Ship Model Builder's Assistant
* Hahn, Harold - Colonial Ship Models
* Davis, Charles G. - The Built Up Ship Model
All of these books are in print and when examined collectively would
provide an excellent foundation for any ship modeling/maritime library.
The first two books listed could almost stand by themselves temporarily
while one gets their feet on the ground. (Dana McCalip)
***There are several book out there to choose from.
THE ART OF RIGGING by George Biddlecombe
THE NEOPHYTE MODELERS JACKSTAY by Model Shipways
THE LORE OF SHIPS by Nordbok
SHIPMODELING FROM STEM TO STERN by Milton Roth
SHIP MODELING TECHNIQUES by Portia Takajian
PLANK OF FRAME MODELS AND SCALE MASTING @ RIGGING by Harold Underhill
SHIP MODELS FROM KITS by Colin Riches
SHIP MODLERS SHOP NOTES by Nautical Research Guild
HISTORIC SHIP MODELS by Monfield
AMERICAN SAILING SHIP CRAFT by Howard I. Chapelle
THE SEARCH FOR SPEED UNDER SAIL 1700-1855 Howard I. Chapelle
THE AMERICAN SAILING SCHOONERS 1823-1935 by Howard I. Chapelle
THE HISTORY OF SAILING SHIPS vols 1@2 by Howard I. Chapelle
THE HISTORY OF THE SAILING NAVY by Howard I. Chapelle
This is just a few of them. There are many more to choose from
depending upon what era you wish to choose from {David dgbot)
***I must agree with others, this depends what ship model you are
building. In my rather small collection I have:
Ship Modellers Ship Notes
American Sailing ships
Historic Ship Models
The Anatomy of Nelsons Ships
The Anatomy of 100 Gun Ship, Victory
The Cutty Sark
Sailing Ships Rig and Rigging
Ships in Scale magazine
Model Boat Magazine UK
Knots,
plus others regarding ships, history etc.
The first three fit any type of ship being built. a good idea is start at
your local libary and have a look if you can before the $$$ are handed over.
(Wendy Thompson}
***The books you'll want to own are a very personal matter. As
list members have been correctly saying, the titles you
purchase should be determined by what you want to do with
your modeling. A book that's "perfect" for one model builder
may be "a waste of money" for another. Nevertheless, a few
of the inexpensive general-purpose books are well worth the
money.
One of the best buys these days is Monfeld's "Historic Ship
Models." That, at least, is my opinion. It's true, the
book's full of inaccuracies and much of it has actually been
lifted ("stolen"?) from other sources, but the pictures and
diagrams it contains make it well worth the $20 or so that
it sells for. Thumbing through its pages will give you a
good idea of what our kind of model building is all about.
There are, of course, other titles that fall into this
introductory category. They've been mentioned by others.
Some books that are "musts" for every model builder's
library are a poor investment during the early stages of
your model building career. In this category I'd include
titles such as James Lees' "The Masting and Rigging of
English Ships of War." When I bought my copy a few years
ago, it was too esoteric (and expensive!) to be valuable to
me. Over the years, however, it's become one of my most
valuable books. The importance of a book, Julio, will change
with your modeling experience!
Books that have been favorites of mine right from the
start -- and continue to be volumes that I return to with
pleasure over and over -- are Harold Underhill's
"Plank-on-Frame Models and Scale Masting & Rigging," volumes
I&II. Reading Underhill is like visiting an experienced
model building friend who's explaining how he did what he
did. He clarifies his explanations with superb sketches (and
lousy photographs!). I don't know how many times I've
read -- and reread -- his various chapters. Nevertheless,
Underhill's volumes have their shortcomings, too. For
example, his chapter on building clinker-built models and
little ships boats probably scares people away from a
process that's not at all difficult.
And, finally, remember that a book that's important to you
may be almost useless to another modelbuilder. Example: For
me, Eric McKee's "Working Boats of Britain, Their Shape and
Purpose" remains a gold mine of information for my kind of
model building. Nevertheless, it's hardly a volume I'd
recommend to others -- unless they share my interests.
Over the years, I've bought almost all of my out-of-print
books from Dave Roach at Pier Books in New York. He's always
quoted me fair prices, accurately described what he had to
offer, and packed the books carefully for shipment to me in
Germany. All in all, in terms of my experience, a
first-class operation. I've found it wise to allow my book
seller to know my tastes and interests. Dave, for example,
will ask me if I'm interested in a particular volume that
has come into his hands. That's a nice service!
Finally, I'd suggest that you mention a book that interests
you (one at a time) on this list. Ask what others think of
it. You'll be pleased with the response you get -- and find
the information most helpful. That's what I do. Works great.
(Doc Klein)