Quick Intro to Ship Modelling

"Now sails are past, and still the sail ship grips the carpenter with wood dust on his hair, and down below his fashion from slim strips the rakish models of the ships that were." 

- Charles Norman.

So, What is a Ship Model? Well... quite straightforward isn't it? 
Ship model is a model of a ship! That's it!

OK, jk... here's the following: 
...and it can range from 1:6000 scale to miniature up to a big vessel that can hold up people!! One good example is The Interceptor in PoTC. The scene where it is blasted off by Hector Barbossa was a big model ship scaled around 1:5!! Filmmakers wouldn't have that budget to destroy a full-scale ship!! :D 

The Interceptor Destroyed by Barbossa

This is why we need model ship!!! XD

In modern era, with the invention of LASER technology, model ship building becomes more and more popular, especially in Europe and America. Famous ship model companies like Amati, CalderCraft, OcCre, Mantua, etc. are companies with decades of experience on ship modelling, provide numerous choices of model ships to customers, and with brilliant quality. And there are also Professional Model Ship Builder who make model ship for living.

Xebec from Amati

H.M.S Race Horse from Sergal Mantua

H.M.S Victory from CalderCraft

The very first step on ship modelling is Choosing A Model... Don't choose an intermediate level of ship for your first model!! Seriously!! I've done this!! and my Pearl was done with ERRORS!!! 

Secondly, Read the Plan! Every model ship kit comes with plans, which guide you throughout your whole ship making process. Some companies plan include Tools preparation, some don't. If it doesn't guide you on tools preparation, you might need to list down by your own by studying all the plan first!

Thirdly, Start Doing with Enthusiasm!!! But not as quick as possible!!! Follow all the steps guided in the plan sheets, search for solution from the net if not written clear in plan, and do them patiently. Enjoy the process!

Finally, Show Off!! :D

Making a model ship requires a lot of patience. It takes months or even years to complete.  Enjoy the process is what I can recommend you, or post your buildlog to model ship forum to share all model ship lovers!!! That'll really help on keep you going!!!

Summary:

1) Choose a Model

2) Read the Plan

3) Start Doing with Enthusiasm and Enjoy the Process (put your deadline aside)

4) Show off!

Story of Me and Ship Modelling

Before I even know what ship modelling is, I used to have other hobbies... like a regular man, playing online games and perhaps, do some sport activities... They're nothing to do with ship modelling, not until I watched The Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy. 

After watching The PoTC, I started falling in love to ships, seas, beaches, medieval cannons, and of course... Jack Sparrow!!! Oops.. sorry, It's Captain.. Captain Jack Sparrow... XD

I can't count how many times I've watched the trilogy.. Especially those ships battles scenes!!! I even paused and watched every single details of those ships! The Flying Dutchman, The Interceptor, The Endeavor, and of course the ICONIC ship... THE BLACK PEARL!!! I couldn't resists its beauty, and its stance in every battle..

The Black Pearl Gaining The Interceptor

The Black Pearl fighting The Flying Dutchman in Maelstorm

The first time I finished all trilogies, I started dreaming to have a ship like The Pearl... Yea, it's seriously just a dream! Suddenly, out of a whim I talked to myself "Why not make a model Black Pearl ship?" So, I started searching over the net for a model kit of The Black Pearl...

And... I got it!! It was July 2012 I can still remember...

And, I've got it done on Dec 2012... Here's the result!!

My Pearl

My Beloved Pearl displaying at my living room

Making this Pearl took me 4 months... and during that 4 months, I've learned a lot!! Basic carpentry skill, painting skill, and knottings! I can now name every single rigging on my Pearl!!! And the whole process is fun!! :D

The Pearl is now sitting at my living room, and seriously... it makes me proud! Every time when a visitor visits us, they'll certainly amazed by it..

"Wow!! You did this?!!"
"Woah~ Can you please make one for me please?"

"I want one in my living room too!!"

"WoW!!! ..."

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Honestly, It's such a good hobby to get into... 

And since it seems to me it's such a rare hobby in Malaysia, I started this blog...

Hope anyway who read this can join this Model Ship family!!