Posted in Ship Models

Initiation to Naval Modeling: Wooden Ship Models for Beginners

Many times, beginners on ship modeling go to Artesania Latina to guide them when it comes the moment to build their first wooden ship models. We are going to show on these two posts the initiation to naval modeling with the products that a new ship modeler can create from our catalog.

WOODEN SHIP MODEL: SAN JUAN NEPOMUCENO CAPTAIN’S BOAT (18010)

We start with the wooden model of San Juan Nepomuceno captain’s boat for its construction. This boat belonged to the line ship of the 74-cannon line, and we present its 1/25 scale miniature. From the 17th century, it would be part of the well-known Battle of Trafalgar, which Spaniards lost against English navy with Churruca in command, so it was towed and exposed in Gibraltar. Anyone who boarded the ship and entered the captain’s cabin should discover the head as a sign of absolute respect, showing the great relevance of the aforementioned ship.

This fabulous wooden ship model of San Juan Nepomuceno captain’s boat is built very similar to the real boat thanks to its design using a false keel and frames. This ship modeling kit contains precisely cut board parts by means of a laser, hardwoods, brass, cast iron and fabric. It also has instructions for its assembly on DVD format. Once built, San Juan Nepomuceno Captain’s boat model measures 15.94” x 7.48” x 14.37” (405 x 190 x 365 mm).

Initiation to Naval Modeling: San Juan Nepomuceno Captain's Boat Wooden Model (18010).

INITIATION TO NAVAL MODELING: WOODEN SHIP MODEL VIKING (19001-N)

We continue with the renewed wooden ship model at 1/75 scale of the Viking ship. This scale model was the pioneer made by Artesania Latina’s and it was aimed to beginners modelers two decades ago. But now we have redesigned it with the latest 3D techniques! Viking is a scale model with history. Not only is it designed for newbies, but also for those expert ship modelers who want to enjoy building a really beautiful and emblematic ship model.

The Viking ship modeling kit includes all the parts of its hull cut by laser on top-quality linden board, wooden and metal decorations (like the two dragon heads), pre-stitched sail ready to be placed, and a stand and a plate. Its assembly is precise and pleasant. The new Viking includes a DVD for computer or laptop -PC or Mac- with clarifying step-by-step instructions and with tutorial videos where we show various modeling techniques and tricks that cannot be taught in a printed version. Once finished, the model is 11.53’’ (293 mm) length, 10.82’’ (275 mm) height and 14.2’’ (360 mm) width.

Initiation to Naval Modeling: Viking Ship Wooden Model (19001N).

INITIATION TO NAVAL MODELING: HMS BOUNTY JOLLY BOAT (19004-N)

Our third proposition for beginners modelers is the Jolly boat wooden model of the great British ship of the 18th century HMS Bounty. Precisely, William Bligh fled with 18 loyal sailors after the riot of his crew on this small boat. In 1787 the HMS Bounty frigate left for the Caribbean in order to transport breadfruit, but the fatal climatic conditions forced them to land in Haiti, where many of the English sailors mixed with the island natives.

Its building system by means of false keel and frames, like the great majority of the scale models of Artesania Latina’s ships, brings its design closer to that of the real ship. The ship modeling kit of the HMS Bounty Jolly boat contains high-precision laser-cut board parts, hardwoods, brass, cast iron and cotton sails. As a bonus, it contains an wooden exhibition base to be assembled. Its construction is easy thanks to our complete step-by-step instructions on DVD format, accompanied by printed full-scale drawings of the completed model and parts list. Once it is built, HMS Bounty Jolly Boat model measures 16.33” x 13.38” x 14.29” (415 x 340 x 363 mm).

Initiation to Naval Modeling: HMS Bounty Jolly Boat Model (19004-N).

INITIATION TO NAVAL MODELING: WOODEN FISHING SHIP MODEL BON RETOUR (19007)

The fourth option for assembly aimed at novice modelers is the wooden model of the French fishing boat –it was fishing scallops- called Bon Retour, at 1/25 scale, which was used until 1980. Built in 1952 at the shipyards Tertu du Fret, in 1982 Guy Le Cornec undertook its restoration. Currently, the TUD AR MOR association manages the ship with the objective of preserving marine culture.

The ship modeling kit of Bon Retour, the French fishing boat, has an easy assembly thanks to its false keel and frames, which brings the construction of its model closer to that of the real ship. It has high precision laser-cut board parts, noble woods, brass, cast iron and fabric, as well as a complete step-by-step guide in four languages ​​and in full color, accompanied by the full-scale drawings of the finished model. Everything on DVD format. Once built, Bon Retour fishing ship model measures 15.55” x 4.05” x 14.60” (395 x 103 x 371 mm).

Initiation to Naval Modeling: Fishing Ship Model Bon Retour (19007).

WOODEN FISHING SHIP MODEL SAINT MALO (19010-N)

The sixth proposal is Saint Malo: it is a type of boat called Doris, and specifically this is French. The 1/20 scale wooden model of this fishing ship, from Canadian origin and from the end of the 19th century, is dedicated to catching cod in Newfoundland banks. It was used to fish long ago in Massachusetts and New Scotland, being introduced in France, Spain and Portugal later. Because of their solvency and solidity, of being cheap and their ease of stowage, the Doris continued to be used as workboats on sailboats and many other motor boats.

It is another fantastic wooden ship model for new modelers to start on this beautiful hobby. Like everyone else, its simple construction system and its simple sail make it easy to assemble, it is beautiful the Saint Malo model ship kit. The modeling kit of this French fishing vessel contains high-precision laser-cut board parts, hardwoods, brass, cast iron and cotton sails. As a bonus, it brings a wooden exhibition base to be built. If you want to assemble the model, watch the video tutorials made by our modelers on our YouTube channel. It does not contain printed instructions. The kit comes with a printed plan of the finished model and a list of parts. Once built, Saint Malo fishing ship model measures 13.58” x 3.54” x 8.66” (345 x 90 x 220 mm).

Fishing Boat Model Saint Malo (19010-N).

WOODEN SHIP MODEL FOR BEGINNERS: SANTISIMA TRINIDAD CAPTAIN’S BOAT (19014)

The sixth alternative for those fans who intend to start in the ship modeling hobby is the 1/50 scale wooden ship model of Santisima Trinidad captain’s boat for its construction. Once finished, the scale model is 14.96’’ (380 mm) length, 3.35’’ (85 mm) width and 9.25’’ (235 mm) height.

The Santisima Trinidad or Holy Trinity (officially Our Lady of the Holy Trinity) was a Spanish ship. It was the largest during the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. It had 120 guns at the beginning, which were later expanded to 140. The Santisima Trinidad was one of the few ships of line of four bridges that existed. Symbol of the power of Spain on the seas, this ship had a tragic end. Firstly, It was defeated on the Battle of Trafalgar. Secondly, it sank when it was towed to Gibraltar by the English.

The modeling kit of Santisima Trinidad captain’s boat is also very easy to build, its assembly is close to the real ship one. It has high precision laser cut board parts, noble woods, brass, cast iron and sails ready to be placed, as well as complete step-by-step instructions on DVD format.

Santisima Trinidad Captain's Boat Wooden Model (19014).

HMS ENDEAVOUR NEW CAPTAIN’S BOAT MODEL (19005)

The seventh option for beginners friends of ship modeling is the 1/50 scale wooden model of the HMS Endeavour captain’s boat, renewed in 2022. The English ship HMS Endeavour, launched in the second half of the 18th century, was in charge of discovering new territories such as Australia and Tahiti. In addition to numerous islands, plant and animal species, and how to calculate with great accuracy the position in length by the maths.

The modeling kit of the HMS Endeavour captain’s boat features high-precision laser-cut board parts, noble woods such as birch, hand-stitched sails and cotton threads. It also brings a base stand for boat exposure once is finished, brass, cast and woven parts. You can build it thanks to our complete step-by-step guide in full color, accompanied by the full-scale drawings of the finished model. Both on DVD format. Once built, HMS Endeavour captain’s boat model measures 16.53” x 3.54” x 10.62” (420 x 90 x 270 mm).

Initiation to Naval Modeling: HMS Endeavour New Captain's Boat Wooden Model (19005).

Next week we will continue with a new and final post about the catalog of ship models for beginners. The initiation to naval modeling has two names: yours and Artesania Latina.

Read the second part of the post…

Posted in Model Building Tips

Building a Ship Model Made of Wood (Part I): Choice of the Modeling Kit

The writing of this post is motivated to help new modelers. Building a ship model made of wood is what you will know, so we are going to introduce you on ship modeling. Of course, you can also clarify some concepts to modelers already initiated or provide other ideas that were still unknown. These two actions will be developed thanks to the fifty years of life and experience of the most important company in the world in naval modeling. Artesania Latina, present since 1970.Artesania Latina. More than 50 years building models.

A built scale ship model represents the effort and perseverance of a modeler to achieve the final result. It will take you many hours, you will encounter conflicting emotions, being positive when successes or negatives when some part of the assembly presents greater difficulties.

Ship Modeling. Wooden ship model of the Galleon San Francisco II 1/90 (22452N).

In this sense, the best modeling tool that you can use is not made of metal or plastic or wood. It will be the dedication that the modeler gives to the modeler, the passion and perseverance you put. Here we will show you how to build step-by-step a ship miniature. What tools to choose, how to organize and adapt a workshop, what ship modeling kit to choose. Everything so that in the end you spend more hours showing the final product created, this is, the ship model you have built, than assembling it.

Ship Modeling. Wooden ship model of the Galleon San Francisco II 1/90 (22452N).

Building a ship model made of wood should be shared with the family, involving their partners in the project, whether women or men. It also can be used for encouraging children to help in any aspect of this wonderful hobby. The modeler can thus keep alive the art of assembling ship models for another generation.

Children are also learning how to assemble a wooden model ship with junior kits.

CHOICE OF THE RIGHT WOODEN SHIP MODEL

The first thing that a future modeler must face – or one already with knowledge in naval modeling – is the choice of the ship model that you will built. How to choose the ideal kit and modeling tools for each of us? It is essential that you like a lot the ship scale model you choose, the decision must be based on your mood and the pleasure that you think it will report once the model is finished.

How to build a wooden model ship. Choose your modeling kit and tools wisely.

Of course, you should also ask yourself these questions. How much money do you want to spend? What experience do you have in naval modeling? Which workshop do you have or do you want to create? What types of ship attract you? How much time can you spend on your modeling workshop to assemble the miniature?

The modeler looks for a challenge, but not a huge frustration, so it is recommended that the beginner thinks about the simplest for your first assembly. We do not recommend very complicated scale models for those who intend to start on this hobby. Finally they will not finish building them, as can be the one in the image below, for advanced modelers.

Ship Modeling. Wooden ship model of San Juan Nepomuceno 1/90 (22860).

CATALOG OF WOODEN SHIP MODELS FOR BEGINNERS

Therefore, we recommend simple, small and attractive ship models for beginners: a boat with a single deck, one or two masts and a rigging as simple as possible. Examples can be our model ships such as the Viking (19001-N), Swift (22110-N), Providence (19018), Elcano lifeboat (19019), Provençale (19017), the lifeboat of the Titanic (19016), the boat of the captain of the HMS Bounty (19004), the french doris Saint Malo (19010), the scallop fishing boat Bon Retour (19007) or captain’s boat of Santisima Trinidad (19014), among many other miniatures.

Catalog of Wooden Ship Models for Beginners.

You can consult the complete catalog of naval scale models for beginner modelers here. For intermediate scale models, the following in terms of required skills, here.

As for the cost, no ship model for beginners should not cost more than € 100.00. Thus, Artesania Latina has the best offer in the market regarding to the quality / price ratio, with initiation models starting at € 59.99, a more than reasonable price, for example, for the scale model of the Captain’s Boat of HMS Endeavour (19005).

Ship Modeling. Wooden ship model of Captain's Boat HMS Endeavour 1/50 (19005).

BUILDING A SHIP MODEL MADE OF WOOD: QUALITY OF COMPONENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

What should you look for, then, in a naval modeling kit? Logically, you may not even be a scholar in the matter, but you don´t need it to choose a good one. Just check the quality of its contents once you have the box in your hands and that all the kit parts from the parts list are there.

If any part is missing, such as the Artesania Latina kits have a two-year warranty. Our warehouse will be immediately replenished once the purchase ticket has been submitted without any extra cost or shipping. Our parts are high quality, made of birch or lime wood, of stainless steel photo-etched and of die-cast.

Ship Modeling. Wooden ship model of Viking 1/75 (19001N).

The next thing to pay attention to when you are purchasing a naval modeling kit is to check how the plans and instructions are. The plans include all the drawings you need to assemble the naval model and the numerical correspondence so you can read the texts. On this aspect, the degree of precision and quality of these ones will mark the joy or impotence of the novice modeler.

Instructions for the Belem wooden model ship 1/75 (22519).

The instructions explain the plans drawing, they are the textual clarifications or icons and keys of those drawings. They are numbered in relation to those plans. You can also find model ships that have an illustrated and clarifier step-by-step. On Artesania Latina web you can free download the plans and the instructions on each product file are the attached files, in case you want to check how they are.

BUILDING A SHIP MODEL MADE OF WOOD: WHAT KIND OF HULL TO CHOOSE

Speaking of the different hull types of the ship models, you will find three different. Firstly, the one piece solids – they don´t need to be built, the beginner does not acquire experience in the assembly of the hull-. Secondly, those that have a structure of frames to assemble and we must put the wooden strips on that structure from a pre-cut laser board – most of those manufactured by Artesania Latina, the one that provides the most knowledge and the most real-. Finally, those that, on the structure, are placed large parts to build the hull.

Read the second part of the post…