Author: agesofsail

Amati Gunboat “Arrow” Build – In the Beginning, Part 2

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Another update here on this build of Amati’s Arrow Gunboat kit, an American galley gunboat from the era of the War of 1812. This update fills in the earlier stages of construction of this model, which is nearing completion.

Of course, this is an available kit, here at Ages of Sail, ideal for a ship modeler with a little bit of experience looking for a smaller wooden ship model kit of a uncommon subject. If you’re interested in building this kit, you can find it here: https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/am1422-amati-arrow.html

catopower's avatarShip Modeler

As I continue progress with the Amati “Arrow” American Gunboat kit, I wanted to wrap up my look at the earlier stages of this kit, which began as described in the earlier post Amati Gunboat “Arrow” Builde – In the Beginning. After the part where I left off last, the footrests for the rowing stations were added, and these openings in the deck were lined.

I found the provided wood had a nice natural look to them, so I avoided any painting of the model. I edged the planking in pencil, and I simulated the treenails in the deck by simply drilling holes for them. I found that the wood dust filled in the holes and made for a very natural look, especially after the application of a little danish wood oil.

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Realistic Blocks Now Available at Ages of Sail

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The blocks included in ship model kits haven’t changed a whole lot over the ages. That’s because they’re small wooden details that weren’t easy to produce in a fashion that looked much like real blocks used on ships. There are things you can do to make blocks look better, like spinning them in a special tumbler, which can improve the shape. For most of us, that’s probably fine.

In recent years, newer methods have been incorporated in the mass production of wooden blocks for ship models, and we are proud to announce that we’re now carrying high quality pear wood blocks produced by Master Korabel!

How do these blocks compare to the standard kits blocks? You can see this for yourself. Below are some single sheave blocks. Can you tell which ones are Master Korabel and which is not?

We carry all sizes from 2mm to 5mm of single-sheave and double-sheave blocks. They come in 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, and 5mm and are sold in packs of 10.

These blocks are pricer than standard kit blocks, and they’re not available in larger sizes. But, they are ideal for brigs, schooners, ketches, and such, as well as smaller scale models of larger ships. But, mainly, these provide an option to add a higher level of detail and realism to your models than was possible before.

Find these on our online shop here: https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/new-master-korbel/realistic-blocks.html

 

Amati Gunboat “Arrow” Build – In the Beginning

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Amati Model’s American Gunboat Arrow, is a unique kit in that it represents an unusual style of American gunboat that was used at the time of the War of 1812. This lateen-rigged, Mediterranean style design was developed by naval architect Josiah Fox and it was one of many designs that were created and built to defend the American coasts, lakes, and rivers.

Due to the amount of detail, and unusual hull style, Amati’s kit is probably best identified as an intermediate kit, or at least an advanced beginner kit.

There are few kits available of American gunboats. But, if you want to try your hand at this build, you can find it at Ages of Sail here: https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/am1422-amati-arrow.html

catopower's avatarShip Modeler

I’ve turned my attention back toward the completion of the Amati Gunboat “Arrow” kit and it’s coming along. I’m ready to deal with rigging and the sails as most of the hull and deck detail is done. This is a kit that I started quite some time ago, but other things pushed it on a back burner, and I mean way back, because I started it in 2014.

I’ll post an update soon. But, I’ve written a few posts now about building this Amati kit, and mostly of the middle stages of construction. For those who are interested in building the kit, since the construction of this kit is unlike most ship model kits I’ve encountered, I thought it might be good to post some photos from the early stages of construction. 

On thing in particular that makes this kit unusual is that this is a shallow draft gunboat, so…

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Vanguard’s Lady Eleanor – A First Time Build

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It’s always a pleasure when customers send us photos of their completed models, so we were particularly happy to start off the new year when customer tomsimon of Chino Hills, CA, shared with us the final photos of the wooden ship model he just completed, the Lady Eleanor from Vanguard Models. He gave us permission to share these photos on our social media sites, so we’re happy to post them here for you.

Tomsimon tells us that this Lady Eleanor is his first ever wooden ship model, and we think he’s done a wonderful job!

Lady Eleanor is a 1/64 scale wooden model kit of a Scottish fishing boat type called a Fifie. It’s described as a type that was commonly seen off the east coast of Scotland from the 1850s through the 1950s, and was known as a workhorse in the fishing community. Continue reading →

An Amati Drakkar Viking Ship Build

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An Australian ship modeler that goes by the screen name of Amfibius built an incredibly well done Drakkar Viking Ship that he built from a kit by Amati Model. The model photos were posted on the ModelShipWorld forum was back in 2013, but that doesn’t take away from the great presentation he made of his model.

We reached out to him and asked him if we could share his photos and news about his build on our blog. So, here’s his beautiful Drakkar build, presented here with his permission.

Continue reading →

Happy Holidays from Ages of Sail!

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SEASON’S GREETINGS


Wishing you health and happiness this Holiday Season and
prosperity in the New Year.
From all of us at Ages of Sail

More Vanguard Models News

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In addition to the new ships boats kits, we just restocked some of the more popular Vanguard Models kits that we ran out of before the holidays including HMS Speedy, HMS Flirt, and the Duchess of Kingston kits.

Vanguard Models Duchess of Kingston

HMS Speedy

HMS Flirt

What’s more, there are two brand new fishing boat kits that we should be getting in, perhaps by the end of the year. Sorry, they’re not in time for Christmas. But, when things settle down at home, and thoughts turn to your next ship model project, they should be here waiting for you.

Both kits are fishing boats with beautiful, fine lines. We’ll have more details later. For now, here’s a little sneek peek…

Watch here for more information!

 

 

Ship’s Boats kits from Vanguard Models – Now in Stock

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While Vanguard Models is known for some very beautifully designed kits of British fishing boats and 18th century warships, they also now produce a full line of ship’s boats kits, and Ages of Sail has them for you.

All kits are 1/64-scale models. They are fully detailed to finish out your large ship model or waterfront scene, and they make great short term projects on their own.

All kits come with a disposable building frame, with all wooden parts provided in high grade pear wood. Planks are laser-cut, and accessories are provided in the form of photo-etched brass.

There’s a wide assortment to choose from – everything from an 18-foot cutter on up to  34-foot launch. There are currently 8 different kits available, so you’ll be able to find the exact boat you need, and we have them all at Ages of Sail here. Ω

 

Tablesaw Virtual Workshop, Saturday, December 11, 2021

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Here’s your chance to attend a very useful online workshop on the safe use of the hobby table saw, taking place this Saturday.

catopower's avatarShip Modeler

This coming Saturday, the Nautical Research Guild is hosting an online workshop, covering the use of small hobby table saws, such as that from Byrnes Model Machines and others. The title of the workshop is “Using the Table Saw Safely”, and it will be given by NRG Director Kurt Van Dahm on Saturday, 12/11, at 10am CST.

According to an announcement by the NRG, the presenter will show how to perform rip cuts, cross cuts, lap joints, miters and other common operations in a safe and efficient manner.

Pre-registration is required in order to attending this hour-long virtual workshop, but it is free to Nautical Research Guild members. Non-members may still attend, but there is a $5 fee. For more information or to register, click here. Ω

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