Over the holidays, we got in a new shipment of kits from the Polish manufacturer of paper ship model and structures kits, Shipyard.
The shipment replenishes most of our stocks of kits, including the big 1/72 scale laser-cut HMS Mercury and HMS Wolf kits.
The best news, though, is that we are now carrying two new ship model kits from Shipyard. These are two 1/72 scale laser-cut kits of Cogs of medieval Europe. These ships were clinker-built vessels with a single mast and a single square sail.
We will have these kits listed as soon as get caught up from the holidays. Stay tuned for more announcements about these two exciting new kits. Ω
Rigging has started on this build of Billing Boats 1/60-scale beginner-level kit, the fishing boat Dana. This kit is popular due to it’s pricing (only $69!), simplified construction using a vaccu-formed plastic hull, and the interesting and attractive subject.
Before getting started, I should point out that rigging line gets fuzzy because of the short threads used. To minimize fuzziness, it helps to run the line through a piece of beeswax before using it. Now, this is where paying for this more expensive rigging line from Syren Ship Model Company comes in handy, it’s pre-waxed and fuzz free, so this was a task I didn’t need to deal with.
Bowsprit Guys
The lines that run from the end of the bowsprit back to the sides of the hull are the bowsprit guys. These are probably the easiest to install of all the standing rigging. I used the smaller sized rigging line for these. Attaching these required eyebolts near the tip of the bowsprit, as well as as below the rail, about an inch back from the bow. I simply knotted the line at the eyebolts and…
We just received a new shipment from OcCre Models of Spain, and it includes the brand new wooden ship model kit the Essex.
The Essex was an American whale ship launch from Nantucket in 1799. During a whaling voyage in the Pacific Ocean in 1820, the ship was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale. The story of the Esssex became the basis for Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick.
But, as much of a classic the story of Moby Dick was, the true story of the Essex was a more harrowing tale, as 20 of the ship’s crew managed to take to the ship’s boats. After 3 months at sea, only 8 people survived, resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. They even resorted to drawing lots to determine who was to die to save the others.
The true story of the Essex was the subject of the novel In The Heart of the Sea, which in 2015 was made into a major motion picture. The story was also the subject of the 2010 PBS documentary Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World.
For some inspiration, check out this trailer from the 2015 film In the Heart of the Sea:
And this introduction to the Essex and whaling from the 2010 PBS documentary Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World:
The Essex kit itself is a 1/60-scale wooden model ship kit that features a double plank-on-bulkhead construction. The kit we sell includes a full set of pre-sewn sails.
What could make this kit even better? How about a series of 59 videos showing you each step of construction! View them here:
Every day, we have different model kits on sale. Find what you want to buy on the list below and visit us on that day to get the discount on the listed items. You can click on the image below to enlarge it.
Sale items and prices are limited to quantity on hand.
10% off all products, including our recently reduced Amati line of kits. Save on all kits, tools, collectibles, plans, books, supplies… No coupon needed.
In addition, we’ve got special Black Friday discounted prices on all kits from Disar and CCV.
Sale is limited to stock on hand, so grab what you can while supplies last! Sale prices good from Friday, 11/28. through midnight, Sunday, 11/30.
Those who have been following my mosts here may recall my post a few years back on a very simple planking clamp that anyone can make from common spring-steel binder clips that you can buy at any office supply store.
One of my homemade planking clamps
Well, a while back, Amati came up with their own version of this idea that you might be interested in trying out. Their Clamp Set gives you a dozen binder clips and specially designed brass plates together to a set of very nice planking clamps.
The instructions on how to assemble them is printed right on the back of the cardboard cover, so don’t throw it out until you’ve made your set! The package includes a dozen binder clips, the same as you would get at the office supply store, plus a photo-etched sheet with 14 brass plates – I guess they figure you’re…
By now, you’re probably aware of the discovery of the wrecks of the ships of the ill-fated Franklin expedition over the past several years. A few days ago, Parks Canada published a video exploring the wreck of HMS Terror one of two ships of the expedition, the other being HMS Erebus. The video gives us a murky look at some of the interior spaces of the ship.
If this inspires your interest in the ship, make sure to check out the wooden ship model kit from OcCre. This 1/75-scale model is based on the work of Matthew Betts, who was a technical advisor for the AMC mini-series “The Terror”, which features the ship and crew.
OcCre HMS Terror
For information on this kit, the AMC mini-series, and the work of Matthew Betts, visit us using the link below.
While we’ve been following a blog on the building of the Billing Boats Dana model kit, we found some photos of a very nicely completed build on the Ships of Scale forum. Take a look at how this ship modeler built and detailed his kit.
He even added belaying pin racks at the main mast shrouds, made his own boom and gaff jaws and parrals, and even added what looks like some fishing gear tied to the port side rail. It also looks like he used some third party blocks on his rigging.
We’ve been fulfilling the pre-orders, and if you’re one of these buyers, your kit is already on it’s way to you.
HMS Beagle
HMS Beagle
HMS Beagle
For the rest of you who are interesting in this kit, there are plenty in stock! We made sure to order enough that we shouldn’t be running out of them any time soon.
While I’m sorry to say that the new HMS Beagle kits have not yet arrived, they are definitely coming soon. We just found out there was some kind of overload on FedEx’s end with a shortage of warehousing space, which delayed transit. But, they should be back on route to us shortly.
On the positive side, if you haven’t had a chance to pre-order your OcCre HMS Beagle kit with the pre-order discount yet, there is still time. You can get your kit for only $188.10. This kit looks very good and we expect it to be very popular. But, don’t worry, we ordered plenty, so we don’t expect to run out any time soon.
And, if you’re interested in the very popular HMS Terror kit, sadly, we just sold the last of our stock today. Fear not, there are more coming in the OcCre shipment along with the new HMS Beagle kits.
We’ll post an announcement as soon as the shipment is in. So, stay tuned…
One of my homemade planking clamps 
Ages of Sail 