Ages of Sail at the NRG Conference

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If you happen to in the area or are planning to make a trip to the NRG Conference in Mystic, Connecticut, make sure to stop by the Ages of Sail table to say hello!

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Our table at the 2014 NRG Conference in St. Louis, MO.

Amazing ship modeler and author David Antscherl caught me taking a photo of him among the ship models on display at the 2014 NRG Conference.

Amazing ship modeler and author David Antscherl caught me taking a photo of him among the ship models on display at the 2014 NRG Conference.

The conference takes place Thursday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 24th at the Mystic Hilton. We’ll make sure to have a selection of some of the latest ship model kits, plus an assortment of fittings and tools for those who like to come home from the conference with a few useful items.

This will be our third year attending the NRG conference and we’re really looking forward to participating again. Hope to see you there!

Expanding Book Selection

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One thing that can be said about ship modeling is that it’s hard. It takes patience and perseverance and a bit of skill.

But, what’s especially difficult, particularly for beginners, is that most ship model kits available today, with few exceptions, have very limited instructions. This is partly due to the fact that ship modeling is an international hobby and often kits are from Europe, where any written instructions have to be translated into several languages. Also, it’s very difficult to put into words all of the myriad steps involved in building an accurate model of a wooden ship. So, many manufacturers rely on a set of drawings and the brain power and skill of the ship modeler to understand how a ship model is built. But, sometimes we need a little help… or a LOT of help.

What is one to do? How does one learn the knowledge that may be necessary or helpful in building a ship model? BOOKS!

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Most ship modelers have developed his or her own library of instructional books and reference titles. Beginners can find a great deal of guidance from titles like Ship Modeling Simplified by Frank Mastini, while more experienced modelers may want to keep reference books on hand that contain handy information that is difficult to remember, but useful to have on hand when needed. Ship Modeling Shop Notes II, published by the Nautical Research Guild, is an example of a book that is chock full of information that you can read up on when you have the need to know. Another classic title is The Ship Model Builder’s Assistant, by Charles Davis. This handy reference has sections describing things like copper sheathing, tapering proportions of yard arms, etc.

An excellent reference for anyone building a square-rigger is the book Rigging Period Model Ships, by Lennarth Peterssen. This visual guide shows you each line of the ship and how it is attached and where the line leads. This is an excellent book that you’ll refer to, project after project.

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Building a cutter or schooner rig? Peterssen also wrote the book Rigging Period Fore-and-Aft Craft, which covers these rigs as well as the lugger rig. The book is just as heavily illustrated, but covers a range of smaller vessels.

Ages of Sail has added these and a number of other titles over the past year and has recently added even more. Check them out at http://www.agesofsail.com.

An Inside Look at Shipyard’s HMS Wolf Laser Cardboard Kit

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Ship Modeler Clare Hess gives a look at the latest card model offering from Shipyard of Poland, a 1:72-scale Laser Cardboard Series kit of the British Royal Navy’s Snow-Rigged Brig, HMS Wolf, 1752, which is in stock here at Ages of Sail.

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Recently, Ages of Sail, the importer I’ve been doing some work for this past year, has gotten in a new shipment of card or paper model kits from Shipyard of Poland. The most recent significant addition is the boxed Laser Cardboard Series kit HMS Wolf, 1752, and I managed to take a look at the product and get some photos so you can get a better look at what’s included in this kit.

First off, HMS Wolf was a snow-rigged brig of war, meaning she carried two square-rigged masts, with an auxiliary mast attached to the back of the mainmast that carries the boom and gaff of the spanker sail. The ship was armed with 10 guns.

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The Shipyard kit is produced in 1/72 scale and measures about 20.5″ long overall. As with all Laser Cardboard Series kits, the boxed kit has all card stock parts laser cut…

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Big Shipyard Paper Model Shipment Just In!

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Actually, we’ve been getting our most recent Shipyard order piecemeal over the past few weeks and still waiting for parts of the order. But, if you’ve been waiting for something that’s been out of stock, wait no longer!

HMS Alert 1:72-scale boxed edition laser-cut kit, NOW IN STOCK! – Order Now

HMS MERCURY 1:96-scale paper model, NOW IN STOCK! – Order Now

HM Bark Endeavour 1:96-scale paper model, NOW IN STOCK! – Order Now

HMS Victory 1:96-scale paper model, NOW IN STOCK – Order Now

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We’re also adding some products we haven’t had on our website including. Watch for then in the coming week:

HMS Alert 1:96-scale paper model, NOW IN STOCK!

HMS Wolf 1:72-scale boxed edition laser-cut kit, NEW KIT RELEASE IN STOCK!

HMS Enterprize 1:96-scale paper model, NOW IN STOCK

Alcatraz Island Lighthouse 1:72-scale boxed edition laser-cut kit, NOW IN STOCK

Alcatraz Island Lighthouse HO-scale laser-cut model, NOW IN STOCK

New Quay Port kits in 1:96 and 1:72-scale, NOW IN STOCK

More Lighthouse kits in 1:72 and HO scale, NOW IN STOCK

Order Now  or  Give Us a Call at (510) 889-6000

Local Ship Model Club at the Fair

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The South Bay Model Shipwrights, a group that has a long history of being an active part of the ship modeling community has recently worked with the organizers of the San Mateo County Fair to bring wooden ship models back on display. The club’s membership, lead by president Jim Rhetta, put together quite a collection of kit built and scratch built ship models, with the idea of getting models out in the public where people can see and appreciate them.

Hopefully, these will inspire new ship modelers to build models and possibly join the club’s ranks, and also to create some interest among the younger audience. Model building is a hobby that’s less popular with the lure of Internet and video games, but there are certain to be those that will still look upon models like these with a certain amount of awe, and will hopefully develop their creative drives.

 

 

Now Shipping: Amati Revenge, 1577

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NOW SHIPPING!

The long anticipated Amati kit of the English Race-built Galleon, Revenge, 1577, is now in stock and our first orders for the kit have been filled are on their way to their lucky owners.

These kits are BIG, and going through the contents, they look AWESOME. We had special pre-order pricing on these kits, but we’re going to keep to the special pricing as an intro price on the kit while we can. This is a very good deal on an incredible new kit.

Get yours while supplies last!

Get Amati Revenge on Ages of Sail

Amati Revenge, 1577 – New Kit Now Listed on Ages of Sail

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Finally! The Revenge kits are on their way. This is a long anticipated kit designed by the very talented ship modeler Chris Watton. We’ve been waiting for the release of this kit for nearly a year, and we’ve finally gotten the word they are shipping and we should have them in just over a week.

This kit is part of Amati’s highly regarded Victory Models line. As with all models in the line (except for the HMS Vanguard) the model is 1:64-scale, and features a double-planked plank-on-bulkhead hull and highly detailed parts.

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We’ve officially listed the kit on the Ages of Sail website and have opened up pre-orders with special pricing now until quantities last. Regular pricing is $549 for this kit, which we’re listing now for $499. This is a limited time offer, so make sure to take advantage of it while supplies last.

Pre-orders are now being accepted, and the kits will ship as soon as they come in, which should be approximately June 5th.

 

Check out the details of the kit on our website.

Amati’s Revenge, 1577 on Ages of Sail

Lighthouse card model kits listed

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We just started updating our listings for card model lighthouse kits from Shipyard of Poland. It’s been long overdue and we’re just started to get a handle on it. Shipyard produces about two dozen different lighthouse kits in both 1:72 scale and 1:87 (HO) scale and we have nearly all of them in stock now from their Laser Cut Models series as well as their boxed edition Laser Cardboard series.

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Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse, built in Australia in 1874.

 

These are NEAT kits! All the lighthouse kits we carry are the laser cut kits that Shipyard produces. They also have cut-out kits, where the parts are printed and you have to cut them all out. But, for now, we’ve decided to focus on carrying just the ones where the parts are all pre-cut for you. You just need to cut off the tiny tabs that hold the pieces to the laser cut sheets to release them. You just need to glue, assemble and paint.

The kits are available in either HO scale 1:87, or 1:72 scale. They vary in size from the short Crowdy Head Lighthouse, which is just about 3-3/4″ tall at HO scale, to the towering Pellworm Lighthouse, which at 1:72 scale is just under 23-1/2″ tall.

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Los Morillos Lighthouse built in Puerto Rico in 1882.

 

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Pellworm Lighthouse built in Germany in 1906

 

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The laser cutting allows for intricate details which are hard to get when cutting with scissor or knife as can be seen in the above close-up of the 1:72-scale Pellworm Lighthouse.

If you’ve never built a paper model, the lighthouses make a great introduction. For a more advanced model, check out the ship model kits from Shipyard. We have those in both regular Paper Model kits, which you cut out yourself, and Laser Cardboard Kits, which are larger scale boxed sets that include laser cut parts, metal cannons, rigging material, wooden dowels for the masts and yards, plus paints, brushes and fittings.

I know the Shipyard product line may seem a bit confusing at first, so if you have any questions, just feel free to email us or call us at 510-889-6000.

Keep in mind that we have close to 150 Shipyard products, with only a fraction of those listed on our website at this time, so if you’re looking for something, let us know, as we may have it, even if you don’t see it on our website. We’ll be working to get everything on line in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

New! Live Steam Products from Saito Manufacturing

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We’ve just put up our newest line of products on our website, Live Steam kits from Saito Manufacturing of Japan. Ages of Sail signed an agreement to distribute Saito steam engines and RC boat kits in the US and we got our initial shipment in recently. We’re really excited about the new line and how beautifully made the steam engines are.

The RC boat kits are all designed especially for steam operation using their recommended engines and boilers and burners. We carry the Boiler and Burner combinations to make purchases a bit easier. The RC boat kits (except the T-1 Steam Boat) do not include the engines, so if you want to build them as static models, you can. You might also be able to adapt most to electric operation. But, we’re sure you’re going to want to try out the live steam operation.

One kit in particular, the T-1 Steam Boat, is designed to get you into steam operation right away as it DOES include the steam engine and boiler. All burners run on methanol. Optional accessories haven’t been listed on the website yet, but include pressure gauges, smoke tank and smoke oil, and optional drain tanks.

The RC boat kits feature fiberglass hulls, wooden structural parts, brass, aluminum and cast fittings as well as some plastic fittings for some items. Instruction in English

And YES, we have them in stock now! Check them out: Live Steam at Ages of Sail

Ages of Sail at the IPMS Show in San Jose April 11

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Ages of Sail will be attending it’s first IPMS event, coming up on April 11th in San Jose. While it’s not a ship modeling event, and the modelers attending will likely not be working in wood, this competition and show of the local chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society should be a fun and interesting event.

Entries are not restricted by material or subject, so wood ship modelers can enter their models. In addition to Ages of Sail, the South Bay Model Shipwrights club that meets monthly at the Los Altos Library will have a table and will be showing off the joys of ship modeling to visitors.

The event is hosted by the Silicon Valley Scale Modelers, the local IPMS chapter, and details of the event and entry information can be found on their website.

We’ll be there, so please come and visit our table!