The Ship Model Forum

Recently I have had debate, and combative voices regarding my version of the Airfix plastic kit WASA. In reality, my builds (like any other) will always be subject to scrutiny. However, it doesn't cease my continued efforts to research and reveal findings that were proven -whether by me and/or those who went before.

I have restored hundreds and scratchbuilt hundreds of models in my 50 year tenure. And in that/this time, those who have trusted my integrity were satisfied. And the best part of this journey is that I've never scrutinized any novice or professional builder; rather presented insight to my cause and purpose.
Nothing more...

We all have been established in one way or another. Credentials, not awards, continue to be the basis for growth in every arena -including shipmodels.

Airfix was a discovery for me during the 1960s while attending Catholic school. I, and a group of boys went to our local hobby shop after school; and it was there that I was absorbed with the many models on display. Eventually I began to build one...That experience is what brought me here 'today' -and I know there are other young boys who are interested in the medium. However, we must cease the bickering and absorb the information. NO ONE is so knowledgeable to write 'the book'. We ALL have a part in the literature to whatever degree fits our 'research'. Nothing more.

I have written blogs on the Airfix plastic sailing ship(s) to bring awareness to the medium. Those blogs have helped those to acquire a better understanding for modelling them to the next level. It is because of my professional experiences, have I been able to do so. These models were finely executed with, of course, flaws...and there are still many out there sitting in boxes.

I bring you to this blog https://classicshipmodelminiatures.blog ... ation.html in the hopes that you will focus on your build. Be encouraged with 'your' experience in it. Don't focus on the other individual. This is how you become established in your art; your journey.

Fairwinds wrote:There are several versions of Wasa models on the market. Some have a better choice of detail, but all are fine examples of research. However, all lack some key details that must be investigated to get the 'best' from the build...regardless of who manufacture the kit.

References are equally important; and all references are not absolute. It's really up to the builder as to how much is placed in the project. I used Bjorn Landstrom's book for my Airfix Classic Wasa and other supporting references for the rigging. Even there (the rigging) is a judgement call to what may or may not have been present. The overall outcome is what defines how well a model is done.

Airfix Wasa has been my choice for years because it was the first model to come on the circuit based on the 1961 raising. Some details were questioned, but overall, a good model -expecially in the way of modification which will be shown at a later time.

These images, though limited, gives a scant preview of the build. Again, in my opinion this kit is a good build -provided its modified. Otherwise the plastic is too delicate to achieve any true rigging base.

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I fully agree with you! The Airfix kit is maybe outdated by the Revell kit, the latter being more up to date because of the later discoveries, like the paintwork. Funnily, they share the same basic error of the frame locations (indicated by the pegs shown on the skin), this error is traceable to the same erroneous drawing. In reality the frames were all parallel to each other.

There are several versions of Wasa models on the market. Some have a better choice of detail, but all are fine examples of research. However, all lack some key details that must be investigated to get the 'best' from the build...regardless of who manufacture the kit.

References are equally important; and all references are not absolute. It's really up to the builder as to how much is placed in the project. I used Bjorn Landstrom's book for my Airfix Classic Wasa and other supporting references for the rigging. Even there (the rigging) is a judgement call to what may or may not have been present. The overall outcome is what defines how well a model is done.

Airfix Wasa has been my choice for years because it was the first model to come on the circuit based on the 1961 raising. Some details were questioned, but overall, a good model -expecially in the way of modification which will be shown at a later time.

These images, though limited, gives a scant preview of the build. Again, in my opinion this kit is a good build -provided its modified. Otherwise the plastic is too delicate to achieve any true rigging base.

sydneyship wrote:Wasa model ship (Vasa)- the grandest warship in the fleet of Swedish King Adolphus. I spotted this one from one supplier from Australia.

On the site it says: "Highly impressive, historically accurate, 1:72 scale model of the Wasa."

I wouldn't spend a dime on it. The model looks wrong, much too bulky, and many details are wrong at first glance.

Wasa model ship (Vasa)- the grandest warship in the fleet of Swedish King Adolphus. I spotted this one from one supplier from Australia.

the kit from Billing Boats, as it seems to have the most correct hull of all models available at the moment

Sorry, I'm, not able to asses that, as I don't have the Billing Boats kit. But as basically the same info was available to anyone from the sixties onwards, I wouldn't think Billing would have it all wrong.

And the better news: I believe Billing doesn't provide you with a complete hull (right or wrong) but with the drawings of it, and the timbers to build it yourself! So ample room for improvement if you find an error somewhere.

So I would start with examining the Billing Boat drawings closely and comparing them in detail with better drawing sources, and make adjustments to it if needed, before you cut any wood.

Hello everybody,

First a very big shout out to Clayton. I went to his website to check his Wasa and other stuff...WOW is an understatement!
At the moment I have just started to do research on the Wasa, as I am about to start one myself in the near future. The things I aw on Clayton's website gave me alot of inspiration, but also demoralised me as I know I will never in a millions years be able to pull that off lol. Serious now, my goal is to make my model as accurate as I am able to get it. After some investigation I decided to start with the kit from Billing Boats, as it seems to have the most correct hull of all models available at the moment. Do the experst here agree with that is my main question. I will not do a full scratch build, as that is way out of my league, so basically I need a good base to start with.

Wish revell had done it in 1/100 scale, so results can stand next to my beloved heller 1/100 HMS victory.

Hello Steve and others,

I started with the Airfix kit about one year ago, after a visit to the Vasa museum in Stockholm. I found that indeed the Airfix kit is quite good, however dated in that it showed the restoration status around 1970-1975. Since then many more parts have been found and added to the ship: I have spent quite some time in 'updating' the Airfix kt to the current situation.

And then, lo, Revell comes with a new kit! I have one for a kit revoew on my workbench too, so I can compare them well. First the scale: Revell's is 1:150, so slightly smaller than Airfix', both measure out well. Next: Revell have opened up the lower gundecks, although not as full decks but only a sort of galleries. Many more guns to paint, Airfix only has short barrels to stick out from some dark holes.

Thirdly: Revell have done their homework well, and the ship is up-to-date. Even the paint scheme is meticulously copied from the large 1:10 model in the museum, and whene everything is coded with the familiar Revell colour flags, I can tell you: no fun! Enought to drive anyone crazy. One picture in full colour print could have done better. Still, no fun to paint all those statues in lively colours. But that is not a problem from the kit though.

Fourth: Revell has given the standing rig as injection moulded ratlines etc. I think it will build into a decent model, but maybe the connoisseur wants to replace that with real rope rigging instead. Plus adding all the finer details of course.

If I would start today, I would chosse Revell instead of Airfix, but now as I have made all the updates, I could continue just as well.

Curiously, one error from the Airfix kit was exactly copied onto the Revell one: The nails in the hull, which suggest positions of the most important frames, suggest these frames were perpendicular to the lower deck: this was definitely not the case: frames were erected vertically over the keel, which itself had a slope of about 3 degrees down towards the rudder, so the frames were not really perpendicular to the keel. Strange that this error was made in exactly the same way by both Airfix and Revell, maybe attribuable to the same faulty drawing?

Hyho Clayton,,

always admired your great build!!!

Also would also like to draw attention to Herv�s site where there are really great informations.
http://wasadream.com/

Here is the english verion translated by Clyton.
http://wasadream.com/Index/indexenglish.html

Here is the german verion that I had the honor to translate.
http://wasadream.com/Index/indexgerman.html

Enjoy, Daniel

Hello,

I am scratch building Vasa of 1628 and the director of research at Vasamuseet in Stockholm, Fred Hocker, thinks my model is the most accurate ever built.

You can view it on my website:

http://clayton707.googlepages.com

Cheers!
Clayton

http://www.edwebproject.org/scandinavia/vasa.html

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/vasa_ship ... ckholm.htm

The Airfix kit is an oldie but a goodie.

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/s ... sa-a09256/

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg1 ... past-.html