The Ship Model Forum

I am by no means as good as many of the folk on here as I am only on my second kit. The three suggestions I would pass on that were given to me when I first started posting work on here are:

1) Do not compare yourself to anyone else on here. Just try to learn things with each step and think about how you would do it differently next time. You goal is to outdo yourself, not best the guys on here.

2) TAKE YOUR TIME! Think about each step and don't be afraid to strip paint off to redo it. The extra effort and time really does show a difference in my work. Although I am noticing that I am getting just a little faster with things each time I do something.

3) if you do a WIP thread, ask for honest feedback and suggestions. I also say that I would love to hear things good or bad. If they are unwilling to post them in the main thread, send me a PM. I have gotten several suggestions that way that have helped me a lot.

These are obviously general tips. Everyone has personal preferences. I have noticed that a lot of folks here tend to work from the bottom up including detailing on each level. My first kit I did not do that. I added the detailing after I had everything built. I ended up knocking of more things than I care to admit. The second kit I changed that. I am painting and building then detailing each level as I go. It is so much easier this way for me.

Hope that helps.

If you fear destroying your first kit, start with something big yet considerably cheaper. I started out with an Academy Tirpitz (SGD $35) then moved on to the Revell Bismarck (SGD $180). For more expensive decks, I also have wood decks on standby, in case I badly screw up the painting for the decks.

Revell do a Tirpitz in 1/350 scale,
if it's as good to build as their Bismarck, then you will have a great looking model.
Regards
Richard

im wondering if the Lindbergh company makes good renditions of the KMS-Tirpitz...it is the 1/350 size...

You say ship ? What about a boat (yeah float on the water very much the same thing eh) you could jump straight in with both feet and but a nice 1-350 battleship and probably tear your hair out, worse still the same thing in 1-700, for a first model ship/boat that's not to complex and a nice size, also cheap, the 1-72 PT boat,or range of 1-72's, you'll find many 1-72 diorama pieces plus many figures, these are not easy or a starter pack and some skill will be required as in all model building.
As the bloke above said, there are not many models that haven't been built, mucked up and displayed here on this site, any help all you have to do is ask the board.

Not sure what way you're heading? You want to build kits? Or build something all by yourself?
If you're really about to start, it's better to start with some kit. Decide which ship you want to build, then come to the board and see if there's any posts relating to your chosen ship. You'll rapidly find some kits of it, described in detail here, with perhaps even comparisons of two manufacturers. Then you buy the kit, glue, a cutter and some paint, and off you go.
Once you get started with that, you'll soon see that some research will show some errors and you can then choose to adapt it or not. Eventually you might end up as ARH, Dave, Bill or Jim, depending on what you like most! One thing you can be sure of, it will take time!

I have never built a model ship before but i want to learn how, i dont have any thing to build with that i know of.. could someone give me some tips on what i could do to make a small ship?