First Scratch Build

[Gdog67]

Hello,

I am going to try my first scale scratch build. I have decided on 1/144. My question is about obtaining plans. Are 1/144 combat warship plans detailed enough for a scale build? Or would I be better off getting more detailed plans from Taubman, at least I'm assuming they are more detailed. Then enlarging and doing my own patterns for the hull lines?

Any feedback would be helpfull.

Thanks

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Gdog67 Welcome . Before dealing with the issue of plans what type of warship are you interested in?
Dave Wooley

[Gdog67]

Dave,

I seem to like a lot, but for right now I have the battleship bug. Maybe an older, smaller tonnage treaty vessel. One refitted for World War 2 like the HMS Queen Elizabeth or the USS Texas(BB35).

Griffin

[Dave Wooley]

Dave,

I seem to like a lot, but for right now I have the battleship bug. Maybe an older, smaller tonnage treaty vessel. One refitted for World War 2 like the HMS Queen Elizabeth or the USS Texas(BB35).

Griffin

Thanks Griffin Ah a BB fan thanks for your reply . Would the model you would like to build be working or static ? This will have a bearing on the construction of the model .
Dave Wooley

[Gdog67]

Dave,

If you have a moment I will try to explain my entire creative direction, try not to laugh. First off I love building and creating. I have done a lot of different types of modeling, and us much as I like the model itself, I also like dioramas because they tell a story. Years ago I tried to get into RC ships by partially building the Dumas USS Crockett, it was destroyed by our cat and moving to a new house before I ever got a chance to finish it.

I believe missed my calling, a Hollywood special effects artist would have been my dream job, and recently I have had the urge to tell a story with model ships. My brother in law is graphic artist as well as a photographer and through his influence I have come up with an idea of how to tell my story.

So here it goes; first and most important I would like to build some really nice scale ship models, because I love building and want something nice to look at. But with that said, I plan on using these models to create photo-realistic scenes. I would like to create my own battles at sea, a snapshot of history.

So first off, smaller scale would be easier to move around and manipulate, but on a larger scale the details look better. I was tempted to go with a 1/192 scale but after seeing Bill Wardorf's IJN Soryu (left me drooling) I decided that 1/144 would be better if airplanes were to be used, that way I could buy airplane kits and would not have to scratch build them. As far as RC, from what I have learned from special effects books, and seen live, it is hard to make water from a pond or pool look realistically scale. Therefore I have decided that I will have to make the water for my creations digitally or through some artificial means. But of course I would also like to eventually drive a few of these ships around on the local lake.

So I guess I would like to build them for RC, but not necessarily fit them with running gear right away.

So after I have told you my vision, and I am sure you are thinking I'm crazy, any insight and ideas would be most welcome.

Griffin

[Dave Wooley]

Dave,

If you have a moment I will try to explain my entire creative direction, try not to laugh. First off I love building and creating. I have done a lot of different types of modeling, and us much as I like the model itself, I also like dioramas because they tell a story. Years ago I tried to get into RC ships by partially building the Dumas USS Crockett, it was destroyed by our cat and moving to a new house before I ever got a chance to finish it.

I believe missed my calling, a Hollywood special effects artist would have been my dream job, and recently I have had the urge to tell a story with model ships. My brother in law is graphic artist as well as a photographer and through his influence I have come up with an idea of how to tell my story.

So here it goes; first and most important I would like to build some really nice scale ship models, because I love building and want something nice to look at. But with that said, I plan on using these models to create photo-realistic scenes. I would like to create my own battles at sea, a snapshot of history.

So first off, smaller scale would be easier to move around and manipulate, but on a larger scale the details look better. I was tempted to go with a 1/192 scale but after seeing Bill Wardorf's IJN Soryu (left me drooling) I decided that 1/144 would be better if airplanes were to be used, that way I could buy airplane kits and would not have to scratch build them. As far as RC, from what I have learned from special effects books, and seen live, it is hard to make water from a pond or pool look realistically scale. Therefore I have decided that I will have to make the water for my creations digitally or through some artificial means. But of course I would also like to eventually drive a few of these ships around on the local lake.

So I guess I would like to build them for RC, but not necessarily fit them with running gear right away.

So after I have told you my vision, and I am sure you are thinking I'm crazy, any insight and ideas would be most welcome.

Griffin

Hi Griffin You are striving to achieve what we all want to achieve , a model and effect as close to the original as possible .As you have seen on this site some try to gain this through dioramas others with working models . On here there are some outstanding dioramas the skill and imagination truly does take your breath away .As you say Bill Waldorf has produced large scale models in the very way that you visualize a model to be. All you need to do now is decide on a suitable subject, time period and plan how to achieve your goals. As for plans Floating Dry Dock has a huge selection to choose from.
Dave Wooley

[Guest]

Dave,

Thanks for all your help, I will try to update soon with my progress.

Griffin