The Ship Model Forum

Does anyone know of any good books/websites that show scratchbuilding techniques for 1/96 scale ships? Specifically I'm looking for what techniques and materials are used for building the hull and superstructure. Anything with photos would be helpful.

Thanks,
Erik

The Scratchbuilt Projects section of this very forum has multitudes of threads that have plenty of pictures of step-by-step on how to build a large-scale warship, from almost any time period. Even better, you can ask the builder for the specific clarifications.

Look at my IRON DUKE and MOFFETT in scratchbuild also Bills work.

What are you planning on building?
A good book for starters is P.C. Cokers Building Warship Models.
It's a bit dated but it covers just about every part of scratchbuilding ships.
It shows up on E bay a lot.
Theres one there now thats in bad shape for 100.00. probably not worth it.

Also look at Model Warships Underway
Mostly large scale rc ship
http://wmunderway.8m.com/home/home.htm

A lot of times it better and faster to buy a fiberglass hull from a manufacture than to build your own.
Scale Shipyard, Loyalhanna Dockyard, PS Ships all are good places to ask questions.

You can use foam core, styrene, polycarbonate or even carbon fiber for building the superstructure.
A lot depends on what your building and if it's a static model or RC.

Hope this is of some help.

James

Erik W wrote:Does anyone know of any good books/websites that show scratchbuilding techniques for 1/96 scale ships? Specifically I'm looking for what techniques and materials are used for building the hull and superstructure. Anything with photos would be helpful.

Thanks,
Erik

Hi Erik I agree as to what has been said you only need to look at those builds of ARH and Bill Waldorf to gain a good rounded knowledge of building in 1:96 scale . But if its a book you would like then of course I would go for PC Cokers "Building Model Warship", it is almost the difinitive book on the subject first published in 1972 and has stood the test of time, I have my copy always handy. On the other hand the puplication "Warships and Warship Modelling" also deals with the subject in a phased step by step approach with plenty of photo and diagrams to help and was first puplished in 2007.
Dave Wooley

Thanks,
Erik[/quote]
Hi Erik I agree as to what has been said you only need to look at those builds of ARH and Bill Waldorf to gain a good rounded knowledge of building in 1:96 scale . But if its a book you would like then of course I would go for PC Cokers "Building Model Warship", it is almost the difinitive book on the subject first published in 1972 and has stood the test of time, I have my copy always handy. On the other hand the puplication "Warships and Warship Modelling" also deals with the subject in a phased step by step approach with plenty of photo and diagrams to help and was first puplished in 2007.
Dave Wooley [/quote]



And what a good book it is Dave.

ARH wrote:Look at my IRON DUKE and MOFFETT in scratchbuild also Bills work.

Nice classes for scratchbuilders!!!!

Erik,

I am building (slowly) a 1:96 scale cruiser (CLG, a modified Cleveland class). I have posted photos and drawings on my web site:

http://www.okieboat.com/Modeling%20info.html

Note: This is my first 1:96 scale model, so you may find more experienced advice elsewhere.

I use 3D CAD software to figure out how the parts go together (not always clear in the blueprints) and to generate 1:96 scale 2D drawings to work from.

You should be cautious about the fiberglass hulls available commercially. This project started with a 1:96 fiberglass hull Christmas gift from my kids. I want to build a very accurate museum quality model, and not a R/C boat. I am working from the original blueprints (US National Archives), and I found the hull to be very inaccurate (off by more than two scale feet - 1/4 inch or 5 mm - in places and hogged). I have been building it up with Bondo to correct the lines, but it would probably be easier to start over.

HI! I want to say this 1/8" to the foot is a good scale to work in.There is a lot of aftermarket stuff out there for your ship.I am sorry you have A GLASS HULL.I have ongoing,a "BALTIMORE". I acquired the hull and plans from BaD shipmodels.It is wood ,plank on frame and it is working up into a very nice ship model! The folks at BaD are the new owners and they will take time to help you on tech questions.I have just put in dibs for a "BUCKLEY" D.E. And it is going to be from BaD too.Check them out.They have a nice U.S.S. CHARLES F.ADAMS too! Just meandering here ,good lock!! commodore4

Take a look at www.johnrhaynes.com ship builds in 1/96