I just saw a post on Model Ship World announcing this new kit from Model Shipways. This is basically a larger, armed version of the Chuck Passaro-designed 18th Century English Longboat kit. The original kit was a 1/4″ scale, or 1:48 scale, model that measured just under 12″ long. The new kit is produced at 1/2″ scale, or 1:24 scale.

The new kit is then just about 2′ long, which should make it an easier build for beginners. I’d add that while many people call the original kit a “beginner” kit, having built it, I would never recommend it for beginners. The only thing that might be okay for beginners in that kit was the simple rigging and the low price. However, this kit’s size should make it much easier to work on, still retaining the simple rig and relatively low price of $119.99.

The price of this kit includes…

Several years ago, Woody Joe came out with a unique wooden model kit of the Solar Barge of Khufu, also known as Cheops, King of Egypt from 2589 B.C. to 2566 B.C. The ship was buried with King Khufu, and intended for use in the afterlife. It measures 143 feet long and is one of the most well preserved, largest and oldest vessel ever discovered.

Woody Joe produces this 1/72-scale kit, making heavy use of laser-cut wooden parts. It’s a beautifully designed kit, with the model measuring around 23″ long when complete.

It’s designed to be fairly easy to build, though of course the instructions are in Japanese. Mr. Dressel reported that he did have some difficulty interpreting some of the instructions until he downloaded the Google Translate app on his iPad.

Zootoyz, an excellent online seller featuring Woody Joe kits, lists the kit as a Level 2 kit on…

The Paint Scheme from Paris

Having made some great progress on the model, it’s time to begin consideration of the paint scheme. From the very start, as a gozabune, it’s been very clear that this is a highly ornate ship, painted in black and vivid red lacquers, and decorated with gold trim.

Model of a large gozabune I found on the Internet.

I’ve noted that modeler Yukio Nakayama’s gozabune models, as well as those made by other Japanese ship modelers, are painted inside and out. Pretty much everything except the decks. This left me wondering how I would end up finishing this model.

I’ve been in a quandary because I do like the look of the interior painted bulwarks and beams with the bare wood deck. But, I recently looked more closely at the notes on the Paris drawings and discovered that interior painting information is actually there in…

Today, someone pointed out in a ship modeling newsletter that there is a new manufacturer of model paints called True North Precision Enamels. The Maine based company is making a complete line of oil based enamel paints, and It appears that BlueJacket Shipcrafters is in the works to start carrying the new brand of paints (As of this date, these don’t seem to appear on their online shop).

The color selection is a bit limited yet, but there appear to be plans to fill out a line of 5 series of colors that includes:

• Federal Standard 595B and C Matching Colors
• World War 2 Military Colors
• Modern Military Colors
• Non-Military, Automotive, Figure and Mixing Colors
• Metal Effects

I haven’t tried the new paints out myself yet, though I just ordered a sample of colors. But, the paint series is being created by modelers (both founders are modelers) for modelers…

Ever since Jeff Hayes closed the doors at Hobby Mill, sources for milled lumber for ship modelers have been a bit spotty. So, the news that Syren Ship Model Company is now selling milled sheets is very weclome in the community.

Chuck Passaro is now offering Boxwood, Swiss Pear, and Alaskan Yellow Cedar in sheets of various thicknesses. He doesn’t have every size on hand at all times, but he only lists those sizes and varieties that he does have. So, there’s no worry about not getting what you’ve ordered.

Prices range from around $4.75 to $13 per sheet, depending on thickness and wood type. The wood available is only available in sheets, so if you need strip woods, you’ll need a table saw to cut your own.

See what’s in stock here: https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/milled-lumber.php