Paper Shipwright's 160 scale S.S. Ben Read

 Paper Shipwright's model of the S.S. Ben Read, She was a small coastal tanker plying her trade around various ports in the British Isles.  Built in 1923 for the National Benzole Company she served until 1954 when she met her fate in a collision near Northfleet on the Thames River.  Having to be beached to prevent her from sinking the Ben Read was declared a "Constructive Total Lost" and was later scraped.

Paper Shipwright's model comes in two scales, 1/250 and 1/160.  As I get older, the larger models have more appeal to me, so this model is in 1/160 scale.   These pictures show the Ben Read almost 2/3 complete.  She has been a real pleasure to build and I look forward to getting more of his models in the larger scale.

Another Set 8 model

Yesterday rain all day; another chance to make another model from the plan book included in set 6A.  This time the model is on page 6.  A "Fortress Tower", model number one. I made a mistake in not following the drawing as close as I should have in stage "R-S".  It is only a minor mistake and results in not using four number 34 stones.  This could at any rate be an equally suited substitute.

Anker Set 6A

Thanks to Chris and his company, The Toy House, I received my 6A set yesterday.  Now with the 4 and 4A set I already have; the 6A set gives me the equivalent of an 8 set.  Saturday and rain all day, what a better time to start building.  So here is a design from the booklet that comes with set 6A.  Called a Swedish Fortress Tower, as found on page 12.

I am puzzled by one step which seems to be missing. I am not sure if this is done to provoke thought or if this missing stage was omitted in error. It occurs at the end of stage "x-y".

Card Model Up Date

During our recent move, several of my card models were destroyed and so I have only photographs to remember them by.  Two models that I will miss the most are the two models I am presenting here.  The first model, a Roman Centurion, is from a series done in a Czech Magazine called ABC.  The magazine is published twice a month designed for young readers and each issue comes with one or two card models to cut-out and assemble.  Some of the models can be very complex and may take several issues for the entire model to be complete. I miss not receiving the magazine any longer; but like most things, the price including postage gets so high that most people outside the Czech Republic can no longer afford to subscribe.

The second model, the USAF Parasite Fighter, was designed to be carried under each wing of a B-36 or similar like aircraft. I lost the manufacturers name and place where I purchased the model and can only wish someone reading this might remember where it came from so that I could be able to buy the kit again.

Detroit's 300 Anniversary - The Great Tall Ships Parade

On July 19th, 2001 the city of Detroit celebrated it's 300 Anniversary.  The Gala involved many different events throughout the city. Everything from events held at Detroit's Historical Museum to food and fair rides at Detroit's Riverfront in the Downtown area.

Perhaps the most interesting was the parade of tall ships which visited Detroit for three days. Here are some pictures of three such ships.  On the left is the "Pride of Baltimore"  she is one of the graceful looking ships to be part of the parade.

On the right is an exact replica of the Nina; one    

three ships Columbus sailed across the Atlantic

Ocean to find the New World.

1/144 Scale Models

Today I share with you some pictures of my 1/144 scale model collection.

To the left is a model of the Fairly Swordfish biplane.  This type of aircraft help sink the mighty German Battleship Bismarck.  The model is made by F-Toys in Japan and comes almost fully painted and assembled. Adding the tail, some touch up paint here and there and she is almost finished.  Of course rigging is not done and I used fine black plastic hairs from a paint brush for rigging which helps the appearance of the model.

This next set of pictures represents the U.S.C.G. C-130 Hercules transport by Mini-Craft Model, likewise a 1/144 scale model.  The kit is molded in white plastic. and contains a full set of Coast Guard markings decal sheet.

The model took about a month to finish.  Most of the parts fit with no major problems.  I did modify the props so they would spin easily. After painting, I sprayed the entire model with Future Floor Wax and let it dry for almost three weeks before I attempted to decal the model.

Some of my Card Models

Many viewers have ask to see pictures of some of my card models.  Here are some I have built in the few years.

This model is by a German Company who's name escapes me at the moment.  I scanned the original and doubled the size.  The original model is 1/250 scale.  This model measures about 5 inches.  So you can imagine how small the original model would be.

The fishing net was made from Nylon netting used to make wedding remembrance bags.  I dipped them in Black India Ink and let them dry before attaching to the spars.  Small drops of white glue was used to represent the buoys.

This model is by a German Company called HMV

The model is again very small as can be seen by

comparing it to the 6 inch ruler along side of the model.  The ferry is from the 1920/30's and used in German.  Likewise like the model above, I scanned this model also and doubled the size.  I will publish a photo of this model at a later date.