What's the difference between Beginner, intermediate, or advanced Kits?

Ben Lankford

This is a good question and difficult to answer. As a designer for Model Shipways, I do not always agree with the final category which appears in the catalog. There is naturally an effort to categorize a model at intermediate or beginner level - more sales! The recent Pride of Baltimore II kit was desired as a beginners kit, I felt it an advanced kit, so we wound up compromising at intermediate level. Here are some of my thoughts as a designer and model builder:

Beginners -

Solid wood hull is often difficult to shape properly and it takes some skill to fit templates and carve correctly. It would then be an intermediate skill. However, many solid hull models can be completed by the beginner simply by sanding it without regard to total accuracy. Consequently, on the smaller models with a solid hull the beginner can handle it. So, the beginner should know something about sanding wood, and at least have the skill to do some "pocket knife" carving.

The beginner should have some basic understanding of a ship, knowing a deck from a mast and be able to read the plans and instructions. If the model has rigging, the beginner should be able to at least tie a knot to fake a seizing.

Since most models are painted, the beginner should have done some painting with brushes and know how to make reasonably smooth brush strokes. The beginner also needs to know a little something about gluing parts together with white glue.

The beginner should possess the ability to stick with the project a reasonable length of time, understanding that it cannot be built in a hurry, and understand that a wooden model will take a longer time and require more part making than say compared with a plastic model where the parts are basically complete.

Intermediate -

For solid hulls, the modeler should be able to use gouges and chisels for removing wood and have the patience to work longer on a large hull. For the POB hulls, the modeler should have the skill to use a hobby knife and saw and cut parts accurately to lines. Cutting bevels on the bulkheads and tapering planking is important, and use of the tools is essential.

Intermediate models start to have many small parts for deck furniture. The modeler must be able to handle and assemble (glue) small parts together accurately and to keep them to scale. In rigging, there will be more to do, so the modeler must have the patience to spend the time to complete the rig.

They should have the ability to "think out" the rigging beforehand, and also know how to push and pull lines about with rigging tool aids.

The painting of the model is going to be more difficult. The modeler should know how to plan painting the various parts and proceed in an orderly fashion, so as not to work their way into a hole.

Advanced -

Most advanced models are really just more of the same. The same skills are required for the most part. The name of the game is patience. The Flying Fish model from Model Shipways is an advanced project. It was always a big seller to beginners and advanced modelers alike. From old Model Shipways' John Shedd, I was told that it was a good seller, but less-often completed model. Modelers start but never finish the model. My only thought is that they loose patience and get bored with the project over a very long time period. So, you must have the patience and endurance for advanced projects.

Like the intermediate model, the advanced model has even more rigging involved, but if you can rig a single mast you can certainly rig two. The skill is the same. An advanced project will require you to do more detailing and the tying of simple knots is not likely to be satisfactory. Consequently, you should have the skill to make seizings of lines, wrapping them with fine thread.

The advanced project will probably get you more into soldering. The Flying Fish is a good example. There are many iron fittings.

So, you should have the skill to cut, shape, and solder small brass parts. Sometimes, you can substitute other methods in lieu of soldering. You should have the ability to make these decisions and know that the result will be satisfactory.

Painting again will be difficult but should not be any more involved than on an intermediate model.
{Ben Lankford}

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