I just found this site thanks to Harry Apple I would love to build one of these myself. Are there such things as beginners, dumb as crap plans?
It's all pretty simple if you take it one step at a time, have patience, and use tried and true building methods. Mike Butts
New guys should read: http://www.scrapcombatships.com/commodore/tactics/tactics.html http://www.portpolarbear.com/reports/index.html Check out some Youtube videos. You can also get an intro DVD http://www.mwci.org/mwcidvd.shtml And the How to Build a Warship DVD http://www.portpolarbear.com/For%20Sale.htm
You guys have all been so helpful. I just ordered the how to build video from polarbear and am looking forward to my first build. I want to make sure I build something that will be pratical and have a decent chance of staying in the game I'm in Raleigh, NC.
Awesome.. if that is the case stay away from BIG ships as a beginner!!!! Make life simple and get a class 4 you will be glad you did.
Fortunately, there are 5 or 6 boaters in North Carolina, mostly to the west of you. I'll try to cue them in towards you. Also, you are only 5 hours away from Hagerstown, Maryland where next weekend (Oct 7 - 9) the IRCWCC is holding their Fall Regional event. It would be worth the drive to go see a battle, check out the ships, and ask questions from the captains. Believe me, you ask a captain about their ship and they will be happy to talk to you about it! Check in the IRCWCC section of this web site for more details. Welcome to the obsession!
Welcome. First off: What rule set do you want to use? BIG Guns, Fast guns, Queen Ann's, 1/72 1/96 or 144 scale, Etc. I understand that there are BIG and Fast guns groups that cover your area. Meet with those folks and find the group that you like to hang with. They will be your best support in a build. Then decide which ship you would like to build. BIG guns groups say to build something big first to learn the ropes. Small ships are very difficult and expensive to build.
Fast gun ship builders say the same thing, build bigger. Welcome aboard. There's a lot of action in your state. I've been there quite a bit lately. Nice people, look them up.
Thanks Guys. I have not decided on an exact build, but for my first I have seen a couple of kits on this forum and will probably go with one of those. I am thinking that if I can get one mostly successful ship under my belt I can try something a little more adventurese the next time. I had thought to build a USS North Carolina, but after reading some of the build posts that is well behind me for now. Perhaps sometime in the future I will give it a shot. In the meantime I have gotten so much good advice and most of it matches So I will take the safe and tried and true method for this first build. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to this and after this first build I hope to build a ship from the keel up and make some of the gadgets in it myself.
Too bad that you were not at the Makers Faire June 18th in Raleigh NC. The Mid Atlantic Battle Group (BIG GUNS) was there and we had a USS North Carolina on display.
Well Dang it !! I would have loved to seen that. When will the next Makers Fair be? Does the Mid Atlantic Battle Group have a website? Thanks in advance.
Ah, so you found that the next Makers faire will be next year there in Raleigh. And yes we will be there again. And you found our web site: MABG.org We are a BIG GUNS group. We have several former military and retired military in our group.
I will definately make the next show/meet. I want to jump into a ship build so bad, but am stuck finishing up this airsoft M1 Garand. I bet in it's own way it is as tough as some of the ship builds. So far no one has made an airsoft M1 that will eject the clip (not including factory builds) and I believe I have finally got that problem solved. Also, this M1 is built in an original wood stock and the motor trigger has been removed from the receiver to the back of the stock. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it has been very difficult to figure out just what needs to be done and then hand make all of the small parts that have to work together. It's still a long haul from being finished and I expect to be in this thing for at least another 45-60 days. It will be an absolute pleasure to work with some wood for awhile
UGH! you are bringing back memories. I had an International Harvester M-1 Garand. (The real thing, Korean War Vintage) Oh, do I miss that rifle. I shoot left handed so the clip would always come down on the top of my head!
