Chapter 3 - The Primary Course

The selection of models for the Primary Course is restricted mostly to fore and aft rigged vessels, which are simple to rig, and do not confuse the beginner. The inclusion of Joe Lane to be rigged at the final part of this course is meant to provide the student with some knowledge of square rigging, without getting too involved with multiplicity of rigging too soon.

All these models are famous for their racing qualities, historical significance, or beauty, and will be treasured upon completion.

Assembly of Model Kits

The many books that I have read on Model Ship Building seem to ignore the beginner. They are mostly written by expert modelers who propound certain methods of their own, or new wrinkles that are applicable to an individual job. These innovations and theories provide little guidance to the novice. It is the research worker, and the draftsmen who develop the model kits that your supplier provides, who have simplified the beginner's task. New methods and wrinkles are helpful in the latter stages of modelling, but they could easily confuse the novice. Assembling model kits is a straightforward job comprising well made parts with detailed instructions; some of them are illustrated and show each stage of assembly clearly.

Ideal Co.
Racing Schooner Bluenose

Models Recommended For Assembly During The Primary Course.
 
Marine Model Cc
Schooner Yacht America

 
Marine Model Co.
Joe Lane (Revenue Brig)

Marine Model d
Gertrude L. Thebaud

Your first move is to acquire as many suppliers' catalogs as you can lay hands on. The variety of models that come in package kits seems to be unending. The latest issues range all the way from the Queen Elizabeth to an oyster boat. Simplified instructions are provided with each kit and all you have to do is to assemble the parts with glue. You can't go wrong, because the sections won't fit except in their proper positions. There is a strange fascination in fitting these parts together which grows on you. No particular tools are needed and no experience is necessary. However, selection is very important; the end result must be carefully considered at the beginning because nondescript models do not bring the pride of possession that famous, historical ships do. Artists and sculptors select thoroughbred horses for their subject instead of ordinary work horses; so must you select ships that are famous for their racing qualities, historical prestige or beauty. The famous racing schooner America that brought the "Old Mug" across the Atlantic, is no more difficult to build, and costs no more, than an unknown Great Lakes schooner without even a name on her. Aside from the excitement you derive from building her, the possession of a famous ship model is far more precious. The pride of owning an historical model is very substantial and does not diminish with time. Some years ago I built two models of the same size one was a lowly bark, unknown to anyone except a few old timers; the other was a famous ship of great historical prominence. Both cost the same in time and materials to build. The famous ship fetched two and a half times the price of the bark because she was a collector's piece.
Selection is so important to the modeler that I have made it applicable to all the other phases of model building. There is not much profit in building models unless you can show them to your friends or exhibit them publicly with pride and satisfaction. In the second part of the Primary Course, there are many limitations as to what you should do next. It would probably end in disaster if you started to build your own models or selected square rigged ships until you have acquired a little more knowledge. The most enjoyable part of assembling kits is still ahead of you if you are wise enough to stay within your own limitations until you work yourself out of them.

Fore and Aft Rigged Models

Fore and aft rigged ships are recommended to start with. Modern yachts come into this category, but there are few private yachts that measure up to the historical prestige and fame of the racing schooners. I have already mentioned the famous America. Her history is known all over the world and there is no need to repeat it here. This grand old schooner has everything the modeler could desire. She is over a century old now and her memory will be fresh for centuries to come. Complete information and kits of her are available.

Then there are the two happy warriors that slugged it out in the North Atlantic Bluenose and Gertrude Thebaud. Deep sea fishermen both, they were in a class by themselves, sleek, graceful and very fast. Their radical design and tall spars provide the most beautiful models, and kits are provided in both plastic and wood.

When rigging these models, and many others, use black twine for the standing rigging, viz: all the fixed stays; and white twine for the running rigging, viz: those lines that are movable and run through blocks. This provides a contrast that makes the whole rigging stand out with greater definition. Do not use sails, because sails on a ship out of water are ridiculous and in my opinion create an unnatural picture that spoils the looks of the finest model.

Preparation for the Next Step

In the final part of the Primary Course on Model Building it is essential that you move forward into a more advanced position and learn something about square rigging. It will provide you with confidence if your ambitions lead you to building Clipper Ships. Most beginners are terrified by the mass of ropes on Clipper Ships, but there is no confusion if you know the pattern and order of them. The ropes that control the yards on one mast are simply repeated on the next. There is simplicity, order and restraint to them if you know their names and purposes. That is why I have selected a Brigantine for this purpose.

Brigantines are ships with fore and aft rigging on their main masts, just like the schooner you have already built, and square sails on their foremasts. The pattern of the rigging and yards on the foremast is exactly the same as those on the foremast, mainmast and mizzen of full rigged ships. Moreover, you enter into the same strange world of nautical names by rigging a simple Brigantine as you would with China Clippers or Windjammers. All have chain plates, deadeyes, ratlines, doublings, mast caps, lifts, halyards, braces and clew lines. Once you have learned their purpose, confusion is eliminated.

However important this event may seem to be in model building, selection is more so. Unless the model selected is something that you will cherish and take pride in for years to come, the end hardly justifies the means. In this connection I recommend the Coast Guard brigantine Joe Lane. She has everything that a modeler could desire for both tuition and possession. Joe Lane was built for the Coast Guard in 1848 and has the same pattern of rigging on her foremast as the great ships of this golden age of shipbuilding. She is historically prominent. Her history can be obtained from the Coast Guard Academy. She has very tall spars and beautiful lines, and could easily be a collector's piece when finished.

Kits are available complete with wood hull and all necessary parts. I would also suggest, now that you have progressed so far, that you obtain the scaled drawings of this fine old ship, so that you can visualise the details of her hull lines, construction and rigging.

This is the end of Phase 1 or the Primary Course, and those who have successfully worked up to the finals should now be capable of moving along to Phase 2 or Intermediate Course, which follows.

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