Customer Reviews

Historic Ship Models

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This wonderful reference book contains diagrams from early to late model historic sailing ships. It is not so much a reference of 'how to' but 'how' differnt nations constructed sailing vessels. Not much in the way of written explanation, but covers every aspect of the sailing ship, from keel to sails. I would have liked to have seen more colour plates of the wonderful B&W photos it contains. I believe that it is aimed at the intermediate model maker, so don't buy it if you expect this to teach you how to make model ships, but merely as a companion. It is a dictionary of ships diagrams, well worth owning and adding to the collection, with other works such as 'The Ship Model Builders Assistant', 'The 100 gun ship Victory', 'Anatomy of Nelsons Ships, and 'Ship Modelling Simplified'.

After searching the internet extensively for information on the rigging of Continental cannons and carronades I got pretty much nothing. Within 1 minute of opening this book, I had everything I needed. Reviewing additional sections showed me the wealth of information I had just tapped. The internet may have the information I need, but not at one place like this book. Excellent print, excellent information and the drawings are absolutely the most concise and accurate I have seen anywhere. I hit the goldmine with this reference piece.

This book is invaluable, but frustrating. Invaluable, because there are tons of sketches, diagrams and drawings that are so much more useful to someone actually building a model than mere photos (but there are some nice photos, too). Frustrating, because from the enlightening text and drawings, I now realise that I have made a couple of significant errors in the very ship I'm working on at the moment. I needed this book years ago!

Yup, this is a very handy book for the modelist. When I first started building, I didn't spend much time with this book, but as I ventured deeped into those small pieces of wood, I started to spend more and more time with it. Now, I use this book as the prime source whenever I have a question about the hobby, then suppliment the information with a few other books I have (see my other reviews if interested).

The diagrams are clear, easy to understand. The charts are easy to use and very accurate. For building a Mayflower, it has provided a good base of information, although somewhat light on early 17th Century vessels. It's been a great help in my learning this hobby.

The other joy of this book is just in the reading, or picture looking. I really enjoy just thumbing through the book and seeing what things are about, and how they work, why, and where. If the kid in your likes to "make believe", then spend some time with this book and imagine all the different items contained in it, working out on the sea, with the sun shining, the wind blowing, and the ship making 12 knots in perfect silence.....

The book is really well laid-out; generally, 2 facing pages make a section, with text on the left and finely detailed drawings on the right, more detailed secions (like armament) cover several pages, but still retain the overall look. The sections cover every conceivable aspect of the ship, and most periods, with an concise description of each item and the differences over the years and between the countries.

The sections on yards and sails are very good, and the standing rigging is exceptionally well described.
My only quibble is lack of colour in the flag & sail sections - it would improve some of the others as well.*****

This is an excellent reference book for the serious scale modeller of period ships. Contains lots of photos and drawings for reference. Clearly explains the evolution of the ship and which fittings belong to what period; i.e. don't you dare put round deadeyes on the Santa Maria!
For an excellent general overview, you can't go wrong with this book.

sorry, i am not english good speller. i`m koria

Here is a good reference guide for the honest historic ship modeller! I only regret the fact its coverage of portuguese ships is very incomplete and casual. It even presents a totally unreliable model of a portuguese XVI century caravel in page 203! In the sources chapter it doesn't even mention the oldest technical documents on shipbuilding in Europe: the "Ars Nautica"(1570). However, for everyone mainly interested in ancient ships other than the portuguese it's a fairly complete reference not to be without.

When I found excerpts from Mr zu Mondfeld's book online, I searched around till I found a copy. After reading it, I am reminded of the telegram allegedly sent regarding the 10 Guinea race won by the yacht America; to paraphrase - "HSM first, there is no second". Buy it; study it; use it; you won't be disappointed.

This book is not a manual of help to the beginners. In fact it is an excellent summary of useful references for the most advanced modelers.