Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Manual [Hardcover]

Philip Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

This unmatched volume on the art of static ship modeling is a step-by step guide to building the eighteenth century 74-gun ship-of-the-line Majestic. What makes the book truly unique is the use of over four hundred photographs that depict each stage of construction. During a fifteen-month building period, the author shot every aspect of the task and distilled those photographs into a sequence that takes the reader from the initial drawing of the plan to the final rigging and display. The carving of the hull and gunports, the fitting of the planking and wales, the building of stanchions and rails, the addition of the channels and the fitting of the chains and deadeyes, the carving of guns, capstans, cannon balls, bulkheads and masts and spars--these are a few of the phases depicted in pin-sharp photographs that can be easily followed by novice an expert alike. Though one scale and a single ship are used throughout, the techniques demonstrated can be applied to other vessels and at other scales. This book takes readers into the workshop of a professional and allows them to see first hand how the experts do it.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155750444X
• ISBN-13: 978-1557504449
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #552,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Instructional

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Addition to a Ship Modelling Library, September 2, 2000

By 

Greg A. Herbert (Owings Mills, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Manual (Hardcover)

Philip Reed has long been known for his superb miniature models, He has finally published a step-by-step manual of his modelling techniques, recorded during the building of Majestic, a 74-gun ship-of-the-line. While Mr. Reed builds to smaller scales than many modelers (typically 1/92 scale) the techniques he uses would be suitable for any scale. The book is composed of 385 black and white photos with brief captions that cover the construction of Majestic from hull to rigging complete with realistically furled sails. Also included are eight color photos of the completed model. Mr. Reed's photographic skills are superb and one cannot help but marvel at the model as depicted on the front and rear covers. Ship modelers in general and admirers of superb miniaturist Donald McNarry in particular, will surely want a copy of this book for their library.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never seen anything better!, January 18, 2003

By 

A. J. Watson "Bones" (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Manual (Hardcover)

Modelling Sailing Men-of-war
Never seen anything better!
This book traces the progress of the construction of Majestic, 74, each step in the various stages is meticulously photographed in close-up, with the work actually in progress, and fingers or rulers giving a visual guide to scale.
The first chapters describe Mr.Reed's background, his workshop & tools and the reasons for his choice of scale and model.
Then the book takes us, in logical, but not necessarily chronological order, through the planning and construction process. Mr Reed favours a solid, excavated, then planked hull in preference to a built-up hull, as it was a commissioned project; this certainly saves time and effort, is more robust and looks more lifelike than the exposed interior of admiralty-style models.
In the text accompanying each photo (typically 4 per page), the author describes each process and gives hints and tips along the way. Some things I would do differently, but there are some interesting techniques used which I shall definitely adopt. The section on ship's boats is particularly helpful.
In the middle of the book are colour photos of the finished model, at anchor in a carved sea, surrounded by several bumboats - this looks so lifelike at first sight, one does a double-take! It is only the figures in the boats that give the game away - and they were not made by Mr.Reed!
I heartily recommend this to any amateur modeller, as a perfect teaching aid and inspiration to tackle bigger, more complex models.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written, Helpful and Effectively Illustrated, January 14, 2002

By 

Albert C. Blevins (East Greenbush, New York USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Manual (Hardcover)

I found "Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by- Step Manual" by Philip Reed to be well worth the price of the book. Following the builder/author through the modelling of the 74 gun ship HMS MAJESTIC in both text and photographs provided me with several techniques which I have already implemented.

The book includes a brief description of the ship and her history, an introduction, a description of the author's workshop and the building of the model with copious photographs that are well captioned. The captions not only describe the activity in the photograph but include many building suggestions and techniques.

I not only enjoyed reading the book but will certainly use it as a valued resource in future miniature shipbuilding projects.