The following are a collection ship modeling resources that you may find of use. Check back regularly as this section will be continually updated with new content. As the content list grows we will better organize this page to make things easier to find.
Calculators - the following are a collection of MS Excel based calculator files.
Cannon Balls
Deck Planking
Hull Planking
Rigging
Rigging Rope sizes (metric) V2.03
Standing and Running Rigging charts for various ships
Armed Virginia Sloop - The Standing and Running Rigging (Revised) is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the kit drawings and instructions by Ben Lankford against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); and other period rigging plans and sources. In many cases, the line sizes noted are significantly smaller than specified on the kit drawings.
Brig Fair America - Standing and Running Rigging is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the Model Shipways kit drawings and instructions (prepared by Erik Ronnberg, Jr.) against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); and other period rigging plans and sources. The line sizes noted are generally similar to those specified by the kit instructions. Selected running rigging has been added to this rigging table.
Brigantine Newsboy - The Standing and Running Rigging is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the kit drawings by George F. Campbell against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); Spars and Rigging from Nautical Routine (1849; and, other period rigging plans and sources. The line sizes noted are generally similar to those specified by the kit drawings.
Clipper Ship Flying Fish - The Standing and Running Rigging is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the kit drawings by Ben Lankford against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); Spars and Rigging from Nautical Routine (1849) and, other period rigging plans and sources. Rigging line and block sizes are similar to the kit drawings.
Brig VolanteThe Standing and Running Rigging is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the kit drawings by Jay Hanna against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); Spars and Rigging from Nautical Routine (1849; and, other period rigging plans and sources. Rigging line and block sizes are similar to the brigantine Newsboy.
Topsail Schooner Eagle - The Standing and Running Rigging arrangement is based on drawings by William Zakambell and analysis of the sistership Schooner “Arrowsic” model at the Maine Maritime Museum. Line and block sizes are based on Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); Spars and Rigging from Nautical Routine (1849); and other period rigging plans and sources.
Virginia Pilot Schoonery KatyThe Standing and Running Rigging (Revised) is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the kit drawings and instructions by Ben Lankford against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); and other period rigging plans and sources. In many cases, the line sizes noted are significantly smaller than specified on the kit drawings.
Whaling Brig Kate Cory - The Standing and Running Rigging is based on an evaluation of rigging line and block sizes from the Model Shipways kit drawings and the Old Dartmouth Historical Society drawings / rigging schedule by Erik A. R. Ronnberg, Jr. against Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and Rigging (1794); Spars and Rigging from Nautical Routine (1849; and, other period rigging plans and sources. The line and block sizes are generally based upon the Old Dartmouth Historical Society rigging schedule.
Practicums
The Queen of the North Atlantic Schooner Bluenose 1921 - This practicum for building a model of the famous Canadian Schooner Bluenose is based on the 1/4" = 1' scale ship plans drawn by noted model builder Philip Eisnor. You may find them helpful in building your model. If you wish to purchase a copy of Philip Eisnors plans, visit the
Eisnor Plans page.
The US Brig Eagle - This practicum follows model builder Gene Bodnar as he develops modeling plans and builds a model of the US Brig Eagle, based on the plans of Dr. Kevin Crisman (see the
plans page to download plans). The resulting model now resides at the Battle of Plattsburg Bay museum.
New Bedford Whaleboat - This practicum was developed from a group build on ModelShipBuilder headed up by model builder Gene Bodnar. To build this model at the time required the purchase of plans and book from Model Expo for the New Bedford Whaleboat. Since this practicum was written a kit is also now available from Model Expo for the New Bedford Whaleboat. We are not sure if this kit and practicum are compatible with each other but we believe the practicum will be helpful in your build if you decide to go with a kit.
Joshua Humphrey's Notebook - Joshua Humphreys (June 17, 1751 – January 12, 1838) was an American ship builder and naval architect. He was the constructor of the original six frigates of the United States Navy and is known as the "Father of the American Navy". This document is a transcribed version of his notebook.
Understanding Threads for Scale Rope Making - a discussion on threads used in scale rope making.
Other documents.
Schooner Bluenose finish schema - a letter from Fred A. Rhuland of Smith & Rhuland Shipyard dated 1970, explaining the finish schema for the original Bluenose.
