SD 14 General Cargo Ship anyone got an impression?

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What a massive model!

Impressive in that it is based on actual shipbuilding practice...it seems the use of color is an option for the model builder. The brave fellow on the Kartonbau site is apparently not painting his or waiting until later.

I don't gather from the thread or the seller's site that it is a cheap photo copy, perhaps it is the way the unpainted pieces look; they say it is built on manila like cardboard, but I don't know what they mean by that in way of thickness of the card.

I just don't understand the price...it's over $500 for the entire model, but they say you can order it in sections too; the complete kit seems more cost effective...it would be slightly over $600.00 is purchased separately. :shock:

Is this kit worth that cost?? Not sure, seems a lot of work has gone into its design, even if the material costs might be not as expensive, so the price must reflect the high development costs, and perhaps a bit of the expectation that a lot of these won't be sold to make up the initial development costs.

Would be a great group project, I would think!

Cheers!

Jim
 
Hi friends,

as somebody who has seen Udo's kit in person (the one that is being built on the kartonbau.de site), I can assure you that it surely is an impressive model.

The parts are "black and white". Shall mean, there is no coloring or texture on them, just the outlines - which is part of the experience. You build the model exactly as the real thing. I don't know where you buy your steel, but where I buy mine it comes uncolored.

Udo is building a photocopy of the real kit (hey, you don't want to ruin a $500 model), but the original looks more or less the same.

The printing is done on 200gr/qm paper - which the manufacturer refers to as "manila".

The price tag is hefty and when you look at the value-for-money ratio, it probably is a no-go. Not too much details on deck, no plans for rigging, etc. What you get though is a "like live" shipbuilding experience.

It is only for the enthusiastic card modeler - some crazyness may help as well. There are lots of repetitive tasks and similar pieces to assemble.

My opinion on the kit is: If your fingers get sweaty when you see the model - buy it. If you want a highly detailed card model of a ship that looks real from the outside only - go for something else...

just my 2 cents

regards,
Michael

P.S: Yes, I have an SD-14 kit waiting to be built as well. You may call me "Your madness" if you dare... ;)
 
Not quite - he is still working on it. Now he has started the middle segment of the ship. There are lots and lots of similar parts to be cut out and he is right in the middle of it.

Talked to him yesterday and he promised new photos late this or early next week or so.

regards,
Michael
 
Hi, Michael! :D

I have been watching Udo's thread on the bow and now midsection, and he is doing a truly superb job of it. I take it he is going to leave them unpainted to give it a bit of shipyard effect, like a ship underconstruction. I've got to say it's a great effect and a truly difficult job putting all those formers and frames together, and all done so very well! Please convey to him the admiration of this group for a brilliant job!

Cheers!

Jim
 
...

:twisted: :twisted: :shock: :shock: Guess what I am expecting in the mail??? :shock: :shock: :shock: :twisted: :twisted:

Oh its going to be a laugh

John John
 
No, John John...not the WHOLE ship?!? :shock:

Well, I hope you will post some photos as you build her, particularly ones showing your expression during the build, so we can all enjoy this career build! :lol:

Actually, for something to teach how an actual ship is built, at least the steel ones, this kits seems to fit the bill to a tee! I just don't have that much in the way of extra funds around to buy it, nor the time to spend on such an intense construction project at this moment.

Good luck, John!

Cheers!

Jim
 
Even though i'm more fond of building planes, this one makes me drool. If I had the money to spare I'd order one up right now. :D Hopefully it will still be available in a few years when I get the money and the time for such a feat!
 
John John,

Have you measured the place where it's going to be built..., two, have you figured out how you're going to get it out of the aforementioned place? In any case please give us an in focus peep show of your progress.

Best regards, Gil
 
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Yeah its going to be nuts...Ive been looking at it for about9 or so years and things came together so I decided to get one...

There really was no point in getting one while I lived in NYC....7 feet was pretty much my entire apartment...My fish tank was a shot glass with a goldfish

Before I went to NYC I wanted to go to college for Nautical Science(ships Officer etc.) or Nautical Engineering so I am sure I can handle it...

Famous Last Words eh?

:)

John John
 
Reminds me of the old story when I was growing up of the fellow who finally build his life-long dream boat, a beautiful sailing ship, in his garage over the winter...only to find out it could not fit throught the doors! :shock:

Nah, John John wouldn't do something like that, right? 8) No, really, he wouldn't...right? :wink:

But please do share the build with us when you do start her...I've been drooling over this model since I first discovered paper models a few years ago...no, wait, it was before that, when I happened upon that webpage looking for a merchant ship model. Truly an amazing piece of work...just wish it weren't so expensive!

Seriously, John, I wish only the best for you in building this model. It's really an amazing looking build.
BTW, where'd you go to school? Ft. Schyler?

Cheers!

Jim
USMMA '77
 
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No I went to CUNY. College of Staten Island...which is why I was so delighted that a NYC/NJ group was getting together after I left....

Well Its a toss up at the moment to build, I am expecting my Apartment contents and Models via freight and I wantto build the DN Yamoto too....

Both at the same time?

John John
 
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I seem to ahve run into some trouble. There is no way I will build the origional until I have had some practice but I am having trouble locating a suitable card...A3..what weight would you guy suggest?

John John
 
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