Model Shipway's Bluenose I
 

I must say that this kit has tested my abilities for my first ship and this is entry level!?
The plans are so well done that when I compared them to the model information that I gathered from the home port of the Bluenose II in Nova Scotia I couldn't find anything significant other than differences in color schemes, anchor chain hooks, or chain box placements.

I'm finishing up the masts now (7/9/04) just five months after starting. With just the rigging remaining my path so far is clear sailing, no questions. The only complaint I have is some of the laser cutting is incorrect in the case of the supplied mast coat diameters, which I had to remake from scratch, and the off tolerance cuts of the mast hoops and bulkheads.

If all the MS kits pay attention to detail and accuracy like this one, I won't hesitate to build more from them which also make them worth more, eg. the Niagra, Connie, etc. I can't even imagine what the Connie would be like... Also, when I compared the MS kit to A/L or even Mantua/Panart the contrast of the premade matalic parts in them was such a let down. It seems that some kits are concerned more with just an easy assembly process and quick high at the end for the "assembler" that they sacrifice the real meaning of ship modeling in the first place. sheesh... go build a plastic model then...

MS entry level kits are certainly excellent, IMHO, "boot camp" models as they teach the basics all the while the clear plans shout out at you GET OVER THAT WALL YOU MAGGOT!!!!

Scratch building wouldn't be too far off after 2 or 3 of these kits.
Dave

Re: Model Shipway's Bluenose I
 

I've always viewed kits as an entry into model making. Kit manufacturers are out to make a profit and the accuracy of the kit plans and/or the included parts can be dubious. Please read - What to Build.
It also depends on what set of original plans, if any, the manufacturer had to work with. Many of the older ship plans have been lost, or a lot of ships never had plans to begin with. They were built on the fly with the "plans" being in the Master Shipwrights head, and not on paper.
What a shame that the Shipwrights of those bygone years didn't realize that we, many years in the future would be building models and replicas of their finely crafted vessels, and leave us with detailed plans and specs.
Part of the fun (hopefully) of model making (especially ships) is doing the research behind the ship we are making and to read of it's place in history.
The days of great sailing vessels lends itself to a romantic sense of adventure and wonder. In our modern times of technology, we are in awe of the sailors hard work and great hardships in sailing these magnificent hand made watercraft. The amount of pride and work that went into the making and sailing of these vessels is awesome. They are as much a work of art as they are a practical statement of mankind's quest of adventure and exploration.