The Little World

I am always pleased to see our local card builder at the WASMEX exhibitions – card and paper seem so ill-suited to modelling. When I thought that, I had no idea what the kit and printing industry in Europe could produce. I’ve since learned by some practical experinece what can be done with pre-made card structures. Indeed, I’ve produced a whole street of card houses for my airfield.

But oh my goodness, does this ever fall short of what can be done by a dedicated builder with a good ship kit. The chap at the Sandown park exhibition with his display of card naval vessels  – as well as our own exponent here in WA at our WASMEX – show what folding, rolling and cutting can do.

I am guessing that ship’s plating of the Victorian and Edwardian era was worked in much the same way that card might be, and this means that the same results may be expected. I am astounded at the complexity that can result – and I absolutely love the French ship La Hoche. I once owned a plan of it sourced from the French naval museum and gazed at it for hours not knowing where to start. Full marks to the Victorian card builder.

There is absolutely nothing crude about any of these ships. I do hope they are safely stored and do not warp or split.