Model Shipways Shipwright Series 3 Kits Combo with Tools. Historically Accurate Fully Planked Wood Model Ship Kits for Adults School of Wood Shipmodeling

Easy to follow instruction for a beginner wooden model maker. Comes with most tools you need.

If you want to build a wooden ship model, this is an excellent place to start. This is not a hobby for someone with a passing interest. It takes a lot of work, patience, and time. Even on the beginning model, you have to bend the wood in order to properly form the shape. Fortunately this kit comes complete with glue, clamps, tweezers and most of the tools needed to build these models. I am still working on the dory and am looking forward to finishing it and starting the models with masts and sails.

This is a great kit with nearly everything you need to build the three boats but the instructions are not very good. If you have never built a wooden model you will find the instructions very lacking. There are few pictures and the instructions spend a lot of time teaching you about the real boat and not enough on building the model. Still I am enjoying the experience.

great introduction and skill builder.. Getting one for my son-in-law.

Great introduction to wooden model ship building.

Good starting kits for aspiring ship builders. Model Shipways makes a good product.

This review was written after building two Dory models and 50% completion of the Pram.I bought the three boat kit from Model Expo with hopes of learning how to build wooden model ships. It states that after learning the three kits you will be ready for a 100 gun ship (NOT EVEN CLOSE). I've been building models since the 70's and I'm definitely no beginner but I've learned from just the Dory which I completed twice due to poor planking on my part and the Pram (50% built and abandoned) that these kits are not beginner friendly.1) The instructions for both models are incomplete with no blueprints for the Pram, only a small drawing from the real boat. The Pram was sent with one wrong color thread for the sails (Black instead of tan). For the Pram they leave out steps and basic information on how to align planks for a proper fit which will lead to an out of scale boat due to having to cut the transoms shorter or taller than they should be. There are no guide lines on how far the seat or thwart frames should be located so after installing you have to unglue and reposition.2) The transom holders for both Dories and Pram broke while trying to assemble the building boards.3) For the Pram the slot in the keel plank for the dagger board case is longer than the actual case but the instructions don't tell where to align the case( fore or aft). If aligned wrong then the frames and seats will be off when installed due to having to use a tick strip for alignment. I made it to the step to install the midship thwart knees and fitting the seats when I realized that almost all of my frames were in the wrong position (project abandoned do to having to unglue almost every frame that has been installed)4)There are two sets of rowlock pads for the Pram that have to be made and installed but the instructions only show where to install one set with no mention of the others.5) It is not specified in the instructions as to where the floor cleats for the Pram should be installed or how long they should be.Apparently the instructions and the photographs for both models are from the prototypes and no further corrections were made after the initial design. If the instructions were better written and focused towards someone with no wood modeling experience then these boats would be a good learning tool but the designer obviously has forgotten what "beginner"means and expects the builder to be able to anticipate these issues in advance.I'm not trying to bash the designer or Model Expo/ Model Shipways but unless you have experience with wooden models or have someone to help you then please be careful when trying to build these kits.

This is an update to a previous review.I was very surprised when I opened the box to find the building supplies were of name-brand quality! I examine the laser cut sheets and they all look good, MUCH better than the die cut balsa you would get (and break) in airplane kits of old. Looking forward finishing the series and starting the numerous other kits that I have since purchased, based on the very positive experience I had with the kit, and the support that Model Expo gave! Model Expo has a store credit program for the cost of the dory model itself, and they honored it even though I ordered a different SKU (this shipwright collection)! Basically, the $$ I got back was enough to cover giving a dory kit to a family member as a gift! WIN WIN!