Golden Hind Sailing Ship: WIP

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

This is  the Golden Hind Sailing Ship 1/245 Scale Lindberg Kit #70891. I don't recall that I've ever built a sailing ship before but this kit was given to me by a family member. I was looking for a simple kit to fill a gap between some other projects I thought "This one looks simple enough."

Yeah, we know how that sometimes works out.  

This kit is supposed to be a rendition of the Golden Hind captained by Sir Francis Drake in the 1570s. The actual ship which inspired this kit no longer exists but  a few replicas have been built and this kit holds little resemblance to any of them. The kit seems to be based on an entirely different style of ship. It's probably the standard base master from which all the other ships in Lindberg's series were derived from.

Needless to say, I'm not particularly concerned about the historical accuracy of this build, I'm just going to pick the design elements I find most appealing and go for it..

 

This is what I would consider a "dime store kit" and the fit quality reflects that.

 

It looks like some corrections and adjustments will need to be made.

 

This gap in particular will require some attention.

 

Starting with some scrap sheet styrene trimmed to shape.

 

A second piece is added for the rise in the deck.

 

After a bit of filing things begin to take shape.

 

Filling one gap of course creates another.

 

Which requires another bit of styrene.

 

Another test fit reveals that a little more work needs to be done, but the situation is much more easily managed.

 

As always, please feel free to post any comments you may wish share.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

David G.

[stavanzer]

Those kits are Toys, mostly as you have found. And, as you have found, they are not and never were any good. 

However, under your skilled hands, the end results were be Excellent.

I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

[David G.]

20 hours ago, stavanzer said:

Those kits are Toys, mostly as you have found. And, as you have found, they are not and never were any good. 

However, under your skilled hands, the end results were be Excellent.

I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Thank you most kindly Alan. I'm always up for a challenge and this kit certainly offers its share.

David G.

[Dragline]

Watching with great interest. This kit and others like it were in a lot I passed on at an auction. I am interested in what can be done with it. You are off to a rather bumpy start with all that seam filling.

[Anglia105E]

You have your work cut out with that one David . . . What an awful kit, but if there's anyone that can do something with it, you are the man !

Good luck . . . and may she sail the high seas  !!!

David W.

[David G.]

On 6/7/2025 at 5:22 AM, Dragline said:

Watching with great interest. This kit and others like it were in a lot I passed on at an auction. I am interested in what can be done with it. You are off to a rather bumpy start with all that seam filling.

Thank you much Bob.

I don't think you missed anything great by passing on that lot. In fact you may have avoided a little disappointment.

 

13 hours ago, Anglia105E said:

You have your work cut out with that one David . . . What an awful kit, but if there's anyone that can do something with it, you are the man !

Good luck . . . and may she sail the high seas  !!!

David W.

Thank you David, that I do.

While she'll never be seaworthy, if I'm lucky I can make her see-worthy. Or at least good enough to look at.

Sorry for the bad pun. (not really)  

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

It seems that the simplest kits can often provide the most challenge. Maybe that's because the builder ends up compensating for what was left out to simplify the kit.

I know that model ships really don't need ballast but I wanted to add a little lead shot to balance the mass out a little.

 

I sprayed some flat black primer on the inside to give some shadow and depth to the few deck openings... and help hide any gaps that escape my vigilance.

 

Getting some basic colors on the mainsails. I'll have to do some blending and softening to get the appearance where I want it to be.

 

First mockup assembly, testing out some colors for the deck. I had to straighten the masts using hot water. Obviously, there's still more work to do.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any questions or comments you have.

David G,

[Anglia105E]

On 6/8/2025 at 2:08 PM, David G. said:

Hello Everybody!

It seems that the simplest kits can often provide the most challenge. Maybe that's because the builder ends up compensating for what was left out to simplify the kit.

I know that model ships really don't need ballast but I wanted to add a little lead shot to balance the mass out a little.

 

I sprayed some flat black primer on the inside to give some shadow and depth to the few deck openings... and help hide any gaps that escape my vigilance.

 

Getting some basic colors on the mainsails. I'll have to do some blending and softening to get the appearance where I want it to be.

 

First mockup assembly, testing out some colors for the deck. I had to straighten the masts using hot water. Obviously, there's still more work to do.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any questions or comments you have.

David G,

Looking good so far David, and the ballast inside the hull is a good idea actually . . .

Here is a link to the Revell version of the Golden Hind kit . . . https://www.internetmodeler.com/2001/january/ships/golden_hind.htm

David W.

[David G.]

16 hours ago, Anglia105E said:

Looking good so far David, and the ballast inside the hull is a good idea actually . . .

Here is a link to the Revell version of the Golden Hind kit . . . https://www.internetmodeler.com/2001/january/ships/golden_hind.htm

David W.

Thank you very much David.

Thanks also for the link. That's quite an impressive rendering of that vessel. It really calls out the toy-like nature of the Lindberg kit I'm working on.  They're unquestionably two different beasts.

Certainly a good resource to have for my research. Thank you.

=D-

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Work on the "Golden Hind" sailing ship progresses.

Almost all of the most recent build session was spent getting the hull sections and deck as aligned as possible and glued together.

 

Once the rubber bands came off, the bond was solid but there are issues I'll have to address. Aside from the obvious alignment problems, the textures on the two halves of the stern aren't even close to being similar! 😮 

 

But at least most of the huge gaps between the deck and hull have been corrected... mostly.

 

 

Maybe this kit wasn't the best choice for a first go at a sailing ship.  

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment. 

David G.

 

[mustang1989]

Given your skill set......this one should be fun to watch Dave. She's lookin' good already. 

[David G.]

14 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

Given your skill set......this one should be fun to watch Dave. She's lookin' good already. 

Thank you for your vote of confidence Joe. 

I sure do seem to pick 'em don't I?   

=D-

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Work on the Golden Hind progresses and here's proof.

On the stern, the two halves of the hull not only fail to meet evenly, they have completely different textures! One half looks like it's probably supposed to be shiplap and the other is some strange kind of wood grain.

 

Luckily, I remembered that I had some HO scale clapboard siding sheet styrene left over from my model railroading days. Though not exactly correct, it should look better than that mess that Lindberg provided. I've cut a piece and thinned it down to better fit the stern and blend in with the rest of the ship.

 

After trimming the panel to size I added some more styrene pieces to dress things up a little. I may still do a little more, I'll have to see how I feel about the overall appearance in a couple of days. Hopefully this is the last of the cosmetic surgery I'll have to perform.

 

Now if I could just do something about that... rear bumper(?).

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to share your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

David G.

[stavanzer]

David, more Magic from your Workbench!

You never cease to Amaze me with you skills and attention to detail.

[David G.]

6 hours ago, stavanzer said:

David, more Magic from your Workbench!

You never cease to Amaze me with you skills and attention to detail.

Thank you most kindly Alan.

=D-

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

I'm pretty sure that I'm giving this kit more time than what it's worth. But I am trying to make it worth my time!   

 

To finish dressing up the stern of the ship I wanted to carry the framed rosette design around to the rear of the gallery(?) I started by creating a foil impression of each side.

 

These two empty foil shells are then filled with medium viscosity CA followed by a sprinkling of baking soda. This mixture creates a workable plastic-like substance that gives the foil shells the strength to hold their shape.

 

Here are the castings trimmed down, thinned out and mounted. I want to do a little putty filling to smooth it out a bit but overall, I'm pleased with the way this is going.

 

After a little putty work, this is where it's at. I think I can live with it. It's not the greatest but it's better than what I started with and not a bad first attempt at foil casting.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may wish to share.

David G.

[Anglia105E]

On 6/15/2025 at 1:39 PM, David G. said:

Hello Everybody!

Work on the "Golden Hind" sailing ship progresses.

Almost all of the most recent build session was spent getting the hull sections and deck as aligned as possible and glued together.

 

Once the rubber bands came off, the bond was solid but there are issues I'll have to address. Aside from the obvious alignment problems, the textures on the two halves of the stern aren't even close to being similar! 😮 

 

But at least most of the huge gaps between the deck and hull have been corrected... mostly.

 

 

Maybe this kit wasn't the best choice for a first go at a sailing ship.  

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment. 

David G.

 

The entire centre joint appeared to be seriously out of alignment at the stern of this sailing ship, and you have dealt with this very effectively.

I suspect many model builders would not relish the challenges involved with this kit, and many would put it back in the box and abandon it . . .

Full marks to you David for your perseverance and determined mindset to overcome the defects of this particular kit . . .

David W

[David G.]

 

14 hours ago, Anglia105E said:

The entire centre joint appeared to be seriously out of alignment at the stern of this sailing ship, and you have dealt with this very effectively.

I suspect many model builders would not relish the challenges involved with this kit, and many would put it back in the box and abandon it . . .

Full marks to you David for your perseverance and determined mindset to overcome the defects of this particular kit . . .

David W

Much appreciated, thank you for your kind words David.

In truth, I had considered setting this one aside on more than one occasion but I it's like I say; "Each kit I build is really only practice for the next one!" And it's so much easier to find the courage to practice on a kit for which I'm not overly concerned with the results. 

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

This ship hasn't sunk me yet and the sunk cost fallacy has yet to become reality, so on I go!

I got some colors masked and sprayed, Tamiya TS-33 Dull Red and TS-69 Linoleum Deck Brown.

 

The main deck color is Tamiya TS-46 Light Sand.

 

Here's a quick mockup. It took me a while to work out the camera settings that would show the colors on the lower hull without completely blowing out the white upper portion.

 

And oh yeah, I just realized last night that I'll have to make the ratlines for this... this... thing.

 

The big clunky styrene ratline castings are a no-show. Ratlines made from actual lines rather than a webbing of phone-pole thick styrene will look better any how.

 As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to share your thoughts. Especially if you have any tips regarding making rigging for sailing ships.  

David G.

[mustang1989]

That is just crazy about the two different textures in the back on this ship Dave ......but........as per your good skillset.......you've managed to yet again overcome this obstacle. You pulled the trim along the rear of the ship in dang near flawless fashion as well. Your efforts here are to be commended buddy. This is just off the charts. 

[David G.]

19 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

That is just crazy about the two different textures in the back on this ship Dave ......but........as per your good skillset.......you've managed to yet again overcome this obstacle. You pulled the trim along the rear of the ship in dang near flawless fashion as well. Your efforts here are to be commended buddy. This is just off the charts. 

Thank you most kindly Joe.

The P-61, the 1962 Rolls and now this... I do tend to pick kits that are nearly unbuildable, don't I?

 

Thanks again for your kind comment Joe.

=D-

[Anglia105E]

Excellent choice of paint colours there David, and the mockup was worth setting up to evaluate your current progress.

As regards the rigging lines, the only aspect of model building that I have tried that comes close would be the tram lines for my 1:35 scale European Tram Car.

For those overhead tram lines I did use the thinnest styrene rod that I could get, from either Plastruct or Evergreen, but I seem to remember experimenting with cotton thread and also steel wire . . . The cotton thread would most likely work best for your rigging lines, but you have a lengthy tedious task in store !

See photo below . . .

David W.

[ksnow]

Amazing work going on in this build. Very inspiring to watch you "correct" all of the kit issues, some of which are almost unbelievable.

[mustang1989]

10 hours ago, David G. said:

Thank you most kindly Joe.

The P-61, the 1962 Rolls and now this... I do tend to pick kits that are nearly unbuildable, don't I?

 

Thanks again for your kind comment Joe.

=D-

I built the Revell '54 Chevy Panel Wagon a while back and I thought that was going to break me from purchasing older kits. Then I purchased the old Revell '56 Ford F-100. Good grief.......that one hurt. lol 

In short......I feel your pain brother. 

[David G.]

22 hours ago, Anglia105E said:

Excellent choice of paint colours there David, and the mockup was worth setting up to evaluate your current progress.

As regards the rigging lines, the only aspect of model building that I have tried that comes close would be the tram lines for my 1:35 scale European Tram Car.

For those overhead tram lines I did use the thinnest styrene rod that I could get, from either Plastruct or Evergreen, but I seem to remember experimenting with cotton thread and also steel wire . . . The cotton thread would most likely work best for your rigging lines, but you have a lengthy tedious task in store !

See photo below . . .

David W.

Thank you David, for both your kind words and suggestions and advice on the rigging. I've been doing some online research but there aren't many options or offerings for 1/245 scale sailing ships. I wonder why  

There is a small spool of black line provided in the kit for rigging and I picked up a card of assorted cord at my LHS. 

 

I'll work something out, I always do.

=D-

 

22 hours ago, ksnow said:

Amazing work going on in this build. Very inspiring to watch you "correct" all of the kit issues, some of which are almost unbelievable.

Thank you very much Kyle.

 

13 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

I built the Revell '54 Chevy Panel Wagon a while back and I thought that was going to break me from purchasing older kits. Then I purchased the old Revell '56 Ford F-100. Good grief.......that one hurt. lol 

In short......I feel your pain brother. 

 We ought to start a club!

 

Thank you all again for your interest and your comments.

David G.