MSW Artist Profile~Jim Baumann

This months MSW Artist Profile features UK modeler Jim Baumann,join us as he shares his thoughts, and fantastic model subjects with us!



The Model Shipwrights (http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/) Artist Q&A is a monthly site feature. Basically, it’s an interview with artists and modelers of the ship modelling world. Whoever they may be, the artists featured in Model Shipwrights Artist Q&A are all highly respected members of our worldwide community; people who have greatly influenced the hobby overall, all in their own unique way. As we spotlight these artists with this Q&A and photo feature, they return the favor to us by sharing a piece of their own private world."



Q. Jim, tell us a little about yourself, please...

A. "I live on the South-coast of England, halfway between Southampton and Portsmouth; plenty of maritime inspiration right on the doorstep!"

"I am the proprietor of a small business manufacturing canvas covers and canopies for motorboats and sailing yachts-with the assistance of five sewing machinists and a fitter. I live with my better half Katrin and our 13-month-old daughter, sharing our household with three cats and 100 plus model ships in glass cases…."

"In my spare time-other than making model ships- I enjoy Kite buggying along the hard sand beaches of Wales in the UK. I own two classic cars which live in a dehumidified garage which I drive whenever the weather and the model boatbuilding schedule permits!"



Q. Tell us about both your first modeling experience, and your first ship modeling experience...

A. "It all started with the Kontiki—balsa raft—replicated in a primitive way-scratch built!-by me a as an eight year old child-moving on to models of racing yachts and paddle-steamers copied of the real thing found on the lake,- at my then home-Zurich in Switzerland."

"Discovered bi-planes—but before the days of CA and adult patience it was a fraught experience…--many an Airfix 1/72 Tiger Moth and Sopwith Camel ended with very flat wings… First model ship in plastic was Airfix HMS Shannon—mini sailing ship-followed by 1/600 HMS Iron Duke—my love of the ram bow was born!"



Q. Now Jim, when was the first time ship subjects as a preferred genre appealed to you?

A. "After the Airfix Iron Duke inevitably came the Airfix Warspite, followed closely by Cutty Sark and HMS Victory in a variety of scales and manufacturers—I vividly recall building the Aurora Seawitch Clipper kit—I recently re-purchased the same kit from e-bay-for purely Nostalgic reasons!



Q. Where do you draw your ship building inspirations from, Jim?

A. "I always strive to make my model look like the old photographs I so enjoy looking at in old postcards and those great books by RA Burt"



Q. Tell us about what, in your opinion, is the very best thing about ship modeling in general...

A. "I derive the greatest pleasure not so much from the building-though that is an essential component—but from the HAVING—I enjoy being surrounded by my models—and enjoy making comparisons with the various eras and designs of ships of which I have built models."

"In the actual model making side I enjoy the rigging aspect most of all!"



Q. OK Jim, now tell us about what, in your opinion, is the worst thing about ship modeling?

A. "I loathe the actual initial construction stage—the stage at which one realizes how much has to be cut away before one is able to make tangible progress."



Q. What is your all time favorite modeling era/period, Jim, and why?

A. "Most definitely the period of experimentation—the mix of sail and steam is wonderful, followed very closely by Pre-dreadnoughts of all nations..."



Q. Of all of the modeling related awards that you have won, which one of these is the most important to you?

A. "Probably being able to scoop the top prize of senior national Champion at Telford Scaleworld this year-it was great to have the aviation, AFV and figure judges et al being unanimous that my ship model deserved the honor."



Q. Jim, please take some time now and tell us about some of your favorite modeling "things"...tools, reference materials, a particular ship or ship model kits.

A. "Having a second PC on my model workbench-linked up by a wireless router to the main PC- is invaluable for zooming in and out of old pictures to glean the last tiny detail. This is followed closely by my Optivisor-it has vastly sharpened up my model making-in conjunction with daylight bulbs—plenty of them!"



Q. What is your all time, number one, modeling acquisition, or most favorite ship kit that you've built?

A. "My most favorite ship kit so far has to be White Ensign Models 1/700 HMS Queen Elizabeth 1918...Beautifully mastered-and a real pleasure to build!



Q. What's your best or most recent ship kit purchase?

A. "Some more of the obscure French pre-Dreadnoughts—Charles Martel, Carnot etc...Along with a rather snazzy Kellogs Cornflakes model of the SRn4 Hovercraft…"



Q. OK, mate, time to get a little deep...What are your thoughts, opinions, and overall evaluation(s) of the ship kit industry?

A. "I think the ‘youth of today’ will come full circle—and join the hobby as adults—as newcomers rather than people having a renaissance of their old hobby."

"This will be good news for the smaller producers of resin kits—adults have more money to spend-the larger plastic manufacturers will continue to chase the bigger sales-US carriers, IJN Battleships etc..."



Q. Jim, if you could build one ship model, any ship, what would it be (May or may not be available in kit form!) And why?

A. "I reckon it would have to be the Italian Lepanto Pre-dreadnought—one has to love a giant of a ship with six funnels-no kit as yet… a close second would have to be the Victorian HMS Agincourt or Minotaur.. RN Black fleet sail and steam battleships—with five fully sail rigged masts…



Q. What, in your opinions, would be the all-time modeling “no no’s" ?...

A. "Cats and children unsupervised in my model room!!"



Q. OK, mate, now tell us one (or more!) of your own modeling secrets...

A. "No real secrets—just keep looking at photos—plans often tell partial untruths—always check photos. Establish a time period for your model- ships often changed in their careers—always verify the dates of photos—all to easy to end up building an amalgam of periods in a ship—which may well be decorative-but will be inviting commentary…"