Ahoy mates!

Join me in a one-on-on conversation with MSW crew-mate Guido Hopp (Tailor) in this next installment of our "MSW Artist Profile" series!

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
~Gunny

Interesting read, thanks for taking your time to participate.

Cheers/Jan

Awesome read Guido. Thanks!

Kenny

Great read.

Thanks for taking the time to share Guido - as a true fan of your work I loved reading this article.

Mark thank for your fine efforts (again) in bringing us this article.

Cheers

Sean

Gee! Thanks, guys!
..too much of an honour for me!
Thanks again!
Guido

That looks like a group of bad actors to me! Great work, and glad to read your thoughts on modeling!!

Hallo Guido!

It was fun to see all the German Gamblers together (again)! Nice group photo and as I have said at the time, a well deserved award!
It was also fun to read about your modeling interests and feelings, see some of your models (again) and also, it served me to remember that you have a great sense of humour!
Thank you for sharing this "little" moment with us


Rui

I waited all day to read the article so that I could give it the proper time to digest as my mind was still focused on that Kongo update. What a great read for the end of the day! Guido, you're a master and I'm one of your biggest fans-- to me, the U-Boat splashing through is one of the best rendered shipping scenes ever! I'm very inspired after reading your profile!

A verey inspiring read and some exellent builds thanks for sharing.

…and don’t take everything so seriously! Take a breather! This is supposed to be fun!"


That is possibly the best advice to be given out. I am with Dade, I love the U-boat plowing through the waves. Thank you for the interesting read!

Genlemen!
My humble thanks again for your kind words.
I hope you find it entertaining to read.
This is another great part of the ship modelling community.
Guido

Great article from a great guy!

Interested to see the Banff class sloop in there, first one I have seen built. How was the kit?

Mike

very interesting and entertaining feature as usual, i would offer you a beer or three Guido but this
"…and don’t take everything so seriously! Take a breather! This is supposed to be fun!"
i can't understand sorry

Thank you all again for your generous commments, again!

The Banff Class Sloop is generally a nice kit, as one may expect from a WEM kit, but it had shortcomings:
1. As in some WEM kit this one too, had a grainy surface part smack in the middle of the quarterdeck. Sanding was not option, as I would have destroyed the planking. So I had to cover it to distract from it: I put "repair wood" stashes in that place.
2. Two skylights molded onto the deck serve as locators for the superstructure. These are off the centerline. If you use them as they are the superstructure will be placed off center, too. In sequence some PE wont fit right and so on.
3. I didn't like a couple of the small parts: boats, guns, vents: All were replaced with parts out of the spares-box. I added some stuff from the PitRoad USN Detail Set, too. The Depth charge racks are taken from Lion Roar.
To make the Y88 Hams Totland I removed the gunwale from around the bow and stern.
It certainly did not "fall togeher". Still, I liked the kit and the project very much.
I will recommend it to any builder with some experience working with resin.

Cheers
Guido

Guido
Thanks for the feedback, it's a little disappointing but not unexpected to hear your opinion, I'm a little wary of WEM kits now after some bad experiences and for a small ship the kit is pretty expensive. The grainy surface you mention was why my WEM Starling ended up in the bin, impossible to rescue such poor casting so I think I will be sadly giving this one a miss, once bitten, twice shy after all. I'll just have to look at yours instead!

Cheers
Mike

Hi, Mike!
Don't underestimate the good folks at WEM. They provide the single best customer service I know. (within reason, of cause)
I made do with this rough patch, but one does not have to.
I am very certain that, if you feel something is wrong about a WEM kit in ANY way, you contact John or Caroline directly and they will help you and replace the faulty part.
Usually you send in the faulty part and get a new one. Sometimes it is even enough the send a photo.
So next time don't just dump and bear grudges: Give them a chance to make it up to you! You are ther valued customer!
Cheers,
Guido

Great interview!

I especially liked your thoughts on the industry, and the distinction between plastic industry and the small aftermarket folks.

Your work is lovely, and some really well-done photos, making them come to life.

And loved your advice at the end!