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Miniatures Adventure => Other Adventures => Topic started by: Westfalia Chris on 07 July 2011, 06:41:27 PM

Title: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 07 July 2011, 06:41:27 PM: Hi all,

I'm currently reading a book on naval warfare 1815-1914, and this prompted me to finally tackle some ironclad wargaming, which I wanted to do for some years now (15, to be precise).

I decided to start out with a relatively compact setting first, the Sino-French war of 1884-1885, specifically the battle of Foochow. However, as I'll probably resort to scratchbuilding most of the ships, expect some leeway with regard to accuracy - I'll focus more on getting the style and feel right and have fun gaming, so apologies to the purists.

For starters, a 1/1200-ish, "French-ish" battery ironclad. Made from balsa wood, plasticard, and some steel and brass wire. I've also built a spar torpedo boat, but it is so tiny that the photos didn't really come out well (unpainted, that is). More pics as I finish them.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_1_WIP.jpg)

Furthermore, this thread will collate my other naval ventures (most quite abortive due to my flypaper mind and hummingbird attention span, but then again, I often come back to hiatic projects), notably some 1/2400 Age of Sail and 1/6000 Cold War stuff.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-07 WIP 1/1200ish ironclad
Post by: Malamute on 07 July 2011, 06:44:04 PM: 1/1200 ann all that is not really my scene, but I must say I am quite taken with your efforts, she's delightful ;D
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-07 WIP 1/1200ish ironclad
Post by: Haarken on 07 July 2011, 09:21:56 PM: Amazing scratchbuild, looks better than most of the stuff that's available to buy. Any chance of a tutorial?
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-07 WIP 1/1200ish ironclad
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 07 July 2011, 09:41:29 PM: Quote from: Haarken on 07 July 2011, 09:21:56 PM
Amazing scratchbuild, looks better than most of the stuff that's available to buy. Any chance of a tutorial?

Thanks for that! I'll try to shoot some hopefully decent pics of the next one. It is actually quite straightforward, and the one above took about an hour to build (drying time for the sails not included). The most important thing is getting the basic hull shape nice and tidy.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 08 July 2011, 12:07:52 AM: Finished painting the ironclad and spar torpedo boat:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_1_PAINTED_1.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_1_PAINTED_2.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/SPAR_TORPEDO_BOAT_1_01.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/SPAR_TORPEDO_BOAT_1_02.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_AND_TORPEDO_BOAT.jpg)

Two coins for size - left, a 2 Eurocent coin, right, a UK penny:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_AND_TORPEDO_BOAT_SIZE.jpg)

Next, to answer the request for a tutorial, here's a step-by-step documentation of the next ship, supposed to depict the "Volta", a 3rd-class cruiser used as a flagship at the battle of Foochow due to her shallow draft.

First, get a piece of balsa wood for the hull. This one is ca. 4mm thick. It may be easier to cut it from a larger piece, but this was the rest I had of that thickness.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_01.jpg)

Hull outline applied:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_02.jpg)

Cut and roughly sanded:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_03.jpg)

Hullside strip, using a tracing wheel for the portholes:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_04.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_05.jpg)

Applied with some overshoot at the bow to allow for sanding down:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_06.jpg)

After some sanding at bow and stern:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_07.jpg)

Added masts from paperclips and a smokestack from plastic rod:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_08.jpg)

Added details using plasticard, basswood, plastic rod:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_09.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/TUT_VOLTA_10.jpg)

I'll add the remaining "rigging" tomorrow once it has properly set.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 08 July 2011, 07:36:35 AM: Great stuff Chris :-* 8)

They've turned out very well indeed :)

A bit of advice for the thread rigging, get some very thin superglue and sparingly run it over the thread and when it is dry give it a light sand and you shouldn't have a fluffy problem anymore :)

Failing that, some nylon thread could work if you can find it thin enough (Hobbystores might do it)

cheers

James
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 08 July 2011, 08:58:58 AM: Quote from: jimbibbly on 08 July 2011, 07:36:35 AM
Great stuff Chris :-* 8)

They've turned out very well indeed :)

A bit of advice for the thread rigging, get some very thin superglue and sparingly run it over the thread and when it is dry give it a light sand and you shouldn't have a fluffy problem anymore :)

Failing that, some nylon thread could work if you can find it thin enough (Hobbystores might do it)

cheers

James

Yeah, the fluffing rigging... we meet again, old adversary! lol I think I'll try the nylon thread option, thanks for that.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 08 July 2011, 11:44:11 PM: Finished painting the third-class cruiser - a light paint scheme for East Asia Station. This one will represent the "Volta" (best likeness I could get with my available references).

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/VOLTA_01.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/VOLTA_02.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/VOLTA_AND_IRONCLAD.jpg)

I also built three gunboats to represent the Vipère, Aspic and Lynx.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: 6milPhil on 09 July 2011, 12:01:19 AM: Ship shape and Bristol fashion! Always like the very small scale modelling, great stuff.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 09 July 2011, 05:50:53 AM: Quote from: Westfalia Chris on 08 July 2011, 08:58:58 AM
Yeah, the fluffing rigging... we meet again, old adversary! lol I think I'll try the nylon thread option, thanks for that.

lol

Yup, I've been there before as well :) Try the nylon on something else first as a tester just in case it doesn't work out how you want it to.

I like the East Asia station colour scheme 8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 09 July 2011, 08:53:20 AM: Quote from: jimbibbly on 09 July 2011, 05:50:53 AM
lol

Yup, I've been there before as well :) Try the nylon on something else first as a tester just in case it doesn't work out how you want it to.

The "Volta" already uses the nylon thread - I got a roll to see how it works out, but stupidly, stupidly picked the "invisible" variety, albeit "smoked". The effect is much, much better than regular thread, as can be seen, but applying it is a PITA.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-08 First Ironclad finished, plus tutorial
Post by: Malamute on 09 July 2011, 09:43:02 AM: I am liking these alot Chris. ;D
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - 3rd Class Cruiser, Gunboats soon
Post by: Admiral Benbow on 09 July 2011, 04:02:11 PM: Chris, that's marvelous scratch-building again!
:-*
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - 3rd Class Cruiser, Gunboats soon
Post by: Drachenklinge on 09 July 2011, 04:49:51 PM: jolly good and very impressive! Even without the penny as a comparison!

best wishes
Drachenklinge
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 09 July 2011, 09:10:49 PM: Spent the afternoon painting up three gunboats ("Aspic", "Lynx", and "Vipère") as well as a Chinese war junk prototype.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/GUNBOATS_1.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/GUNBOATS_2.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/JUNK_1.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/JUNK_2.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/JUNK_VS_GUNBOAT.jpg)

Also, I took a pic of the French flotilla so far:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/FLOTILLA.jpg)

The project's going really nice, and I'm quite enthusiastic about it. I hope I can keep it up.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: Silent Invader on 09 July 2011, 09:21:47 PM: Impressive!
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: Haarken on 09 July 2011, 09:26:07 PM: Thanks for the tutorial lol Chris, you make it seem so easy. Love the progress you've made as well, i can hardly believe how fast you are turning these out, the Spar Torpedo boat is especially lovely and tiny too. Keep up the fantastic work.

Haarken
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: Lt. Hazel on 09 July 2011, 10:57:32 PM: You´re insane! What you are able to build with some pieces of wood or just some papersheets takes my breath!
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 10 July 2011, 08:38:17 AM: Love that war junk :-* is it scratch built as well 8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-09 - French Gunboats n' Junk
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 10 July 2011, 10:29:08 AM: Quote from: jimbibbly on 10 July 2011, 08:38:17 AM
Love that war junk :-* is it scratch built as well 8)

Yes - the hull is carved from balsa wood, with added details (guns etc.) from plasticard and plastic rod; the sails were designed in a graphics program, printed as doubles, folded over and glued for stability and affixed to the painted model.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 10 July 2011, 11:25:46 PM: Finished two more warjunks, a tiny (mainly decorative) sampan and started another ironclad for the French squadron (based on the "La Galissionère").

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/JUNK_2_AND_3.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/JUNKS.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_2_01.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_2_02.jpg)
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: HerbyF on 11 July 2011, 03:30:52 AM: These aare beautiful scratch builds. Look better than a lot of ships available on the market. I really like the Chinese junks.
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Haarken on 11 July 2011, 11:44:44 AM: Fantastic progress, you really are turning these out rather quickly. I love all the detail you've managed to cram on to the "La Galissionère". Are you working from plans for these or just pictures?
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 11 July 2011, 01:16:51 PM: Quote from: Haarken on 11 July 2011, 11:44:44 AM
Fantastic progress, you really are turning these out rather quickly. I love all the detail you've managed to cram on to the "La Galissionère". Are you working from plans for these or just pictures?

Mainly photographs. I've got a book with hundreds of side and top elevations for warships from ca.1850-1990, but that one is several hundred kilometres away with my parents. X-D
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 11 July 2011, 01:46:21 PM: These are great Chris and you're really cracking them out at a fair pace 8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 11 July 2011, 10:26:04 PM: Painted up the second ironclad:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/IRONCLAD_2_03.jpg)

Another shot of the squadron:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Age%20of%20Steam%20and%20Iron/FLOTILLA_2011-07-11.jpg)
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: AKULA on 11 July 2011, 10:34:32 PM: They look the part Chris - nice work!
8)
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: voltan on 11 July 2011, 10:49:01 PM: :-* cracking
Title: Re: A nautic miscellany: 2011-07-10 - More junks and another ironclad
Post by: Mors on 12 July 2011, 05:20:03 PM: I have not been paying much attention to LAF recently, just popping in now again to view the VSF and Colonial boards and I have missed this thread till now. Fantastic scatchbuilds!!
Through a roundabout way, ie sailing some r/c boats with my boys , then buying a r/c magazine which had some plans and instructions for building a local defense turret ship, then a trip to Pompey and Chatham and the purchase (and more importantly actually reading) of War at Sea The Ironclad Age this is my current in vogue subject, alas I also suffer from
Quote
most quite abortive due to my flypaper mind and hummingbird attention span, but then again, I often come back to hiatic projects
I was considering my options for commercially available models, and in the end for ease I decided to go with Skytrex Triton 1200:1 range as I thought the Navwar 3000:1 would probably be too small especially after I saw this guys collection (scroll halfway down and futher for close ups)
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=34442&start=0

The problem with Skytrex is there are very few models for opposition to the Brits(there are some very expensive models available companies like Hai in the correct scale), this thread convinces me to have a go at scratchbuilding, though my attempts wil not be as neat as yours.
Im trying to get a hold of Conways book and also the Black Battlefleet by Ballard as Im interested in doing a few models from the 1850' to the 1890's.
Hope you keep posting updates!