Pulp ships: detailed or caricature (now with ships and port in progress photos?

[FifteensAway]

"Sprucing Up" is definitely in order.  And not just on the two tramp steamers but on the others, those trawlers have life rings way out of scale that need to be replaced and the 'pink' ships have hand rail stanchions also way out of scale - plus a better paint job needed.  But you can also see how those simple painted on windows, while not giving any 'wow' factor, work.  And on some of the trawlers, the windows are simple bits of wood painted black that work but the one with just bits of black paper need fixing/replacing.

Hoping in a few hours at a local IPMS show to find bits that might help but no idea what to expect, might be more focused on aircraft than ships but I'll know more later.  Never been to an IPMS meeting so a first (IPMS for those who don't know: International Plastic Modellers' Society).  Only five minutes from the house so an easy jaunt.

The sprucing up will involve adding small details here and there to suggest there is more detail but not going overboard, more important for the pieces to be playable and survive handling than to be 'wow' models.  I'll let the 'spectacle' of the game by its size be my 'wow' element.

[fred]

It shouldn't surprise me by now, but you don't do things by halves do you?

Great stuff, both the ships and the wooden port

[FifteensAway]

....but, but, but fred, that is only a quarter of the game you see...

 . Well, maybe - I rather like the idea of a game using just one table, at least for pulp games.

[Andy in Germany]

and what about those secret flaws...? 

Andy, one of the elements of model railroading I've recently contemplated is that it is the combination of painted and weathered track, weathered power and rolling stock, weathered buildings, and 'duller' and more muted scenery colors that make layouts realistic.  I model in N scale and too much, not all, of what you see photos of in N scale are way, way too green (sometimes in larger scales, too) but when a modeler opts for what I listed, it can really stand out.

I've noticed this on model railways too: colours are often "too bright" or in my opinion too glossy, especially on commercial models. Weathering seems to make them "feel" realistic.

Of course, it's ironic given how expensive and ultra realistic commercial model railway items are today, that a set of cheap crushed oil pastels are what make them look real.

And perhaps my model railroading is why I am less focused on details in gaming - reserve the 'careful attention to detail' to railroading and be more loose with the gaming. 

Another thing I've noticed in my own modelmaking. I'm finding that this means I tend to make more Tabletop models because I can dial down my natural perfectionism.

I'm telling myself it's okay, because then I learn methods I can use on my model railway projects, which are looking at me reproachfdully from the shelf...

[Andy in Germany]

And the end result of the days work is here, five craft water lined and two new - and unfinished, need loading derricks on the forecastle, funnel aft of the flying bridge, etc. - ships from scratch:

That's one big advantage of your approach: I've spent more than a month on one tramp steamer, and here you've made a small merchant navy in a day...

Your steamers... can be spruced up quite quickly.

"Sprucing Up" is definitely in order.

I see what you did there.

[FifteensAway]

Found a site that will be very helpful to would be ship builders whether in15 mm or 28 mm: https://thevirtualarmchairgeneral.com/505-houstons%20guns%20&%20fittings.htm

Yes, in the states (where I am), but 3D prints so should be minimal on postage.  I still plan to go with 'crude' for most of my tramp steamer builds but there are some things I will likely buy, first in line being some armaments.

For others, you can go crazy and use what is on offer to build super detailed models if that is what you are after.

[FifteensAway]

Pulled the trigger and ordered a smattering of items, foremost being life rings and portholes - nothing I have quite fits that need, will just be a few to give the idea.  A few other items.

[FifteensAway]

Above ship is from Indiana Jones movie - took photo while rewatching.

Thoughts on this ship with the additional forward superstructure versus the ship's in process with just the aft superstructure?  One better than the other?  Do one of each?  See also frd's thread about his ship with its lead photo.

edit: Upon further consideration, perhaps better to build a third ship; if I do build a third tramp steamer I will make it a bit wider and longer and include the forward superstructure.  And I also have a name for it:

Daftu Kujamba

Origin of the name?  Well, in the movie the ship is Bantu Wind.  Then here on LAF we have our very own and remarkably talented Digits who has is Daftest Africa thread - within which I suggested an optional tribe called the Daftu (after the Bantu, of course).  No idea when - or if - Digits will add Daftu to his setup but I've already added them to mine - just need to decide on a paint scheme for the already primed figures.  That gives us Daftu.  And what of Kujamba?  Well, with a play on "wind" that is a Swahili word for fart, also known as 'passing wind'! 

One of the goals of a third ship, if built, would be for it to be able to contain a game wholly on board the ship itself.  Only time will tell - and probably need to order more bits from TVAG. 

[FifteensAway]

Here it is approaching the end of August and other than some additional orders from TVAG for parts, no progress on the ships but there have been other hobby distractions (other periods) and a couple of 'real life' projects including some significant hardscaping.

But back at pulp and here is a photo of the assembled piers now, done today - not colored yet:



Starting to get more serious in developing the first scenario as well; have the core idea but now I've sorted out what each player's specific goal will be.

[mikedemana]

That's off to a great start. Looks like it will be a really fun game!

Mike Demana

[BillK]

Very creative, lots of gaming options with these.