Racing Sloop Repurposed For 28MM Use (April 22: Finished second sloop)

[War In 15MM]

During a weekly trip to the swap meet about a month ago,  I found two plastic racing sloops (identical when new) that were intended as pond sailboats, but were long past their prime… broken and dirty and cast off.  They are 16 inches from bow to stern and looked to me to be potentially perfect for use with 28mm miniatures.  I placed a Heroclix figure on the deck of one of the sloops I have pictured.  All they needed was some repurposing: remove the weighted keel, create new masts, spars, cabin rails, and a hatch cover using Evergreen plastic, cut the hull to waterline, use Milliput to make the reefed sails and waterline bases, add reefing lines using floral wire and add boat wheels/helms to each boat using the wheels off two Heroclix Dirk Anger figures.  I’ve attached a picture of one of the sloops in the condition I found it, and a second picture of the other sloop repurposed but not yet repainted, and a third picture of the sloop repainted.  The fourth picture is of a removable machine gun position I made for the bow of the sloop.  The machine gun base is made from Evergreen Plastic and the gun is by Pulp Figures.  Given the fact that I got the pair of sloops for just $8 ($4 each) and have since located one on eBay in what appeared to be like-new condition for $82, I think the two I got for $8 are pretty good finds.  IMG_1712 by Richard Garretson, on FlickrIMG_1713 by Richard Garretson, on FlickrIMG_1716 by Richard Garretson, on FlickrIMG_1717 by Richard Garretson, on Flickr

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Excellent work, the sloop looks superb. 

[twrchtrwyth]

Lovely. Great idea with the removable MG.

[Elk101]

Great idea and very effectively done.

[d phipps]

Very cool! THANKS for sharing.

[marianas_gamer]

Love it!
LB

[OSHIROmodels]

That turned out great 

[flatpack]

Well done with thinking outside the box.
Love the look of this.

[Andy in Germany]

What a lovely model: I've now got sloop envy. The detailing is excellent.

I especially like the minimal 'water' under the hull.

[Vanvlak]

That turned out beautifully. 
Nice bit of rescue.

[Big Martin Back]

Very nice.

[War In 15MM]

Thanks for all the kind words.  I finished painting the second sloop yesterday.  Most of the other work needed on the second sloop was about the same as that on the first.  The only significant differences were that the second sloop had the original upper cabin rails and running lights as well as the hatch cover so I didn’t have to build replacements out of Evergreen Plastic.  Now I have two great sloops and no plan for a voyage, but better the sloops with no plan than a plan with no sloops.IMG_1718 by Richard Garretson, on Flickr

[syrinx0]

They look great.  Maybe a modern pirate campaign?

[carlos marighela]

I’d go for an armed version of the Americas Cup, which, incidentally, is about the only way to make the actual event remotely interesting.

[Andy in Germany]

A sort of 'Mad Maxamilian' on water?