Suitably pulpy ships.

[frd]

did you make that steamer from scratch? 

-ish?, but not really. I used some 3d printed parts, designed some more parts to 3d print and used some scratch building techniques to add to it. I don't want to derail this thread, so I started a topic for the tramp steamer where I'll be happy to answer any follow up questions.

You could have a scenario about pushing the paddle steamer over a mountain to bring opera to the jungle beyond.

How I have not thought of using Fitzcarraldo as a basis of a pulp scenario - that's such an awesome idea

I might have to rewatch (and pause repeatedly) the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to grab references for the schooner, as I really like the REEL version.

[Moriarty]

Ye gods . . .

[FramFramson]

Bloody hell; that steamer is FAB.

[Andy in Germany]

@frd: For some reason I forgot to reply to this, I can however echo what others have said: that's a beautiful model, and it's given me some ideas for making my own, many thanks.

[YPU]

I think Frd's lovely looking ships demonstrate another point. Ships in 28mm look big even if they, realistically calculating their size, arrant all that large for their type. Assuming that cutting mat is in inches the trap steamer is what, 16 inches/40cm long? Now I'm not planning to start a debate on the correct scale o 28mm, but do your personal calculations and you might find its pretty short for what it represents. But it looks more than big enough, so don't sweat fully accurate size for the type of vehicle its supposed to be, I'd say.
If anything, I could see an overly big ships becoming a bit of a hindrance, too cumbersome to properly fit into a gaming table and scenario without it basically being a game board all to itself.

[Moriarty]

you can't put masts on the carrier - how will the planes land?

Only the once, I’d imagine.

[Moriarty]

I think Frd's lovely looking ships demonstrate another point. Ships in 28mm look big even if they, realistically calculating their size, arrant all that large for their type. Assuming that cutting mat is in inches the trap steamer is what, 16 inches/40cm long? Now I'm not planning to start a debate on the correct scale o 28mm, but do your personal calculations and you might find its pretty short for what it represents. But it looks more than big enough, so don't sweat fully accurate size for the type of vehicle its supposed to be, I'd say.
If anything, I could see an overly big ships becoming a bit of a hindrance, too cumbersome to properly fit into a gaming table and scenario without it basically being a game board all to itself.

I’m looking at naval actions for the VBCW, and considering vessels at the ground scale for the skirmish rules, giving a 300’ tramp steamer of 10” length. Obviously the beam and height would be exaggerated. Although your idea of a ship as the game board has a certain appeal . . .

[Andy in Germany]

I think Frd's lovely looking ships demonstrate another point. Ships in 28mm look big even if they, realistically calculating their size, arrant all that large for their type. Assuming that cutting mat is in inches the trap steamer is what, 16 inches/40cm long? Now I'm not planning to start a debate on the correct scale o 28mm, but do your personal calculations and you might find its pretty short for what it represents. But it looks more than big enough, so don't sweat fully accurate size for the type of vehicle its supposed to be, I'd say.

I think you are right: I've been doodling on a sheet of card and worked out that the SS Robin is about 800mm 28mm scale, give or take. I've sketched a rough deck reduced to about 600mm by 120mm on a piece of card. It looks acceptably "large", even though, as you say, such a ship would barely be a yacht in reality.

[YPU]

Physical sketches in cardboard like that are a great way to see how you'd feel about any given size, yes! It's something I forget to do way to often.

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

That tramp steamer is beautiful and I want one in 28mm!

A way to sidestep the need for a full-sized steamer on table is to use it's motor launch. If a ship's draft is too deep for a port or for various reasons the captain doesn't want it pierside, smaller launches are sent to bring or receive men and supplies from shore. This is the Brigade Games' steam launch inspired by the African Queen, which was a real British steam launch built in 1912 for service on African waterways.  You can get it here: https://www.brigadegames.com/Steam-Launch-waterline-model_p_1690.html. I've also seen a more movie accurate 3D print version floating around on Etsy.

[Khusru2]

A Clipper would be suitable. The Baltimore was a fore-runner

[Andy in Germany]

That tramp steamer is beautiful and I want one in 28mm!

Agreed @Frd really set the standard there.

A way to sidestep the need for a full-sized steamer on table is to use it's motor launch. If a ship's draft is too deep for a port or for various reasons the captain doesn't want it pierside, smaller launches are sent to bring or receive men and supplies from shore.

I hadn't thought of that, but there is now a harbour on Ascension because it has become a trade connection between South America and Europe due to a very convolutes rewriting of early 20th century history. Besides, I like having a model that can be part of the game so characters can run on board and perform swashbuckling acts of derring-do.

[Andy in Germany]

A Clipper would be suitable. The Baltimore was a fore-runner

I think they were a bit earlier than the 1920's. Having looked at them, I'm relieved not to have to build one: they're absolutely beautiful, but the shapes of those hulls would be complex in card, and as for the rigging...

[Moriarty]

Shrouds from the nets supermarkets sell oranges in? They only have to be ?representative?, after all - otherwise there would be no space to place the figures :-)

[carlos marighela]

If you are ever in search of another mid-Atlantic island or archipeligo, I'd suggest taking a look at Fernando de Noronha. There was a political prison there in the 1930s and '40s. My namesake/alter ego was imprisoned there for a period in the '30s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_de_Noronha#