28 mm Yangtze Gunboat

[War In 15MM]

Redzed, thank you for the kind words.  Much appreciated.  FifteensAway, I'm finding that the shift back and forth only makes me love both scales even more.  You might be interested to know that the gunboat pics were taken as a quick aside while I was doing the set up for my next 15mm gallery, the Aztecs and Conquistadors.  I hope to have that gallery posted before the end of the month.  As always, thank for your concern for my scale health and your kind words.  Richard

[cmikucki]

Very nice work!  Something about the Sand Pebbles - couldn't agree more!

The one thing I find challenging when I am scratchbuilding boats is getting the basic hull shape and waterline right.  I never struggle with the superstructure or fittings, but the first cuts never work - I think using the toy hulls is a great idea!

I also think your patience with fragile railing is notable!

Well done,

Chris

[War In 15MM]

Chris, the hull is the difficult part for me as well.  Consequently, if I can find a toy hull that meets my basic shape needs for the boat or ship I'm thinking of making, I find the rest of the problems I run into when building the vessel are  just interesting problems not game enders.  The Plastruct rails worked out really well once I found that I could give them a bit more height without losing the look I wanted.  Thanks so much for writing.  I'm glad you like the gunboat, and I urge you to give a toy hull a try.  About four years ago, I did a tramp steamer using another Playmobil hull, and it worked out really well.  Richard

[War In 15MM]

Chris, if you're interested you can see the tramp steamer I made using a Playmobil hull at leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=31547.0

[6sided]

Thas is an awesome model.  Kudos to you Sir.

[WuZhuiQiu]

That is very nice work! How did you model the sampans?

[Mason]

 

Bloody gorgeous!

 

[War In 15MM]

6sided, WuZhuiQui and Mason, thank you all three for taking the time to write and for your kind words about my gunboat.  Much appreciated.  WuZhuiQui, the sampans are not of my making.  The smaller one is by Miniature Building Authority.  It's a great boat and was pretty reasonably priced.  I think I paid about $18 for it.  The larger sampan is actually an unglazed ceramic piece that I picked up at the swap meet for $2.  It had a large fisherman (about 54mm)  on the bow.  I knocked him off, repaired the chipped spot with Milliput and then painted the boat.  I actually was lucky enough to get two of those swap meet ceramic sampans, and I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.  Richard

[Big Martin]

I need one of them. I'll have to keep my eye out for the bits!

[War In 15MM]

Big Martin, I hope you will take one of these on as a project.  When I was in my planning stage, I was surprised by how few of the Yangtze-style gunboats I could find for 28mm.  I thought that odd given the popularity of The Sand Pebbles and the fact that Murch makes figures and guns for the boat.  Anyway, if you do decide to build one, good luck.  I had a lot of fun doing mine.  Richard

[gringo]

Richard

inspired work old chap..........really excellent. i have to say the Sand
pebbles is still a top film and packed with wargame temptation
with all those scenarios

regards
Ged

www.gringo40s.com
www.gringo40s,blogspot.com
and 28mm ranges

[War In 15MM]

Ged, thanks for taking the time to write and for the kind words.  Richard

[Belisarius]

I love it. I,ts difficult to strike the right balance between a detailled model and play-ability and I reckon you,ve hit it spot on - very well done.

[Marine0846]

Great build. Love it.
You can't go wrong running some Sand Pebbles games.
One of my favorite movies.

[Cecil Gaybody]

Cool stuff,
I love your style man.