Whilst I have been painting my recently built 'cartoon' model of German-style pre-dreadnought, I have been pondering about the design of a possible opponent. Until the early 1930s Soviet Russia was seen as the most likely opponent for the German pre-dreadnoughts and I have based my outline design on a cut-down, 'cartoon' version of one of the Soviet dreadnoughts that served in with the Baltic Fleet.
As can be seen from this very rough outline, I have reduced the number of turrets and secondary guns by 50%, shortened the hull, and simplified the superstructure. I took great pains to retain the distinctive funnel arrangement of the original design, and I think that this helps to keep the model looking vaguely like one of the Soviet dreadnoughts.
This is very much a 'work in progress', and I suspect that the design will change and develop as I build the model ... but it is my intention to try to ensure that the basic outline of the final model retains the essence of this design.
As can be seen from this very rough outline, I have reduced the number of turrets and secondary guns by 50%, shortened the hull, and simplified the superstructure. I took great pains to retain the distinctive funnel arrangement of the original design, and I think that this helps to keep the model looking vaguely like one of the Soviet dreadnoughts.
This is very much a 'work in progress', and I suspect that the design will change and develop as I build the model ... but it is my intention to try to ensure that the basic outline of the final model retains the essence of this design.
That has potential, did you see my destroyers?
ReplyDeletehttp://brazosevilempire.blogspot.com/2012/03/send-two-gunboats.html
Can't wait to see how you model this one Bob!
ReplyDeleteJim
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteShe looks the part from the plan and I think that the funnel is the key for the look - which will also be the most difficult part to model I suspect!
Looking forward to seeing how this goes.
All theb est,
DC
Don M,
ReplyDeleteYou have some very nice ship models ... and an especial 'Thank you' for making me aware of the Wooden Warriors website. I can see myself spending a few hours just looking at what is there and getting inspiration for future projects!
All the best,
Bob
Jim Duncan,
ReplyDeleteI have a few ideas as to how I am going to do it ... but as this is still a learning process I expect to make some mistakes along the way.
All the best,
Bob
David Crook,
ReplyDeleteWhat I have learned for my recent ship modelling is that most designs have one of two visual aspects that 'define' them, and if you can reproduce them you are well on the way to getting the model 'right'.
In this case it is the foremost funnel and the two superstructure blocks. I think that making the funnel will be an interesting part of the project ... but that it is not an insurmountable one (i.e. I have an idea how to do it, but until I have tried it I won't know if it will work or not).
All the best,
Bob
A classic committee-designed battleship!
ReplyDeleteTim Gow,
ReplyDeleteBeing that this is a Soviet design, the committee only has one member ... if it goes wrong ... and many if it goes well!
All the best,
Bob
You might want to look at the Scandinavian navies in Janes, some of the coast defence battleships could be suitable.
ReplyDeleteBob
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your next model. I figure that your mitre saw and a dowel should get the bent funnel down pat.
I'm not sure your committee definition is restricted to Soviet policies!
PD
Nigel Drury,
ReplyDeleteI am already ahead of you on that one! The Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands all produced some excellent coastal defence battleships, and given enough time I would like to model some of them ... especially the Finnish ones.
All the bet,
Bob
Peter Douglas,
ReplyDeleteThe mitre block is - as you have rightly surmised - going to help me reproduce that unusual funnel shape.
Having worked for almost all my working life for local education authorities that were controlled by the Labour Party, I learned very early on that things that worked were always the 'child of many fathers' (or due to the inspired leadership of your boss) but that when things went wrong it was your baby and no one else's.
All the best,
Bob