After a couple of false starts, I have managed to build two generic cruisers that I hope to use in the naval war game I plan to put on at this year's Conference of Wargamers (COW2016). The models are constructed from pine, basswood, bamboo, and plywood, and measure approximately 4-inches/10cm long so that they will fit inside a Hexon II terrain hex.
As will be obvious they are by no means 'accurate scale models' ... but they are designed so that:
As will be obvious they are by no means 'accurate scale models' ... but they are designed so that:
- The type of ship they represent will be reasonably obvious
- They look somewhat akin to the old tin-plate toy warships built at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
- They will be robust enough to suffer many years of wargaming (mis)use
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Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThey look just the ticket and once they have been suitably painted will give sterling service. I am thinking that brief guide to how you built these may be helpful - especially as I would not mind having a go myself!
All the best,
DC
David Crook,
DeleteThanks very much for your very complimentary comment.
They are very much a 'quart in a pint pot' type of model, and I will hold fire on the 'How to ...' guide until I have tried using the same techniques (and basic components) for a generic battleship. The hulls are cut-down from wooden models of the Titanic that is sold by Hobbycarft, and the rest of the bits and pieces are made from basswood and bamboo skewers.
All the best,
Bob
Dear Bob, very good indeed, I was also going to request a "how to" but will hold fire. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteChris Platt,
DeleteThanks very much for your kind comment. Once I am happy that I have the method right, I will write a 'How to ... ' blog entry.
All the best,
Bob
Fine looking vessels, Bob!
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteThanks for the complimentary comment.
All the best,
Bob
I like these, very dinky in the positive, UK meaning. Most attractive for a game.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteCheers! I hope that the next models - which will be generic battleships - turn out as well.
All the best,
Bob
Have to agree with other commentators: it would be a pleasure to see them in action.
ReplyDeleteBest
Aaron
Prufrock (Aaron),
DeleteMany thanks for your kind comment. Once I have built enough models for the projected game (8 to 10 is what I am aiming at), I intend to give them all a coat of paint and then the play-testing can begin!
All the best,
Bob
A coat of paint and these would go from functional to awesome (in the US sense) in no time flat.
ReplyDeleteMr. Pavone,
DeleteI'm not sure yet whether to paint them in traditional Victorian livery or grey. I would like to use the former but the latter would enable me to use them over a longer time frame.
All the best,
Bob
There's the rub, paint them in the colors of a real ship and commit them to play that role forever or paint them generic colors and lose some of the panache.
DeleteThese are the difficult decisions a wargamer must make ;)
Mr.Pavone,
DeleteIt is a conundrum ... and one that I will have to consider quite soon. I suspect that they will initially be painted grey ... with the option of being re-painted in the future.
All the best,
Bob
Very nice, Bob ! I look forward to seeing them in their warpaint.
ReplyDeleteCorporal_Trim,
DeleteCheers! They turned out to look slightly better than I had hoped, and I think that they will look even better once they are painted.
All the best,
Bob
Excellent little Battleships BOB...you have certainly captured the right Toy-Like look. Well done! Regards. KEV.
ReplyDeleteKev,
DeleteI've been playing around with designs for this sort of model for some time, and I am very pleased with the way these have turned out.
All the best,
Bob
Stu Rat,
ReplyDeleteCheers! There will be more to follow in due course.
All the best,
Bob