Rene
Private
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2014
Hi there
it has been a while since I posted a last update but even though I have been busy with my normal work I have been able to achieve quite a bit of work on my model and I think it is time for me to post another update to keep you all informed about my latest efforts on this major project.
In my last posting, I showed you all the armament which has been made as well as some other details like the masts, smokestacks, rowboats and some other small stuff, now it's time for the first somewhat bigger parts.
Of course I had to build that hull, which turned out as a small and very easy job. Granted the whole hull is about 4 feet long, but that's about it. Since the original ship had only a small freeboard of less than 3 feet and a draft of less than 9 feet you can imagine what this looks like in my scale of 1:72. The hull was a matter of less than 10 hours, only the bow and extreme stern section are covererd with wooden planks for which I used veneer stripes. This work is somewhat time consuming but the results always amazes me. Nothing resembles like real wood and if you mix in a few planks of slightly different color the result is even more convincing. The midship section of the ship is a simple slanted structure. It's top and the sides were covered with iron plates including some ports for different purposes. Right in front of this structure is the forward casemate which contained the main armament of the vessel. 1x huge 100pdr. Parrot rifle, 2x 30pdr. Parrot Rifles and a 9" Dahlgreen smoothbore gun. This forward structure was armored with iron plates and an armor of un-vulcanized natural rubber, which proved to be nearly useless because it rotted away fairly fast.
While the midship structure was easy to build, the forward casemate turned out to be a different story. I made several attempts until I achieved the proper method to build this part. An internal structure from wooden beams was made including 2 different levels stairs and everything else to which the already finished armament could be attached.
Installing that armament inside this casemate turned out to be quite an effort. In my ambition to create a rather good and accurate looking internal structure I did perhaps a bit more than necessary. Those wooden beams were so close together it proved almost impossible to get those guns inside at their appropriate places. After several attempts I finally succeeded but it did cost me quite a few nerves, next time I'll certainly do it different.
Additional to those guns a lot of tiny details went into the forward casemate, needless to say that you will not be able to see any of them even though I decided to make 2 section on opposite sides removable, so that I'm able to prove at least a bit that I installed the entire interior. The forward mast which I have made much earlier could be installed too as well as a few more details on the outside Amidships the davits were installed, the boats will have to wait until the ship is finally colored. Next in line was the midship casemate with its 2x 24pdr Howitzers.
These were the smallest guns aboard and could fire through 2 different gun ports, either along the broadside or in case of being boarded by some uninvited intruders directly to the front. In this case they used canister shots which kept the damage to your own ship relatively low but played havoc with any personnel in front of the business end of these 2 smoothbore guns. Another pleasantry like that was that Gatling gun, which's main purpose was to make anyone unfriendly with unheaval thoughts, to think twice before boarding such a vessel.
As I always like to point out: the people during the good old times had a much closer relation to each other, but only because their weapons didn't reach that far.
So lets have a look for those photos and lets start with those guns, this time they are alreayd colored.
First in line is the mighty 100Pdr Parrot Rifle:
Next is one of 2 30pdr Parrot Rifles:
Next is a 9" Dahlgreen smoootbore
and finally a 24pdr Howitzer
This little Gatling gun will look great when it is rigged to the upper deck on the finished vessel, they were frequently used to discourage all too enthusiastic enemies to board a ship when close to the river bank.
This is the hull at work, upside down, comletely made out of plywood:
The midhship section at work. Those wooden dowels will become the smokestacks, bow is to the left.
The same structure somewhat later:
and finally the casematte completely covererd with its armor
This is the midship casematte with its 2x 24 pdr Howitzers it will be closed next
These 2 shots will give you an impression of the entire ship,the smokestacks are in place, as are the davits and the midship "whateveritiscabin"
Still missing but soon to come will be those 2 towering wheelhouses and the rear casematte including the structure between those wheelhouse. So If you like it stay tuned for more, much more to come and if there are any questions, please let me know.
Oh and I almost forget I wish you all a merry Xmas and of course and wonderful New Year!
Cheers from Salzburg
René
Keep on modeling
it has been a while since I posted a last update but even though I have been busy with my normal work I have been able to achieve quite a bit of work on my model and I think it is time for me to post another update to keep you all informed about my latest efforts on this major project.
In my last posting, I showed you all the armament which has been made as well as some other details like the masts, smokestacks, rowboats and some other small stuff, now it's time for the first somewhat bigger parts.
Of course I had to build that hull, which turned out as a small and very easy job. Granted the whole hull is about 4 feet long, but that's about it. Since the original ship had only a small freeboard of less than 3 feet and a draft of less than 9 feet you can imagine what this looks like in my scale of 1:72. The hull was a matter of less than 10 hours, only the bow and extreme stern section are covererd with wooden planks for which I used veneer stripes. This work is somewhat time consuming but the results always amazes me. Nothing resembles like real wood and if you mix in a few planks of slightly different color the result is even more convincing. The midship section of the ship is a simple slanted structure. It's top and the sides were covered with iron plates including some ports for different purposes. Right in front of this structure is the forward casemate which contained the main armament of the vessel. 1x huge 100pdr. Parrot rifle, 2x 30pdr. Parrot Rifles and a 9" Dahlgreen smoothbore gun. This forward structure was armored with iron plates and an armor of un-vulcanized natural rubber, which proved to be nearly useless because it rotted away fairly fast.
While the midship structure was easy to build, the forward casemate turned out to be a different story. I made several attempts until I achieved the proper method to build this part. An internal structure from wooden beams was made including 2 different levels stairs and everything else to which the already finished armament could be attached.
Installing that armament inside this casemate turned out to be quite an effort. In my ambition to create a rather good and accurate looking internal structure I did perhaps a bit more than necessary. Those wooden beams were so close together it proved almost impossible to get those guns inside at their appropriate places. After several attempts I finally succeeded but it did cost me quite a few nerves, next time I'll certainly do it different.
Additional to those guns a lot of tiny details went into the forward casemate, needless to say that you will not be able to see any of them even though I decided to make 2 section on opposite sides removable, so that I'm able to prove at least a bit that I installed the entire interior. The forward mast which I have made much earlier could be installed too as well as a few more details on the outside Amidships the davits were installed, the boats will have to wait until the ship is finally colored. Next in line was the midship casemate with its 2x 24pdr Howitzers.
These were the smallest guns aboard and could fire through 2 different gun ports, either along the broadside or in case of being boarded by some uninvited intruders directly to the front. In this case they used canister shots which kept the damage to your own ship relatively low but played havoc with any personnel in front of the business end of these 2 smoothbore guns. Another pleasantry like that was that Gatling gun, which's main purpose was to make anyone unfriendly with unheaval thoughts, to think twice before boarding such a vessel.
As I always like to point out: the people during the good old times had a much closer relation to each other, but only because their weapons didn't reach that far.
So lets have a look for those photos and lets start with those guns, this time they are alreayd colored.
First in line is the mighty 100Pdr Parrot Rifle:
Next is one of 2 30pdr Parrot Rifles:
Next is a 9" Dahlgreen smoootbore
and finally a 24pdr Howitzer
This little Gatling gun will look great when it is rigged to the upper deck on the finished vessel, they were frequently used to discourage all too enthusiastic enemies to board a ship when close to the river bank.
This is the hull at work, upside down, comletely made out of plywood:
The midhship section at work. Those wooden dowels will become the smokestacks, bow is to the left.
The same structure somewhat later:
and finally the casematte completely covererd with its armor
This is the midship casematte with its 2x 24 pdr Howitzers it will be closed next
These 2 shots will give you an impression of the entire ship,the smokestacks are in place, as are the davits and the midship "whateveritiscabin"
Still missing but soon to come will be those 2 towering wheelhouses and the rear casematte including the structure between those wheelhouse. So If you like it stay tuned for more, much more to come and if there are any questions, please let me know.
Oh and I almost forget I wish you all a merry Xmas and of course and wonderful New Year!
Cheers from Salzburg
René
Keep on modeling
Bringing the