What's on your Workbench for February?

[Bligh]

I will start off this month with my How to on a Victorian Pre Dreadnought.


The kit.


I start building the Bridge and upper foredeck.


Rob.

[Bligh]

Next job was opening up all the holes for fittings.



and trial testing the parts for fit and the easiest order for assembly.



Rob.

[Diamondback]

Working on a digital model for a Sails storage case. Bligh, if you'd check your email you'd have already seen these...

SGN case 1 - mockup mini, defining base envelope.jpg Views: 636 Size: 94.4 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
Starting with a mockup "mini" in Sketchup, based on Victory's dimensions but rather simplified. Also starting to define the socket for the base.

SGN case 2 - base claw roughly defined.jpg Views: 603 Size: 109.9 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
At this point the base socket is mostly defined--I need to check if Ocean bows project past the end of the base and adjust accordingly if so.

SGN case 3 - base claw and deck slot.jpg Views: 609 Size: 111.5 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
Here we have the main case's base socket fully defined, and have started to build out the case by adding a space for the maneuver deck.

SGN case 4 - jib block in place, outlining float space.jpg Views: 580 Size: 114.7 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
We've added a spacer block under the jib, and are starting to rough out the "box" around the masts. Note that the masts will "free float" in this space, the entire ship is held in place by the pin joining it to the base.

SGN case 5 - building cell around ship.jpg Views: 698 Size: 117.1 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
At this stage we're starting to build out the "sail box" around the masts.

SGN case 6 - cell render complete.jpg Views: 614 Size: 114.2 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />
Finished render of the preliminary concept. The "windowpane" that goes over the ship isn't rendered, nor the lip that locks the base's starboard side in place (attached to the window) or the outer framing. If I was going to make this a "travel size game" complete kit, I'd do it with one side holding two ships, and the other just a box for the rulebook, rulers and chits.

[Bligh]

Very interesting seeing how you build up your three D image DB.
This sort of design work was just coming in when I retired, but it looks as if the design process has been refined a lot since my day. I will follow your design with interest.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Now the undercoat.



Next the hull got a coat of black and whilst that was drying I did the funnels in Buff.



Rob.

[Diamondback]

Starting to come together beautifully, Rob--not sure how accurate she is, but to my untrained eye looks very believable.

[Bligh]

The deck is a bit too light now dry. It should be about half way between the colour it is and the Funnels.

Rob.

[Diamondback]

Each wall section in that render is 1mm thick, with 1mm "air gaps" between the walls and the mini/base.

I'm toying with the idea of making each of these an "insert module" with an entire line of outer cases so if you had the entire collection racked up for display but wanted to pack down a travel-size game to take with you, you'd just pull two ship cells out of their cases and rack them into one side of a smaller case, slot a box with your rulebook, rulers and damage bags in the other, close and latch and you're ready to go.

[Dobbs]

She's looking great! Which Victorian battleship is she?

[Bligh]

I am afraid that I am not at liberty to say at the moment Dobbs. All I can tell you is that it will be revealed in time.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Now getting all the ancilliary parts painted.


Gluing in the Stubs of the masts and the Ventilators.
Much easier to place before the Funnels go in.





Finally for today the Funnels, sea boats, and guns.


Rob.

[Bligh]

The next job was to silver solder wire together to make the two detatchable topmasts.


Here they are painted and ready with the searchlight platforms added.



Just the rigging and bunting to add now.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Ship completed with detachable upper masts for ease of storage.





Here she is at last all masted rigged and ship shape fashion.





Rob.

[Dobbs]

It's a beautiful little ship, Rob. Which Old Glory miniature is it? Is it still available?

[Bligh]

I honestly can't remember Dobbs.
I will see if I have the old packaging anywhere.
It has also been slightly modified by me to fit my own needs.
The Bridge and aft control position s have been slightly heightened and the masts modified to take the searchlights.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Not the most impressive piece of work that I have included here but one which I fancy will appear in several forthcoming AARs.



Rob.

[Bligh]

The production of the Clacks gets underway.



Based and undercoated.




Painting underway.



Placed on its headland and just waiting to be fixed in place and shaded.

Rob.

[Bligh]

Here is a bit of background for the interested.




Semaphore towers by Brigade models in 6mm.




Your basic signalling code.

Rob.

[Bilge Rat]

Looks like just the kind of thing Moist and Adora Belle would get involved in.....

[Bligh]

Strange to say I named the Folder on my computer for this "The Clacks." I must be going postal.
Where are the Frog pills Bursar.



Ah! That's better.
Rob.

[Comte de Brueys]

Nice project, comrades.

Rob, this RN Dreadnought is beautiful. Think, you can embed this one in a WGF mission.

[Bligh]

Could well be Sven.
Rob.

[Bligh]

I see that I also have to thank you for Rep Sven.
You are too kind.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Should have given out the secret of the ships identity before this, but now that Tripods are released, I can reveal that she is the Thunderchild.
Rob.