HMS Nymphe vs. Cléopâtre, 18 June 1794

[Menne]

Start of new project: diorama of the engagement between HMS Nymphe (capt. Pellew) and the French Cléopâtre (capt. Mullon). 1:350 scale scratchbuilt wood. The gundeck and firt strakes of Nymphe finished.

 

[AllanKP69]

Great idea for a diorama! This is going to be fun to watch.
Allan

 

[Peter Gutterman]

May I recommend "Waterline Dioramas" by Justin F. Camarata, SeaWatch Books? If you don't have it, it will provide you a wealth of information in achieving your goal.

 

[RichardG]

Looks nice. I'll be watching this.

 

[Jim Fortnam]

I am consistently amazed, and inspired, by folk working in these scales.

I can see the attraction in something you can carry around in a pocketable workshop to fill that spare time between other things, but the degree of accuracy and precision always makes me say to myself “how did you DO that”
I’ll be watching with great interest.

J

 

[Menne]

Nymphes hull is now planked onto the main gundeck. First row of gunports fitted. Sheé really takeing her shape now

 

[Menne]

Main gun deck filled with 26 12pdr guns. barrels turned in brass. Fo'c'sle and quarterdeck installed, as is the bowsprit. She starts to look like a true frigate

 

[Menne]

Working along nicely on HMS Nymphes quarterdeck. 12 32pdr carronades (woorden sledges, brass barrels) installed, as well as the ladderway (PE) and capstan. The stern (with her name in PE) and quarter galleries finished. Working slowly forward. Waiting for the order of 1/350 scale PE ships wheels to complete the quarterdeck layout. The "mast" is just a mock-up in lieu of the main mast, to hold the model when not clamped in the vice

 

[Menne]

The hull of HMS Nymphe is now ready to receive the first crew members. All canons are placed, rudder, steering en ladderways (both inside and out) done. She even has her figurehead and the first rigging. The railings are filled with the hammocks. The damage is caused by the Cláopâtre, hitting her with her bowsprit when Nymphe shot away the Frenchies mizzen mast and destroyed her steering wheel

 

[Menne]

Most of the crew of HMS Nymphe is now on board. Some topmen to follow in the yards (and later, of course, the boarding party on Cléopâtre ). Masts and standing rigging made and up, and the first sails and running rigging hoisted

 

[Jim Fortnam]

It would make a great departure from the norm to have a squad of men raising a new spar with the appropriate tackle. It really brings the ship to life having a crew on board

Bravo!

 

[Menne]

It would make a great departure from the norm to have a squad of men raising a new spar with the appropriate tackle. It really brings the ship to life having a crew on board

Bravo!

Thank you. I've already have a squad dropping the anchor, and there will be more action with men chopping the lines of the Frenchie, who's got entangled...

 

[Menne]

The first of the two combattants of the action of 18 June 1793 is finished. HMS Nymphe in full battle mode... Next to make her adversary, La Cléopâtre.

 

[Menne]

Started with Cléopâtre. Hull formed and closed until the gundeck

 

[Jim Fortnam]

May I enquire what timber you are using? It looks to me like balsa, from the look of some of the markings. where I was expecting lime or obeche

I'm greatly impressed by the finished model, shot holes in the sails and tattered flag and all.

J

 

[Menne]

May I enquire what timber you are using? It looks to me like balsa, from the look of some of the markings. where I was expecting lime or obeche

I'm greatly impressed by the finished model, shot holes in the sails and tattered flag and all.

J

Jim, glad you like the beaten up HMS Nymphe! the skeleton is made from thin MDF, strenghtened with lime fillers. most of the planking and details are in walnut, lime, some mahogany and abachi for the decking