Napoleonic Schooner 28mm Tabletop Wargaming Model

[Starcamper]

Hello all,

Here are some photos of my first 3d modeled and printed ship. I designed her to be as accurate as my knowledge would allow while remaining durable enough to withstand the rigors of tabletop gaming: regular handling, transportation, elbow bumps, over-enthusiastic die rolls, etc. I also used readily available wooden dowels and elastic cordage for the masts, spars and rigging as most wargamers, like myself, are not experienced model ships builders

There are a lot of things that I would do differently looking back, not the least of which is that I missed the mark on scale by a wide margin. I intended to make it 1:56 scale, but it ended up being closer to 1:45! Oops...

I would appreciate any constructive feedback on the accuracy of this model as I am a relative beginner when it comes to sailing ships.

Best,

Starcamper

 

[jsk]

It's definitely better than most commercially available gaming models. Being both a modeler and a historical gamer I've always found gaming ships for 28mm wildly cartoonish. Always too short and too beamy and the details too exaggerated. Yours is more faithful in appearance.

I wouldn't worry too much about the scale difference. Ships of this type could vary quite a bit in size. There are two things that jump out at me, though. First, I think for a ship of this size the yellow deck houses should probably be removed. Secondly, sails! The gaffs are aloft, the mast hoops are spaced out as if the sails are raised. Yet... no sails!

I'd be tempted to make some stiff card sails that attach with magnets. Maybe two sets, one raised, one furled. That way they could be removed to facilitate moving figures around but still used to indicate whether the ship is under way or at anchor.

 

[Starcamper]

It's definitely better than most commercially available gaming models. Being both a modeler and a historical gamer I've always found gaming ships for 28mm wildly cartoonish. Always too short and too beamy and the details too exaggerated. Yours is more faithful in appearance.

I wouldn't worry too much about the scale difference. Ships of this type could vary quite a bit in size. There are two things that jump out at me, though. First, I think for a ship of this size the yellow deck houses should probably be removed. Secondly, sails! The gaffs are aloft, the mast hoops are spaced out as if the sails are raised. Yet... no sails!

I'd be tempted to make some stiff card sails that attach with magnets. Maybe two sets, one raised, one furled. That way they could be removed to facilitate moving figures around but still used to indicate whether the ship is under way or at anchor.

Thank you for your feedback JSK! I had actually intended to make some sails for her, but I gave the model to Firelock games at Adepticon before I got around to it. As far as the scaling, I was working from the plans of HMS Pickle, which should have put her at about 15" long, but she ended up at 19". This actually puts her at about the size of USS Enterprise (1799). I am planning to scale her down to 1/56 and remaster some of the details so that when I release more ships (I am working on HMS Sophie from Master and Commander) their relative sizes look correct.

The deck houses...I have usually seen HMS Pickle portrayed with a skylight abaft the hatch to go below (is there a proper term for this hatch?) and I do not know what possessed me to include two. Although I did not set out to make a 100% accurate model of pickle, I would like it to be believable. Would a single skylight in that aft-most location make sense?

 

[Namabiiru]

I thought the existing sails were exquisite. Made from the same stuff as the emperor’s new clothes, yes?

It’s a beautiful model!

 

[jsk]

Well, to my eye, the deck houses look off--too tall. But, when I look at photos of other Pickle models, I think you're right on base with them. Companionway is probably the term we're searching for.

 

[Starcamper]

Well, to my eye, the deck houses look off--too tall. But, when I look at photos of other Pickle models, I think you're right on base with them. Companionway is probably the term we're searching for.

I spoke with a gentleman at Adepticon this year who had the same comment, and he provided some practical context. At the steep angle which the windows are mounted, waves washing over the deck could actually break the window panes which is why you typically see low profile skylights with a shallow peak. I don't know if there is any historical basis to the tall deckhouse on pickle models or if it all stems from the design of the Caldercraft Pickle model. I'm tempted to change the style and remove the one directly abaft the Mainmast.