Merchantman conversion

[TexaS]

My first attempt at modling since I got rid of the cast.

19212

19213

19214

19215

It's HMS Sybille converted by adding a 1.5 mm thick sheet of plasticard on the bottom and removing every other gun and all on deck. It might not be entirely correct but it gets the idea of a heavier ship with less guns across I think.

There is some touching up left to do.

[Torrence]

Clearly no warship! :sly:

I love how you made the hull look more massively and the number of guns is just perfect for a bigger merchantman. The brown-beige yards give her a very un-Navy like appearance!
More and more people are starting to build their merchants by taking cannons off the frigates... Maybe time for a "how to"? :question: The optical effect is superb!

[Nightmoss]

A very nice first effort! :thumbsup:

[AirborneEnginee]

Nice work!

I had not considered converting a frigate by closing gun ports. Have you considered using 1/1200 Ships of the Line to convert in a similar manner? I have a couple of old ones lying around and may try to get rid of ports and such.

[TexaS]

I actually left the last two guns on deck as it was too tight to remove them without removing the mizzen mast.

It's not that hard to make it. Drill a hole in the plastic sheet. Put the ship on it and draw a line along the bottom of the ship. Remove ship. Cut out. Glue in place and remove any parts of the sheet sticking out. I used a scalpel to cut away the guns on the deck just cutting towards the rail. Paint. Rig. Finished.

Well the "work therapist" said I will not have full use of my right hand until this summer so I'm happy to be back in the saddle aready.

I have thought of buying metal 1/1200 merchantmen and use as is. They would just be a little smaller. It would be my first attempt at metal ships since I failed miserably fifteen to twenty years ago.

When 50 and 64 gun ships of the line get available they would be good to use as East Indiamen.

And thank you all for your kind words.

[Herkybird]

That is a very fine effort! Well done Sir! :salute:

[Bligh]

That solves the problem of a Merchantman then Jonas.
Glad to see that your hand is recovering well.
I am going to try a 74 cut down to do an Indiaman.
Rob.

[Herkybird]

I am sure all this modelling, if not taken to extremes, will be good for your hand's recovery. Just work till its tired, then rest before working it again.

I think I will wait now till the 'official' merchantman is released, rather than copy your work, excellent though it is!! :beer:

[TexaS]

Oooh! Rob, you want to try your hand at your own razee? I think I'm not the only one wanting pictures if you do.

But you don't even need to cut down a two decker. The East Indiamen were of the same size as ships of the line. Ideally you'd use a 50 or 64 gun two decker, but that will take a little while.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Indiamen

[Herkybird]

Oooh! Rob, you want to try your hand at your own razed? I think I'm not the only one wanting pictures if you do.

But you don't even need too cut down a two decker. The East Indiamen were of the same size as ships of the line. Ideally you'd use a 50 or 64 gun two decker, but that will take a little bit while.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Indiamen

I imagine the amount and weight of cargo would have a bearing on how high the ship would float in the sea, as would the salinity of the water, so it may not be necessary to increase the height of the vessel, other than for aesthetic reasons? :question:

[TexaS]

The reason I raised it is that they were often high. Yes, they were lower in the water but think of it as a low two decker rather than a high single deck frigate. One of the reasons I wanted to use SGN105 was due to the rigging. There are no royals on this model and royals were not commonly used by merchants to my knowledge.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/The_%27Earl_of_Abergavenny%27_East_Indiaman%2C_off_Southsea.jpg

Quite like a third rate.

[Herkybird]

Dont worry, I like it!, if I had your patience and skill I may have done this sort of thing myself! :drinks:

[Naharaht]

Good work, Jonas! You have not lost any of your skill. :thumbsup:

[Herkybird]

Good work, Jonas! You have not lost any of your skill. :thumbsup:

I doubt if Jonas is able to 'Thumbs up' without great discomfort!!!! :clap:

[Union Jack]

Great work Jonas. Now where can I get a spare frigate.........

[Union Jack]

Great work Jonas. Now where can I get a spare frigate.........

Also armed Merchantmen:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_merchantman
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pulo_Aura
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_4_August_1800

[Bligh]

Very interesting annecdotes Neil.
I am at the moment awaiting the arrival of a 74 to convert into a large Indiaman for my HEIC squadron.
Rob.

[Cmmdre]

Very nice work Jonas. :minis: :envy: