Just received a shipping notice from FedEx. Ships expected to arrive this Saturday the 17th. Unfortunately, so is another big winter storm?! Time will tell.
For those wanting to order from US online suppliers Cool Stuff, Inc. and Miniature Market show all ships in stock and ready to ship (as of a few minutes ago). Cheers.
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
Be wary of trusting FedEx--I've got a package via them that took three days and three hours to cover THREE MILES around Salt Lake City and was scheduled to be in Seattle TONIGHT (at least a day and a half by road, more like 2 or 3 taking processing centers and sorting into account), and their "Destination Time" displays indicate not US Pacific but Dubai.
And my package contains stuff that if it leaves the USA somebody's getting hit with an ITAR violation, so they better NOT be thinking to send it to the other side of the globe and back, because I refuse to be held responsible for them not knowing their arse from a bloody hole in the ground...
--Diamondback
PMH, SME, TLA, BBB
Historical Consultant to Ares, Wings and Sails - Unless otherwise noted, all comments are strictly Personal Opinion ONLY and not to be taken as official Company Policy.
YESSSSS! I saw my order was shipped from CSI yesterday and got an today e-mail informing me it should all arrive tomorrow!! Happy, happy, joy, joy!!!
I will keep my fingers crossed for you Jim, and trust that your mail arrives before the storm.
Rob.
Ships arrived today.
Customs did not put the greedy hands on it.
Good news Sven.
I had VAT plus a handling charge to pay, but not as bad as it might have been.
Rob.
"I saw my ships come sailing in for Christmas Day, for Christmas Day.
I saw my ships come sailing in for Christmas Day in the morning!"
Merry Christmas! ... or, in this case, Felis Navidad! may be more appropriate!!!
Ships arrived ahead of the storm, which is a good thing. We're forecast to get up to 12 inches of new snow and then arctic air!? High on Sunday is -4 F then down to -14 F at night!!
I could not resist taking some close up shots of the ship I've really been waiting for, Santa Ana. Up close. Cheers!
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
I'm not convinced that stem is that much better than the old ones but I love that very Spanish stern.
The sheer firepower of that ship is going to take some overcoming.
Her musketry alone is ferocious right down to the wire.
I also like her lines, but am rather afraid that we will get to see too much of them on the table unless we are Spanish.
Rob.
I bought one of those.
The stern is nice and I can imagine HMS Victory demolish it with a nice center broadside.
Even so I think we would need to be first fire double shotted to do any terminal damage Sven.
Rob.
HAH! That's the first box I opened as well!Originally Posted by Nightmoss
One question though ... are the stats on the ship's card correct when compared to the ship's log? The reverse side has more guns and a lesser broadside ... gun size?
As mentioned in other threads there seems to have been some muppetry afoot in the statting of the Santa Ana
David, I'm thinking it's not limited to the Santa Ana ... I've got to admit, I'm a little disappointed in the "HMS Leopard" series. First, the masts will all need reworking with putty to fix the "tops" and the mizzen's gaff seems to reflect a more lateen arrangement, but the STATS again seem to be a bit off. When compared to 32-38 gun frigates, there's no difference in broadside strength (in fact the HMS Sybille EXCEEDS the HMS Leopard).As mentioned in other threads there seems to have been some muppetry afoot in the statting of the Santa AnaSure, the burden is better in most cases and there's an extra space for both the hull/crew tracks, but the firepower is less than expected. As I research what these comparisons ought to be, I'm thinking these 50 gunners (certainly the 64s) ought to start with a center strength of 5. As I always make my own ship mats to incorporate my house rules, this won't be a big deal to fix ... but am I wrong in my assessment?
I haven't nearly the knowledge of the subject that this august group of naval scholars can share, so I'm throwing this query out there for you all to chew on and advise ...
I am certain there is something for us all to chew on as you put it Michael.
Also I am sure that DB will be able to point us in the right direction as to what is behind this.
Rob.
My next favorite ship is the Principe de Asturias, which I actually modeled in Langton's 1/1200 scale back in 2013.
The Ares model and accessories are as follows.
Something I will note here as one who likes to repaint and kit bash models is that the ships I've looked at closely so far will be a challenge for repainting. Waves 1 and 2 plus the special ships have indentations in the hull sides between the gun decks. The ships in Wave 3 (again those I've looked at closely so far) have very fine contours between the gun decks so you're going to need an incredibly fine brush and steady hand to repaint the black deck lines. It's more accurate for scale and representation on the game table, but will be harder to alter if you choose to go that route. Cheers.
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
Very tasty, but not as alluring as yours is Jim.
Rob.
That stern is so much better than the Téméraire!
I love them. Good thing the Spanish had loads of them. I have ordered 2 each of the Meregildos and the 74s.
That should leave you in pretty good shape when you add them to the other Spanish already released.
Did you get two of those as well Jonas?
Rob.
Got mine yesterday!
Rob: No. I found those to be questionable historically. I have one of the Téméraire more to get an alternative paint scheme. I on the other hand can reflag all my 74s so it's just a question of exchanging flags and I can have all the Téméraires I need for any of the fleets.
I'm looking forward to the Spanish 34 gun frigate in the next wave though.
I must seriously look into the expedient of re-flagging of my ships when I get the time.
It is after all a very simple exercise to complete, and as you point out will save a lot of duplication of ships.
Rob.
Just eight hours to go from this..........
to .....?
Rob.
Now you're the proud owner of some new ships.
Indeed I am Sven, and as soon as I can get some sea room on the table I will display them.
I am already deciding which ones need both incarnations of the ship purchasing!
Rob.
Skip a second Bahama... unless you really want to do a raid on Gibraltar harbor, San Juan never put to sea again after being towed in and while titularly a Flotilla Flagship was basically a "floating office building." Her inclusion was done over my protest, under the theory of "beats a blank card back"--even lumping Bahama in with the Gautier 74's not to mention tossing 'em all onto a Bahama sculpt was something I had reservations about. Now that they're on the shelves, though, final decision on the results is up to the market...
That said, she could make a very good scenario-piece for a raid... maybe something like the Headquarters piece in Axis & Allies Miniatures, gives a bonus to her side until destroyed then either a big penalty, or a bonus to the attackers.
--Diamondback
PMH, SME, TLA, BBB
Historical Consultant to Ares, Wings and Sails - Unless otherwise noted, all comments are strictly Personal Opinion ONLY and not to be taken as official Company Policy.
Good advice DB.
Maybe one of the others for a repaint may be better. I am lost without a book on the Spanish as good as our English and French ones.
Rob.
Pretty much the best sources on Spanish ships are Spanish-language only. And since I haven't heard from our Spanish navy expert in months... :(
There are, as previously mentioned, two really good Spansh-language Wikipedia lists that it'd be better if they just simply wiped out the existing English counterparts and replaced 'em with translations.
--Diamondback
PMH, SME, TLA, BBB
Historical Consultant to Ares, Wings and Sails - Unless otherwise noted, all comments are strictly Personal Opinion ONLY and not to be taken as official Company Policy.
Guess I'll just have to get my translator out then DB.
Thanks.
Rob.
Just eight hours to go from this..........
to this.
My Spanish Squadron in full sail.
Just short a couple more 74s and Frigates plus Santisima Trinidad, and all will be well.
Just took a bit longer to win my table back than I expected.
Rob.
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