ZCerberus

Well Phred and I live in two neighboring states in the US, and we have offered the most insight into the American prospective on the term, so wouldn't it make more sense for you to come live here? plus I don't speak Dutch, German or French, and your English is obviously very good, so I think it would be a lot easier for you to try out Minnesota... or Wisconsin if you HAVE to.

Thanks B. I think one Thing I really am going to change though is the gate houses on the harbor section. I think they need to be more grandiose than they are now. Stay tuned!

Yes I think a lot of native Americans don't care about using the word Indian. Just like most African Americans aren't offended by being called black here in the states, but it is something to be aware of anyways. I don't think the title needs to be changed, I just thought I would mention it in case it became a problem, which, seemingly, it will not be.

I love land based MOCs! keep us updated!

Man, there is a lot of "Pirates" bashing going on here! Has it not occurred to anyone that what we are doing here is largely romanticized or "fantasy" Pirate building? Though I do not believe there is anything critical to the movie in what I am about to say, Imperial Scouts has pointed out that what I say could be a spoiler, even if a very small one. So if you fear that I will divulge too much information please stop reading and go see the movie first! BEGIN SPOILER ALERT-- I have, in fact, already seen PTOC3. Let me tell you, it is long and there are a lot of deals and betrayals, but if you have seen the first two multiple times (I often allow the movies to play in the background while MOCing), you will be able to follow well enough to enjoy the mayhem. In terms of inspiration for MOCs here... there are certainly a lot of ships and battles. The British ships, much like the Dauntless and Interceptor in POTC 1 are very realistic and there are a lot of chances to see ships and one very crazy battle. The flagship of the British fleet, the Endeavor is is a yellow and blue ship-of-the-line. You don't get many chances to see it, but it certainly looks good in case you want to see a ship-of-the-line in action for MOC inspiration. If you did not see POTC 2 a couple of times, I would hesitate to go to POTC 3 without watching POTC 2 once or twice to get your bearings. END OF SPOILER ALERT-- I guess ultimately I just hesitate to see "fantasy" as a good reason to not see a film, especially when you must be open to some interpretation of what a pirate is as a fan of Lego pirates suggest you are open to some fantasy interpretation!

So before Phred spotted the Phantom I was working on the right fortress addition to Fort Brighton. My current plan is to retrieve the other sections to the fortress over memorial day set the whole fella up on Monday night on Tuesday. Here is the progress on the right side... and some more progress... I removed the bell tower on the old new section as you can see. I wasn't feeling that rear section so much. I like it better with the roof design I replaced it with. I think it fits with the rest of the fort better. I moved the bell tower to the new new section of the fortress, but the bell is perhaps too small for that section. I have an idea to shore it up a little later... a shot of the removed bell tower section on the old new rear fortress section... Of course, those who know me, won't be too surprised that the new roof is magnetic where the bell tower was on the old new section! I am low on red plates so one side of the roof on the new new section isn't done, and the lack of black plates means the dock isn't done... here is the proof! Still, progress is progress!! Comments still welcome! EDIT: Because of a need to rush out to see POTC 3, my spelling was less than wonderful on the unedited post. hopefully it is better now!

Survey says... SES for me... I have always like the Skull Eye Schooner... even if it isn't a schooner! Some maybe thinking I would pick an Imperial ship of an Imperial fort, but sorry, I have to take the prettiest ship that was out there... even if it is a pirate vessel. And I never owned the Imperial Trading post, so I can't claim it to be my favorite.

Well I guess it is because in the US Indian is the politically incorrect word for the group of peoples know as Native Americans here in the US. It appears here the word is being used for a general island or indigenous person, but it means a person of Native American descent here. I guess the word 'Indian' maybe offensive for a couple of reasons... 1) The term in the US was believed to be used because the explorers thought that had reached India. I think Indian could be short for indigenous or something, but the first explanation appears to be the one associated with the people in the US... anywho, Native Americans are not from India (well they MAY be descended from Asian groups, though many native peoples may dispute that as well, but strictly speaking they are not from India) so calling them Indian is like calling an Australian an African, it is just not correct in any sense of the word. 2) The term maybe stereotypical in the sense that it associates all Native peoples as being the same in some way. To compound the problem, this 'sameness' was often times seen as some who was a savage, or ruthless and completely uncivilized (whatever that term means). The various Native American tribes had different identities from each other as well. Each nation had its own name and customs and grafting a general term upon all of them (not that Native American doesn't) that is seemingly associated with a savage and ruthless kind of person is offensive in that sense. That is just the American prospective I guess. I think it is like calling the Inuit people of Canada 'Eskimo', it is a term invented by outsiders for a group of people who don't appreciate it being placed on them as they already have a name and perhaps even different origins and traditions from other people seemingly inside the same group. Indian maybe a little worse because of the negative connotation the word has in the US due to stereotyping. It doesn't offend me because I know you wouldn't use the term in the sense of trying to offend, I just thought you should be aware that it could be offensive to some people, Native American or not, who may have adverse feelings towards the term. Wow, that was a lot of explaining! I guess a Native American would further say that the Islander subtheme is in no way a Native American sub theme, so even calling Islanders Indians would be wrong to a certain degree. I also would like to say something to Hans the Great... Hans, my friend, take it from a member who had a few run-ins with the law (Mr. Phes that is) when he was a younger member, even if you are feeling like a MOC is not the bees knees, or is getting too much attention for some, or any reason, just try to be kind, and explain what you do or do not like. People have different resources and different skill levels, and no space in the forum is ever wasted on something that someone has created to share, even if you believe it is not as "good" as another MOC, whatever that may mean. Believe me, people will vary the criticism and comments based on the skill of the MOC builder. I have taken some criticism on some of my MOC that I would never dole out to a MOC builders first ship. I think you may find, as I have, that smaller ships are harder to build in many ways, and there are many good ideas on this ship as I mentioned above. The general shape is correct, the colors are excellently coordinated and Duke's picture taking skills are very good. This MOC may well some day inspire Duke, or others to create the next great MOC on the forum here. I think you will become much more respected if you contribute honestly but mindful of the fact that our skill levels and resources aren't the same. You can say that you believe the ship too bulky if that is your true feelings, but then suggest something that Duke could try out to make the ship look more sleek! I don't mean to lecture, but since the Native American thing got me started, I thought I would try to tie up the loose ends! To Duke: Do you have any future plans for this ship or your next MOC?

Very cool, very fun, very playable MOC. Double bonus points for you!

He doesn't have to run from me, we can make an alliance. I could use the ground forces! I've got three different caliber cannons on the Phantom now. But you can also put carronades like on Phred's ship. Do a google search for the USS Constitution or follow some wiki links on this site to the USS Constitution page for a look at those guys. They are short, light guns with a large bore. They aren't on wheels like regular cannons, but instead on a carriage that allows the guns to slide back to allow for reloading. They are kinda like the shotgun of cannons! Of course, being the master index builder, you have undoubtedly seen these links! I mean we even have a thread that discusses said differences right here in our forums! Aren't we pirate geeks! Anyway, I might consider a couple of carronades on the top deck and a few small caliber long guns up there.

Thanks Phred, that is not a bad idea. I have seem them stagnate forward on Ships of the line and what not in various pictures, but I guess I didn't notice as much on frigates. I am still trying to settle on a design for the upper masts. I suppose, it would not be overly hard to do at each mast platform if I should so choose. Did you do the same on the DDW? I don't really want to use the Lego masts, though it sure would be easier!

For me, I think Mr. oo7's tone did seem a bit harsh, but at the same time we don't need spam on the forum either. We can always just ignore a topic we don't like, but at the same time, it is a bit annoying. I think Mr. Phes had the right idea. If Islanderboy wants to support the islander cause, he should post in some of the already excellent islander MOC threads to encourage that discussion! I also agree with Scout, we should see some pirates before more islanders. I would support the islander cause if it meant pirates were on the come back trail!

Greetings from across the sea!! I actually think small ships are harder to make in some respects, so I always enjoy seeing a little boat! I guess I would say that the log bricks are quite actually going the WRONG way for the ship too look authentic (vertical instead of horizontal) but I have always said I will take something that looks good over something that is highly authentic any day of the week. As for the name, I think people in the US would consider the name of the ship to be politically incorrect. It doesn't bother me, but just so you are aware, there maybe people who would think it offensive or something. Anywho, I like this ship, it bows in where it should, it is well color coordinated and you even did some building at an angle. All important techniques for ship building, so I would say you are well on your way to Pirate greatness! Oh and don't worry about being in anyones 'league' we all realize people have different levels of Lego resources and experience. Even a small ship can be a big contribution! Keep MOCing!

This ship is good for a first Pirate ship MOC indeed. Yes Phes, the cabin maybe slightly too tall for its length, but it doesn't bother me that much, I don't think this one will capsize because of its height! I like the color coordination, the figurehead, the angled railings up front and the overall feel of the MOC. I think the fenced railing pieces on the main deck look good. I also like all the different colored birds you seem to have lying around! The figures also look very nice. I guess I also agree with some of the less positive comments. I think the sails are too low (or the cabin is too tall)/ I also wonder about the sail plan. I realized you probably had limited sails, but the triangular guy on the fore mast and the way you attached the sail in the back is a little odd. Over all, this is an excellent first ship! Believe me when I say some of my first boats were far less well received! Keep MOCing!

Thank you friend! I think my MOCing skills have increased over time. So a brief update... I am trying to get the masts tall enough for the length of the ship. this what I am thinking now... I am not sure I will use the Lego masts, I might do all brickbuilt, though the Lego ones would certainly be easier... but this should give you an idea of the height I am planning on using. Here is shot of the Torso Mosana did. I wasn't overly careful when cutting them out, so I may have to redo a few, but the design is just what I wanted. I don't like the guy with the glasses though, I will switch out his head! The mizzen mast wasn't cooperating. I realized it should be up on the quarter deck, so I had to stretch the quarter deckdeck... again... the interior of the stern cabin is still the same size, but the decking above it is stretch by about 8 studs. As a bonus, it is now easier to get back behind the stairs to operate the guns behind them. EDIT: I have made some changes since the pictures... I moved the Main mast back 2 studs. I moved the mizzen mast forward 3 studs. I heightened the foremast by 4 or 5 studs.

Yes it is. I can't seem to find the right program to print it at the right size though... back to the hunt! EDIT: I found the right combo of options to get them to the right size. Look for them on Phantom updates!

Well I was considering using a red torso, so imagine the design under those conditions could be slightly different? I mean using the white differently or something... I just wanted something a little different to distinguish them from my other sailors. The design on the the link from above is a little different from the Lego version

Well you certainly have done a lot for us! Besides the template from Fordo, I also know of a brickshelf folder with lots of custom clones, some of which have waist capes. Here is a link. Click me! I would look in the ARC folder for some ideas for waist capes. Here are a few shots of what you will see in there... As for me... I think the only torso I am interested in would be a British Marine like this one... Marine. That is what I would like to see if you have some time!

Well there are both inverted slopes and some plates that are angled on hinges... let's see if I have a picture somewhere... Here is a close up, you can see that the first bit is plates on hinges, then it switches to inverted slopes with bricks. The ships sides slope in, well at least a little bit, so there is a slight tumblehomme effect, but it is hard to tell because it is so slight. this pic is 1600 x 1200 so click the thumb to see the slight tumblehomme...

Ha, yes yes, I fixed it in my post! But you SHOULD build a ship this nice... someday... ;-)

Will I think he has a date with the brig, so you won't need to feel left out of THAT fun ;-)

Mini update. I got some bricks for the stern, so I reworked that, it is still a little TOO black at the very back, so I am going to try to figure out something to work some red in there! Also had the plates to finish the mid section. Masts and detailing come next! I also have my first celebrity visitor! there is a chance he is going into the brig! ;-)

You can always build custom cannons! We have an entire index of those as well!

I also forgot to say your picture taking skills are quite excellent! We should add Photo snapping pro to your title to go along with the index building thing. I think I will need to snap new photos of my ships outside from now on! well... finished ones at least!

Very nice Mr. Moderator! I love the pennant on top! The flag and name plate on the back are also excellent! I think I would be somewhat tempted to make the main mast a little smaller though. I think maybe I have always built my masts a little on the short side though, so maybe it is no biggy! I might also throw some guns up on the main deck to be a little more intimidating! Those would be 'swivel guns' my good sir.