[COR] WTC Brown Bear & WTC Grey Wolf

[Darnok]

No big story this time, just models and technicalities. I have taken the C&C from the WTC Red Fox and came up with a Mk.II design, which I am actually much happier with. The result is not one but two gunboats, still class 1, under nominal WTC control (licensed by me). @Mesabi you have every right to order these as needed, just keep in mind that they are only range 1.

 

The WTC Brown Bear, with a crew of Marines and Volunteers:

 

And the WTC Grey Wolf, of the same design, here without crew:

 

Finally, both ships together, almost too much for my smaller lightbox:

Edited December 8, 2017 by Drunknok

[Dukesc]

The Mk.II design is improved indeed! You have gentler sloping sides and having more oars will certainly help your speed and maneuverability. The blue flag is a nice touch. On the Mk.III, if that is a thing, I would use one more set of hinges and make the front come to a point. If you decided to go longer, it wouldn't look too bad either. You could always add a tiller steer as many of them had as well. Overall good job!

Edited December 8, 2017 by Dukesc

[Darnok]

5 minutes ago, Dukesc said:

On the Mk.III, if that is a thing, I would use one more set if hinges and make the front come to a point. If you decided to go longer, it wouldn't look too bad either.

I have actually played around with both, but did not like the results. There will not be a Mk.III here, but I will take the lessons learned for future projects.

[blackdeathgr]

Yeap, that's a version I vastly prefer compared to your first one 

[Flavius Gratian]

A definite impovement over the previous gun boat! I think you really got the shape right! And it's always nice to have enough parts for two ships!

I had thought about commenting on that one too, but never got around to it. For both versions I particularily like the technique to make the oars longer.

My only criticism would be the "gap" created by the stern hinges. I know it's unavoidable to some extent, but I personally think there is a point where it starts to look odd. A solution could be to not use hinges and instead just have the sides right next to the stern, but then you need some support underneath.

Also, to participate in the Gunboats for the Colonies project they have to sold to the Crown (unless I have misunderstood things). Obviously you don't have to participate to build gunboats if you don't want to, just thought I should point it out.

Edited December 9, 2017 by Flavius Gratian

[SilentWolf]

I am liking the styling of these boats, and the larger version definitely improves on the first. Personally I prefer the ship with the brown interior but making them two different colors was a wise choice to distinguish them. Great job!

 

[Mesabi]

Absolutely fantastic @Drunknok! These are well made Gunboats. Keep up the good work! I want to see you make a big ship one of these days. 

[Bregir]

Great improvement over the mark I, Drunknok. And with the crew, gun and oars mounted, it looks very good. More hinges could make her look even more harmonic, but I think you've done a good job here.

One thing I would suggest for your next vessel is to consider her keel. Virtually all vessels of this period had a centerline keel running from stern to bow, something that can always be seen on the design, particularly at the bow, where you will always see a vertical plank (the keel) where the boards from starboard and port meets.

Other than that, I wish the WTC all the best with their new fleet of gunboat, and suggest that you license them in the name of the WTC settlements. Remember that settlements can own vessels up to their level., so they should be able to own at least one each.

In any case, I am happy to have inspired these builds.