The James Caird (MOC)

[greg3]

Typical…. You spend ages working on a MOC as part of a larger LEGO Ideas submission, and just as you get done, leaks appear suggesting LEGO are releasing the same set as a GWP later in the year! I mean, what are the chances!? Anyway for what it’s worth here’s a few pics of my version of The James Caird.

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to attempt to cross Antarctica. Unfortunately his ship, Endurance, was crushed in the ice leaving the 28-man expedition stranded on a remote island. To get help, Shackleton and 5 of the men set off on an 800 mile journey across some of the world’s stormiest seas in the James Caird, a 22ft lifeboat.

Before setting off they did their best to modify the open topped boat by adding extra ballast, masts/sails and a deck made of packing cases and waterproofed with oil paints and seal blood!

After 17 days, they finally reached an inhabited island and a rescue mission was launched to recover the rest of the men. The skill of the 6 men and the toughness of the James Caird itself have made this one of the greatest small boat journeys of all time.

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

My build is based on photos and descriptions of the boat and features: positionable brickbuilt sails, a cockpit with space for 2 minifigs and a removable deck that allows access to an interior space (which will eventually feature supplies and space for a minifig to lie down)

Obviously I’m going have to rethink my plans to submit the MOC to LEGO Ideas if the GWP rumors turn out to be true but it’ll still be interesting to see LEGO’s take on the subject. (And I have other Antarctic exploration themed MOCs on the go!)

 

[Space Coyote]

Hey that just means you were thinking on the same wavelength as the pros! Really effective use of those plate pieces to build the sails, I'm used to seeing mostly cloth for sails so the brick built variety is always welcome. Great job using the history behind the vessel and its expedition to inform and shape the build's details. Great work!

[greg3]

Finally got around to finishing this off.... it now has an interior which can be accessed by removing the deck or either side to create a "cutaway" effect. Also redesigned the rudder, added a display base and some name stickers. Finally I decided to post it to LEGO Ideas so any support would be very welcome!

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!

[Yoggington]

This looks great. A lot of cleverness packed into a small build.

Just gonna drop the Ideas link here for anyone else who wants to go find it.

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/d757180a-056e-4bc9-89e8-4343f0799c84

[Wout]

That looks really nice. Well done!

[greg3]

23 hours ago, Wout said:

That looks really nice. Well done!

 

On 9/20/2024 at 1:37 PM, Yoggington said:

This looks great. A lot of cleverness packed into a small build.

Just gonna drop the Ideas link here for anyone else who wants to go find it.

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/d757180a-056e-4bc9-89e8-4343f0799c84

Thanks for the comments (and adding the link... wasn't sure if that was allowed!)

Cheers!