Huge Project. I need help

[Captain Harlowe]

Hello folks!

I am working on a detailed and accurate 18th century ship true to the minifig scale, and I am running out of ideas on some points. I hope, there might be some advise from experienced Legoholics.

I'll list my problems now:

-Figurehead. The main beams a 2 studs wide, and I cant think of a nice gilt (lego yellow) figurehead, either some kind of phoenix or a female person. It should'nt be too big, as it is only a frigat, I am about to build.

-Lanterns and lanternattachment. I'd love to have 3 lanterns, and the basic lanterns design works, i think, nice, but i can not think of a thin and elegant way to attach them to the Stern..

-Cannons. I need ideas what cannons I should use, I'd love to have realistic carriages, and I need two sizes, as the cannons on the quarterdeck should be smaller/lighter than the main armament, and I'd welcom any advice for a swivelgun.

-Rigging. I need some advise to have the masts parts at different diameters, and what parts would be ideal to build working stays, sheets etc. Ans where I could get fabric to make my own Sails

-this and that. some decent furniture (very limited space available, on board) and how to make customised minifigs that look as "LEGO" as possible...

It's a lot of Questions, but I'd Apreciate any help.

Best Regards,

Captain Charles F. Harlowe

[Admiral Croissant]

Some ideas and stuff like that:

Figurehead: The name of the ship could be inspiration for the figurehead. You could put a minifig on in as a figurehead. You can take a look in the ship index (http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=7440) for ways to attach them.

Lanterns, furniture and cannons: Take a look in the index, there is a cannon and a lantern index: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8875

And for the masts: The real lego masts are the best (and there are different diameters). If you build them custom they are often quite fragile.

[Joey Lock]

Ok, Firstly the figurehead should often relate to the name of the ship. Or you could have a look at the contest we had for Figureheads.

Secondly, the lanterns. I would try this thread which discusses the diffrent lantern techniques.

Thirdly, for Cannons i'd search Brickshelf folders I found or Eurobricks indexes of MOCs for ideas.

Forth, Rigging. I'd advise you to use Captain Greenhairs tutorial. And for sails I would go to a cloth shop, like a tailors.

Fifth, I'd search these Captains Cabin contest entries for furniture ideas.

EDIT: Sixth, To make minifigures look good i'd try the Great Pirate Torso Library.

Any further questions, just ask.

Edited August 30, 2009 by Joey Lock

[Captain Harlowe]

Hey, thanks for the advice!

Well, as for the masts, The are ay too short. The lower mast parts shall be white with black bands arround them. the 2x2 and 1x1 bricks would work nicely for the lowest and highest parts of the mast, and the yards, but I need something in-between those diametres. The colour is wished to be any sort of brown, with the joints, done like on original ships, and tops black. To stabalize the rigging, I will ose technic bars etc to keep the pieces from too easily falling apart, and I would make sure that the standing rigging is stiffening the construction.

The running rigging is planned t follow standard 18th century customs and to be 90% functional.

As for the Name, the ship is not yet named, but it will be either "Phoenix" or a female Name.

Thanks,

Captain Charles F. Harlowe

[Erdbeereis]

I'll move this to the MOC forum, it might get the attention of some great ship builders there.

[Captain Harlowe]

But this is NOT a Pirate Ship,

It's a Ship of His Majesty, by whom the Order was given, to hunt down some Thiefs, Pirates and frenchie Privateers

Well, thank you, and sorry for causing trouble :)

-----------

By now I have looked at many Figureheads, and I do not really like many of them, most of them are too chunky/big for my taste. Further, I ran through the written background-story and found the names, in consideration. The most likely one ist

H.M.S. "Seraphim".

The ship is mainly dark brown on the outside due to the natural Paint used to preserve the wood , whilst the Decks already bleached to a light grey. The Interior of the hull is painted blood red. The Decoration is covered with a green paint, and the carvings and decorations are golden-yellow.

Capt. Charles F. Harlowe

[Erdbeereis]

Well, thank you, and sorry for causing trouble :)

No trouble at all. I look forward to your MOC.

[Captain Harlowe]

HiHi, thank you very much.

Well, that will take some time, as Money and Space are limited. Unfortunately I have to work with the LDD for the basics, and struggle with bricks, suddenly no longer available ( D'OH! )

But, i think I found a solution for my cannonrelated problem. I only wonder, if it is tollerated to snip aomething off an otherwise perfect brick

Captain Charles F. Harlowe

[Captain Blackmoor]

It sounds like you've started a nice project! Now let's hope it will be finished soon.

Here is some stuff I have designed not long ago: the ship's bell, a small cannon and a lantern.

I use minifigs as figureheads. A plain, black minifigure with golden accessoires like a crown, key and sword. It looks powerful and it's not too big.

Also a handy tip: Experimenting! Try to find things out like techniques! Experiment with bricks and how to use them with advanced techniques.

My ship for example:

It started with this.

After some time experimenting, the stern looks like this.

Now it's this, in my opinion still not finished. (the oversized flag for example)

The whole build of the stern took several months. Modyfying and changing things every day.

I'd say, get building, and it is never perfect after the first try. After rebuilding it a few times you will see the result is getting better and better.

[Captain Giant Haiku]

how about looking at actual ships to get an idea of the color schemes and the stucture?

[Captain Green Hair]

It is very helpful to get some original frigate plans and build from them.

I am currently building a Dutch VOC Ship in a 1:39, exact minifig scale.

Teddy is also building a 1:39 scale HMS Victory model.

Phred is building a 1:39 scale HMS constitution.

And finally Errorist is building a 1:39 scale frigate.

It might be interesting to look through those topics for inspiration.

Good luck on it, i know that it is far from easy!

[Captain Harlowe]

Hello!

Well, I am quite a Ship-buff ^^ the Problem is that I exactly know, what I want, but I have problems to get the bricks to work the way I want XD

Here is a screenshot from my Project from the LDD, still without Lanterns.

And another one from the Cannons. The one in the foreground is the idea i grabbed from a cannon from this network. The upper three are modified at the muzzle, and are a small light, an intermediate and a heavy gun. the latter I made bigger by using minifig heads to increase the breech diemeter.

I especially like the barrel, as the small 1x1 round directly behind the muzzle appear smaller to the naked eye, than the larger 1x1s, and the miniheads work nicely, at least imho. They also have the perfect size for my masts...I only have to find a way to stabilise them XD. I'd feel cheating, when I'd use drilled holes and steel wire XD

Captain Charles F. Harlowe

[Captain Green Hair]

That looks quite stunning already, i like the use of the green.

I just wonder if it isn't a bit small to be true minifig scale?

For the lanterns you might try and make some antennas stick out the top and then add the lanterns with upside down mounted 1x1 clips.

[Captain Harlowe]

Well, it is a small but deadly frigate^^

The windows you see, are those of the "great" Cabin directly below the poop. The decks height is exactly five Lego (bricks) with some beams coming a little low, as on real ships. In front of the great cabin are 2 smaller cabins, then the semi-open helm. further down to the front you arrive at the Quarterdeck, home if some 6 cannons somewhere in the rage of 6-9 pounders.

The main gundeck is open midships, but has high walls. Here the 20 main Guns lurk in the dark, waiting to brawl at the enemy at any time.

There is also a capstan and space for a small boat. The forecastle is to hold the kitchen, and provide some dry places to work at nasty weather. Also here are places for the crew to sleep.

In the rear part of the gundeck, there are linnensheets to seperate some cabins for some officers, and they have their mess...coincidently, like in master and commander, they have to eat under the rudder-beam^^.

Below the gundeck is the "crouching-only-zone" where some things are stored, works are done and primary sleeping places for the crew are found, also the brigg. Below that, there's only the hold left.

As the Hold is completely, and the middledeck halfway below the waterline, and the ship is going to be a waterline model, these decks may only be build as seperate vignettes. all the other decks are going to be fully equipped.

Captain Charles F. Harlowe, thinks he is crazy to have several sheets of paper background for the ship and crew.

Edited August 30, 2009 by Captain Harlowe

[Captain Harlowe]

Hi again...I am desperate...I was trying to build a figurehead but, I'm just not made for this XD

Is there anyone, who might help me with that?

Best Regards,

Capt. Harlowe

[Joey Lock]

Hi again...I am desperate...I was trying to build a figurehead but, I'm just not made for this XD

Is there anyone, who might help me with that?

Best Regards,

Capt. Harlowe

Well, I'll try one out but I need to know what you want as the figurehead. Do you want a Busty Woman? A animal or a Crest like the HMS Victory?

[Captain Harlowe]

Thank you very much, Sir, I really apreciate that.

I was thinking about a Lady in some long and flowing pseudo-ancient dress and armed with a spear, or sword, maybe even a round shield. but not actually swinging the weapon, but more like resting, waiting for the future.,,, I'm not too good at drawing, but I might do alittle sketch.

Captain Harlowe

[Admiral M]

I like your idea of a phoenix, I might try to make a figurehead to help you, but I'm sure you can find something of use on Classic-Pirates.com, or right here. Your stern looks fantastic, could you provide me a link to the version in LDD so I may steal it?

Edited September 2, 2009 by Admiral M

[Captain Harlowe]

^^

I'm pleased you like it...if you'D give me details, i'd love to make you a personalised version, whateer colour/size/style you like ^^ I also have some unused ones...somewhere on my harddrive.

[Rick]

Your stern design indeed is nice. You don't see green being used that often over here. Anything you feel like sharing will be appreciated. It may give other people further ideas.

[Lorentzen]

Hello!

Well, I am quite a Ship-buff ^^ the Problem is that I exactly know, what I want, but I have problems to get the bricks to work the way I want XD

Here is a screenshot from my Project from the LDD, still without Lanterns.

And another one from the Cannons. The one in the foreground is the idea i grabbed from a cannon from this network. The upper three are modified at the muzzle, and are a small light, an intermediate and a heavy gun. the latter I made bigger by using minifig heads to increase the breech diemeter.

I especially like the barrel, as the small 1x1 round directly behind the muzzle appear smaller to the naked eye, than the larger 1x1s, and the miniheads work nicely, at least imho. They also have the perfect size for my masts...I only have to find a way to stabilise them XD. I'd feel cheating, when I'd use drilled holes and steel wire XD

Captain Charles F. Harlowe

Wow - that looks absolutely stunning. I hope you get around to be buying all those parts someday

[Admiral Croissant]

Do you mean this figure head?

You can use a minifig for it with minifig armory. That's not so difficult. There are some examples in the index.

[Captain Harlowe]

Hi. I found an old LDD file with a half-finished Stern, I'll finish it today, and upload pictures here. You may have the LDD file as well, if you want.

Well, the Suprise'S figurehead is somehow not one of my favorites, I do not like it for any reason...

In general, I am constructing the 17th and early 18th C. sterns in two steps, the lower stern first, and I prefer to use slopes to create a relaively smooth curvature, as seen on originals. Above that, I create first some helping markers to mark, where the real ships outside frames would run, and then I start building the stern. I usually not lean the stern backwards, as this, imo, causes more trroubles with stability and gaps, than i can justify for getting this sloped effect.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Captain Harlowe

[Captain Harlowe]

Hi.

Work is continuing, on both fronts by now, but I now have to fach a new Problem, I have searched the forum and clicked through galleries, but I could not find any good solution for fine gratings seen centered on the decks.

....*please help*

Cpt. Harlowe

[Joey Lock]

Hi.

Work is continuing, on both fronts by now, but I now have to fach a new Problem, I have searched the forum and clicked through galleries, but I could not find any good solution for fine gratings seen centered on the decks.

....*please help*

Cpt. Harlowe

What gratings?