Scale and variety?

[Duncan]

Can I ask about the scale of the ships? I know that they are stated to be 1/450th scale and together they do look fine. However looking for variety at what else is available at that scale, (not a lot.) the few items I have found seem to be considerably bigger than the PP ships, like half as big again, this including the Revel Spanish later galley, which one presumes would be about the same size? I know that they are not supposed to be large Napoleonic era wooden wall type ships, rather earlier mostly trading type vessels.
I do have a couple of metal ships that I think are from the old Man o War Bretonia range and they are are very similar in length to the PP ships and work well with the PP sails. I understand that these were supposed to be around 1/600th?
So has anyone else found other ships that fit well with the rest of the rangeland can add a little variety? Don't get me wrong, I do like the PP ships a lot, but I like to have a few other varieties so that it seems like not everyone is going to the same shipyard for their vessels.
Does Martin plan to add a couple more designs with the rules updates? Maybe as we were discussing the other night some galley typescript some Mediterranean pirate action?

[martin goddard]

Good question Duncan.

Here is some background information that might be of use.
I decided what sort of size the ships should be in game terms. then searched around for an 'appropriate" scale. I then decided to make up a new scale (i expect others had used that scale, but not for ships). Remember this is back in 1990 ish.
So i came up with 1/450th.
The ships in the PP range all represent smaller ships common to the pirate battles envisioned.
The oared galleys and victory made in 1/450th by Heller (?) are correctly sized and show the huge difference between ocean going and coast going ships. he ships i the PP range would interact very rarely with frigates and such. Notice the leap in size between medium and large (resin model) merchant ships.


In many ways the PP range deliberately does not match any other ships out there. However i believe the later produced "pop out" (wizards of the coast) card models are similar. warhammer type ships may well match too and would be welcome on the tabletop. There is also the chance to scratch build.
The PP range covers all the ship types needed.  However there are numerous similar types to those made that can be built. they are however just variances on the major types made.


hope that helps.


The best book to see is the TIME LIFE PIRATES.  Recommended

[Duncan]

So how did you start with making the ships? Could you give us some pointers for scratch building, as I have not done much with ships before. What I mean is NOT the type of ship, but more what did you use to construct them?
Did they start as a rectangular shape and get sculpted out, or as a smaller one and get bits stuck on, or card layers built up or how? Obviously I can experiment but a heads up on a good starting point would be useful?

[martin goddard]

Not sure if it will be any of use to you but here is my secret.
I cast up a sheet of deck planking.
Gave it curvature to match what the ship should be.
Built up sides above and below with wire.
Cast it up, fuss it about and then re-cast. Fuss about again and then re-cast once more. They were done more than 25 years ago though.

If making ships for yourself i would suggest laminating thin plasticard layers. One of those layers being deck planking. Make sure the layers have curvature or the ship will fail in the visual aspect. The lowest dip is usually forward of half way.

that should give you something to go on with.