Advisory Note

Please Note: This blog contains poorly painted toy soldiers that may offend those of an aesthetically sensitive disposition.

Monday, 3 February 2025

Paper Sails in the Sunset

I was going to buy some 18-19th century ship models for the next mini-campaign (hopefully to be played later this month), but fiscal austerity had other ideas. Instead some impressions of vessels have been made from materials that were ready to hand.

The Warship Juno escorts troop transports Castor and Pollux

Foam board, cocktail sticks and hearts of oak.

16 comments:

  1. That’ll do the job 👍🏼👍🏼. Looking forward to it.

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    1. Cheers Martin! So am I. Just got to find some time...

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  2. Nice and simple. Looking forward to your next campaign.

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    1. I trust that’s not a Tina Turner misquote … 🤣😂
      Cheers,
      Geoff

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    2. Ha! No, but I know what you mean

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  3. Smart looking models. Making models like this make sense if only being used for a one off game. When I first started wargaming, I made a few ACW ships. I found a couple of the cleaning the basement. Awful little models, but they did the trick.

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  4. Simple but great! I love them! More and more I think I prefer the homemade, diy options to commercially produced. It's all too easy to get swept up in adding to the lead/plastic pile when other options exist and, which to my mind, are equally if not more fun.

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    1. Thanks John. Very true, and the lead/plastic mountain of shame is currently weighing heavily on my mind!

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  5. They look the business, Maudlin Jack, and here's the thing: you can make huge - vast - fleets of these vessels. Battles like Beachy Head and Barfleur are well within reach! I've long thought that if I ever get into the warfare of sail, I'd go along the same lines you have. Fleets of thee would look good.

    One of the reasons for my building my own ships, vehicles, buildings and game boards is that it leaves money to spend on other things.
    Cheers,
    Ion

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    1. Thanks Ion - I aimed to have some ships to symbolise an invasion fleet and perhaps participate in a combined action, however I do wonder if a little Naval engagement might be fun?
      Despite my nautical avatar, I know very little of things maritime!

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  6. Any hints as to specifically what your campaign will be? All naval, or naval & land? How many ships per fleet etc?
    Cheers,
    Geoff

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    1. Geoff, the aim is to fight a H&M mini campaign using similar rules to the Hare & Hounds system that Bob Cordery developed only with a fictitious map rather than the H&H board itself. Mostly land battles but may see a little naval action.

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  7. Simple and really great looking!
    I'm a fan of budget wargaming, but things you make yourself is not only cheaper, but they're unique and tends to look good too.

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    1. Cheers Roger! I enjoy thinking how to make the model but the actual model-making can be a bit frustrating for me!

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