I realized that I haven't featured my 15mm Renaissance Galleys on the blog since I began it almost 5 years ago. That is in part because they haven't been out on the seas in far too long, and in considering potential games for 2016. it seemed to me it was high time they made a re-appearance. Here are the first two of them
The core of my Galley collection is a set of eight scratch built ships that I bought from Bill Abrams about 10 years ago; the whole set cost me less than $50 if I recall correctly. They were very cleverly designed and executed, being constructed out of wood and card, with removeable masts, sails, and oar banks.
The models were a bit plain. so I spruced them up considerably by painting the stern of each ship a distinctive color, and adding gold trim here and there. Old timers will remember Mr Abrams as the principal contributor to the "Sapper's Corner" feature of The Courier.
I designed a generic crest to go with each ship, printed it out in various sizes, and glued it on to key portions of the ship for added decoration, carrying the same color scheme through the trim, etc of the ships.
I also painted and dry brushed the wooden decks to bring out their wood texture and look better. We'll call this ship the "Saltire" from the design of its crest.
Here's the "Crescent". These two ships are bigger than the other six ones. In the Renaissance, these larger galleys were termed "Laternas", and often carried an Admiral or Squadron commander.
I also added a canon to the bow of each ship, from those sold by Merrimack/Old Glory Shipyard. Most galleys of this era had 1-2 large guns mounted on the bow.
The stern of each ship has a brass tube flag holder mounted on it. To date I haven't used these, but I should get some fine gauge brass rod to make flags for the sterns of the ships some day.
The assorted figures on the ships are 15 mm size; more about them another time. These Laternas are 12' long, 3" wide at their widest, and 7" to the top of the mast. They make a very impressive sight on the table! The oar banks are detachable to indicate oars being sheared off.!
What a fine collection of galleys you have there. Very nicely painted too. I imagine games with those would be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Jason
e have a had a lot of fun with the games. I need to update the rules before use again, which is one of the things that has kept me from using them recently.
DeleteNice. Simple, uncluttered effective design well executed.
ReplyDeleteI agree; I'm sure Bill A. would be pleased with your comment!
DeleteNifty vessels and at about $6 each a true bargain. You are frugal yankee.
ReplyDeleteI actually bought a Merrimack/OG Galleass first at Historicon, after a year's contemplation, because it just looked so cool (we'll see that later), and then when I had to figure out what to DO with it, the opportunity to buy these ships came up. It may have been closer to 15 years ago, as the add was on the old RGMH news board.
DeleteRGMH news board? Now we are talking ancient history! I have not thought of that in a long time. Pre-eBay days, you could still find bargains.
DeleteYes indeed. Some useful stuff there, but as it was un-moderated, more than a few flame wars, too!
DeleteThey look great - nice to see them again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, DEan!
DeleteBeautiful, love the colors...
ReplyDeleteVery nice, and what a bargain! I like those Janissaries very much as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. We'll have a tour of the
Delete"crew" figures eventually - the only 15 mm figures in my collection.
What a bargain indeed, they look great Peter!
ReplyDeleteYes, they were a great deal,. and make a fine show on the table.
DeleteThey look very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Just checked out the ships of your group - these are the MDF ones, right - awesome!
DeleteHe did a lovely job of scratch-building didn't he? Your paint job has spruced them up a treat!
ReplyDeleteYes, he did. The base (hull) of the ships is a shaped/carved blank of wood, and the "decks" are made of thin sheets of ? Basswood nailed on top of that with fine finishing nails. The compartments holding the oar banks seem to be made of heavy card, but are very tough and durable. The holes for the masts are precises drilled and fit snugly. Overall very quality work. Hopefully my paint enhancements have added to rather than detracted from the look of these fine models. We will see more of Bill's ships here shortly.
ReplyDelete