The sight of a Viking longship was seen as a sign of terror and destruction to come. Hopefully this one will do much the same to my wargaming buddies.
Constructed from balsa wood and cardboard over the past few weeks this longship has been designed to be mainly a “backdrop” piece for our games between the Vikings and Saxons. I was originally intending to make two but having spent so long making this one, I think one will do. I have, however made the mast removable. By leaving out most of the rigging, changing the mast is an easy operation. One mast with the sail rolled up for when on shore and two masts when at sea. You may notice that the oars are difficult to see, that is because they are stored under the deck boards at present.
It was difficult to decide on the size of ship to make. I needed something big enough to carry a dozen- or-so Vikings and still look the part. I drew out a rough plan for the base and then made it up as I went along. The dragon head became the most expensive part of the whole operation. First having to pay for a McDonalds “Happy Meal” and then having to pay again to get the toy from my son!
Roll on the first raid...
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| The Vikings are coming. |
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| Rough seas. |
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| On the high seas. |
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| Converted slinger figure to steer the ship. |
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| McDonalds Dragon head. |
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| The loot. |
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| The raid. |
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| View of the deak. |
Very nicely done my friend, good mast head, good work, I like the sea effect.
ReplyDeleteGreat longship. Really nice modelling and painting. Looking forward seeing it in action here. Inspiring stuff
ReplyDeleteReally looks cool! Now get out there and finish pillaging!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Great photos and figures,the longship is very well done and the sea effect is great!
ReplyDeletethat's nice.. wish i was a kid again so i could play with them :)
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent!!! The idea with the dragonshead is inspired!!!
ReplyDeleteCheers
paul
That is sweet! good work mate!
ReplyDeleteSimply inspiring! I looked at sratchbuilding a longship, then shied away from it once I realised how much work that was and bought some resin ones instead! Very very well done. I'll pinch your idea of having two masts with both set and furled sails available too- thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also like you deck cargo covered with tarpaulins - is that just material with a PVA covbering? Simply, but very effective.
In short, I love it to bits! Now lets see it in action :-)
Very nice.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter tends to get a lot of presents from Dad that are already penciled for the craft board.
Cheers
This is great! Well done both in making the longship and presentation! Do you have or do you plan a tutorial on how you made the dragon ship?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing it in action on the tabletop Rog. I guess a village to plunder is next on the modelling agenda.
ReplyDeletegreat stuff! I think I can see Kirk Douglas and Ernest Borgnine in the prow!
ReplyDeletePretty awesome job
ReplyDeleteQuite spectacular work on the ship and crew!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work! Clever use of 'other materials' for the dragons head, nice sea effect, and clever use of photoshop(?) to put in the sky background.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
I may look to do something similar but painted white for Lord of the Rings Elven and Gondorian forces.
regards
Scott
Very nice indeed! I've always wanted one of those! Consider yourself a bit envied!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments guys.
ReplyDelete@ Paul of the Man cave, deck cargo is just chunks of balsa wood glued together with a tissue paper covering. Then watered down PVA glue, then paint.
@Irish Knight, Didn't plan on a tutorial, so the only photos are of the finished ship. Probably should have taken some along the way.Could put something together if there is the intrest.
@Watzup, village is under way. You will see it soon.
Came through OK, house is already damaged so didn't notice anything new - usual power\water issues for a day or two. Hope you and yours are OK.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Paul
Love youre viking longship and youre viking miniatures they look good :)
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hobbyworker
Hi Rodger
ReplyDeleteVery impressive longship, specialy thet you scratch built it !!!
I hope you payed your son good money for the Happy meal toy;)
Best regards Dalauppror
OMG - that's a great piece of craftsmanship. i applaud u n am envious of that ship with that great dragon head!! also i'm in total alignment with you on the long ship being a 'backdrop' for our viking campaigns. i've posted a series of articles on my blog (http://thehistoricalminiaturist.blogspot.com/search/label/Vikings). brilliant use of blue plastic to simulate sea waves. great job!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I had a long good look a these pics. Great build and the pics on the carrier bag sea are great.
ReplyDeleteThose guys better watch out, those ships are coming in fast!!!
ReplyDeletethat is so freaking awesome - can't wait for more of these
ReplyDeleteSuperb Rodger and always good to see someone making their own models.
ReplyDelete