I confess, I was getting lazy. It didn't taking much looking and poking to come to the conclusion that early cogs usually had 1 mast........in the middle of the ship. I thought, well ok so just 1 sail not 2 but I could keep the front mast and add it for 18thC ships. ....mhmmm... well..... oh damn it! Get out the Dremel and various other tools and lets fix it, I'll sleep better. (OK not really, I wasn't that bothered.)
So, here we are:
NOW Can I finish painting them? I think so.
Sometimes you just have to scratch that itch, even when it doesn't irritate you!
ReplyDeleteBoats look good.
Neil
Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing them in action but start from painting, I need to come up with rules for sailing etc. I think it's been about 50 yrs when I last sailed a whaler with a crew of a couple of officer cadets ( midshipmen in most other navies)
DeleteRoss -
ReplyDeleteLooking back at the previous post, and then this, I think you're right about the (main) mast. When I was building - well, making - my 'Ancients' transports, I had the mast placed in the middle. It just didn't look right, even together with the sprit sail up. Do I stepped it forward about half a centimetre (four-tenths of an inch). Looked far better. I think your solution, single mast, stepped a little forward of 'middle' looks about right. On that black and red chappy, the mast seems to be 'balanced' by that large overhanging counter, so it look all right to me.
If you really wanted to crack on extra sail, you might give those bowsprits a look, and see if maybe a spar and spritsail could be added. Just a thought, but the vessels look fine as they are in this pic.
Cheers,
Ion
Thanks for the comments Ion. I based mine on photos of a parade of replica cogs. The majority had the mast in the middle of the hull at the waterline, ignoring any fore or stern castles, so I did the same (as best as I could eyeball it since I could get a rules anywhere near the hull! ) . Very few had much of a bowsprit if any at all. I didn't feel like trimming them or chopping them off my ships so I left them as is.
ReplyDeleteOnly a few of those ships had any sort of raised forecastle and I suspect those ones were based on later, more advanced ships. Most had some sort of stern castle though. (lucky for me)
Ross Mac,
ReplyDeleteI think that stepping the masts just forward of the centre of the ship looks atheistically better than locating it in the centre. I find the same thing with funnels on steam-powered ships … unless it’s on an oil tanker!
All the best,
Bob
Agree with Bob.
DeleteComing along very nicely indeed.
Alan Tradgardland
Thanks Bob, and Alan. I placed it midship at the water level, ignoring the stern castle etc. by happy chance that was also a grating on deck and a hollow area under the deck, making the job easier.
DeleteThat simple shift of mast makes them much more cog like, so good move. I think ideally the sterncastle should be solid sided, as it was intended as a fighting platform but maybe that's a bit nitpicky. Looking forward to seeing these in action.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I was unclear above. By solid sided I was thinking inserting some plastic sheet deck-side of the open railing.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I just went back to look at the couple of photos I was using as a guide, and you're right! Should be able to fix that with some thin cardboard on the inside. Thanks for suggestion.
DeleteHey, we’ve all been there! Sometimes you just need that little push to get it right, even if it’s just a matter of tweaking a mast or two. Sounds like a fun, hands-on project, and I’m sure the end result will be worth it! The attention to detail really pays off in the long run.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re looking for a quick break after all that work, Hungry Shark is a great way to unwind. It’s fast, fun, and totally addictive—perfect for when you want to dive into something a little less... intricate!
The ship in for foreground looks a real treat with your additions, subtractions and painting. The entire fleet will be grand once similar spruced-up.
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
(It looks like you have received one of those innocuous spam comments)
Thanks. At the current rate of progress I feel like an authentic contractor with the government demands constantly changing.
Delete( I did notice the spam but since they seem to have taken the trouble to actually read the post and make a relevant comment, I thought I'd let it stay. )
King's Lynn being a Hanseatic League town we had a visit from a 'real' cog a few years ago - photos might be of interest https://easterngarrison.blogspot.com/2018/08/hanseatic-festival-2015.html
ReplyDeleteThey look fine and I'm looking forward to seeing them in action
ReplyDelete