Part 1: The Ship
As a long time gamer and a long time Hornblower fan, for many years I have wanted to bring the two together with some 28mm scale skirmish gaming based on our Naval hero. Over the last year or so we have been working on the initial releases for doing just this.
We have started with a model of a typical cutter from the Napoleonic period, ‘The Witch of Endor’ plus miniatures for British Royal Navy, French Navy and Barberry Pirates. If the range is successful, we have many more ideas including multi-pose officers, Royal Marines, Spanish Navy, Coastal Battery Gunners & Sentries, Coastal Fortifications, Guerrillas and much more.
The ship is typical of the purpose built large cutter’s built for the Royal Navy between 1777-78, her 10 gun ports can either carry four pounder of six pounder cannon and she can also be equipped with between six and twelve half-pounder swivel guns, commanded by a Lieutenant with a compliment of 60 to 80 men depending on ordnance carried.
The model kit is based on a single piece resin hull with metal fittings and cannon. The masts and spars are made from different diameters of dowel or bamboo. Some sanding or planning is required to achieve the tapers and profiles. The sails were made from 80g copier paper. covered in watered down PVA glue and Japanese tissue paper.
The rigging is a mixture of thread an 1mm elastic cord. I have made my sails detachable so that she can be used at anchor or alongside with sails furled or flaked down onto boom, or carrying sail if underway. I felt that the extra effort was worthwhile as I want to use her in cutting out scenarios where she will be anchored or alongside a quay as well as boarding actions against the Barberry Pirated in there Xebec. In the photo below we see her flying a Jib, Staysail, Square Sail, Top Gallant & Gaff but with mainsail furled ready for action.
At the moment, this is a prototype, and the only model in existence. We are really interested in your thoughts and feedback, both on the ship and the miniatures range as we are evaluating if there is enough interest to put them into production so please use the comments section to let us know what you think, positive or negative about this model and what else you would like to see in a Hornblower inspired 28mm miniatures range!
That’s a cracker! I expect it will be “above my paygrade”, as they say (I’m a pensioner, so limited hobby cash!)
But I *do* think both this ship, and the figures, will have a following, and especially if/when you bring out a Barbury Pirate ship & figures.
Great stuff! ?
Very interested in this!
Perry Miniatures has British Marines & landing party but no crew figures.
It will be a great addition to my early Napoleonic collection.
A very interesting addition to the store, Blood and Plunder have declared an interest in expanding their timeline to 1816 so this the crew and any extras would be appropriate. There are several other manufacturers out the and rules but I would like to see what else is anticipated as Sally 4th have some excellent products.
I’m very interested in these figures and ships, as well as price and availability .
I’d also be interested in French and Barbary pirates and ships.
The ship appears well designed and the sculpting of the figures is very good!