I officially started work on my kitbashed Maiden. I'm trimming six inches off it, and removing a master, to make it more of a brig (or so - not being a nautical guy, a brig seems close enough). My plan is that eventually this will be the PCs boat in a 50 Fathoms campaign, but let's face it - that is just a handy excuse to build the thing.

Here is the link to my gallery: http://wwgallery.pcinfoman.com/index.php?cat=10024

I will post periodic updates. I expect this ship to move along much more quickly than the first one did, not just because of size, but because of familiarity with the Maiden build process. Comments, questions, suggestions welcome.

I should note that all kitbash work has been/will be done post-print. I had my laser printer print this out (it looks so nice that way and saves the ink stains on my fingers), so any/all modifications will be done to the preprinted sheets. Should make it interesting when doing the hull.


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The first pics posted are of the decking, glued to foamcore. As simple as these shots look, I had to make a lot of my design decisions before I made the first cut at all, and these are a reflection of those decisions. The big decision was how much to trim off (six inches), where that trim would take place on the deckplates (and next, on the hull), and where the masts would end up.

I decided to move the fore mast back a little bit by eliminating the far forward mast (the one that usually goes through the forecastle), and effectively sliding the mainmast forward. I say effectively, because what I really did was just trim my six inches from that mast forward. This gives me two masts, somewhat balanced in placement on the ship.

The other big decision I made was to remove the forecastle completely. This means I had to do some work on the main deck to cover the whitespace where the forecastle walls need to be glued, but I discovered that the top of the forecastle has the exact same texture pattern as the fore main deck, so I ended up gluing that on top of the decking - that also gave me the added bonus of adding the lightvents up front, an effect I very much like. There is a close up shot of the forward section of the main deck in the gallery.


Edit: I actually cut those pieces out last night (late) after I shot these pics, so I'll try to get pics of those up tonight. They might not get shot until tomorrow though; tonight is the Serenity sneak preview.

Interesting project you got going here...can't wait to see the rest.
"The Maiden" is such a cool model and it has a lot of kitbash posibilities

Greetings and keep us posted,
GRUUSMH

Thanks for the comps, folks.


I uploaded a few new shots and a few more descriptions. The decking is now cut out, and I've started on the hull. I'm trying to figure out exactly how to trim the hulling for best effect, re: ratline ledges and the side ladders.

One problem with moving the forward mast back is the existing forward ratline ledges. I might actually leave them in, and have them as "undisclosed" forward ledges or something. The new forward ledges are easy, since I cut away from the middle-mast forward, the previous middle ratline ledge now becomes the fore one.

For the side ladder, I think it moves way back, to just fore of the stern castle. There is already an access way there - I could just cut the ladders out, match the texture and glue them right onto the side of the ship. Assuming the textures are close (and roughly eyeballing them, they are), that should actually be fairly simple.


I have to say, it is astonishing how much faster this one has gone than the previous Maiden, even with the planning and modifications. Especially the hull - I remember on the last one how long it took to cut and glue the hull, and then attach it.

Oh - and suggestion to you Maiden first-timers. When you glue the forward hull on (and all those tabs), start from the middle, not one of the sides. Your curve will come out better and more balanced, and its easier. (Or at least, it was for me.)

New pics added: http://wwgallery.pcinfoman.com/thumbnails.php?album=99

The ship is basically done. I need to add ratlines, do some masts and sails, add the Maiden figurehead to the bowspirt, and that is that, as they say. Some of the closeups are interesting - you can see where some of the modifications were made to shorten the ship up.

I like the look of this. Compared to the larger maiden, it definitely looks ... stubby, especially w/out the forecastle. Its not a bad look, but it definitely conveys a different feel than a normal maiden. When I'm done I'll post a few shots of the two of them together.

Very interesting....can't wait to see the big maiden together with the small one

Greetings,
GRUUMSH

Excellent work, Robby! Can't wait to see it all put together...

genius_robby indeed!

Wow! Lookin' really good, Robby!

You've done a really good job of making things pretty seamless. It looks like a more maneuverable ship, for tighter quarters.

Cool!

I updated the pictures, not with the very latest (which came out terribly - I'll have to reshoot), but at least they are newer pictures, and show everything but the completed masts.


Take a peek:
http://wwgallery.pcinfoman.com/thumbnails.php?album=99

YAY, more pictures, chuckle ! That is very close to what I am doing with my maiden kitbash, though there will be distinct differences in the ships which will be obvious once I get mine done. I think that this is a very cool kitbash Robby, can't wait to see her finished. Your kitbash will be far easier to be built by most than mine will. I have a lot of work to do on mine, the hull has turned into a very interesting project, but it's coming along.

Looks great, robby!

If you feel like, you may want to do something about that bowsprit... it's not really supposed to just *stops* like that. It's supposed to look like it continues on through the wall of the forecastle. WIth the forecastle gone, you could try placing it lower and/or at more of an angle, so it digs into the deck instead.

Wow! Can't wait to see the new, new pictures!