So it's been awhile since the reboot post. Part of the delay was figuring out that coming up with clever engaging posts is not the point, getting content out there is.
Thanks to Space 1889 I have an interest in the quaint and sometimes bizarre ships of the pre-Dreadnought period. The Ironclad and Ether Fliers rules from the 1889 family are a little clunky and finding ships has been an issue. That last has changed recently as 3D printing and model design has taken off.
There are a number of excellent ship models available, but they are rather larger than I want. I already have a 1" / 25mm hex, so - why not make my own ships to suit the map? It would also be a good way to re-familiarize myself with OpenScad, a code based design package.
Rules-wise I decided to use Bob Cordery's Portable Wargames Rules, specifically his pre-Dreadnought set - free download here, though I sprang for the full set: Gridded Naval Wargames.
So what were the results?
The first batch were pretty good but needed some tweaking.
 |
| First test hot on the printer |
I went through several iterations, adjusting the models to fit the hex size, adding descriptive text to the bases and making the bases thicker and less likely to fly away on the breeze.
 |
| Works in Progress |
Here is a rough physical timeline of the adjustments made:
 |
| Iterative iteration at work. |
I got to the point where they were not perfect but good enough so painted up a couple of opposing squadrons.
 |
| Fleets in being at last. |
The top row is a fairly conventional Not British at all collection of ships of the line and supporting lesser vessels. Beneath is an escadron de torpilleurs of the Not Gallic Jeune École.
Over this coming weekend, I hope to put them out to sea and test these two competing philosophies of naval warfare.
