[MOC] Glebe-class 40 gun frigate

[Franco Clarke]

When I first got into building pirate models, the aim was always to build a classic sailing frigate. However, my first attempt didn't quite live up to my expectations, and over the years has suffered from pet damage and is in a sorry state.

With that in mind, I picked up a cheap set of hull parts and set to work building a bigger 40 gun frigate. I took my inspiration from the ever-useful CGH build a frigate tutorial, and Perfectionist's Achille. For colours, I went with dark red, with dark blue highlights, inspired by Zcerberus' Phantom II and the Acheron from the Master and Commander film. 

I proudly present the 40 gun frigate Petit-Acheon.

Unfortunately the dark colours don't photograph too well, but the blend works better in person I'll assure you.

I was particularly taken by the technique of using headlight bricks to attach the cannon flaps, thus bringing everything flush in together, which I will take forward into future buildings.

Which open to reveal a broadside of 14 heavy 24 pound cannons. 

The stern is a good opportunity for nice guilt details, with a pair of 9 pounders for chases.

Up at the front are another pair of chasers, two anchors and heads behind the figurehead. The horse was originally just a placeholder, but as it fit the colourscheme, it ended up staying to the final design.

Behind the foremast is the boatdeck and capstan. In a first for me, I went for a full tiled deck, which does gleam nicely.

Tiling continues to the mast platforms. These were my first attempt at handmade ratlines, so they are still a bit wonky, but they give the masts a good level of stability.

Finally, there is a lantern and a pair of carronades on the poop deck.

I designed this ship digitally, and halfway through the build process I recoloured the model into the same scheme as my older ships. This was a mistake as I quite liked the resulting design, and felt compelled to build it in the flesh. Classes of ships do tend to have more than one member after all!

Hence, I present the 40 gun frigate Glebe!

Immediately, the bright colours come across better digitally, contrasting against one another.

Whilst they are both sister ships, Glebe and Petit-Acheon do have some design differences, learning from the downsides of the first build. I split the broadside into smaller sections, lengthened the ship by a stud, and widened the stern by a stud. 

Although more awkward to build, the odd stud width allows for a more satisfying overall shape.

Another notable difference is the Glebe carries lighter 18 pounder guns on her main deck.

Naturally, she carries a different figurehead, and the anchors are attached differently.

Finally, here are some shots of the pair together.

I hope that you like the new sisters, it's been a long build (twice the rigging was certainly not twice as fun!), but I'm pleased to have them both finally done, and look forward to taking them to shows around the country next year. 

The next step is to finish off the ship of the line, and refit the old Pharaoh.

 

Here's a bibliography of the amazing builds that I referenced in the text, for those not familiar, check out the true masters!