[WIP] Full Hull Battleship

[Sebeus I]

This project actually started around 9 years ago...

Spoiler

 

So a few weeks ago I began anew. Since I no longer have the ambition to build a Black Pearl I went a little bigger with this one.

I did not use half plate offsets like I did on the previous ship, to keep it simple. This results in the curvature looking a bit rough, especially at bow and aft. Since it's completely black I don't think that will be of much concern.

A brown/reddish brown/dark brown hull is the dream but given the amount of slopes required, it just wouldn't be affordable.

For the superstructure I will recycle my unfinished Lucretia II (second version of Lucretia), the big red one in the back of the picture;

That one wasn't going to work out anyway, feel free to disagree but it is my feeling that a prefab hull just isn't suited to support complete double gun deck ships. I won't attempt that again at least.

With a beam of 26 studs and a keel length of 100 studs, this ship will be the biggest one I've ever built. In terms of prefab hull reference she'll be the equivalent of a 9-midsection ship.

Unlike the previous version, there will be no hold interior, the main reason for that is that, because of accessibility issues on a complex ship like this, it would simply be a waste of parts as no one would ever get to see that interior anyway. I decided to use the lower hold area for more structural reinforcements. The whole hull is a shell resting on the keel and supported by a series of bulkheads throughout the length of the ship. I'm currently looking into some weak parts on the aft but for the rest it is pretty sturdy already.

I'm out of SNOT bricks for the moment, to complete the lower bulkheads but the plan is to completely close off the lower hold with the orlop deck (except for a few openings for the masts). While it would be perfectly possible to build interior on the orlop deck, I won't waste parts on that, given previously mentioned reason. A few planks in the center with a ladder to the gun deck at most.

I haven't decided yet whether there will be 2 or 3 dedicated gun decks, I think she's a bit on the small side to become a 1st rate but we'll see how it evolves.

 

Edited June 22, 2021 by Sebeus I

[GeoBrick]

I like the shape of the stern already.
A keel length of 100 studs? That will make the ship almost at 5x1 dimensions.
How many studs do you plan to put between the gun ports?

[Sebeus I]

50 minutes ago, GeoBrick said:

I like the shape of the stern already.
A keel length of 100 studs? That will make the ship almost at 5x1 dimensions.
How many studs do you plan to put between the gun ports?

If you consider the bowsprit, yes. A hull length to beam ratio of around 1/4 is good for a heavy battleship.

I plan to have 4 studs spacing between gun ports, that would allow for a single deck broadside of 15 cannon. I did consider a 3-stud spacing, which would allow an gunline counting 18 cannon but it's not my intention to cram in as much cannon as I can . 

4 stud spacing is fine. As the ship will have at least 2 dedicated gun decks, that amounts to 60 cannon already. There's some serious firepower coming this way .

Edited June 22, 2021 by Sebeus I

[GeoBrick]

OHHHH... its going to be a seventy-four?
 

[Supersick_]

Yes! So cool dude, can’t wait to see this progress!

[Jack Sassy]

So far looks very nice, would be interested seeing how she comes together in the end.

 

On 6/22/2021 at 9:40 PM, Sebeus I said:

I no longer have the ambition to build a Black Pearl

This sounds rather interesting... 

[kurigan]

Wow is that a blast from the past! Great to see her revived. You've got a great shape going already, something seems smoother on this version. 

Two decks though? Seems like a missed opportunity. With this size and shape, it seems you could have yourself a sweet lil' post ship with 5 or 6 studs between guns 

Dave

[Stoertebricker]

It has a nice shape already even it has not the smoothest surface compared to others but I like that you can see it is made from lego and not using prefab pieces as well. So I am confident it will turn out fantastic!

[VaneStream]

Oooh, love the shape of that hull! With Lego It's always difficult to create a curve along the whole length of the hull but you did a superb job! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on this ship!

[Sebeus I]

On 6/23/2021 at 12:51 PM, GeoBrick said:

OHHHH... its going to be a seventy-four?
 

Perhaps .

On 6/24/2021 at 4:43 PM, Jack Sassy said:

So far looks very nice, would be interested seeing how she comes together in the end.

 

This sounds rather interesting... 

I've built one a very long time ago.

On 6/26/2021 at 2:23 AM, kurigan said:

Wow is that a blast from the past! Great to see her revived. You've got a great shape going already, something seems smoother on this version. 

Two decks though? Seems like a missed opportunity. With this size and shape, it seems you could have yourself a sweet lil' post ship with 5 or 6 studs between guns 

Dave

Thanks!

Actually she's less smooth than the previous version, which had half plate offsets as well. But the curve is a lot better.

I want cannons, as much as possible! 

[Jack Sassy]

2 hours ago, Sebeus I said:

I've built one a very long time ago.

Ah, so this was yours. I've browsed few pictures on internet and was interested about source of this one, since there was only a small, unclear image of her available. Very pleasing job, now that I can see her fully.