Frank Brick Wright

Dear all, I’m very excited to present you my new project. This is going to be a late XVIII century French Frigate. The scale used is the one which I consider the most appropriate for building ships for minifigs, somewhere in between 1:45 and 1:50. This means she'll be some 90 studs long at the waterline which makes her a rather large ship. She will be carrying 36/38 guns, with a gun-deck of 13x2 iron 18-powders and a main deck with 5/6 x2 bronze 12-powders, yet to be decided. I’m using plans by Chapman in his magnum opus Architectura Navalis. The ship is going to be built around a central framework, which takes its support directly from the keel. This framework runs lengthwise and provides for the ship's internal structure and overall consistency. The cool thing here is that everything in the ship, besides the framework, does not contribute to the overall structure and is merely accessory: thus everything but the framework can be removed, making the ship almost fully modular. Neither the hull nor the tumblehome take part in the framework, and thus they can be pulled out, showing a “naked” ship. We’ve seen cut-away models but nothing so modular as this, I think. Because I’m using cb4’s technique (although extended, of course) which is rather space-efficient, the interior is going to be pretty decent as well, and to the scale. Not only the build is supposed to be historical accurate as are also the construction methods employed. I'll be taking pretty detailed photos because there aren't many brick-built ships around. I do not intend to make this a tutorial but at least a useful and complete guide for anyone interested in building a full-ship. I started by laying out the keel and measuring each cross-section with the scale-printed plans. Then I've started planking and added the black beams, which consist the framework of the ship. They are to be connected lengthwise, making a strong structure. The upper holes in the planking consist on the sections which are going to be removable (they are perfectly irrelevant to the structure). On a small technical note, I've developed a new hinge-structure which you can see here: It has the advantage of being tremendously stronger (more than the original-3-4-5 triangles cb4 used) and allows for a clear framework, which then makes the interior possible, as you will soon see. Stay tuned, more updates will come in the next few days.

Wow, lots of discussion about the galleries. Bart is right here. The galleries are no doubt parallel to the keel of the ship. Hum. I'm not sure I understood your point: if you are saying the window section should be one plate higher, that would certainly be feasible and is rather well-spot. In some sources it is as you say; in others, they are level with the last gunport: (note, I do not own this image) The way this is built is really accurate in terms of shape and she is vertical at the waterline at almost every point, as she should. The Revenge is such a beautiful ship but the goal here is a bit different: to make a full-hull ship in an accessible way.

I must say that on the dry-dock she didn't look too appealing to me but now that I see her on the waters… what a beauty!

Sorry for the late response but I'm really not active here. There you go. May I ask what is bugging you? I can show another angles or how they are built in more detail if you want to. (yeah, sorry, this port and not starboard, but they are absolutely symmetrical…)

Well, I don't have much feedback to offer as everything appear to be on its way. You've clearly thought everything through. Your steering wheel looks terrific, I'll try to understand how it's built to get some inspiration for mine Apart from that the boats and the tiling on deck have to be my favourite details… Nice job!

Thanks guys, this kind of feedback is really really important to me! That's a really good idea. I want to add extra detail to the deck. The compass house is a must-do but I really liked the idea of the flags, I think I'll do it. The clips idea is pure genius! Thanks, I'll try to use it here. About the headrails though… I like them as they are I understand you would prefer something a bit more sophisticated but in my reference models the headrails are very similar to mine… I mean, she's a fighting vessel after all I agree with Captain Braunsfeld here, tan won't look impressive… Grey sounds pretty good to me and I'll give it a try but I'm afraid it will look like stone which wouldn't make much sense on a wooden vessel, would it? White is fine and was my initial thought but I think it just doesn't fit too well… I think the definitive one will be in gold (maybe with a silver armour) as you suggested but I'll just experiment around to see what looks better. I've started laying out the rigging. I'll update this topic when there's something interesting to show.

Hi everyone! It has really been a good while since I last made a serious post on this topic. I've been really busy (I'm kinda in a dark age) and this ship requires WAY too many bricks I just can't get around to gather all of them, although this time the end is closed! This means: there are one or two pieces in the wrong colours so don't get too surprised if you spot them. In fact, in all my absent-mindness I've forgot to order 1x2 axles to connect the technic connectors for the spars… which means I've got a ton of these connectors without being able to connect them until the next order I really like the colourscheme!, in particular the spark of colour made by the red over tan on deck. It looks warm. So what is missing on the deck? Not much! The steering wheel, the catheads, the anchors and that's it! (notice the lamps at the stern, I've finally built them) I think I might leave the other side open when she is finished and on display I would appreciate some input here: I'm happy with the way the bow looks and I might just leave it as it is (don't worry about those black plates on top, they are just applying pressure to put the hoses with the right shape). However, it would also be nice to add a minifig/idol here. If this is the case I would go for a white female idol, but I'm not sure there's a neat way to connect it to the ship. Any suggestions?

Whooa fantastic! She really looks terrific. Great view of the stern That two-decked ship on prefabs look very promising, the stern looks quite interesting. A personal opinion here. I support the idea of moving on to other things, such as a two-decked ship or a full-hull or waterline ship. I mean, you've built a ton of fantastic ships of about the size of the Beatrix, and look at her! I think you have explored this genre quite well, you have several one-decked prefab ships that are really good, and the Beatrix is one of them. I'd really like to see ships of other kind from you Or maybe I am wrong and you have to surprise me (still keep in mind that a full-hull ship is waaaaay more sophisticated, you are going to have a tough time if you decide to build one, maybe that's just one more reason to try it )

What a great comic This is brilliant! I had a good laugh

Thank you all for your kind support! This is a very sloppy update but the point is just showing her shape right now! I'm ready to start working on the masts… when the exams season ends back to studying.

What a job! This is absolutely stunning. You rock. Totally.

I have to disagree with the others on the use of the stern pieces. I think they would have look terrific if the colourscheme was red, white, blue, but with the yellow they just look a tad strange to my eyes. I also agree with your conclusion, the front picture shows in particular the problem of the junction from the tumble-home to the prefab. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the narrowness. Prefab ships are always to narrow anyway She looks very sleek and elegant and I'm looking forward to see her finished.

A very clean build, that is sure. I can't wait to see the stern shape in real bricks. I can't help but to be a fan of your tiling and deck details

Wowsers, this is looking increasingly fantastically better. I'd love to see her on bricks one day Go bunnies!

This looks very promising to my eyes. I don't know that much about ships of the line but I'd suggest you get yourself some plans (there are a lot available online for free) or a model ship for comparison in terms of shape and whatnot. She looks rather thin to me--elegant but thin. I think she has the proportions one would expect if built over prefabs. My real advice is to pick some plans and do some measurements to check. Other than that the shape is sweet, I am really looking forward to this!

She is finished! What a great job. I have nothing to say that has not been said before but I'd still like to compliment you for this great ship

This is a most exciting project!! I believe she will end looking absolutely great, maybe your best prefab ship! Now a few things: great brick-built stern, very accurate and spot on. Without wanting to advertise myself, what you are needing here is this I'm just messing with you here but I honestly think the 2x4 inverted slope should do it in your case. Now here: Your last hinge 1x2 brick appears to be way more outwards than the bow hinges, I'm not very sure how you would solve this. I still want to make a final comment as regards your technique. This picture shows another problem: the hull appears to go almost straight from bow to stern. I think this turned out just great in smaller ships but a 5 middle-sections hull is pretty large… Anyway I'm quite excited with this project so keep up the excellent work!

Le me rephrase that she will certainly be finished, in terms of Lego part and whatnot. I can't way exactly when this will happen but I'm pointing towards summers holidays. She will also have a rigging, that is sure, and I hope that a rather complete one; maybe I'll just skip the sails, to get a clean view of the deck. The galleries are indeed too intricate…Yours look very nice Mine are indeed horizontal, but notice the size difference. It really depends upon what you are aiming. Your galleries look very convincing, I must say so; however, were they larger, I don't think they would look as good. Notice that in fact the galleries should go outwards in the direction of the stern as far as possible.

About the rigging, I'm not specially concerned. I have to state at this moment that I am not terribly motivated for this project any more. I intend to finish it, that is sure; but slowly. The custom part of this is another matter. I can say the rigging can get as intricate as you will, since she is absolutely solid at the moment. There is just no way it can interfere with modularity since it is absolutely independent of the tumblehome. I'd like to quote myself from somewhere else in order to justify my lack of updates: Still, updates are coming, even if at a very slow pace. In particular this means that I'm not sure until which extent she will have a very complete rigging and sails. I'm doing this for the technical challenge itself, not for the finished product. (in principle there will be an extra gunport at the bow) The stern is now (almost!) finished, only missing two lamps and her name on the white tile. Notice that the galleries have a very correct and intricate shape. Here are some details to prove my point: In fact, they are folded inward, as they should be Finally, to prove her strength and for size comparihison, she can safely be held (notice how I am holding her by the extremities), the only difficulty being her weight (she's a tad heavy by now).

She turned WAY better than I had expected I know it required a lot of courage to dismantle the prefab structure but I'm glad you did it: she looks just perfect. I'm not sure what I like the most. The clean deck, the bright colours, the sails, the detailed cabin and the shape, mostly at the stern, and obviously all the custom ingredients make it for me. Looking to her again my only suggestion would be to exchange the black hoses you used under the platforms for the shrouds with string. I know it would require some sort of glue in the final spot but I think just a drop would do and you went so far from a purist perspective that I think that gluing string to bricks isn't forbidden It's actually my only suggestion, as everything looks stunning to me!!

This certainly sound promising! I think I'd gladly join

Wow, what a ship! The shape is absolutely stunning as is the rigging, everything looks very neat and professional. She's pretty there and I don't have any suggestions to offer since everything looks spot-on to me. The tan deck is also very ingenious and really clear. I think you've outdone yourself and done a remarkable work. I'm really looking forward to the continuation of this project

This was an awesome project, lots of fun planning, building and getting to know my partner. Mr. Townsend build a terrific ship with and incredible shape and rigging and I got a great friend in the process! I'm really pleased with the finished product. Thanks so much to Bonaparte for holding this contest and giving us the opportunity to know other builders!

This is a crushing entry! Incredible job you two. Fantastic build, idea and photography, the gold and orange details on the ship and fort give the build an irresistible colour

This really has a classic feel to it, although much better than any previous set! Great entry