Frank Brick Wright

Thank you all for your feed back and kind comments, it is really appreciated! Here we go for another major update. At the moment she is looking something like this: Here's what I have done: 1. I finished planking the lower hull: 2. I've finished each of the framework's sections (in black) so that they have the correct height and offsetting. Notice that one of the sections is covered with jumpers, thus allowing the guns-deck (when built) to match the hull curves as closely as possible. Moreover the framework is almost ready to be connected lengthwise, improving here overall cohesion. 3. I've indented the upper part of the vertical cross-sections, where the hull will become modular (by indenting I mean adding the small 1x1 white plate, which attaches to the 1x4 plate in this image, thus "pulling" the sections 1 stud to the outside). This may sound irrelevant but is quite important: because the sections are indented, they are already part of the outer hull, i.e. nothing will be attached to them. This is of key importance to render the hull modular. 4. I've built the lower deck. Notice that the tan plates are studs up whist the black sections at that level are studs down: the deck is irrelevant to the overall structure and does not influence it in any way. This part is a little tricky because it isn't straightforward to build a deck matching the hull's curves as closely as possible. You are not the first ones to tell me so I've decided to answer you and other builders to whom I discussed this in a private way in the following way: And the frame work isn't even completed! Believe me or not, but the completion of the framework will only improve her cohesion lengthwise, moreover the guns-deck will be directly attached to the framework, thus rendering her even more strong In fact the guns-deck, attached to the framework will look something like this: (this holes created between the two decks are the modular component, thus allowing for a clear access to the interior).

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.

Sweet shape, sweet curves!! The brick bricks look decent but I don't think they be used with much success in a larger because the planks are too small...

Congrats to all the winners, you sure deserve it!! This has been an amazing tournament to be in! I hope we can again take part on something like this in the future @AC I think I'm not just speaking for my self, but I think you too deserve a prize as the Best moderator in this tournament! Can't you add it to the prize list?

It does help when a native speaker says what you wanted to say in a perfectly clear way Thank you Kurigan!

For all of you who missed here, there she is: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/356786

This is becoming a fantastic vessel and you have one of the best riggings I've ever seen, it strikes me as very accurate. There is just one little thing off: the aftmost rope of the shrouds should be perpendicular to the waterline, which is not the case on the second level of the shrouds ;)

Sebeus - 3 points Skalldyr - 2 points

I think you are being a bit too demanding with yourself, because this is looking really nice The thing here is this: these ships where built in the most non-standart way you can imagine. They could take almost every possible shape. The mast does look good to me there, the shape is indeed "weird" but it was how they built ships back then. What I would suggest is to increase the forecastle. A mast that large in the bow would require a large castle, moreover large castles where very typical in that time. I wouldn't rely much in the 2nd image you posted, if you ask me. This is looking great already, keep it up

Great entry! I'm not sure wether I should like this or not but I had a good laugh

Thanks for participating?? Thank YOU for organizing this tournament!!!

So this makes us winners right? Bluecoats entries: 4 Redcoats entries: 2

Great layout, great photography, great details… Fantastic!

And here we have the outmost example of bluecoat bravery! External pressure? No… tickles Nicely done

Thank you all for your feedback! The think with the backgrounds is that they are way too large to be lego-made… Making a lego golf course is though and I certainly don't have the green plates for that But I rather like the digital look too!

We are almost in Easter (2 more weeks!) so I decided it was about time to make an Easter-related entry. Enjoy and beware of magic carrots Thank you Sebeus for your avatar photo I've been busy so I decided to photoshop things from here and there all around the internet, which means I've used elements which do *not* belong to me. Comments and criticism very welcome as always and may the best bluecoat win!!

Great effect on the exploding longboat!!! The buildings and the settings are also very very nice, I really like this, moreover I'm happy I have been included! And for sure, VICTORY IS OURS!

I rather like it, it is a good design I'd agree with CGH in the final round brick though… Also, would it be possible to make it turnable (I know the scale is very limited, but perhaps you can work around with something?). I think the base at its current stage is a bit too simplistic but I agree it is perfectly to scale and does look nice in the deck!

I guess I've also expressed myself erroneously. I'm not saying the shape is wrong for being too sharp, I'm saying it is too pixelated. Although the thing for me here is that the black line is getting parallel to the waterline while it shouldn't be, the ship's sheer should be increasing and not stabilizing.

Hilarious, I love it (these redcoats are pirates, after all…)

Build, which build? Or you mean… the Spam?

Right, so the "leftovers", a couple of bricks I specially like the last photo, the sails are terrific and IMO its her best angle (after all the stays are still missing). The woven and pumps… The only think I'd change is the shield at the stern, I find its colours, mostly the green, a bit off. Have visited the Hermione? I can't really say why but I feel like the frigate lacks the degree of refinement (even though it isn't completed yet) of the best scale models, like yours.

I'd agree with Perfectionist on both bow and belly, at least a belly would look nicer (IMO), it indeed is typical but I don't think it is mandatory. The bow though really looks sharp. May I suggest adding another section at the bow? I know you are using sections apart by 8 studs (the perfect distance! ) but perhaps you could place another, just 4/5 studs apart to make the bow look smoother? I think that it is preferable to build sideways as forward as possible. The sheer is stoping at the bow and it should increase, I've used jumpers with some success to keep the vertical curve and soften the horizontal transition. I really like the frame, it is terrific! How are you planning to access the gundeck once completed?

You are back I'm very happy to see you active again! Great curves, great shape, great idea and it even belongs to pirates! You have everything to make it a true masterpiece. The way you attached the tumblehome to the hull is specially clever, although I think she would look better tiled. I actually like studs but because you have 4 different colours I think that's a bit too much and tiling could help in terms of smoothness in both shape and colours. It floats and that is great! It really does float in a high-level. Are you planning to keep the final model floating? How stable is her? For a ship to be stable the CI and CM ought to be as close as possible but you probably know that already (Centre of Impulsion, the center of mass of the displaced fluid, and the overall Centre of Mass). Haven't you felt the need of adding weight near the keel to help that? The more you build in height the less stable she will get though… at least without extra-weight I'm curious about the outcome of this!

It is hard to express an opinion in this matter. You see, carracks and caravels, those earlier vessels, were basically built in an non technical way, so each one was very different and unique and had his specific characteristics. Ships' sizes and shapes varied a lot… However, the stern strikes me as too triangular. Here, for instance, you have a very triangular stern, but then it is fairly taller and larger, so I don't think it is fitting I'd try something more like this, though the choice is always yours