Tumbling Dice

[getagrip]

Seeing those ships I think I would go for trying dental scrapers

Or a bigger scale that I could actually see and / or paint.

[Matt J]

small piece of buff paper would work

[jambo1]

Or a bigger scale that I could actually see and / or paint.

Agreed! my old eyes would ave no chance of doing anything at that scale, nice looking models though.

[paulr]

Or a bigger scale that I could actually see and / or paint.

One of the major advantages of this scale is that you can get large numbers of ships on a reasonable size table 
There were over 70 ships at Trafalgar

Other advantages include storage space and cost 

In the rules I've written the ground scale also matches the model scale of 1:4,800

And they are nice looking models

[getagrip]

One of the major advantages of this scale is that you can get large numbers of ships on a reasonable size table 
There were over 70 ships at Trafalgar

Other advantages include storage space and cost 

In the rules I've written the ground scale also matches the model scale of 1:4,800

And they are nice looking models

They are superb.

I would also love to play this but probably never will; too much to paint already.

As for painting them, I know when I'm beat!

[Techno]

Why did I think of Techno at this point? 

I'm OK with a Dremmel.....It's only when I use proper size drills etc, that I might be considered (ahem) careless ! 
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

As for painting them, I know when I'm beat!

Then what about rigging them! 

[getagrip]

Then what about rigging them! 

Be nice...did I mention it's my birthday?

[Wulf]

Rigging - at least the main ratlines - is moulded on. makes the masts nice & sturdy.

[pierre the shy]

Rigging - at least the main ratlines - is moulded on. makes the masts nice & sturdy.

Paul and I talked about that point the other night.

we agreed that at 1/4800 scale rigging would not show at "normal" veiwing range so
not showing any, only national colours at mizzen and admirals flag at main  to
show flagships.

"Don't give up the ship ~ we have not yet begun to fight"

[Wulf]

Just make sure the flags point forward, not back.

I've seen so many sailing ship models get that wrong... 

[paulr]

only national colours at mizzen and admirals flag at main  to
show flagships

And those only on some of the ships, the majority will probably have no flags so they are more generic and can serve on any side

I'm planning to use my ships as British, French, Spanish, and Dutch, at least, in various combinations

The number of ships that were captured and recaptured and the small scale means each ship can be used for a range of countries  

[paulr]

Just make sure the flags point forward, not back.

I've seen so many sailing ship models get that wrong... 

Drives me up the wall when I see that

National flags may end up painted on the mizzen, pushed there by the wind rather than adding a seperate flag

[Wulf]

My intention is to paint one lot with ivory sails, one with buff sails. Also, if I can manage it, one with white gunport stripes, one yellow. Bases will be marked with rating & an ID letter - like "III A" or "I B". I'll track who is who on paper. But using the Pz8 one-page rules, there's no need for more!

[FierceKitty]

Just make sure the flags point forward, not back.

I've seen so many sailing ship models get that wrong... 

It's bizarre how really good and careful modellers often get that one wrong!

[pierre the shy]

It's bizarre how really good and careful modellers often get that one wrong!

Good point worth remembering for any square rigged ships.  

Will keep ships generic....first off will be Suffern in the Indian Ocean during 7 YW.

No puns please  

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

No sufferin please - you asked for that one...

IanS

[FierceKitty]

I'm looking forward to seeing the fleets in action.

[paulr]

My intention is to paint one lot with ivory sails, one with buff sails. Also, if I can manage it, one with white gunport stripes, one yellow. Bases will be marked with rating & an ID letter - like "III A" or "I B". I'll track who is who on paper. But using the Pz8 one-page rules, there's no need for more!

My current plan is to leave the bases unlabelled and to use double sided tape to attach 'temporary' labels underneath with flag, name and number of guns.

I'll be using a set of rules I have written myself and used for a number of years. Will track damage on paper. For larger battles I may include the damage records on the temporary labels to reduce paper work.

Not sure on the colour schemes as yet. I have found a couple of sites with some information but want to keep the ships fairly generic so they can be used from 1750 to 1820 and for a range of countries.

Thanks for the positive feedback, I have placed the order. 120 ships will soon be heading our way, about 60 each for 'pierre the shy' and I.

[toxicpixie]

I like the idea of 1:1 figure to ground scale, good plan!

Those look tasty, and I bet you could knock them out dead quick with a "suggestive" paint scheme (stop sniggering at the back!) that hints at detail without needing to paint it in...