Tumbling Dice

[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...

[Wulf]

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...

I believe (haven't tried yet) that just getting those stripes along the gunports will make the ships look right. Beyond that, just getting the sails looking like sails will do...

[toxicpixie]

I reckon that's what you need with "tiny scale" models - I've done some 2mm blocks from Irregular, and they look pretty decent with a very basic "schwip" of paint across them. Those boats would be the same, I think... - doubly so at "gaming distance"

[getagrip]

I believe (haven't tried yet) that just getting those stripes along the gunports will make the ships look right. Beyond that, just getting the sails looking like sails will do...

Given the size of them, and the number you'll have, coupled with the distance from eye to mini on the table, I'm sure you don't need to paint every detail.

No doubt others will disagree.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Got to add the running rigging.....

IanS 

[FierceKitty]

AND the ship's cat!