Launched in 1789, L' Aquilon served off Italy in vice-admiral Bruey's squadron under Captain Antoine-Rene Thevenard and took part in the Battle of the Nile, where she fought HMS Vanguard, HMS Minotaur and HMS Theseus. She was captured and taken into the Royal navy as HMS Aboukir.
I have painted this model as she was painted at Aboukir, per eyewitness accounts. It is interesting that HMS Minotaur was painted in the exact same scheme at the battle.
Like all of the Black Seas ships I have done but one, the spars have been cut away and new spars mounted properly in front of the masts. Sails were copied to regular printer paper for use. The base is cut from a 2MM sheet of plexiglass and textured with a clear household contact adhesive named GOOP.
During construction I realized the ratline jig I made, and had been using for the brigs and 38-gun frigates, was much too small for the third rates. So I had to make a new one that, hopefully, will also accommodate the first rates, if and when I get one. I used the new jig for the lower mast shrouds and the smaller jig for the upper shrouds.
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| New jig for 3rd rate lower shrouds |
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| Finished lower set |
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| The two jigs |
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| Upper shroud/ratline set |
Here is the finished ship:
8 comments:
Your skill and the results are amazing. Great job! One day, I would enjoy seeing your fleets in person.
Great job Vol on the ship. I really like the color of the sails and the red and black on the sides of the hull. 😀
Seems like a good idea to use the larger gig for the lower and the original smaller one for the tops.
Thanks Jonathan. Yes hopefully when this horrible virus is under control, things will get back to normal and we can visit.
Thanks Stew. I'll have to visit your blog to see what you've been up to.
Wow, most impressive work, incredible details!
Thanks Phil, most kind.
Lovely looking French 74! I didn't realise that some British ships were painted red, nice looking jigs, I remember making some to rig 25mm ish Nina,Pinta and Santa Maria an awful long time ago for a TV series! Lots of zip kicker!
Best Iain
Thanks Iain, yes colours used were whatever the captain's could afford. You built prop work for television? Wow
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