Vintage Card Ships

This time of year is pretty busy for me and I don't have a lot of time to spend in the hobby room like I do in the winter months. But I still try to spend at least an hour or two on some fun project each evening for relaxation.

Over this last week I have been playing around with some vintage card ships that I found on Pinterest with a generic "paper card model" search.

These are just a few that I downloaded

I downloaded several models. I then imported the JPG files into Microsoft Word, then resized each one to what I wanted. Once printed and cut out, I have to calculate the shape and size of the waterline footprint. I trace that footprint onto balsawood as a base to glue the hull halves and deck to. These models have multiple elevated decks so I cut more balsa shapes to support the various decks. I've only finished four so far, each one taking about four hours of time, including rigging and banners.

Two sizes of the Mayflower on the right. On the left an unidentified galleon made from the print below the model.

This one is the Ark Royal

These are fun for me. They involve almost no painting and no cyanoacrylate glue. Since it is all paper, wood, and thread, PVA does a great job.

1/600 Scale Spanish Armada Transport Galleon

 A couple of weeks ago Henry Turner, from Turner Miniatures, asked me if I would be interested in building a ship from his upcoming Spanish Armada Kickstarter coming out around September 1st so he can use it for advertising. Of course I said no! (NOT LIKELY!) I actually said hell yes! So here is the build of a 1588 Spanish Armada Uncas Transport Galleon. I hope you like it!

After Henry sent me the file, I sliced it with Ultimaker Cura 4.12.1 to prepare it for my Ender 5 Pro printer. Then started printing.

I use masking tape after the brim has printed to ensure the print stays fast to the table.

The print turned out beautiful

I had never built one of these before so I had to do some research. There is not much to go on.

The first base colors are on

I built the masts in my usual method with steel music wire

The sails for this one are made from regular printer paper

Masts set

Spars are tied on and tie holes punched into sails

Sails get tied onto spars with just a touch of glue to hold the knots

All of the sails are now on

The first of the standing rigging is being applied

Time to make the ratlines. One set more for this ship due to the extra mast

Ratlines mounted

All of the standing rigging is done and the first of the running rigging has started at the stem 

I'm sorry I didn't take any photos of the running rigging process. It was a bit more involved than my usual. The rigging is complete in the photo below.

The base is cut and vinyl texture is on and dry. The hull shape is cleaned out.

And the finished beauty shots:

I hope Henry likes it!