Armed Launch 1795-1865 by Story - FINISHED - ~1/96th-100th

[Story]

Figured I'd fiddle with the 32' cutter from Revell's USS CONSTITUTION kit and work it up as one of those armed launches frequently tasked with picket boat duties or raiding, from the Barbary coast to the Confederate waters.

Here's one during a Mexican War adventure

 

Most seem to sport a lanteen rig but there's a reverse rig that suit a bow gun better.  

 

So here's what we have to mess with 

An upper and lower hull seemed to be the best way to divide the work. Crates and barrels salvaged courtesy of an RE Lee riverboat that had it's deck chopped.  

I'd been thinking a sweep oar for a rudder, but the tiny boatswain probably wouldn't like that  

[Story]

i'll be back in awhile to properly insert those images.

[Roger Pellett]

US Navy Launches changed significantly during the period before the Civil War. Note that I refer to a specific boat type, not just any boat carried aboard a Warship.  First of all they were sloop rigged. Ref; US Navy Ordinance Instructions 1860.  Other details are listed in period seamanship manuals.

 

Roger

[Story]

And with it's driftwood base

[Story]

On 2/27/2024 at 11:51 AM, Roger Pellett said:

US Navy Launches changed significantly during the period before the Civil War. Note that I refer to a specific boat type, not just any boat carried aboard a Warship.  First of all they were sloop rigged. Ref; US Navy Ordinance Instructions 1860.  Other details are listed in period seamanship manuals.

 

Roger

Damned good thing I don't have a thin skin, Roger.

[allanyed]

Story

For the future, there are 11 high res plans of gunboats on the Wiki Commons RMG site as well as launches  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ship_plans_of_the_Royal_Museums_Greenwich. 

 

There are more in low res on the RMG Collections  including a rigged armed launch.  https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-85090

Allan

Edited March 14, 2024 by allanyed

[Ferrus Manus]

I can't believe there's another person on this forum who LOVES modifying ships' boats from kits! If you want tips and techniques, I'm your guy.