Ship names on CC kits

[Jean-Pierre]

Caldercraft  uses on several of their smaller kits large white letters in Helvetica Bold.

 

Does anyone know if this is correct (they don't look correct to me)

 

I had rather expect much smaller name plates, with gold, yellow or black letters, and most of all I would have expected "seriffed" letters (with little feet and hats) as was generally used at the time and certainly in Great Britain (rather Times than Helvetica)

 

Am I correct?  Caldercraft normally does not make that kind of mistake, do they?

 

JP

[Blue Ensign]

Hi JP, regardless of any historical accuracy aspects, I don't like those brass etched letters which themselves are not correct as raised lettering was not used on British ships of the period; the names were painted on. Initially set in compartments (as shown on old photos of Victory) and  then as large as the counter would allow ( as currently shown on Victory.)

 

Personally I think white painted names do not suit period models, and the kit provided style is too modern. Don't seem to recall seeing any contemporary models with white lettering, I think the model of Bellona in the NMM indicates the style perfectly.

 

I tend to use dry transfer rub on lettering on my models which have a more 18th century look about them.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[usedtosail]

B.E. - is there a particular font that you use?

[Blue Ensign]

Hi Tom, I use Letraset gold rub on lettering  either Times New Roman or Helvetica depending on the size required. I think I used Helvetica on Pegasus because I couldn't get Times NR  in the size required.

 

Those cleverer than me produce their own transfers in which case the world of fonts and sizes is all available to them.

 

To complete the historical context; in 1771 names were to be painted on the second counter in letters 1 foot high to be enclosed in a compartment.

 

The order was amended in 1772 whereby the letters were to be as large as the counter would allow, without the compartment.

 Not all Admirals agreed with having the names on their ships, and I suspect there was a period when both forms or none could be found on British ships.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.