Miscellaneous CraftVarious miscellaneous types of craft have proven themselves
useful in Ouargistani waters. Here are a few
Rowboats,
canoes, and sampans are
best represented by symbolic flat pieces of thin cardboard. Any attempt
to build gunwales will just mean that a boat capable of accommodating more
than a very few figures' bases will be awkwardly large. If the scenario
calls for large boat capacity, just put the figures in a double-row and
let their bases extend beyond the sides of the boat where it curves around.
European oared boats, such as ships' landing boats should be about two
bases wide at the widest point and about four bases long; thus they can
have a capacity of five, six or seven figures, depending on scenario needs.
Cut a small flat at the stern. Lesser canoes
and sampans should be one base wide,
but longer than the European boats. Large war canoes and sampans can be
two bases wide.The bows and/or sterns of canoes and sampans can be angled
upward for a modest 3-D effect.
Coasters can be made using the same techniques
as for dhows. A European-style coaster might have a square sail and curved
stern, in contrast to the natives' lateen sails and square sterns.
This model actually predates Ouargistan, having been made originally for Cog Wars, a bash that Max, David and Charles had with medieval sailing ships. It is occasionally pressed into colonial service, and can be seen lurking in the photo of the Kaiserinsport game.
The model is somewhat suggestive of the prefabricated whaleboats that
carried British troops up the Nile. They could be broken down into handy
pieces, and carried around the cataracts.
The Sub-marine War-boat is an experimental terror weapon
which can remain completely submerged for short periods. While on or near
the surface, it uses a steam engine to charge galvanic piles. These operate
an electrical motor to propel the ship while submerged. It can operate only
in coastal waters and has a very short range even on the surface. It is
usually towed to the vicinity of the action by a surface ship.
The submerged war-boat approaches a vessel and releases a bouyant tethered torpedo just before it dives beneath the enemy ship, dragging the torpedo along until it is detonated by contact with the enemy's hull. This is a very tricky maneuver if the target ship is moving at the time.
Normal entry and exit is through a hatch at the top of the conning tower. An extensible periscope passes through the hatch and an air-tube attaches to the back of the tower.
The angled structure at the stern is a multipurpose hatch. It is used to release the tethered torpedo, can function as an escape hatch, and it can support a collapsible smokestack to increase the steam engine's efficiency when on the surface. The stack also allows use of the steam engine when when the craft is partially submerged in (calm) water.
| This view shows the sub-marine war-boat with two Partha 25mm figures for scale. The craft is 4.25 inches by 1.6 inches (10.8 x 4.1 cm). It is made from 'Pugwash,' the research submarine in ERTL's Theodore Tugboat toy line (a sort of marine version of Thomas the Tank Engine). The rubbery plastic hull was cut at the waterline. The conning tower was cut down in height, the 'eyes' painted over, and portholes drilled. Periscope and snorkel are copper tubing. Rivets of white glue were dabbed on with a toothpick. The whole thing was painted, washed, and highlighted with craft acrylics. | |
A periscope model represents the craft when submerged. It is mounted
on a piece of clear shirt-collar acetate, with a wake made from clear silicone
sealant. A very small bead forms the periscope's lens assembly.
Max's Nautilus Max's Nautilus is a little over 6" long and is a very playable model which captures the feel of the Disney film's unmistakeable design. Captain Nemo is a converted Foundry explorer.
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