Ship figurehead sources?

searat12 wrote:

Airfix Vasa small?  I have a collection of Langton miniatures, mostly Anglo-Dutch warships, but a few Napoleonics as well... They are the same scale as the GHQ micronauts, and at 1/1200, let me tell ya, THAT is some small painting!!  You can check them out at http://www.rodlangton.com/

Those are amazing. you sir have tallent.

Airfix Vasa small?  I have a collection of Langton miniatures, mostly Anglo-Dutch warships, but a few Napoleonics as well... They are the same scale as the GHQ micronauts, and at 1/1200, let me tell ya, THAT is some small painting!!  You can check them out at http://www.rodlangton.com/

That would be fantastic if that ever happened. My next build is going to be the Airfix Wasa so it would be cool to shave some of the less detailed ornaments and replace them with something better. Might end up going cross eyed painting things that small though. so maybe it's a good thing that they don't.

I think the only way to do that is to sculpt it out of resin, or perhaps something else... I have some skills and a good eye, but they don't go that far, and they don't go that small!  I am constantly amazed at how beautiful and perfect the sculpture on some of these 18th century ship models can be...Oh, to have such talent!  Wouldn't it be great if a couple of the sculptors that produce some of these really intricate figurine models apply their talents to interchangeable figureheads and stern decorations?  Aces!

that is a really good idea actually. any recommendations for how to add extra garland and ivy?

That's not a bad idea.......

Maybe you could find some HO or N scale model railroad figures and modify them. For example, a woman in a swimsuit could be made into a mermaid with a little putty. I am sure you could find a lion in a set of circus figures. If your local hobby shop caters to railroaders, it should have catalogs with tons of figures.

Good thoughts!  When you have a chance, have a look inside your kits and you will see that both figureheads are pretty lousy!  The one for 'Superbe' is actually of historical sourcing, as it was apparently the figurehead for that ship (if you get a chance, try to get a hold of a copy of the Boudriot book 'Le Vaisseaux De 74 A 120 Canons' (a priceless resource!), or at least it was intended to be.  Apparently atthe time of the ship being considered for building, the French govt decided to have a single generic figurehead for all warships, and chose a particularly ugly sort of 'flying fleur de lis' with a crown on top.  While this was intended to be standard, apparently so many people at the time objected on artistic grounds that there is some doubt whether the program was ever instituted.  In any case, the figurehead fro 'Glorieux' is a sort of crowned lion, which could be worse.  But when you compare either of these to the other really elaborate and beautiful examples used on other ships of the time period, it surprises me that Heller chose such boring examples (maybe they were the simplest to model).  In any case, I'm pretty sure that Airfix/Heller will get themselves sorted out in time, and certainly either of these kits is readily available...... Sure would be nice to get some aftermarket support though (even Airfix could do well with these!).

Hello searat, I've got both of those kits in my loft awaiting completion of my current build.

I haven't looked at them in detail but I have in the back of my mind modifying them and building them by reference to the Boudroit 74 gun ship volumes.

As far as plastic is concerned I think they represent the only options for a 74, French or otherwise, pity I would love to do a 1:100  74 to complement the Heller Victory.

Given that the Heller/Airfix manufacturer no longer operates, that the kit is not in current production, after market supplies at 1:150 scale for these particular kits are likely to be a non starter with little interest shown by aftermarket suppliers, nice thought tho'.

Can the existing figureheads not be tweaked, to make them look a little better?

Good luck with your build and I would be interested to see your progress.