My fleet of Confederate ironclads
- Thread starter knife
- Start date
I wanted to give a more detailed photo analysis and information for each kit, starting with the CSS Virginia. The model is from Paper Shipwrights at http://www.papershipwright.co.uk/ps06/details.shtml . The model is designed by David Hathaway. I don't know if it is available as a download, but the printed version comes on paper that is half way between normal paper and cardstock in thickness and rigidity. Because I tend to make mistakes and like to overbuild, I went ahead and scanned and printed a new copy on 110lb cardstock. One note to Paper Shipwright, your web page is not the easiest to order from. I would like to see a more direct path to place an order.
My build was stock, except for adding awnings from tissue paper and cutting out the oars into individual pieces. Thread was used for the awning supports, railings, and chimney support wires. I left a few of the hatches open so you can see down inside the interior. Other modeling sites (plastic) show the hurricane deck to be more wood colored and if I was to remake this model I might modify the top to represent a wood deck. The flags were printed out on regular paper.
My build was stock, except for adding awnings from tissue paper and cutting out the oars into individual pieces. Thread was used for the awning supports, railings, and chimney support wires. I left a few of the hatches open so you can see down inside the interior. Other modeling sites (plastic) show the hurricane deck to be more wood colored and if I was to remake this model I might modify the top to represent a wood deck. The flags were printed out on regular paper.
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Next on the massive megabuild is the CSS Ashley. The model was designed by CT Ertz. I built this up as a beta build, so it hasn't yet been released. When it is available, I'm sure you can pick it up at http://ecardmodels.com/index.php?cPath=60_115_92 . It's very similar to the CSS Milledgeville already available at ecardmodels.
The model comes with base, but I gussied it up by adding a deck designed by Wilfried Wiczorek available over at Kartonbau.de http://www.kartonbau.de/wbb2/attachment.php?attachmentid=286056 . I also threw in a CSS David torpedo cigar boat available at http://www.tinpaper.net/CSS_David.html . You have to shrink the David down to 12.8% to make it scale with the Ashley.
My additions to the basic model includes tissue paper awnings and threat railings. I also added the external stairs, but I think these will come on the model once it is released. I substituted in the boat and anchor davits from the CSS Albermarle model.
The model comes with base, but I gussied it up by adding a deck designed by Wilfried Wiczorek available over at Kartonbau.de http://www.kartonbau.de/wbb2/attachment.php?attachmentid=286056 . I also threw in a CSS David torpedo cigar boat available at http://www.tinpaper.net/CSS_David.html . You have to shrink the David down to 12.8% to make it scale with the Ashley.
My additions to the basic model includes tissue paper awnings and threat railings. I also added the external stairs, but I think these will come on the model once it is released. I substituted in the boat and anchor davits from the CSS Albermarle model.
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Next up on the build is the CSS Palmetto State, designed by CT Ertz. The model is a free download available at http://ecardmodels.com/index.php?cPath=60_115_92 . You have to "order" it clicking on "add to cart", but the price is $0.
The display stand comes with the model. I added a flag from the sheet available for free download over at cardmodelers.net. The smoke stack support wires and boat cables are thread. The anchor chain came from a dollar store necklace chain. I added the external stairs (poorly). I weathered the model slightly by using orange chalk along the ironclad seamlines.
The display stand comes with the model. I added a flag from the sheet available for free download over at cardmodelers.net. The smoke stack support wires and boat cables are thread. The anchor chain came from a dollar store necklace chain. I added the external stairs (poorly). I weathered the model slightly by using orange chalk along the ironclad seamlines.
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Another freebe from CT Ertz is the CSS Raleigh. It is a free download from the cardmodelers.com website http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=353 . I added the spar torpedo from the same site, http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=220 . The flag also came from the same site, http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=331 .
On this model I tried simulating the wooden grating in the hatches with brown thread. I added coiled rope from the CSS Albermarle model. The flagpost is made from a piece of cut down guitar wire. Railings and ladders are made from thread treated with superglue. The name tag is misspelled, but for the price I just let it be. CT said he is going to fix the name tag, so it may no longer be an issue.
On this model I tried simulating the wooden grating in the hatches with brown thread. I added coiled rope from the CSS Albermarle model. The flagpost is made from a piece of cut down guitar wire. Railings and ladders are made from thread treated with superglue. The name tag is misspelled, but for the price I just let it be. CT said he is going to fix the name tag, so it may no longer be an issue.
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A mythical swamp monster is next in the line up. It cost $5 and can be picked up at http://ecardmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=60_115_92&products_id=1551 . It is designed by CT Ertz. The model comes with the display base.
On this model I attempted to punch out the wooden grates on the hatches. At this stage, it's an art I have not yet mastered. I added thread railing and ladders. The flag came from CT's flag sheet, slightly shrunk down to size. I simulated rust with an orange pastel chalk stick. There's no hatches over the gunports because there's no documentation this type of vessel had them.
On this model I attempted to punch out the wooden grates on the hatches. At this stage, it's an art I have not yet mastered. I added thread railing and ladders. The flag came from CT's flag sheet, slightly shrunk down to size. I simulated rust with an orange pastel chalk stick. There's no hatches over the gunports because there's no documentation this type of vessel had them.
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Another freebe is the USA, Mortar Barge, 1862, available at http://www.papershipwright.co.uk/ps23/details.shtml . This is an excellent first ship model to build, it is highly accurate, goes together quickly, and is free. I believe that is was designed by David Hathaway.
Although this is a US ship, for my purposes it was captured by the Confederates. Not much to say for this model, I built it several years ago.
Although this is a US ship, for my purposes it was captured by the Confederates. Not much to say for this model, I built it several years ago.
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The CSS Huntsville is a two-fer kit, you get this plus the CSS Tuscaloos for $4.50 at http://ecardmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=60_115_92&products_id=958 . These models are designed by CT Ertz. The only problem with the kit is he doesn't tell you which one is the Huntsville and which one is the Tuscaloosa.
For this model, I added the spar torpedo available at http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=220 . I added thread ladders and railings. Grates were punched out, starting to get better at this skill. The model was weathered by marking the inside of the casemate with a brown sharpie permanent marker and letting it bleed through to the front side.. Mooring posts were made from cut down q-tips.
For this model, I added the spar torpedo available at http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=220 . I added thread ladders and railings. Grates were punched out, starting to get better at this skill. The model was weathered by marking the inside of the casemate with a brown sharpie permanent marker and letting it bleed through to the front side.. Mooring posts were made from cut down q-tips.
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The CSS Tuscaloosa is in the same download as the Huntsville posted above. The only difference is the coloring and one hatch on the hurricane deck. The Tuscaloosa is a darker (painted?) color and has a large grate on the top deck. I made up a tread grate for the large hatches, and punched out the smaller grates. I made up railing from thread, but made the spacing too large.
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Another freebe from CT Ertz is the CSS Virginia II available from papermoders.com at http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=213 . Don't forget to pick up the additional parts sheet at http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=215 .
On this build, I punched out the grating and added railings and guide wires from thread. I also added a couple of rope coils from the CSS Albermarle model.
On this build, I punched out the grating and added railings and guide wires from thread. I also added a couple of rope coils from the CSS Albermarle model.
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I should add that you can get a recolored CSS Virginia II with a display base for $2 at http://ecardmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=60_115_92&products_id=635 .
The "double-ender" was another beta build for CT Ertz. I haven't seen it released anywhere yet, but should eventually be available at http://ecardmodels.com/index.php .
The model was built stock, with the exception that I replace the grating on the deck with wooden hatches. I guess the idea of this warship is that it could get out of trouble as fast as it could get into trouble. I notice in the photos that the ship has several glue spots that need to be touched up with clear flat paint. The camera reveals all flaws.
The model was built stock, with the exception that I replace the grating on the deck with wooden hatches. I guess the idea of this warship is that it could get out of trouble as fast as it could get into trouble. I notice in the photos that the ship has several glue spots that need to be touched up with clear flat paint. The camera reveals all flaws.
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The CSS Neuse originally was released as the CSS Albermarle at http://www.myspace.com/mmpapermodels . The Albermarle model downloads as basically a wood color. If fact, when I first went to build it I thought it was a timberclad warship. I decided to recolor the model in a more realistic gray color. The Albermarle had a sister ship, the Neuse, which was identical except the decks were timbered, not ironclad. So half way through repainting the Albermarle you end up with a Neuse model!
The model as downloaded needs a little work. The color as mentioned above is wrong. The back of the casemate needs work around the fold lines. The stern plating needed trimming. The pilot house is too large, and could easily be made from one piece instead of three.
I added external stairs, thread railings and guide wires. Flags came from CT Ertz's sheet over at papermodelers.com. I doubled up the frames for the hatches and added oars.
The model as downloaded needs a little work. The color as mentioned above is wrong. The back of the casemate needs work around the fold lines. The stern plating needed trimming. The pilot house is too large, and could easily be made from one piece instead of three.
I added external stairs, thread railings and guide wires. Flags came from CT Ertz's sheet over at papermodelers.com. I doubled up the frames for the hatches and added oars.
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The final model in my Confederate fleet is the CSS Albermarle, as mentioned above it is available for free at http://www.myspace.com/mmpapermodels .
The Albermarle is basically an all grey Neuse, so not much to add here except I made up some external stairs for this model.
Thanks for taking the time to view all my models, I hope you weren't bored. I think I can say that my ironclad fixation has been slated. Now to get started on some Monitors!
The Albermarle is basically an all grey Neuse, so not much to add here except I made up some external stairs for this model.
Thanks for taking the time to view all my models, I hope you weren't bored. I think I can say that my ironclad fixation has been slated. Now to get started on some Monitors!
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I should point out that not all my builds are Confederate ships. Here's some of the competition, the USS Lehigh available at http://www.myspace.com/mmpapermodels . The gray ship is the original USS Monitor from Paper Shipwright.
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That's one heck of a fleet you got built up there Knife! I am just starting to build an interest in some of CT's designs. I have a couple from the E Card Models site as well as the freebies from Paper Modelers.
Hope the knee is coming along, get better.
Hope the knee is coming along, get better.
Another model has rolled off the shipyard, the CSS Baltic. It should be coming to an ecardmodeler.com site near you soon. The CSS Baltic was built on and defended Mobile Bay for three years, until she rotted so much that her armour had to be removed to keep her from sinking.
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Z
Zathros
What a trip!! The first picture is just so amazing. You see all these old drawings and some black and white pictures, but to see all those ships and the colors, was quite a treat. Definitely a treasure and a joy to see!