Wednesday, July 10, 2019

CSS Polk from Brown Water Navy

Another model that was recently added to my collection was the Confederate protected gunboat "General Polk" done by Brown Water Navy.  Contrary to most of the gaming models of Confederate gunboats, the Polk is massive. The depiction of this large model is based on research done by John W. Wallis and published in his work "IRONCLAD AND IRON PROTECTED VESSELS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES NAVY". It's a great read that reflects the years of research John has invested in the period as well as the amount of new material that has come to light in the last twenty old years.

Let's take a quick look at the Polk...



Here is the model, unbased and unpainted. The grid is in inches.
The low pilot house matches Wallis's depiction. Guns are mounted in the casemate.




Here the Polk is paired with a Bay Area Yards model of the Lioness

Overhead shot with the Lioness

A Thoroughbred tinclad joins the lineup


A Thoroughbred model of the USS Benton for some size comparison.

For contrast the Genreal Polk paired with the USS Layfayette. Both models are Brown Water Navy.





Saturday, July 6, 2019

Blackhawk UP! Brown Water Navy's 3D printed gunboat model in 1/600 scale

I know, it's been a while since I've posted. Lots of projects that pull me in different directions.

Regardless, I found some motivation with a new batch of ACW ship models I acquired from Matt at Brown Water Navy. Today's focus is one of the new models, the USS Blackhawk.

A large sidewheel tinclad, Blackhawk served as Admiral Porter's flagship for the Mississippi River Squadron. Spacious, with room for Admiral Porter's horse, Blackhawk served in multiple campaigns including the Red River and Vicksburg.

For nearly 20 years my gaming needs for a Blackhawk were filled by pretty much the only game in town in 1/600 - Peter Pig. Models aimed squarely at the gaming market, The Peter Pig model cleaned up into a serviceable model with good painting and the addition of some boom and masts. Now the Pig has a competitor for this model - Brown Water Navy. You can check out the websites of the each respective products, but what really works here is pictures. So here you go...


Here's the BWN model in the forefront

and with the Peter Pig model up fron

Both compared to a Thoroughbred City class ironclad

And overhead view. You can see that there are variations between the two models is cabin length, the texas, sky lights and stack location
 More to come!