HELP!

Greg Baker
OK... so, I have a question - but first a statement.

At some point in my Tintin collection (likely the last thing) I'll want to tackle the actual Unicorn model. I think that's kind of the Holy Grail for modelling Tintin. However, there's no way I'll ever have the patience, skill or mental fortitude to actually learn some highbrow model ship building. I'll likely resort to "negotiating with plastic" (thanks Slavo!)

To that end, I have a rough idea that I would be able to turn a 1/100 Heller Soleil Royal into a reasonable imitation of a 1/72 scale Unicorn. The size (77cm) seems to be about right, based on the "buy the kit bit by bit" model that Molinsart released a few years ago (which I doubt I will ever afford... or find all the parts to). And Herge based the Unicorn largely on the Soleil Royal anyway. I'd need to make changes to the deck and especially the tower, but I think it's do-able.

Anyway, before I do that, I'm thinking about doing another build (similar to my recent Nina -> Arabian Dhow modification build) of the much smaller pirate ship (Red Rackham's) that attacks the Unicorn. After a bit of looking, I'm guessing that I might be able to turn a 1/110 Revel HMS Bounty into a "close enough" model.

However, I'm not quite sure of the size relationship between the two. The Soleil seems to clock in at a massive 77cm in length, and the box of the Revel HMS Bounty says "37.2" cm. But is that right?

So, based on the image from the Tintin Album - does anyone agree with that pairing? or have any better ideas? I don't quite trust my own eyes until I'm holding the plastic in my hands... so I'm not sure if 1/110 Bounty is too small. Maybe I need to track down the 1/87 scale Bounty from Airfix? Maybe I need a different kit? Maybe I need my head examined... any help or comments will be appreciated in due course.

Martin Oostrom
Yes you do need your head examined. As do I 😉
I actually went to my copy of the comic for a better look. It seems to me that Rackham's ship is between one third and one half of the length of the Unicorn. So 37.2 cm might be spot on!
If you go for the 1/87 kit, the guns on the smaller ship might be bigger than those on the larger ship. Not sure if that ever happened.

Erik De Smet
No lights, no motors, can't help I am afraid🙂

Slavo Hazucha
Greg, in late 90'ies, I built Hellers 1:100 Victory (nice model, "negotiation with plastic worked fine and the fit was actually rather good - but lots of work, huge parts and the rigging was quite a job...) The sails in the kit were not really usable, I made it without, rest was super fine...

I also had the Airfix 1/87 Bounty and the 2 ships absolutely did not looked "same scale" - all important indicators - as Martin mentions - guns, but also planks & "general details made them look clearly different scales next to each other.

I'd give the 1:110 a shot to pair them & you can declare the scale for whatever you want😉

Looking forward to such a big ship project!

Wim van der Luijt
Maybe for ships you can look at wooden models? But that is an entirely different skill set. I like the negotiation with plastic metaphor, I seem to be loosing mine a lot now. Lock down is giving me plenty of bench time, but not a lot of success, I guess I need to negotiate more 😄

Greg Baker
Ok. This was perfect. Thanks Martin, you gave me the validation that I was looking for in terms of the relative size. The ship only appears in a few panels, but it looks to me as though she's a little less than half the size of the Unicorn. And Slavo, your comment was very helpful. Despite whatever modifications I make, and whatever scale I claim, a 1/100 ship next to a 1/110 ship will fit together better because of all the subtle details you mentioned. I hadn't thought of that, and it makes perfect sense.

Don't worry Erik, I still have plenty of lights and motors builds in the plans. I just ordered more motors as well!

Oh, and Wim... that's my point, negotiating with plastic (with a sharp hobby knife behind my back and a gleam in my eye) I can do, but wood... well, there's no negotiating there. Wood bends you to her will, or breaks you trying. I've seen reviews of the Heller kit (of which I stand in awe) by ship builders who'd drive their cars over it backwards because of all its perceived inaccuracies. I'm not going to be allowed into that club anytime soon, so you're all stuck with me here.

Wim van der Luijt
Welcome to the asylum Greg🙂

Łukasz Gliński
Not really into yachts😉, but curiosity killed the cat😉

Slavo Hazucha
Just to have mentioned it, there would also be the option to take the brig Endeavour (Airfix 1:120), although that one may be too small...

The mast configuration of the Pirate is really strange, looks almost like a bomb ketch (there was a Revell one but also far too small 1/170...).

I guess the Bounty really is the best start, the removed foremast should provide ample material for the full latin sail on the mizzen mast.

Lode Schildermans
Greg, no matter which one you're going to make, I admire the courage to do a sail ship. Nothing for me. To many colors and rigging. I follow with great interest. And as for my research, I confirm Martin's research

Greg Baker
Thanks gentlemen. The part where Slavo uses fancy nautical words like "full latin sail on the mizzen mast" in the same sentence as "I guess the Bounty really is the best start" gives me a lot of (false) confidence.😉

You see, Lode, ignorance and false bravado can be quite liberating in terms of project selection. As long as this boat has two halves of a hull, a pointy spike at one end, some masts with various ropes hanging down... I'll be happy enough. No reason to let any attempt at capturing a small slice of reality intrude on the fun. 🙂

Slavo Hazucha
Greg I used to be a big fan of Horatio Hornblower novels and sailing ships in general... I forgot most the "serious stuff" by now, but I would really like to see this project happen at some point!

Greg Baker
My dad was/is also a big fan of the Horatio Hornblower series as well. It always struck me as a strange outlier amidst his massive collection of sci-fi and fantasy, but as I get older, I think I can understand and appreciate it more. Anyway, after a bit more research online, and a size confirmation from a scalemate with the Soleil Royal in his stash, I'm feeling pretty confident about my chances. Enough so that I picked up the 1/110 Bounty Kit today...😉

Daniel Klink
Count me in again.. Cool project as always Greg 👍

Greg Baker
Heh. Thanks Daniel!

Daniel Klink
BTW. You were right about A. Davies..
This Guy is a bomb ....spectacular defense Player

Spanjaard
wow, i will certainly not miss this one when you tackle it 🙂

Greg Baker
Well, I picked up the 1/110 Bounty yesterday so it'll get built eventually, but the Soleil Royal is still aways away, unless I find a REALLY good deal somewhere of course.😉

And Daniel... yep Fonzie is quickly becoming a Canadian national hero. He's leading the charge on a legit "golden generation" of Canadian footballers (Jonathan David is another name of note... currently playing at Gent, but not for long).

Erik De Smet
But we intend to keep Jonathan here in Gent for a while ...

Daniel Klink
Gent is a gem of city! Love that medieval character wondeful

Łukasz Gliński
Nah, Brugge is way nicer 😛

Greg Baker
As long as those boys score lots of goals for Canada... they can play club football in any city they want~! Knowing Erik is a Gent fan brings a smile to my face.

Daniel Klink
[img1]
Marvelous

Łukasz Gliński
Maybe, but there's almost nowhere to go for a drink in the evening #truestory
The old town seems deserted once the daily trips leave, not like Brugge 😛
Shouldn't we go back to the ships? 😄

Urban Gardini
I'd say go with both kits but don't pretend them to be of the same scale.

Erik De Smet
Greg, I am a true "Gentenaar" , you can always come for a drink in my place .