Thoughts about Models for DTPIW*

The start of the collection. The model of HMS Superb was built as a one off originally whilst the Turks were intended to be the start of a Russo-Turkish set up.

Now that the decision has been taken to opt for fictional war for the example game in Developing the Portable Ironclads Wargame I took some today to reacquaint myself with some of the models. These have all seen action previously - on squares and hexes - and in truth it was always my intention to expand the fleets. I did look seriously at the Russians but for one reason or another did not pursue the idea, mainly due to the relative paucity of Russian warships in the Black Sea during the war of 1877/78.

HMS Superb - the largest model in my entire collection. 

For the time being I am looking at what models I want to build for each fleet - seven for the Royal Navy and four for the Turks - but one thing is certain. HMS Superb and her sister, the Turkish Messudieh, will both feature.

The two ships of the Feth-i-Bulend class - Mukaddeme-i Hayir being the other.

The two ships of the earlier Avnillah class - Muin-i-Zafer being the other.

The final part of the collection as it currently stands - a stylised Turkish fort.

I am on the horns of a dilemma in respect of the Turkish ship models in that compared to HMS Superb they are really too large. To maintain the relative differences in size they should be roughly around an inch and a quarter shorter. It would be easy enough to build these to the correct relative size as the hull templates are safely within my file at Warbases so reducing them down should not be too difficult. The models are fine as they stand and would be usable against the smaller and largely ex-civilian vessels the  Russians made extensive use of. 

The Turkish Feth-i Bulend fighting the Russian steamer, Vesta.

I will have to think about this in more detail, especially as the planned additions to the Royal Navy and even the other Turkish vessels will be of assorted sizes. Whilst I am not too picky about actual sizes I have become more concerned about relative dimensions so that the models look better alongside one another.

Meanwhile though, back to Lake Tanganyika and the Belgians…..

*DTPIW - Developing The Portable Ironclads Wargame