"8 gun lugger - Le Coureur" Topic

Hi folks. Just finished a model and wanted to share pictures. This is Langton's model of the 8 gun lugger Le Coureur, laid down in 1776, captured by the British in 1778, and then possibly by the Americans in 1780. (Alternatively I have also read that she was retaken by the French)

I've replaced the masts with brass rod for greater strength and to make them more in scale, and used brush bristles for rigging. I made a mistake in building the masts – it seems the topmasts should be mounted behind the lower masts, not in front. But I didn't realize until after it was nearly complete, and decided the results were acceptable as is.

More pictures here if you like:
link

Thanks!
- James

nice job. my hand is shaky anymore.

Oh! lovely James!
I will let you off the mast bit. Are you going to do all of your smaller boats/ships with bristle rigging?
Be safe
Rory

I think you did a fine job; I wouldn't know about the mast mistake if you hadn't told us.

James,
So the masts for a lugger are stacked just opposite those of a ship? Can you direct me to your source? I love that stuff! So glad you are building again my friend.
Much regard,
Vol

Thanks very much guys.

Rory, I think I am going to use bristles alone as far as I can get away with it. I find them much easier to work with, and they don't warp as much from losing tension as strings sometimes do. It doesn't add as much strength, but I feel like the models are always going to be fragile no matter what. We'll see, I may come to regret it….(knock on wood!)

Vol, I was looking at lots of photographs of real life luggers as well as larger scale models of le Coureur, and while some show the top masts stepped in front, as with other ship types, most show the opposite. Here are a few examples I liked. I just didn't notice that detail until later!

Beautiful work, as always!

Very nice boat, you make a very nice miniature boats. The brush bristles for rigging is a good idea. That way you avoid having to make knots, good idea!

Awesome!

I've always, since Hornblower, wondered what a lugger looked like and now I know. Thanks!

Thanks for the reference pictures James. Were the stock Langton masts stepped in reverse like this? I would look at my kit but I'm in Alaska right now. Again, great job!

Thanks for the reference pictures James. Were the stock Langton masts stepped in reverse like this? I would look at my kit but I'm in Alaska right now. Again, great job! Love the red sails.

Shagnasty, glad I could help. I really enjoy seeing these more exotic (to me) rigs, otherwise I forget how diverse a spectacle the sealanes must have offered and picture everything with square sails or schooner-rigged.

Vol, the Langton masts were one piece each, and would fit their holes however they were oriented. But had I examined the diagram that came with the model closely I would not have had this problem:)

Glad you like the red sails, they were inspired by some beautiful real life examples of luggers:

Vey nice!