Way back in 2016 I posted an idea for sinking ship and pilot down markers – TMP link
I've been meaning to improve on this little side project ever since, so I thought you'd quite like to see the 'Mark II' version.
When looking at pictures of modern era warships being abandoned the bright orange inflatable lifeboats feature prominently, as can be seen in the famous image of the ARA General Belgrano.
They also feature, along with the ship's whalers, in photographs of the loss of the RFA Sir Galahad.
I made mine using those little acrylic gems sold in craft shops – an odd thing for a 51-year-old bloke to buy, but at least I got a natty little purse free with them.
I stuck a bit of plasticard to a 2mm base to raise the 'vignette', if I can use such a grand word, to the same level as the ship. I had about half an inch overhang so I could push the rafts up to the side of the stricken vessel. The base was painted blue and the rafts were painted orange and black. Some waves were added, along with some black to make the area next to the ship oily, and bob's your uncle – a handy little marker to show when a ship is sinking.
This first one was just a quick experiment, for my next ones I think I'll use far more (and perhaps smaller) gems to really get a chaotic feel.
I also added another, smaller, gem to a penny-sized base and added green dye to the sea to act as a 'downed pilot' marker.
Not sure what I'm going to do with all the other gems – my daughter is no longer interested in prettying things up, being a teenage goth now (though she's very artistic, so she thinks my little projects are quite cool). I did think the hearts could be used as health markers in other games, and stars could be used for other things maybe…
Nick