"Would this Xebec be adaptable for 10th - 11th century?" Topic

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I want a couple of galleys for an earlier period (10th – 11th Century) and I wondered how different this vessel would be to earlier ships. If I removed the guns and filled in the gun ports, would that be enough, or would the whole ship be very different due to the gun deck.*

I don't know much about ships but I've been trying for years to get a suitable choice.

Cheers,
John

*Alternatively, if someone knows of a suitable model (or stl even) (preferably 1:600 but I can be flexible on that) I'd love to know.

Seems to originate XVIth-XVIIth century. Probably not good as such for a much earlier period.
Galleys are mostly fighting or messenger ships, no commercial valid storage capacity. Then feed all these rowers, guard if slaves. You either have a warship or a trade ship. Pirate can be either but the pure trade ship would be slow so not much favored.
Chebec's shape is first for its triangular sails, not at all for ramming. Hardly be any use as a galley. The have the use of rowers in calms, and inshore as a substitute for the sails.
Your period be the very early Med spreading of triangular sails. Doubts.

A xebec looks nothing like a Medieval galley.

The Renaissance galley was a direct successor to the Medieval galley, so would be a better start. Only Skytrex makes these in 1/600, but Langton and Navwar make them in 1/1200, and Navwar also makes actual Medieval galleys in 1/1200.

My naval miniatures shopping database (with links) is here: link

- Ix

It is a great model, but 6 or 7 centuries later, already out of the Middle Ages, evolved from the galleys of the 18th century. Perhaps it could be disguised as a galley of the XVI or XVIII centuries.

But in the 11th century they were very different.

On the left, a confused group of 13th century galleys. Note the two "horns" at the stern, two spurs at the bow (sometimes another at the stern) and two rudders, one at each side. The sails, which are not shown, were triangular. And not many people on board, they were small

In this clearer image, Byzantine galleys.

Looking over my own shopping database, I was reminded that I've previously found 1/1200 Medieval galleys from Ral Partha Empires and Outpost.

Since you probably want larger scale, you might also consider modifying some Skull & Crown 1/300 Renaissance galleys. These are just layers of flat laser-cut wood, they shouldn't be too hard to sand and scribe into the right shapes. If you contact Thom Foss (who runs Skull & Crown) you might even be able to convince him to make true Medieval galleys. He loves Medieval stuff, it wouldn't hurt to ask. Send him a bunch of Medieval artwork of galley battles to get him started.

- Ix

Thanks very much for the ideas, information and links. I feel like this is the most progress I've made on this yet.

Proves the old adage correct – there's no such thing as a stupid question . . .

Cheers,
John