"Fly-Class Gunboat files" Topic

Two files of the Fly-Class gunboat have been created for 3D printing. This one shows the naval gun firing to port:

The other model has the naval gun facing forward. Both models are now available on Thingiverse:

thingiverse.com/thing:6198794

Robert

Neaty!

That's actually something I'd really like to play with when I get time later this year…

I'll have to see what else you've made…

Thanks, Andrew.

Next on the list is the same gunboat with the tarpaulin covers added, which were used in tropical theatres of operation.

Robert

One idea: I've done a few tanks and ships with turrets and I like to put a post where the turret belongs and make a separate turret with a cavity in the bottom. The cavity should be a little deeper than the post is tall, and slightly larger in diameter. That way people can glue the turret down in the direction they like, or, if they have not been down this road before, leave the turret loose so it's movable. That's fun if you don't mind printing and painting a few extra turrets.

I agree, Andrew. The naval gun is a separate asset so the boat and gun can be delivered as individual STLs. That's the plan once the model with awnings is complete, as that model won't easily allow the gun to be mounted separately due to the awning overhang.

Robert

The model with awnings has been created and uploaded to Thingiverse:

Robert

That is pretty neat.

Thanks, Andrew.

There should be a photo of a printed version of the gunboat with awnings soon.

Next step is to separate the naval gun turret from the deck and provide the option to mount the naval gun in any direction.

Robert

Separate boat and naval gun files now available.

Robert

Superb. On my long list of projects are the ships of the Mesopotamia campaign. I had made a start on the Espiegle (cadmus class) but have gone away from it as was struggling to work out the shapes of the superstructure. My plan was to try the firefly first to get a feel for it. You have now saved me a lot of work as I can use your excellent model and try adding some extra detail for the bigger scale I'll be printing it in. Great work :)

Out of interest, what scale is your model set at? I couldn't see it on the website, but I am on my phone so may have missed the detail.

monk2002uk – depending on your CADDS skills its perfectly possible on a 3D print to make key locked turrets. That is the hole for the turret has a slight overlap on the top surface except for 2 small arcs. The post is the narrower diameter but with two tabs sticking out. The turret can then only go in or out where the small gaps are, turned at any other angle the turret will not fall out. Revel did this on many of its tank turrets but I have done it on a 1/144 scale armored car so post diameters as small as 2mm can be done this way. Then the turrets can be at any angle and even moved in the game to look far more believable as they are pointing where shooting.

Thank you for the feedback. I have printed the models at various scales. Based on the length of the model, the smallest print is 3cm and the largest (so far) is 15cm.

Robert

Thanks, UshCha. I understand the concept you are describing and it is easy to model, but not so easy to print. The space inside the turret, which is needed to accommodate the post with two tabs, is a complex internal space that is difficult to cure. But not impossible. Not on my To Do list currently…

Robert

monk2002uk – I had not realise the Resin printed were so limited compaterd to FDM systems, sorry.