looks at a fast-assembly naval kit for the Age of Sail.
From cardstock, self-assembly models sold as PDFs for 16 years, Send a Gunboat! has come into the age of 3Dprinting, and with a wider choice of 15mm models than ever. Two pages of currently available models may be viewed here.
Originally intended to provide Colonial wargamers with models to use with TVAG's Boilers and Breechloaders and Larry Brom's immortal The Sword And The Flame, this initial release is targeted in support of The Kris And The Flame, rules for the Pirate Wars of the South China Seas and East Indies.
Early steam warships of the 1840s and 50s, European merchantmen with longboats, and a plethora of native war-canoe designs, plus Chinese war junks and more, allow for pitched naval battles and riverine expeditions to break pirate forts. Salisipans, Prahus, Kora-koras, Vintas, and more exotic varieties of sail and oar-powered craft are ready to go!
More 15mm models, already designed, will be released over the next few weeks, including a Chinese trade junk, schooner, and the awesome Iranun 'Lanong'.
But don't think Send a Gunboat! will stop there! The range will soon widen to include British and Egyptian gunboats to steam the Nile, along with "Faluccas" and other native craft. Then, German East Africa's lakes and rivers will have their own famous gunboats for miniatures battles never before possible. Many other subjects will have their turn as the ranges expand.
TVAG is able to keep the prices for these models down partly because no ready stocks will be kept, as each model is printed upon purchase. Consequently, we ask our customers to allow for the time to produce them, particularly when ordering multiple items at once.
And when they arrive, you'll find they require only minor assembly and painting, made easier by all necessary sails, masts, yards and spars being included. Provisions have even been made for each printed model with multiple masts to be rigged, if desired.
While all these initial releases are in 15mm, the prospect for 28mm versions of at least some is under study.
Crew figures in 15mm and appropriate armament for all models are separately available from The Kris And The Flame and Send a Gunboat - Guns!.
So, go take a look and see some miniatures you may have thought would never be produced for gaming!
