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Basing 1:700 Black Seas Brigs


Master & Commander Starter Set
Product #
799910003
Manufacturer
Suggested Retail Price
$70 USD


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DeRuyter writes:

I have started using clear pill bases for my ships. Works well with some of the mousepad and felt sea mats that are available now. Also avoids all the work of making the base!


Revision Log
16 October 2024page first published

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©1994-2024 Bill Armintrout
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Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian writes:

A few years ago, I built and painted some 1:700 scale British and French brigs for Warlord Games' Black Seas game. At the time, I followed the recommended practice of leaving the ships unbased. Experience, however, has convinced me that unbased ships are difficult to transport and prone to get entangled with each other, risking the delicate masts. Therefore, I am now basing my brigs.

First, a few words about my preferences. I'm not a fan of pretty bases. In my opinion, in a perfect world, all bases would be invisible and you would only see the figures/models on the tabletop. In other words, I don't want bases to distract from the models. I want them to blend with the tabletop. (I'm not saying this is the right way to do things, it is just my way of doing things. grin)

I also like thick bases which clumsy fingers will have no trouble picking up and moving during a game. That's why I like 3mm-thick wooden bases.

Black Seas bases

Above, you can see three 3mm 1.5" x 3" wooden bases from LITKO. I've chosen the size to protect the masts and spars. If this causes a problem with the rules mechanics, I'll figure something out. I've spray-primed the bases white on both sides to seal the wood.

Black Seas bases

With these bases, the edges have a prominent grain that is difficult to overpaint with certain low-coverage paints. Therefore, I've gotten into the habit of hand-painting the edges with another coat of white. (The spray paint never seems to cover properly.)

Black Seas bases

The top of the base is painted with a suitable sea color. Apple Barrel Military Blue looks right to my eye. Two coats give good coverage.

Black Seas bases

For the benefit of newbies, I like to color-code my base edges. For my French brigs, I've chosen to use a light blue. (British get red, Americans get dark blue…)

Black Seas bases

I then apply a spray coat of gloss clear. This works well to protect the edges, but I can never get a good gloss finish on the top, even though I carefully clean the bases before painting them.

Black Seas bases

This was also a good time to apply LITKO FlexSteel to the base bottoms. This will keep the ships in place when stored in magnet-lined boxes. And I have brought out the Mod Podge, which is used in making collages as both a glue and a gloss finish. It doesn't dry out, so this size container works for me; you can also buy a smaller container at Dollar Tree if you prefer.

Black Seas bases

As you can see above, I have used a half-inch brush to apply a thick coat of Mod Podge, and then I have stippled it with the end of my brush to create a sea-like texture.

Black Seas bases

Since the Mod Podge also acts as an adhesive, I press the ship into place while the glue is still wet.

Black Seas bases

And here are the finished, based brigs!

Black Seas bases

The Mod Podge shrinks as it dries, providing a subtle wave texture to the base.

Black Seas bases

A thinner coat of Mod Podge provides a more subtle effect. I haven't tried going thicker yet, or using an alternate product such as Artist Gel.

Black Seas bases

I've chosen not to paint wave crests or wakes, as I don't think they're needed – but you may make different choices!