Masts for 1/600 1860s ironclads

[Sunray]

As you may have gathered, I am dabbling in 1/600, 1860s era ironclads like USS New Ironclad .  Peter Pig supply without masts. They suggest wire.  I was thinking that wooden cocktail sticks - cut to size - would be about right circumference for that size/scale of ship.

Any experienced tips out there ?

[Terry37]

I am trying to visualize the size of a model, as I game in it in 1:1200 - so I am guessing about twice the size?  In the 1:1200 scale the masts are usually supplied so it's never been a problem. Let me give it some thought. OK, just checked and see that Thoroughbred Miniatures are 1:600, so know the size now. You may want to consider the Thoroughbred models as they are truly exquisite!

http://www.thoroughbredmodels.com/

I am also suspecting that you mean the USS New Iron sides instead of the USS New Ironclad. The USS New Iron Sides is my favorite American ship of the ACW.

I also use the board game rules Ironclads and like how they work.

Terry

[Ithoriel]

I used brass rod and dressmaker's pins for some of my 1/600 Cruel Seas stuff, I think cocktail sticks would be too thick. But then, what do I know

[pierre the shy]

I have a lot of Navwar WW 1 and 2 1/3000 ships that I have added .8mm brass rod masts to.....IMO they do make a real difference visually even to smaller scale models.

Use a dremmel with 1mm drill to make a hole (carefully  ) at the required spot on the model and just glue in the required length of brass rod.

For larger scale stuff this blog has some good ideas if you decide to go with rods:

http://rallyroundtheflag.blogspot.com/2012/01/adding-masts-to-your-models.html

Good luck with your project.

[FierceKitty]

I know little wooden masts wouldn't last under my leadership. Or on my leader ship either. Or on a musical Lieder Ship...take the tablets, Kitty....

[Sunray]

Many thanks for all the helpful info/links - Yes , Freudian slip - USS New Iron Sides is indeed the name of the vessel.
The intended game will be based loosely on the Prussian v Danish conflict with Ruratania  standing in.
OO figures will be WW1 early Germans, Russian and ACW Union. 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Brass rod would be best, and the masts would be substantial, they support a fighting top.

[Sunray]

Brass rod would be best, and the masts would be substantial, they support a fighting top.

What diameter of rod would you suggest?

[Sunray]

Ok, an hour of what I used to call "desk top" research.

First:

The Throughbred stable are high end.  New Iron Sides is $28 dollars (£21 + postage)  The Peter Pig model  is .......£5.
What you pay for is what you get.  I just want a few ships to interact with the OO 3mm army.   A shore bombardment as the Rolf Krake achieved in thwarting the Prussian movement from Akssud to Als.  I have the bargin  basement Peter Pig version, so will see what can be done.

Second.

The wire rod option is good.  No evidence from images of New Iron Sides that suggests a fighting top ?
Looking at bigger models, I got a good idea of colour schemes and deck layout.
White Ensign does photo etch of ship's wheel in 1/700 .  I also need a binnacle.

For those who want 20th Century,   Tumbling Dice to neat 1/600 AA guns that would pass for a decent deck gun.

Full steam  ahead 

[Steve J]

Those US models are really rather nice and at around $6 per model, not too bad at all.

[Terry37]

For some good info from photos re the USS New Ironsides this may work.

https://www.google.com/search?q=uss+new+ironsides&rlz=1C1MKDC_enUS771US771&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig7JbJ34rhAhUJPN8KHVpnCl0Q_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=937

Terry

[Techno]

What diameter of rod would you suggest?

Scale wise I can't really answer that, James...

I'm guessing folk would recommend the 0.5mm size.....The 0.7mm and 0.8mm 'sound' a tad on the fat side for my perceived idea of a ship that size.
The Scale Model Shop Ltd usually carry a very good selection of this type of item. (Packs of 10, from memory.)

The thinnest size I've bought from them is 0.3mm....Though the 'rods' in the pack I bought were steel (I think) rather than brass.

Cheers - Phil.

[Sunray]

Some good images Terry- thank you.

Phil - this is most useful.  The 0.05 looks the business for the bigger ships in the scale.

[fsn]

Florists' wire?

Range of sizes, dead cheap.

[Techno]

My only thought on florists' wire, Nobby, would be it might be prone to bending. (Possibly ?)...Not if you're careful though.

But a damn good cheapo option. 

Cheers - Phil