We are back again with Greg Liska’s Scratch Built Ships. Greg has been working on these ships for a while so we will let him explain why he made them.
Greg Liska’s Scratch Built Ships
For about 5 years I’d been thinking of building some wooden sailing ships to go with my American Civil War and American War of Independence guys. The Ancients got some good ships from Playmobil and Remco, but none of the plastic sailing vessels representing later times really did it for me. Being away from home in a trailer, I am bored except for my weekends at home. The bodies of these monsters were done there in Trailerland, the rest done on the weekends at home. This occupied almost all of my free time for about 2 months. Now I know why I put this off for 5 years. I’m so glad to be done with these I don’t care if they all came out like complete garbage. I’ve included a pic with a Big Caesar alongside to show the scale. I’m done! Yay! Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you His Majesty’s Ships; Vexation, Annoyance and Regret. The experience inspired the names.
Greg Liska’s Scratch Built Ships Final Thoughts
Greg has this to say on his project.
I hope people like them. This was a nightmare to do and once I got started, I would not stop! I was absorbed by it as if hypnotized and forced myself on with it. I feel like I have just been released from a prison sentence of hard labor in the Sevastopol shipyard.
Greg’s biggest problem was doing the rat lines. I like the ships as it period that there is not much available. Usually if you want to have ships you for your battles you had to use pirate ships which is incorrect. I like what Greg has done.
O M G =WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT IS AWESOME.
sorry x capital
They look so realistic and great x ironclad era battles. I want one !!!
U bit the ship competition this time.
And that jean Hoefler castle in back won’t last longer against then…
Beautiful!
I agree most ships out there are only for pirates action, war naval ships even from prated period were by far larger and different lines. This period naval cover by Grek ships (1850-1915) is great!!Worth the work Greg, congratulation!!
Sorry I should had said 1803-1915,if a minor steam is add in back castle section or middle with a front ram ,it will officially be an ironclad used from 1850-1915.
For early period could be used as US Constitution (Pretty much build using wood from Georgia forests) and others ships in the Barbary conflict wars using the Barzso figures made for that war with out ship.
I did consider making rudder wheels out of windmills for them and making some simple smoke stacks to be placed on the decks. I may do this in the future.
They look good to me, nice job.
Truly beautiful, awesome creations. Who wouldn’t love to have all 4 of those ships in their own collections!
Greg when can I commission mine!?
Thanks for the raves. Erwin – This was such a prison sentence, I will never do another. I will get to use them this weekend! Taking a project break now. I have 2 figures to do quick conversions on, but nothing else getting in the way of battles with my son!
Can anybody identify the source of the figurehead in the nose-on pic of one ship? You’ve seen it before! It’s the same source for 2 of the ship figure heads. The third was a dinosaur head as my son requested.
Greg is that Marx sport woman figure ?.I can barrely define her face ???
Close! It’s Marx. That should be a big hint.
I can only see one angle and one increase it get blurry.sorry
If got other pic send it please to me if like.
That face looks marx.but body can not see it.
I wish I could send you another pic. It would mean I’m HOME. Alas, I am in Trailerland, AKA: The Singlewide Manor Estates.
ok,Erie beauties ,Marx ballerina or AMEX version, I cannot guess not more as I can see not much,sorry
I thought perhaps it was the Marx 54 mm female swimmer who is in the starting position. However, I think she was wearing a bathing cap so I vote for the female figure skater. If that is correct, it must have been altered though.
It’s the French maid pose from the Erie Beauties, sans feather duster (and the lower half of her body). If anybody has a spare of that pose, I’d buy it. That was the only one I had.
These look great in every way. They are far from turning out “like garbage”. Are they solid wood hulls?
wonderful!
Thank you and yes, the hulls are stacked wood, glued together. The ramparts are made of thin wood wrapped around the hull and reinforced on the inside with wooden ‘ribs’ just like you’d see on a real ship. THAT was not planned for, but the wrapped wood was somewhat frail and stressed from the warping to fit the hull. I did many hours of unplanned work dremeling peg holes to place the wooden ribs in order to bolster their integrity. The result looks very authentic, but it was frustrating.
Yikes … Well it looks great and I suspect there is a nice ‘heft’ to the finished product. What was the wrapped wood? Basswood? Balsa?
The guy that helped me with the hull works for me. He lives local and we used his tools. He insisted we use his scrap wood, so I’m not sure what that wood is. I’m sure it’s not Balsa. It was never intended to be bent like that, I can tell you that much. We kept sanding it thinner in the spots where it needed to bend the most, wet it and bend it, let it dry, repeat. I wanted to use some scrap paneling I had, but forgot to bring it down with me the week we were to start on the ramparts. I’d say the ships weigh about 7 lbs. each. I’m happy with the stability of them.
These are amazing Greg! Thanks for sharing them!
Thank you, Sir. Praise from you is very much appreciated. I still go back to look at your line of ‘bill and bow’ (or pike and crossbow) that you did.
All I can do is add to the praise of some great jobs. I’ve been busy trying to put some finishing touches on the Barzso Pirate Schooner my wife got me for Christmas – it’s kind of like trying to improve on perfection, if you know what I mean. Your pix both inspire and intimidate. The work of a master.
Thanks, Wayne. I don’t know about the ‘master’ part of it, though. I felt more like a ‘slave’ to these ships while building them. Please send pics of your Barzo ship when it’s done!
Well done. These look amazing. The lack of ships for soldiers of this era has always irked me slightly. I look forward to what you do next!
I agree in sailors .
Sailors of many wars had barrely been cover by most companies
Pirartes not.
Airmen or airforce too.With exception of french and italian companies such Cofalu,Quiralux,starlux,Jim,atlantic,Coma,cane and Nardi who cover airforce personel
BUT spacemen had been done by tons.
and those done post WW2 in most …
The absolute best sailors to go with Greg’s masted sailing ships would be Replicant’s Trafalgar sailors, of which there are approximately 6 different poses, along with some shipboard British Marines of the same Napoleonic time period. Other than the British Marines, the sailor poses are all doing shipboard-type activities. Another possibility are the Barzso Pirates from his Treasure Island playset.
But the Replicant Trafalgar poses include shipboard activity poses other than just fighting on the deck.
Yes Don.Those one are the best.
PH DId one set but too big figures ,any how a large set poses of french english and Spaniards,but no way get then unless paid top.$$$
I think BARZSO may work good too and only marx 4 poses too still around unpainted.
Charben pirates have indeed few Royal mariners-sailors by appearance in clothing poses too. And Charben are not that tall
But so few out there versus hundred of pirates sets and kept been done.
Even x WW2 few ,specially Soviets had been done and RM by lone star .
I know that if not large ships done what should be the point, but many sailors fought in WW2 in land, also small plastic boat could be easy used as speed or torpedo boats or converted. I had made some out of cheap plastic boats.
This samples Greg did are a very realist way to do boats/ships x display/battle, if commission by some body in small run as Barzso do their playset I bet they could be sold easy.
I understand pirates are popular but most because movies had made then so. Historical is few what is known about them as most never wrote any and their records is base in most talking and action-most depredation and murder, rape ,destruction they did to ports and town wrote by victims after events. Their life is like the mafia and gangsters life.
They barely engage in large battles and if so,most lost if not run away.
Wile naval military battles are well recollected in books else and part of all warfare; in many cases decisively changing the war outcome.
Amen on both the Replicants & Barzso pirate figures. I have some of the Barzso pirates mixed in my CSA cannon crews as guerillas.
Here’s a link to all kinds of Barzso photos:
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Barzso+Pirates&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001
What about the Ideal pirates, they were mighty fine pirates to round out a crew. Personally, I think the Ideal pirates were the best ever made, too bad there were only 6.
I saw a prototype of a Conte pirate ship back at OTSN a number of years ago, prior to the Spartans being released, probably the finest ship I ever saw. Not sure if it was designed exclusively for pirates, but then again most pirates used captured ships anyway.
Ed ,yes I saw that ship too ,but wonder what would be the price after what they ask x the Viking ship. I think those large costly parts of Conte toys/design pieces were a killer in sales.People look at then with fear!!!.
Pirates often capture small fast ships most time as they prefer it for fast hit and run combats/attacks to scape before and navy fleet cut then,only large XVI century pirates and most corsair fleet that were primary financed by European powers such England and France had larger ships and in many cases former navy lend ships not captured;after 1650 most then start disappear as most European power agree to suspend use of piracy as a weapon tool and in fact reverse and persecute/eliminate then ,even if were allied before.
I’d be interested in pics of these suggested crews. I have Mx WoW pirates, Ideal and MPC. This is not sufficient. Good sailing poses (not just fighting on the deck) are of interest to me. Cannoneers are needed. I’d converted the WoW pirate holding the oar to holding a ram rod, but that’s just a start. I sure don’t want any more stupid eye-patch-wearing – parrot-on-the-shoulder types and I’m sure the Navies of the world did often have crews who had ALL of their limbs yet. I can’t see any source that will not be somewhat expensive unless somebody could enlighten me.
Greg they are a lot in pirates in those poses in Spaniards production, some French too and British /German some too, but all vintage figures and you need to spend to get them. They pup up once wile in the eBay .I see more in my other ways
I agree in dam parrot of wood leg, no way use then in navy, it is pure unrealistic and come out few legends ,I doubt many wood leg pirates ever exist too as not much respect and show of strength among their crew. Pirates captain has to be strong animals and violent/murder to keep control their own …Not the fancy funny Disney or Errol Flynn character.
About figures I will look in to mine and see what I can suggest..
I believe Marx had some 54mm pirates that I think we’re sold mostly over seas designed for a set they never made, they have some sailing type poses, but they are hard to come by and I’ve only seen them painted. The only other sailing poses that I can think of off hand are the two Ideal guys, one is steering the ship, the other climbing the rigging. Barzso has a cannon crew or at least two poses. I think the Marx Wow with a shovel can be converted pretty easily to be part of a cannon crew. Most pirates I know of are of the fighting variety. I don’t know much about the pirates made in Europe, they may have sailing poses.
Ed only the 12 poses 54 mm were made in hard plastic in Hong Kong ,the mold was over casted/wasted and produced in soft too ,I own hard and soft version painted of the 12 poses set 54 mm stamped HK ,none said MARX bellow wile the box were the hard come I have said so(Marx and serial number too) .I have it too.
The pose#13(“captain with two guns and crossed )that was done separated apparently for same playset that never was done, was left off HK ,mold here in US as far I know.
That single poses was reissue not long ago and is easy to find around ,often mix with ideal 54 mmm poses mix lot
I have that very posed Captain figure. When they recast the Ideal pirates (Glencoe did it, I think) some of the boxes had that pose in it.
Greg ideal poses are 6 ,what captain pose u referring too,the one with sword overhead?.
I think Greg is referring to a figure of a pirate captain holding crossed pistols at his chest. It was made at the same time as the 12 54mm Marx pirates but I don’t think it was included in the small boxed sets with 12 hand painted figures. Glencoe found the cavity and combined it with the 2 never run colonials (man with ax, woman with buckets), 45mm Indian with paddle, 45mm Crockett and the lying down nude and ran the figures in an almond color back in the 1990s. The pirate cavity was removed by Glenco who then ran it in a small mold out and sold with reissue Ideal pirates by Glencoe. I have a picture at my website
What Kent wrote is exactly what I was talking about. The Mx Captain figure was included in some of the Glencoe boxes of Ideal pirates.
Yeah, I think shovel-man could be made to be shifting the cannon orientation. I know that at sea, navies did not, could not, have stayed in strict uniform, but they would be dressed better, or at least differently, than most of these pirate guys. Looking at Master and Commander (a well done movie, I’d also read the book many years earlier) you can see what the general look of your average European Sailor of the day would look like. The 4 Mx 60mm poses are a nice start, but the cost! Gasp!
Greg the Charbens have some poses that are navy sailors ,not pirates,many poses are easy to made in to sailing poses.
Chinese made pirates have plenty in those poses easy to convert too. I have a large collection of pirates for sailor purpose only, but of course never converting then, they are all inside they big box waiting x one day…
Barzso are most in action poses ,nice figures but not for shimanship
take off the shovel complete had him passim the cannon ball or lowered the window fire port.
English and Spaniard navy( FROM 1792-1878/1885)
main head hats were the Catalan style hat-sombrero as the Mexican Zorro style soldiers ,also used in AIP Royal navy colonial had them. FROM 1792-1858/1885
French used the two ,the berett and “sleep” style hat with pom pom or hanging cords as Barzo Canadian militia and AIP Napoleonic two poses had. The French beret had run 4 different variations.
Russia adopted the French beret too
American early used same as British ,later change to French new issue beret ,then change again.
Spain adopted the berett as well Italy in late 1860’s
The sailor personnel often used wherever they can .only military assigned guards and soldiers ,later marine corps had to ware uniform at all time as well navy staff .
Artillerymen till 1853 could be in any according to British royal navy regulation, many still follow it till much later.
Film “Master of Command “used personal from museums directing the use of proper uniforms in navy at film. It is a better example for you to observe than the
Mutiny that represent a commissioned navy ship, not naval war ship .Two different crew system in them
No the Marx pose is not in the box I got from HK that come with only 11-12 poses hard plastic from MARX.
I do not think that pose (would be 13) was ever send to HK in a mold.
I also have the same 12 poses in soft plastic painted ,not boxed and that pose again did not show up.
I also have the big WOW made in Hong Kong in 4 different types of molds from 54 to 45/50 mm down scaled. Not in all poses full sets.
Two of then are nice sculpted other pure trash wasted mold cloned.
Erwin – the box I’m referring to is the box of Ideal recasts that Glencoe did. I’d gotten 2 and one of them had 2 of the Mx 54mm Captain pose in the box. I’d gotten them from Toy Soldier Depot about 6 years ago.
Greg,the box comment I did was not reffering to your comment,that is why I did not wrote u name,it was regarding ed comment on Ed Marx first comment 12 poses.see above.
Order or responses and reply unfortunately do not post in.order.
Sorry again Greg ,it actually follow Kent comment regarding the original mold In it Kent correct mention that( he did not think original 13 pose was included in MARX HK case ).And I just afirm it saying it.Floow it and will understand.
We were reffering to first early production.
.Not what u got later recast.
I will have photos up soon on the pirates.
You are welcome to use any of the pictures at my website. I have most of the Marx pirates pictured. Interesting in that there are two 60mm “WOW” pirate molds, one in Russia and one in Mexico. The one in Mexico has a damaged cavity (pirate with crutch I think). Also a smaller scale mold was made in Europe closer to 54mm. I have only ever had the captain, hand at belt and he is pictured next to the 60mm version at my site. Plus copies made in Hong Kong on bagged card and cruder small copies made in Russia.
Painted MARX WOW made in HK used the smaller(is not quite 54mm but more 56 mm) Marx mold now in Russia. WOW figures painted pirates are smaller than Mexican reissue or original unpainted
Again here is the pose you talk Greg.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marx-Reissue-Recast-Pirate-Captain-Figure-54mm-Treasure-Cove-Playset-/162047113255?hash=item25bac2b827:g:eyQAAOSwQYZWyzmD
Thanks Kent I have put photos up of the pirates. Denitz from Russia has covered the different sizes of the Marx pirate figures. We keep learning new things every day.
Ok here is the Marx 13 pose. With some ideal ,MPC and Tim mee.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIM-MEE-MPC-MARX-IDEAL-PLAYSET-PIRATE-CANNON-FLAG-NEW-OLD-PLASTIC-TOY-SOLDIERS-/322093597613?hash=item4afe4643ad:g:tj4AAOSw~oFXJpIN
CTS has some relatively inexpensive pirate stuff on their site:
http://www.classictoysoldiers.com/cgi-bin/ctsc6/rtl/prd_d.cgi?category=54mm Toy Soldiers+Pirates (54mm)
Hmmmm – have to click on & then click 54mm & then pirates which is toward top of list. Don’t know why exact page didn’t come up.
Greg.Sorry x confusing in reply order .
My box comment was not direct to you Sir.
That is why I did not wrote your name at beginning.
It is following first comment by ed regarding the marx 12 poses.
You can get Marx re-issue WOW poses cheap, the re-casts, we have a bunch of them I believe. They come in funky colors, but they are not expensive.
Ed.the funny colors such purple or lavender,grey.yellow,light blue are 90 s direct recast made in Mexico x mexico party stores as pinata feelers.Head card often label as pirates of Caribbean and not related to movie as before.Some stores brought then here in US.And many toy soldiers dealer got hand on then.
I think paul brought then too when he travelled to Mexico
Now from same 7 poses ,as one pose damage pose of mexico marx mold are being recast by classic recast in silver.
All then are the 60 mm .Not the WOW mold used.The WOW mold used were done in down scalled around 56/57 mm.
And in.HK as painted.That mold with all 8 poses from HK WOW is in RUSSIA since late 70s and also being reissue x long too x very low price plus free shipping in few sellers.
I also have few cloned HK copies made too.
I will show pictures w admin permit of all x differences in size and base bottom that distinguish then easy too.
Another company that a few pirates, don’t remember the poses, but BUM did some, I think only 4 poses. One was swinging an axe I believe.
Yes,the BUM are 4 poses from.original 12 poses PECH HERMANOS molds they got only.Your right in poses.
Reamsa 4 poses out original 12 poses mold were reissue too,but some are exact poses as starlux in this case.
Looked up the BUM poses, not going to be too useful except for maybe guy with the axe. The Captain has a parrot and a peg leg, couldn’t tell if he had an eye patch, if he does you have the holy trinity going with him. They do provide some accessories that could be useful though.
Another remote possibility for pirates is the MPC ringhands, most are pretty useless looking if not a bit comical, you get a hook, a peg leg and an eye patch amoung the four poses, but the weapons and accessories could be somewhat useful. Of course since they are not holding anything they could be used as conversions.
We should include the Timmee pirates, but they are rather large and most poses are fighting, again you have quite a collection of peg legs and eye patches. However some dress better than most pirates.
Greg the following AIP sets have many poses that can give you artillery crew and easy convert to ship sailing crew by simple removing weapons and in some cases ,not even that,in others the head has to be change.
Look at AIP web site,now running special sale and see the following sets please.
British Royal Artillery in “Shirt Sleeve Order set #5560
Gatling Gun – British Royal Artillery in “Shirt Sleeve Order5557
Egypt & Sudan – Royal Navy Summer Dress – 1882-1898 #5512,5513 and 5514
Boxer Rebellion China -1900 Chinese Boxer # 5513(some poses could be converting
Also Napoleonic Prussian militia- 5524
Greg,also some of my OWN set (Chinese imperial soldiers) often wrongly call boxers.Have good potential, these figures come partial assemble and are great x conversion, I had done a lot of then..
The following cloned down scaled HK poses Ex Marx 60 mm pirate shoveling poses in large cheap lot could be used too.
look this link.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111968320400?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Here also the Russian recast (not 60 mm ) EX MARX pirates in all 8 poses with free shipping from Russia.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321923210786?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Greg.
Or these cloned MARX down scaled,not much detail .Ask seller if hard or soft plastic as were made in both material. I have some.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121973018676?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Greg.
More.US toys web site have then too, but here is a eBay set of US toys pirates sets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Pirate-Figures-Kid-Party-Goody-Loot-Bag-Cake-Topper-Filler-Favor-Toy-Supply-/131746879617?hash=item1eacb9d881:g:gd8AAMXQxU5SArMO
Or these made by AMSCAN in late 90’s,they are suppose to be 6 poses,the picture only show 5 ,they are 62/64 mm ,I got them, soft easy to cut plastic.You can find then in Amazon as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/x60-Bulk-Pirate-Models-Party-Favour-Toys-Loot-Gift-Bag-Plastic-Figures-Caribbean-/311302131687?hash=item487b0d8fe7:g:H6cAAOSwPYZU7Z0x
greg ,sorry I put your name ,is to avoid confusion to who I’m posting it to.
here is US toy link.
http://products.ustoy.com/search?w=pirates%20figures&asug=
And this odd set in 45/50 mm scale ,I got them too ,not too much detai,accessories are ok.
http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-British-Action-Warship-present/dp/B01CRX0PX4/ref=sr_1_63?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1462543126&sr=1-63&keywords=pirate+figures