HMS Drake WIP

The HMS Drake was launched around 1901. It was a heavy cruiser and it's primary purpose was scouting and showing the flag. During WW1 the HMS Drake was used as a convoy escort. It was torpedoed by the U-79 off the coast of Ireland. It was able to make it to Rathlin Sound - where the crew was able to leave the ship which then capsized and sunk.

This model was built using a photocopy of one of the original blueprints ( when rolled out the drawing is over 14' long) obtained from the National Maritime Museum in London. The level of detail is about medium and the polygon count comes in at 23,000. I'm currently getting it ready as a FSX freeware release. The model is being built in gmax.

As for the period - since the drawing is dated 1901, that's pretty much what I'm following. I know that towards the end of the war, the few remaining Drake class cruisers had their lower casement guns removed and were mounted on the upper deck, but I'm not trying to model that. The one big modeling task to complete is setting the model up so that when the engines are off, and the parking brake is set, the ship will display in "at anchor" mode, with boat booms out and boats tied up and anchors set.
 
X_eidos2 said:
The HMS Drake was launched around 1901. It was a heavy cruiser and it's primary purpose was scouting and showing the flag. During WW1 the HMS Drake was used as a convoy escort. It was torpedoed by the U-79 off the coast of Ireland. It was able to make it to Rathlin Sound - where the crew was able to leave the ship which then capsized and sunk.
Click to expand...


This model was built using a photocopy of one of the original blueprints ( when rolled out the drawing is over 14' long) obtained from the National Maritime Museum in London.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know about the length, I have one of HMS Ocean, makes a great wallpaper. Trouble is that they are builders plans and don't show refits or amendments (prior to or after build and completion).


The level of detail is about medium and the polygon count comes in at 23,000. I'm currently getting it ready as a FSX freeware release. The model is being built in gmax.
Click to expand...
Gstring....trouble with that is that it makes objects with 3 sided polys, even boxes.

The one big modeling task to complete is setting the model up so that when the engines are off, and the parking brake is set, the ship will display in "at anchor" mode, with boat booms out and boats tied up and anchors set.
Click to expand...
Now that will be interesting. Are you going to animate this bit?

regards Collin:ernae:
 
Regarding animating the setting of anchor mode.

I was planning on just having the two visibility states - on and off. But the more I think about it, I realize that this is something that could be animated. Challenge would be having an animation that looks just as good going backwards as it does going forward.
 
X_eidos2 said:
Regarding animating the setting of anchor mode.

I was planning on just having the two visibility states - on and off. But the more I think about it, I realize that this is something that could be animated. Challenge would be having an animation that looks just as good going backwards as it does going forward.
Click to expand...

This depends a great deal on what you are going to do with the model in FSX. If it is just a bit scenery then it can have 2 states. One would be under power with no boom etc, or anchored. On the other hand if you are going to have it as 'sailable' model, link it to control point in the wheelhouse.

Animations...this is the tricky bit...When the anchor drops do you see the chain clattering over the side? The booms swing out but are they secured? Do the boats drop from the davits and let go the falls before securing to the booms?:isadizzy:

Where do you stop?:kilroy:

Idea:jump:....paint her in Med colours, stick an awning over her fore and aft and have her as a floating gin palace in Valetta harbour....... Simples.:icon_lol:

regards Collin:ernae:
 
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