New kit UNICORN MODELS: HMS WOLF 1758: 1:48 SLOOP OF WAR

Heinrich

Heinrich

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Dear Friends

First off, I want to state categorically that I am not in any involved with or affiliated to Unicorn Models - I was not asked by them to post this, and neither do I receive any imbursement - be it in monetary terms or by means of a free kit, from them. I have merely found this information on Taobao whilst looking at a suitable subject to build for my next project. It does not seem as if their latest release has been mentioned (if it has, I apologize in advance) - hence me posting this. Details are relatively sparse, but I have managed to find the following information and photographs from diverse sellers on Taobao. Maybe @Sam Chan has more information for us.

HMS Wolf 1759 1:48 760mm 30" Sloop of War Wooden Model Ship Kit​

Features​

  • Scale: 1:48
  • Length 760 mm 30" (from the tail flagpole to the head diagonal mast)
  • Width 121 mm 5"
  • Height 590 mm 23"
  • This model adopts 3D technology, and the new structural design makes for a more efficient production. Accurate ribs with referenced grinding/fairing lines makes for a very accurate hull construction. High-precision 3D printing of the bow and stern ornaments are highly detailed.
  • Main material: Choice between Swiss pear wood or North American cherry wood
  • The entire model adopts 3D computer-design technology.
  • New structural design makes the production more accurate and efficient.
  • The accurate frame ribs have referenced grinding/fairing lines to ensure a very accurate hull construction.
  • High-precision 3D printing of the ship's figurehead and stern ornaments are highly detailed.
  • The kit contains a full set of cannons and swivel guns, related blocks, pulleys and breeching ropes.
  • The kit does not feature masts, sails or rigging material.
  • It is a very high-precision kit which was produced by an experienced team and verified by many highly skilled model builders.
  • Price: 550 USD (for the Cherry version) and 600 USD (for the Swiss Pear version).
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BradNSW said:
Looks nice. Will be interesting to watch the first build log!
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I agree, Brad. It does look like a kit with "good bones", so it should build up into a really nice model. The wood quality, in particular the Swiss Pear, is some of the best.
 
Kurt Konrath said:
Well we will just have to wait until you end up with a kit to see what you can do with it!
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Whoa, Kurt ... hold onto your horses. The Admiral and I both have different first choices, but funnily, on both of our lists, HMS Wolf takes second place ... for now.
 
It is an interesting model - seems to be well prepared, so that also not so experienced modelers are able to make a beautiful ship model our of the kit. I think there will be several areas where a modeler could pimp and bash the kit - for me personally I am not a big fan of the lasered prepared treenailing and all other laser marked details (f.e. eyelets etc.) , but this is a trend the market is going in moment. Carvings, windows and some other details are very good made. Interesting.
I tried to get some information about a 10 gun sloop HMS Wolf launched or purchased in 1759 but could not find any information - so I am looking forward to learn on which basis this model was developed.....
Nice model
 
Subject, and overall dimensions are almost perfect. That prototype looks nevertheless a bit poor in some respects. Personally I don't like the composite posts and keel and rudder as well. Furthemore, deck's nailing is far out of scale.
 
Uwek said:
It is an interesting model - seems to be well prepared, so that also not so experienced modelers are able to make a beautiful ship model our of the kit. I think there will be several areas where a modeler could pimp and bash the kit - for me personally I am not a big fan of the lasered prepared treenailing and all other laser marked details (f.e. eyelets etc.) , but this is a trend the market is going in moment. Carvings, windows and some other details are very good made. Interesting.
I tried to get some information about a 10 gun sloop HMS Wolf launched or purchased in 1759 but could not find any information - so I am looking forward to learn on which basis this model was developed.....
Nice model
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Hi Uwe. I have managed to unearth some information about the ship. One has to be careful not to confuse this model with the 1742 HMS Wolfe - even though they both belong to the Snow-Class of sloops.

The 1759 does not refer to the launch date - that was in 1754; but to her configuration in 1759 during the bombardment of Le Havre.

Here goes:

The two-masted Snow-Class sloop, HMS Wolf, was a small, naval vessel dedicated to playing a support in military missions. She had two masts, square-rigged and supported by a trysail mast (also called a “snow mast” – hence the Class name) aft of the main mast. Built at the Chatham dockyard by master shipwright Adam Hayes, she was launched in 1754, two years before the outbreak of the Seven Years’ War. This conflict provided her the opportunity to participate in the British Fleet’s attack on Le Havre and the destruction of the amphibious ships that were built to invade England.

At dawn on April 7, 1759, the British began bombarding Le Havre with five bomb vessels which belonged to the squadron commanded by Admiral George Rodney. The squadron consisted of 3 battleships (two-deckers), 3 frigates and two sloops, HMS Carcass (14 guns) and HMS Wolf (10 guns) – the latter captained by Hugh Bromedge.

During the bombardment, at least 1900 mortar bombs (weighing 93-197lbs) and 1 150 special fireballs were raining on the city and the shipyard slipways. The proposed invasion fleet was completely destroyed, and several fires were ignited in the city and harbour.

At the end of hostilities, HMS Wolf underwent routine maintenance and repairs, and when the next war began, this time for the independence of the American colonies, she was sent to guard convoys, take action against smugglers, and carry out forced recruitment of potential naval recruits.

As a result, she often visited the ports of Ireland and Southwest of England where she was able to employ men off the streets and local taverns who were capable of serving in the Royal Navy. Three years later, the same methods were employed to provide “recruits” directly to the Royal Navy ships circling the English Channel.

To this day, preserved in the records, are the penalties served out on the HMS Wolf for drunkenness, insubordination, rebellion, and inappropriate behavior toward officers. For these transgressions, the offenders were whipped – 12, 24 or more strokes.

In 1781, the sloop HMS Wolf (now 27-years’ old and leaking) was sold for 262 British pounds!

Length: 75 feet, 6 inches.

Width: 28 feet, 7.5 inches

Armament:10 x 3-pounder guns / 10 x 0.5 pounder swivel guns
 
@Uwek / @albertmary

Gentlemen, thank you for your comments - seeing that this model is on my shortlist, I do value your input.

1. The subject choice brings a totally new wooden model to the table which is always good news. (There is a paper/cardboard version of this model as well, but not from Unicorn)
2. The scale is wonderful. I don't think anyone can complain about 1:48 which at the same time results in a model which is "only" 760cm in length. I think a lot of detail can be included - provided, of course that one can find more information on the ship. In that regard, Uwe, I think you are spot-on when you say that there is plenty of room for personalization.
3. Indeed, the carvings, windows and figurehead are excellent and finely detailed.
4. I also agree about the composite rudder and sternposts. It would have been so much nicer if those had been solid pieces of wood.
5. The photographs that I have of the kit components (not of the prototype) do not show the deck, so I can't say for sure whether it is factory lasered (it certainly seems so) or not.
6. Interestingly, the lasered deck of the HMS Pandora (see picture below), exhibit the same (dare I say, out-of-scale) tree nailing pattern, so it seems indeed like a trend among manufacturers.

Pd deck.png

7. Lastly, reading between the lines (and please don't quote me on this), I think this model has the same resin filler pieces at the bow and the stern that the Belle Poule and the Pandora have. (I have no proof of this though, and maybe I am misinterpreting the Chinese completely.)
 
We could just let your comment slide you know...

Though I should mention that I am truly enjoying my British build - so much documentation to guide me along the way! But you'll have to abandon the Dutch preference for frugality and plank the hull and decks according to a fixed pattern. I happen to find that obligation comforting, but you???
 
dockattner said:
We could just let your comment slide you know...

Though I should mention that I am truly enjoying my British build - so much documentation to guide me along the way! But you'll have to abandon the Dutch preference for frugality and plank the hull and decks according to a fixed pattern. I happen to find that obligation comforting, but you???
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Paul, I think it is time for a change - both in the type of model I build and as far as my mindset and objectives go. In fact, if at all possible, I would like to do as little research as possible and build pretty much according to the instructions I have in front of me. There may be certain additions or enhancements I might consider, but that will be for the purpose of aesthetics only and not to attempt historical accuracy. This time I want to ENJOY the build and not spend my time with my nose buried in books.
 
Heinrich said:
Whoa, Kurt ... hold onto your horses. The Admiral and I both have different first choices, but funnily, on both of our lists, HMS Wolf takes second place ... for now.
Click to expand...
Well I didn't mean you had to buy it now, as I know how fund management can be a fickle issue for hobbies of family needs. I just figured if did the research into the kit and ship it might be on your future list of kits to buy.

I have several kits I would love to buy, but don't have space, time or money to obtain or ever build them. Need to complete current projects first and get down to working "in progress" backlog. You seem to be able to manage your time and workspace much better than I, and I commend you for that.
 
Heinrich said:
Dear Friends

First off, I want to state categorically that I am not in any involved with or affiliated to Unicorn Models - I was not asked by them to post this, and neither do I receive any imbursement - be it in monetary terms or by means of a free kit, from them. I have merely found this information on Taobao whilst looking at a suitable subject to build for my next project. It does not seem as if their latest release has been mentioned (if it has, I apologize in advance) - hence me posting this. Details are relatively sparse, but I have managed to find the following information and photographs from diverse sellers on Taobao. Maybe @Sam Chan has more information for us.

HMS Wolf 1759 1:48 760mm 30" Sloop of War Wooden Model Ship Kit​

Features​

  • Scale: 1:48
  • Length 760 mm 30" (from the tail flagpole to the head diagonal mast)
  • Width 121 mm 5"
  • Height 590 mm 23"
  • This model adopts 3D technology, and the new structural design makes for a more efficient production. Accurate ribs with referenced grinding/fairing lines makes for a very accurate hull construction. High-precision 3D printing of the bow and stern ornaments are highly detailed.
  • Main material: Choice between Swiss pear wood or North American cherry wood
  • The entire model adopts 3D computer-design technology.
  • New structural design makes the production more accurate and efficient.
  • The accurate frame ribs have referenced grinding/fairing lines to ensure a very accurate hull construction.
  • High-precision 3D printing of the ship's figurehead and stern ornaments are highly detailed.
  • The kit contains a full set of cannons and swivel guns, related blocks, pulleys and breeching ropes.
  • The kit does not feature masts, sails or rigging material.
  • It is a very high-precision kit which was produced by an experienced team and verified by many highly skilled model builders.
  • Price: 550 USD (for the Cherry version) and 600 USD (for the Swiss Pear version).
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Two points here. There is no '59 ship named Wolf, the only reference is this kit. There are many entries for a '52 Wolf but this also appears to be in error. I think this is more likely 1742 as cited by Winfield (British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714 -1792)
Quite a busy career compared to a lot of ships available in kit form (kits are usually based on surviving structural detail rather than career) She saw plenty of action, escort for the whaling fleet off Norway, later in the War of Jenkin's Ear with Spain before being taken by the French and renamed La Loup, then retaken and extensively rebuilt in Plymouth. At one time was commanded by Lt Commander A Keppel (later Admiral)
Wrecked in rough seas South of Belfast 1748.
Sister ships of the Wolf Class were Otter and Grampus. Essentially replacements for the Drake class with a little more firepower.
The other point is the hull planking pattern! Hopefully no-one will copy this!!
 
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good luck with your new project my friend Heinrich, I will keep following with great curiosity :) Thumbsup
 
Bob Ellis said:
Two points here. There is no '59 ship named Wolf, the only reference is this kit. There are many entries for a '52 Wolf but this also appears to be in error. I think this is more likely 1742 as cited by Winfield (British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714 -1792)
Quite a busy career compared to a lot of ships available in kit form (kits are usually based on surviving structural detail rather that career) She saw plenty of action, escort for the whaling fleet off Norway, later in the War of Jenkin's Ear with Spain before being taken by the French and renamed La Loup, then retaken and extensively rebuilt in Plymouth. At one time was commanded by Lt Commander A Keppel (later Admiral)
Wrecked in rough seas South of Belfast 1748.
Sister ships of the Wolf Class were Otter and Grampus. Essentially replacements for the Drake class with a little more firepower.
The other point is the hull planking pattern! Hopefully no-one will copy this!!
Click to expand...
Hi Bob. Please scroll up to my earlier posting. starting with:

Hi Uwe. I have managed to unearth some information about the ship. One has to be careful not to confuse this model with the 1742 HMS Wolfe - even though they both belong to the Snow-Class of sloops.

The 1759 does not refer to the launch date - that was in 1754; but to her configuration in 1759 during the bombardment of Le Havre.

Info.png
 
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