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ct ertz
10-02-2014, 01:18 PM
Our friend Kaz delivered to me his Sketch Up model of the CSS Jackson. I saw the Civil War Ironclad, or rather what was left of it, at the Columbus Depot museum in Columbus, Ga a few months back. I think Kaz's model is quite well done, so with his permission I am making into a paper model kit.

I have decided to attempt the rail armor used on the ironclad, although the imagery is about twice the size it was in real life, simply because I could not go smaller at 1/250 scale and have it look right. However, it does capture the bolt and rail look of the ironclad. The inside of the casement is bare simply because the casement will not be removable, so only the deck and the guns will be visible through open gun ports.

Most of the added parts are basic CT Paperclad parts I generically use on my other models, canon, anchor, davits and so on. The model is waterline only, but as with most of the Confederate river Ironclads, a scale hull can easily be scratch built by those who wish it.

Thanks Kaz! Here are a few pics of the start of it.:)

heimdall
10-02-2014, 02:14 PM
Looking forward to your build.

Wyvern
10-02-2014, 06:51 PM
Excellent! Another CT Paperclad!

Wyvern

Kazziga
10-02-2014, 11:35 PM
Corey, thank you for unfolding my 3D model. It's nice to see that it was useful after all ;-)

ct ertz
10-03-2014, 10:02 AM
Kaz it is a well done model and I hope to do it justice on paper! I like the overall look so far and hope that it builds well. More soon!

jmr248
10-03-2014, 10:36 AM
Looks like I will get another of CT's vessels to add to my unmade collection. I think this one will bring the total to 1,392. Looks great Corey and I like the staggered gun ports. Very different than what you normally see on these vessels.

ct ertz
10-07-2014, 11:44 AM
And some more done... getting there..:)

blueyeppoon
10-10-2014, 05:46 PM
looks great

elliott
10-10-2014, 07:58 PM
Looks promising Corey. I guess I'll be another one forced to add another ironclad to my (unbuilt, so far) CT Ertz fleet. Who knew there were so many made by the cash- and iron-poor Confederacy?

ct ertz
10-11-2014, 10:22 AM
Yeah, plenty of ships. Of the ships build and completed or nearly completed by wars end, most seem to have made their appearance in late 1864 or 1865. It took a number of years of trial and error to get down patterns that were workable, foundries that were on line and secure places to build. Some of their best never were able to fire a shot in anger, like the CSS Jackson, CSS Texas and others. Some like the "Improved Albemarel" and "Weldon Battery" were just so close to being done, but burned as the war ended. And others, like the CSS Ashly, CSS Cooper, CSS Huntsville and CSS Tuscaloosa, either had issues when completed or were in positions when finished to be of limited uses. Had a large number of ironclads and floating batteries been able to support a large number of unarmored ships in battle, Like at Mobile Bay only with more numbers, then the South would have been substantially more effective. But using their really good ships in solo attacks or with just a few escorts, well, the ship usually ended up like the CSS Arkansas, CSS Atlanta, and CSS Tennessee. Had the war been drawn out another year, the South may have had a chance to use group actions a bit but it was not to be.

Oddly, the CSN mirrored the Quartermasters Depots in timing and production. By 1864-65 the Southern Soldiers (at least near depots) had access to some really well made Uniforms. The sheer number of Southern produced Jackets coming out of the Columbus Depot, in Georgia, the Richmond Depot in Virginia and the Huntsville Penitentiary factory in Texas is just staggering. Lee's ANV surrendered wearing new high quality Type three Richmond Depot Jackets, Full ammunition boxes and weapons that were the world standard, either, Enfields or Springfield's. Yet, they had no blankets, limited foot wear and absolutely no food.

The South was finally getting their home grown production up, forced to do so by blockade, but I would argue that a combination of lack of man power and lack of roads in the South was ultimately their undoing.

CT

elliott
10-11-2014, 11:46 AM
Interesting post CT, chock full of information. Thanks for posting it.

ct ertz
10-13-2014, 12:55 PM
Got all the parts worked out and the kit will be three pages of card. Here is the page with the casemate. I think the color is good and the over all model will capture the look of this vessel pretty well. I like the looks of the armored decks and the off set rivets. I am pretty sure the off set hole used in the rail style armor pretty accurate at least in the look, if not scale, and the over all evolution of the Rebel ironclad is solid! I hope that you all like it. I am working on the cover/info page and instructions now. Big thank you to Kaz!:)

i added the two bronze howitzers, the steam pipe and a flag staff. Not sure if the Jackson had these, but it seems right. I did read that the Jackson did have the typical boat howitzers stored for repelling boarders. :)

ct ertz
10-16-2014, 08:45 AM
Well, Kaz suggested that I make this a double kit, including both famous CSN Columbus yard ships, the CSS Jackson and the CSS Chattahoochee. So I have started on the wooden gunboat now. Both models will be waterline and in 1:250 scale. Pics soon.

ct ertz
10-16-2014, 09:34 AM
Here are some pics so far. The CSS Chattahoochee was a "tub" and would not do well in open ocean. It was a river gun platform. The Desires of it's first Captain, Capt. Jones from CSS Virginia fame, to take the ship to sea was a bit over ambitious. It would have floated, but the crew would have been cramped, wet and sick! Anyhow, it was a good enough river gun boat, all home built. :)

ct ertz
10-18-2014, 04:36 PM
And a bit more work.

elliott
10-19-2014, 08:18 PM
Looking good Corey!

ct ertz
11-06-2014, 11:39 AM
While reworking my Chattahoochee model with a little new information, I figured I would give you all some pictures of the test build of the CSS Jackson. Henryk Schoepe is the builder and doing an awesome job! Enjoy...

elliott
11-06-2014, 02:06 PM
Good-looking build to me, Henryk & CT!

ct ertz
11-06-2014, 09:48 PM
Thanks Elliott. I have some more progress to report on the Chattahoochee. I found out that new research holds that the bulwarks, if it had any, were quite short, the guns easily being able to fire over them. So I cut them down, I also finished most of the rigging.:)

ct ertz
11-13-2014, 01:13 PM
I have also made an add on for the Jackson..:)

ct ertz
11-21-2014, 06:48 PM
And a full hull add on option to the Chat as well!

tatasam
11-22-2014, 02:42 AM
Good decision :) it will be beautiful ship, good luck :)

blueyeppoon
11-22-2014, 06:40 AM
looks terrific. I like it.

ct ertz
11-22-2014, 12:53 PM
The CSS Jackson test build is done with the full hull!!!:)

heimdall
11-22-2014, 04:18 PM
Fantastic! Congratulations to Kaz and to you.

elliott
11-22-2014, 04:20 PM
Great job too. The full hull adds a dimension that you don't realize is missing with a waterline model.
It seems more complete somehow. Good job in pulling the ships lines for the hull Corey.
I have never understood the mystery of ship lines drawings.

ct ertz
12-04-2014, 11:08 AM
Working on the CSS Chattahoochee pieces now. Like the Jackson, it will be a waterline model with a full hull option. Both models will be in one kit, a Columbus Depot kit of sorts!

Michael Mash
12-04-2014, 11:20 AM
Hello CT,
Just got a look at the finished images of your CSS Jackson.
Great job! The artillery piece on the stern is a nice touch.
Mike

ct ertz
12-04-2014, 12:03 PM
Thanks Mike.
My buddy did a good build with that! I love boat howitzers. They are often overlooked but these little guns were used a lot by both sides during the war. Photos of Union ships show these guns on deck on most monitor style ships and we know that they were used on many, many wooded gun boats. Like wise, the South used them when they could get them! I also read somewhere that Southern cannon foundries produced a some copies.

ct ertz
12-05-2014, 04:20 PM
The add on page for the Chattahoochee hull is done! Now for the rest of the ship!:)

Kazziga
12-06-2014, 01:57 AM
Corey, you're the man!

Lighter
12-06-2014, 06:05 AM
Photos of Union ships show these guns on deck on most monitor style ships and we know that they were used on many, many wooden gun boats.

Many? Most? All? manned by Marines which was pretty much their role in the Civil War. The prestige of the Corps had diminished to that of Ships Guards. Note that at the start of the war the Army had a significant fleet outside of Naval command. No Marines on Army ships and boats. The Confederate Marines followed a similar role - that of artillery crew at sea and in shore batteries. They did have snazzy uniforms which weren't designed by Pres Davis!

blueyeppoon
12-07-2014, 07:28 AM
Excellent job mate

ct ertz
12-07-2014, 08:09 AM
Thanks guys.

Now for the est of the boat. A lot of deck junk on these, unlike ironclads. The masts, rigging, fittings... but I think I have it worked out. Hopefully, this should be an ok model when done!

CT

ct ertz
05-31-2017, 01:58 PM
getting close to releasing...:)