CSS North Carlolina recolor by Anna

**ct ertz** · #1 02-20-2010, 07:05 AM

I have been wanting to do the CSS North Carolina for a while now as it is another of the Richmond class ironclads, but I have never been happy with the color. The North Carolina had really bad engines (even by Confederate standards!) and was left unpainted do to lack of paint. Used as a guard ship, the North Carolina quickly rusted over and torpedo worms attacked the bottom. One day, it simply sank! It was kind of a sad situation, but the ship is a good illustration of the hash conditions suffered by the Confederate War industry. I thought it would make a good addition to the 1/250 scale line of ships quickly growing at Ecardmodels.com but I could not gt it to look right.

Then Roman put me in touch with Anna, and she agreed to work her magic on the thing, at least a test run. As it turns out she seemed to really like working on it. I was extremely pleased with her test run, so now she is moving on to the other parts. As this model was mostly ready to go except coloring and the addition of the outhouses on thee stern, I hope to have a model up soon!

As you can see from th attached picture, it will look really sharp!:D

CT

**Paperwarrior** · #2 02-20-2010, 09:00 AM

Corey,

Geez this is a sad sack of a ship. What way to go...rust and worms...sad. I think this will be a GREAT addition to the collection. The test run looks pretty good. I look forward to the finished kit.

Thanks tons for your hard work in the industry to bring us these interesting (and important) subjects.

Jeff

**ct ertz** · #3 02-20-2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks Jeff,
The South had it bad. The design of the casemate rams made them easy to damage when out of the water or when grounded, because of all the weight of the armor. Many Confederate ironclads were launched unarmored, then the armor was placed after the boat was floated. To armor the part below the water line the ship would be pulled to one side then the other using ropes to expose the hull. With out any real drydocks, getting a ship serviced was nearly impossible. Maybe 1/2 a dozen Confederate would be ironclads were damaged beyond repair during launching, and the CSS Raleigh broke in half when grounded because of the weight of armor. The CSS Baltic also was condemned as in a sinking state near wars end, do to torpedo worms. To add to the lack of paint, dry docks, and other problems, Confederate ironclads were seen as a temporary solution to the South lack of ships. Most home built ironclads were built of unseasoned soft woods like green pine. This would would warp and spit and shrink as it aged! All in all, it is quite surprising that the CSN was able to build, maintain and fight as many ironclads as it did.

Although not all of the Souths ships were in the sorry state that the North Carolina was in, I think it is important to bring such ships to life, if only as a contrast to the others!

CT

**Royaloakmin** · #4 02-20-2010, 12:15 PM

Corey, if I remember right, CSS Arkansas was not painted either. I hope she is on your short list.

I think your CSS Georgia would benefit from Anna's magic touch. Too much red lead, looks way too neat for a CSS fightin' 'clad.

**Don Boose** · #5 02-20-2010, 12:46 PM

Your gunboats were already works of art, Corey. With Anna's magic touch they even more come to life. Terrific combination. Dynamic duo.

Don

**30-06** · #6 02-20-2010, 03:26 PM

Great Re-Paint Cory!
Gregor

**Thomas Meek** · #7 02-20-2010, 06:57 PM

Hello, Corey;
Don is spot on. Your boats are works of art already. If Anna's work with them is as beautiful as the aircraft models she has been repainting for Roman (and I have every reason to hope that it will be) they will be really super. Can't wait to see the kit of the CSS North Carolina!

**Wyvern** · #8 02-22-2010, 08:25 AM

that looks superb!

Wyvern

**ct ertz** · #9 03-05-2010, 10:07 AM

OK! I am in contact with Anna and she is ready for page two! All of page one is done and the NC is looking great! Or actually, it looks rusty and neglected. I am adding the text and part labels today! This is going to be a good one! Now for those poddy houses!

**ct ertz** · #10 03-10-2010, 02:58 PM

OK, I will attempt a test build! Anna did wonderful work. The iron looks well rusted, the decks look wet. Over all, quite a gloomy ship to be stationed on. I can not even imagine trying to work on this one in the summer sun!
CT