[Michael Mash]

Welcome to my experiment. This build report will show the conception, design and construction of the battleship Ulfberht. I am uncertain as to its outcome, or if it will be completed. If the results are worthwhile and encouraging, then I’ll continue. If not, then I’ll move on to something else.

I enjoy experimenting, so this will provide an opportunity to try some new techniques and revisit some old ones. I don’t know yet what this will finally look like. However, the basic dimensions, hull shape and armament have been determined as follows:

Length = 460 ft
Width/Beam = 91ft

The Main Armament will be four 12” guns in forward and aft double turrets. And two more 12” guns in mid-ship single turrets. There is a precedent for pre-dreadnought battleships with six main guns. See: “Brandenburg class Battleships”.

Here are the first drawings and images of the hull frames. I am using Sketchup to create the waterline deck, keel pieces and cross members. The card is 65lb, laminated/doubled.

Best Regards,
Mike


Namesake: Ulfberht swords are a group of medieval swords found in Europe, dated to the 9th to 11th centuries, with blades inlaid with the inscription +VLFBERHT+ (and variants). That word is a Frankish personal name that became the basis of a trademark of sorts, used by multiple blade smiths for several centuries. About 100 to 170 Ulfberht swords are known. (Wikipedia)