Storyboard Dioramas long history.
Storyboard ship dioramas have as long a history as any other type of modeling.Sailing vessels with figures aboard have been found by many archeologists digging around in our human past.A more recent example would be this model from the time when Admiralty Board models were popular.
Made in the late 18th century in Buckler's Hard shipyard in Hampshire U.K. ,where this type of ship was actually built,this cut-away type example shows on board activity using scale figures on all decks.
This model inspired my Victory but I opted not to do it as a cut-away.

gorgeous! and a great story,,,,,

Another pic

Copper plates were made from individual pieces,that were weathered and glued on.The nails were made from copper wire ,cut to length and one end sanded flat.Holes were then drilled into the hull and the nails were hammered in for a tight fit.

beautiful work .... thanks again for sharing!

Another pic

New pics of the Victory storyboard diorama.
I was playing around taking pics of my Victory model tonight trying to make it look like the title says "Drumming Daybreak." The rising sun,a plain old 60 W bulb stood in for the sun.
I am quite pleased with the pics considering that Victory is now in glass case which makes taking pics very difficult during the day due to reflection.
I am very happy that I went with the wood/brass look as it seems to get a richer patina over time, unlike paint which tends to deteriorate.

Another pic.

Another pic.

As she sits in her case.
I put one 60Watt bulb on top of the case and shot the pic.The Nelson bust is actually made from copper from the ships bottom that was present at Trafalgar.
The piece of wood on the R/H side is oak from the ships wooden walls.
The base is African mahogany and the carvings are American cherry.The cases base is made from American walnut.All these woods were chosen for their color and reflect the color of the weathered copper plates on the ships bottom.

What's going on!
I have been asked ,what is the story of this diorama? A few years ago I sat down and wrote the following story which was published on a few websites and magazines at the time.I can't find the original but I did find a draft copy with a few corrections.I took some pics of each page ,I hope it is readable.Thanks for your interest.Cheers! John.

Main storyline pics.
The last pic of the officer straddling the bowsprit at the cap with a telescope in his hand,is actually surveying the horizon for enemy ships that may have sneaked up during the night.It was common practice when a ship was in harbor under bare poles, part of the dawn routine was to be prepared for immediate action. The flag indicates that there is a light to moderate breeze blowing and that the ship has weather cocked into the wind as it would do when at anchor.
I have never figured out what the hammock like netting behind the cap was used for ,if anyone knows please enlighten me.
The previous pic shows the marine drummer on the marines walk holding his drum after just having participated in the drumming daybreak ceremony.The fellow sitting on the head is steadying himself holding on to a rope while going about his business.