$4.00Viking Trading Ship

myminifactory

At 100% size (1:72 scale), this small Viking-era coastal trader model will be a majestic 187mm long. Trading ships were typically shorter, wider, and boasted higher sides than warships, making them well-suited for their intended purpose. Oars played a secondary role to wind, which was the primary source of propulsion. In reality, the ship would have measured 14 meters in length and 4 meters in width. The hull can be printed out either as one single piece or divided into two smaller pieces that are glued together in the middle for added stability. These ship files also include the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Viking (let's call them Gunnhild and Thorer), who would have traded their Knarr for a Land Rover in modern times but instead navigate the 10th-century waters with ease. Their entry-level model, aptly named the Baltic Beauty, is perfect for coastal trading close to home. Gunnhild and Thorer are accompanied by cousin Fritjof, who skillfully steers the boat, as well as Ulf, a seasoned warrior who has joined them for a ride to the market (Ulf is visiting from an ongoing "Vikings Standing Upright" project for a warship under sail). Their boat is loaded with bags of turnips and casks of ale. I crafted the sail using standard 80gsm copying paper, attaching it securely to the yard and mast (as seen in the pictures). This model serves as a general approximation of a class of ship that was common 1000 years ago. While there are many sources detailing what these ships looked like, I took creative liberties to ensure printability and easy assembly. Everything you see in the pictures is also contained within the files, except for the rigging (made from 0.5mm thread), the shield on Ulf's back (borrowed from the Small Viking Warship), and I printed two Gunnhilds. Good sailing! Update 25/11: The hull openings for the oars were adjusted to align better with the hull partitions. Update 28/11: The underside of the hull in the hull file was modified to accommodate printouts at below 50% size. Two pictures demonstrate how the full-scale ship at 100% size compares to a 35% size printout, which is approximately 1:210 scale. Update 12/12: Two half-hull files were added for individuals with smaller printing plates. Update 21/12: The original deck had been open in the middle to accommodate turnips and ale. Here now is a version with all the deck closed. Additionally, the mast stand was adjusted on all files. Update 30/01: Half-hull files are now set for vertical printing instead of the original horizontal orientation.