A Viking Boat, Inspired by the New Viking Line

[doctorsparkles]

Hello,
I've been so impressed with the new Viking line, and in particular, the method used to create the small longboat, that I just couldn't wait until the sets came out. So, here's a little longboat, utilizing the same technique as the official set, that I threw together this afternoon. It's actually kind of a combination of several sets (the sail design was taken from 6261 and the dragon head is based on 1547), so in a way it's an homage to LEGO sets, past, present and future.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/docto ... re_002.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/docto ... re_004.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/docto ... re_005.jpg

You may notice that there is only one oarsman. That's due to the simple fact that I didn't realize until just now that I had another two oars sitting on my dresser. Oh well. I'm also lacking suitable minifigs, so that guy will just have to be really tired for now.
I'm not entirely happy with how it turned out. I want to redo the sail, because I think it looks like crap (I know you can't see it... my camera has a way of creating broken images so 2 of the 5 photos were lost).
Yep. Definitely looking forward to the Viking line.

Here's the folder, when moderated:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=117142

[castlebrickman]

i think it looks pretty good.
you don't like the sail becuse it's to set 6261 Raft Raiders???

[doctorsparkles]

i think it looks pretty good.
you don't like the sail becuse it's to set 6261 Raft Raiders???

Yes and no. I don't mind having the skull and crossbones logo on the sail, though I would prefer something more appropriate. What bothers me is that 6261 was a much wider craft, at about 14 studs wide, so since the sail is narrower than the craft, it's able to be held relatively taut by string. The rowboats, on the other hand, are only about 6 studs wide, so I had to work out a way to hold the sail taut using hinges, and I don't think the result is great.
In other words, the sail worked well on 6261, but doesn't look good at all on my ship. But hey, I threw this thing together in less than an hour, so I wasn't expecting miracles.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.

Edit: The man in the front of the boat was supposed to be Odin, but I just put him in the boat for the sake of having another passenger.
Since taking those pictures, I've used some Brasso on the head to remove the sideburns and stubble, and I swapped out the sword for his spear, Grungir. Here are a couple pictures.
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/docto ... re_018.jpg
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1103570
In the first picture, he's wearing a hat, because sometimes Odin is described as wearing a wide-brimmed hat, worn low to cover his one-eyed visage. I prefer the second version though, with the hair.

[TheBohrok]

Hey, I think that's a neat little boat! I looks like it could pass for a real set, and fit well with the Vikings line.

[doctorsparkles]

Hey, I think that's a neat little boat! I looks like it could pass for a real set, and fit well with the Vikings line.

Thanks... it's actually copied almost directly from the official preview pictures (as best as I could, at least).

[James]

I also can't wait for the new Vikings range so made my own longboat http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jwsta ... ikings.jpg and http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jwsta ... kings2.jpg I will photograph it properly at some point and put it on my site. I really like the idea of using 2 small boats together as a longboat. Its nice to see lego actually thinking about what they have already rather than banging out new crummy molds for everything

[LEGOFREAK]

hey Doc!
I think a lot of us are going to be building two-boat longships.
The first thing I thought was "wow I can do better than that, but what a great idea!" - so in a day or two I should have some pics. would you mind if I posted them here?

[doctorsparkles]

so in a day or two I should have some pics. would you mind if I posted them here?

If you want to. I could probably alter the subject to reflect that there is more than one MOC, and then other people could post their take on the design as well.
Anyway, I'm also sure a lot of people will be building these. I'm surprised nobody had thought about it before, because it seems so obvious now, and the result is great.