Tartan Jack

OR . . . Foxe can be picking on you on a PM and create a name that starts as a joke, but takes on a whole other implication and meaning. Then, that name is adopted . . . At least, THAT is where my name came from . . .

The (8) is already rubbed off (using the nail-polish to remove tempo print trick) to a solid black. It was a "quick fix" to replace the AWFUL stock one. I'm looking for usable alternatives and the belaying pin might work. I had thought of that, but wasn't sure how it would work . . .

The best part of the movie WAS the ships. I read on IMDB that they TRIED to copyright the "Rackham" flag (as commonly attributed) . . . Fortunately, they failed. It is the SAME one used for Barbossa in the PotC films.

At 1:40 at night . . . Whisky, Rum (Black Strap), and Cheerwine

Well . . . Since you asked . . . I am making my 2009 Scion xB into a Scottish pirate sloop. It is named "Highland Revenge." On my list of things to do: Headliner in gray tweed "Deck" interior Cannons in passenger windows (roped in authentic style on collapsible carriages) Closed cannon ports on side (doors on magnetic material) Red "wales" lines (pinstripe vinyl) REAL cannon for "brag board," to be set in front (offered by Scikotics member in North Carolina) Tartan accents (probably red and black Wallace tartan) on the interior Custom flag to be flown from pole strapped to antenna (am currently using several smaller (12"x18") ones of popular flags. Bilge rats (from IKEA) in various places in box Sea Chests -historic style, in gray or tartan (used to hold ACTUAL clothes and stuff during show, maybe build one from a cooler) Plus, I'll have several mini-pirate sloops rigged and in same colors as Highland Revenge scattered through interior Many ideas coming, but not sure how they will look. The start: From Any ideas?

VERY interesting! Thanks for posting it.

For a less-that-fully-accurate project, I am using gray paints for "pirate" gear. It got me wondering . . . In the 17-teens, how prominent or common was gray paint? What was it made from? What were the resultant shadings? Some of the stuff in-process or in-planning look pretty good and I was wondering how common grays were in the real-auld-days. Of course it was possible: they had whites and black, so they could have created grays. The question was DID they? I sure haven't seen much to any in illustrations, historical based or fantasy. What was the "fashion" in colors (paint-wise) of 1715-1725-ish? - Or is that a WHOLE other question/issue?

Now that this thread has been revived . . . Can ya'll show your built chests? (You know what I mean) I am now thinking of making one myself. Are the corners beveled, like the green one above or just cut and nailed end-to-side? Any "tips" on colors?

WOW! There actually ARE Sloops for sale!!! I was half-serious, half-persona. (Note: NO mention was made of PAYING for said sloop) I do want one! However, in the last 2 days, life has intervened. I have less money that I thought. To get one, I'll just have to steal one . . . I hope it works for me better than for many of my predecessors . . . Taking off the persona: How much is a decent 30-ish footer sailer? I have sailed before, but it has a while back and I'm not sure how much I'd remember. I probably should get re-trained. Anyways, the closest body of water is Lake Greenwood and I have an 09 Scion xB or a Grand Caravan to pull it, so it ain't gonna happen right now. I might get a small one in the not-to-distant future, but not for now. I now want to do some research for a real thing! Any brands/models recommended? It will be a weekend/day trip sailer to "tool" around a land-locked lake. It also needs to be able to be handled by one person (me) without too much difficulty and carry 5-6 people.

I pulled out the cheap, cheap DVD copy of Hallmark's Blackbeard . . . (the soap opera one) I forgot just how BAD and STUPID it really was . . . It is only decent if you are drunk with other pirate buddies making fun of it. It makes the National Geographic one look REAL good . . . At least the CHRONOLOGY has something to so with reality (even for all ITS issues). I wish I had wasted the time watching Master and Commander or The Black Swan!

I need a new sloop. I was wondering if someone had one . . .

With the huge depth of pirate legend and lore, PLUS the real, historical stuff . . . Why are pirate movies now so few, far between, and often SO BAD? I was hoping PotC would open the doors to GOOD pirate movies again as a genre in-and-of-itself. More films like modern takes on The Black Swan, Capt. Blood, SeaHawks, and the like. Modern special effects would allow AMAZING footage impossible or insanely expensive in the days of the pre-computer studio system (and the constant re-use of Griffin Park as EVERYWHERE). That said, good to see there IS work being done on PotC 4, at least in the preliminary phases.

It came up in another thread, again. Many have STRONG opinions on the topic, I'd LOVE to see a long discussion specifically on Johnson. Is it reliable at ALL? If so, how much? What areas are pretty reliable? What were his sources? What parts are questionable? What parts are utter non-sense? And: What about the illustrations in the various editions? Should/could we rely upon them? If so, to what extent?

Didn't say it was accurate text, historically, just a "pointer" to casual readers to look at near-contemporary sources for illustrative bases and styles, rather than that of much, much later. As for my last comment, Johnson IS a major source for written histories, accurate or not. I would agree that such is for another thread. I was thinking "flags" and posted in haste. Likewise Shake-a-lance used the "Holinshed Chronicles" for the basis of several of his "historical" plays, esp. MacBeth-> which has little to NOTHING to do with what ACTUALLY happened in 1040-1057, the 17 years MacBeth reigned as King of Scotland. Anyways . . . Johnson's illustrations show, in general, HOW they were drawn in only a few years after the fact. Thus, it is MUCH closer as to what a GAOP "skull and bones" flag would have looked like than most presently sold "pirate flags." Foxe and I have discussed the meaning of a "death's head" several times and are of somewhat different opinions. (I lean to number four and he leans to number one in my list above. Sorry, Mr. Foxe, if I speak out-of-turn and in your place.) A link I picked up somewhere for tombstone illustrations: http://www.capecodgravestones.com/styles.html Note the DATE of the stones/death of the person. I have found it VERY informative, as many contain commonly mentioned elements found on pirate banners. The style is QUITE different than today.

Now . . . There is the debate as to what EXACTLY a "Death's Head" was taken, then, to mean. It could have been: 1) A skull alone. 2) A skull with crossed bones underneath (most common depiction today) 3) A skull with crossed bones BEHIND the skull (most common Jolly Roger depiction in contemporary or near-contemporary depictions (see the various ones in Capt. Charles Johnson's book's different editions). 4) A collective term for ALL THREE of the above, plus other possible skull and crossed bones configurations. Remember: For an accurate WAY they were drawn, look to old tomb stones and the near-contemporary illustrations, as shown in better editions of Capt. Charles Johnson's "A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates" (also known by the abbreviated title of "A General History or Pirates"). Johnson is one of the main sources for pirate histories.

For this PARTICULAR purpose . . . I'm thinking of a PVC one for now. I have devised a 3-4" wide barrel that is 20-24 inches long. It should be cheap enough for now. I'll add picts when I actual buy some materials. I might also borrow an idea from the Hellion picts and have temporary (on magnets) "cannon ports" with PVC cannon tips along the side . . . That would be pretty cheap by the time I make them. I'll post picts too. This is WAY more Farb-ie than I am usually interested in . . . But HEY, it is on a SCION/CAR/BOX and NOT actually a ship/boat/sloop. It is motor powered, not wind, and silver metal, not wood. I'll be back to my more serious stuff soon. Oh, I am thinking of applying to the University of South Carolina for the History PhD program and may have a pirate-related thesis idea. I have noticed the marked LACK of good reference material (available to the arm-chair historian/fan) for late 17th/early 18th century ships design. THAT is something that interests me and worth researching for a half-dozen years.

Any picts or links? I was thinking of that route as a possibility. I am also sending out "feelers" for someone with a lathe who could spin one for me.

Does this groups still exist? I don't remember it. I live in Clinton, just an hour north up 26. Let me know IF ya'll are still around and how to get in touch with ANYONE!

What's your idea of relativly cheap? As I want to be able to pick them up and have zero need to fire them (couldn't at most car shows) . . . I'm not looking for ones in authentic cast metal. The firing cannons would be serious overkill (and possibly illegal at some show venues). I'm not sure exactly, but $20-100/150, per I guess. The figure isn't accurate. Let me know what is available. I'm convinced that there MUST be decent stage props somewhere, but haven't been able to find any. Decent look TOY ones that are 20-26 inches long? I want better than a simple tube or papermache and less than firing cast metal. I am going to have them pointing out the rearward side windows. I am also making a wood "deck" covering the folded seats and adding rope rings to the deck and using rope diagrams to accurately have them tied down. I'll post picts when I get something actually put together half-way decent.

I am making my 2009 Scion xB "Highland Revenge" into a pirate themed box for shows. Accordingly, I need a pair of cannon barrels that are approx. 2 feet long. I'll need to make carriages to fit, but I have been unable to locate cannon barrels to the specs I'll need.

Thanks. Will do.

On "clergy" robes . . . The Catholic, Lutheran, and English white clergy robes are based upon and derived from Roman robes worn in legal courts and were intended to look official. Today, they are worn over "normal" clothing. The Reformed/Calvinist black robe is DIRECTLY rooted in the scholastic garb from the late middle ages and the renaissance periods. They are intended to show the pastors as educated and wise, as groups like the Presbyterians require masters degrees and have a certification process, much like a bar exam for lawyers. It is worn over normal clothing for the day. Monks are a separate entity and it depends on the type of monk and climate as to what is worn underneath.

Ahoy! I've been gone for a long time as other stuff in life intervened. Some probably remember me, but many others don't/won't. Anyways, I am now the owner of an 2009 Scion xB that I am converting into my pirate sloop. I've has it since June 08 and have over 20,600 miles (as of yesterday). That is ON TOP of the miles I also put on my Miata. Anyways, the xB is now named "Highland Revenge" and is getting turned into a Scottish Pirate sloop. I know, a bit more farb than historical . . . But SO is a pirate themed modern CAR/TRUCK/BOX (or whatever an xB is . . . so, it is just my sloop). I never intended to drop off like I did, blame Blackjohn and Foxe. I was mostly on their forum . . . Oh, and mods, ANY way ya'll can change my screen name on here from Wages to Tartan Jack, TartanJack, or something like that? It hasn't been too much of a problem on any other of the forums I am on. It is now my universal internet ID (thanks to Foxe for creating the name for me). Slainte, Tartan Jack Wages

ewwww... no. The Big Figure Black Pearl goes for about $150 and is WELL worth the cost and it is NOT a playset. It's a collectable. If I can find it I'll post a link... It would be very like thisretired figure and with as much detail. Near to the same size too! http://cgi.ebay.com/DISNEY-DISNEYLAND-PETE...1QQcmdZViewItem I was HOPING not. I'll be curious as to what you ARE thinking.

On the Crusades movie . . . They have Jerusalem as a SQUARE city in the middle of a large flat plain. The city is on the top of a mountain, on a ridge of mountains. There is NOTHING flat around it. That kind of stuff gets me irritated. Braveheart has the Battle of Stirling Bridge with NO bridge (or even water) in sight and the tactics of a COMPLETELY different battle. It is like having the bombardment of Ft. Sumter set in the midwest or a desert. While I am a historian, MUCH of my family is "film" related. ALL are movie nuts, my uncle is an ASC cinemaphotographer, my brother and 2 cousins have "film" degrees of some sort, and more I won't get into. So, I see BOTH sides. Yet, some things (like overly complicating things, while overly simplifying other in the SAME film) just irritate me. When people change stuff because "the audience won't know any better" in a "historic" movie irritate me. I understand person-compilation and compound characters, historic simplification, and MANY things done in films (and novels for THAT matter). BUT, when it is unnecessary or just "WAY out in left field," it bothers me. Now, back to the ship. That site can be read several ways. One, you MUST get "issue 1" BEFORE "issue 2" OR you can get whatever issues you want. I was hoping it was the latter. Now, if it is available at Costco, it must be. Now, I wonder who else will carry it this fall.