How do you make a model viking longboat?

Answer 1

I used to help my kids with stuff like this all the time with great success. Rather than simply buy them a model to assemble from the hobby store ( with money I didn't have just to have them not learn anything anyway) I tried to have them actually design the project and I would provide the materials and asisstance if necessary. The teachers always remarked favorably about the originality and resourcefulness.......this is what they were trying to teach, not how to glue partA to partB! First, I suggest you get some pictures of the type of Viking ship you are trying to build. Study these pictures and generate first a mental picture of your model, then draw one...(with Mom &/or Dad's help if necessary) Save these drawings to show your teacher the plans you worked from to build the ship and don't be afraid to improve on the drawings and even remake them as your ship takes shape. Do you know how to use paper mache? Have Mom&/orDad help you gather the stuff you will make it from and the recipe that tells you how to mix the water, flour and whatever else goes in it. Look on Google under Paper Mache Recipes. This will be the shell of your boat. Next, or actually first, you need one of those long, narrow ballons. This will be your frame to lay the strips of paper mache on. On each end, I would make something resembling the ends of the ship you are making out of thin cardboard or posterboard. Tape one of these on each end of the balloon and lay your paper mache strips on these as well until you have the ship shape {get it?} that you want. If you don't, your Viking ship will look like a submarine! When all this hardens, smooth it up with some more paste and let it harden for the final time. When you are satisfied with it and it's all hardened paint it and decorate it like the ship in the picture or whatever your imagination can come up with. Take your time and make it look like a real Viking ship! Study up on some of the Gods these men may have prayed to for a safe and productive voyage and include those images in the decoration. Do a great job and pay attention to the details....Mom&/orDad can guide you on this......You will be glad you did! Out of an old hanky or other appropriate piece of cloth,, you can make the sails. If you rub them with some paper mache paste or Elmer's glue they will stay stiff and hold the shape you put them in. You can make them look like they are being filled with wind. You'll also need some heavy string to look like the rigging ropes that the ship would have on it. Also, find some nice round branches in the yard that are the right size. You can use these for your mast, or masts. Some Viking ships had oars. Put oars on yours{get it?}, if you want to and it's on your picture. Firmly attach the mast(s) and/or oars to the hull of your ship. Be sure to touch up any damage to the paint or decorations that may happen. Try to make it as much like your plan as possible. Your teacher will appreciate a model that sticks with the plan. Finally, I need to say one last thing. Vikings were brave explorers and seamen. They have a rightful place in history, but they also had a very dark side, as most ancient people will have. They were Pagans who made their living by murdering their neighbors and stealing their treasure. They targeted churches, monks and defensless villages. The ones they didn't kill were made into slaves. Please ask your teachers politely to tell the whole story of Vikings, both good and bad. I hope this helps you.....