The Ship Model Forum

OK. I like your rendition much better than what I've seen of the kit parts.
I'm going to have to think about how to loft that shape.

One thing to correct: remove the flat top. The dome should be continuous with no flat area — it curves all the way to the apex. Any flat platform visible in period photographs is a later addition (a gun mounting) and is not part of the original shield shape.

Profile corrections by zone:
Sides (middle three sections): These are the rolled plate panels that wrap over the gun. From the side they appear as sheet metal bent in a relatively gentle arc. The profile here is not as steep/aggressive as shown in the current model.

Front face: More strongly rounded, softer curve — a fuller, more "inflated" look when seen from the front. The transition point where the front face begins to flatten into the side panels is marked approximately by the blue line in my annotated reference image.

Rear face: More squared off and upright, almost vertical when viewed from the side. The rear curves less and drops more steeply — almost a blunt stern shape compared to the bow-like front. This is where the opening is for crew to enter the barbette/shield.

Steepness of sides overall: The sides in the current render are too steep / the whole form is too compressed vertically. My model photos show the correct proportional height — the shield sits inside the barbette ring, not flush with its outer edge.The edge is very small of course.

Reference earlier: The painting of Vauban is a reliable close reference — the shields on that ship were nearly identical to Turenne with only minor variation. You can use it for surface detail and curvature confirmation.

What is correct in the current render: The gun aperture shape and position reads well. The overall plan footprint (as seen from above) is in the right ballpark.

Those are my observations of course, I have been staring at this forever and have figured out how to make it in my head and using just putty on the model. However it is far from perfect, lacks any possible texturing but may be thats ok in that scale. Agree, the Kit is horrendous in execution of the turret shields.

Hope this is somewhat helpful?

That is a tough shape to interpret. The drawings and photos seem to contradict each other.
I found some pictures of the parts from the kit and, to be honest, I don't think they are the correct shape.
I don't think the aft end tapers and I don't see why anyone would build them that way.

Here's a quick mockup of what I think the shape is that best fits the photos :

FFG-7 wrote: Sun Mar 22, 2026 9:15 am pascalemod, what ship is that?

Ironclad Turenne/Bayard. They were not identical - superstructures were different a bit (especially after initial fit), the funnels were different - Bayard had a twin thin funnel with bottom in shroud, while Turenne had a large shroud (and visually more together for me).

I am using Doggy Industries kit, and my model is full hull, scratch built. Im at a stage where I need to move above deck, add detail. Im redesigning the super structure which seems off, Im building up blast deck on upper level, which isnt in the kit, and - I am redoing the turret shields which look poorly made. Ive spent a lot of time on this so I want to see it finished.

maxim wrote: Sun Mar 22, 2026 8:22 am Did the Bayard class had the same turrets?

/edit: these are for Turenne (Bayan class) or Vauban?

I think the Bayard and Vauban were very similar station ironclads but one had 2 masts and the other - three. They were armed with identical guns (240mm) - so Ill assume that the turret shields were identical also.

Dont get me wrong, I can build the shape with some practice, im doing it righ tnow. The issue is getting a perfect "cross" at the front with rounded edges and an entry at the back. Still, I will try, using PE to outline the holes and use some kind of resin copy to replicate them. I dont just think it will ever be as good as a 3D printed effort which is able to nail these things on a high quality prrinter and when a good CAD program is used.

pascalemod, what ship is that?

Did the Bayard class had the same turrets?

/edit: these are for Turenne (Bayan class) or Vauban?

It is similar but not the same. Dupree used bigger guns and shield on top of it that but still looks destinctly as a shield. The one on Turenne was more of a turret looking design that went out to the sides of the barbette all around.

Vauban had more similar turrets though. See attached photo. You can see the detail better / yes it is a drawing, but it captures the turret well. I have attached a photo from deck of Turenne when she was in Asia on station, you can see up close a good side view of the front.

The rear is more of a guess work as no good photos except we can assume a fairly large verstical opening / no idea if door closed or it was just open always.


So yeah, like Amiral Dupree / but smaller, rounder, with more intricate openings on both ends and Vauban photo below shoes the front part more accurately.

The best way to describe the shape is "pill shaped". Front is round, sides fall down to adopt to the shape of the barbette, and the rear is more vertical to accomodate gun recoil and crew. Front is more dome shaped. But turtle shaped is another very good way to describe these, yes.

I gather it is this somewhat bizarre looking 'turtle' shield, like the ones on the AMIRAL DUPERRÈ on the model in the Musée de la Marine:



If you cant't find anyone venturing into 3D-printing, you could make a wooden former and either sort of vacuum-form it with styrene sheet or hammer it with thin copper sheet. Not sure of the size and whether it would be feasible in 1:700.

Interesting design. PM sent.

Hi everyone!

Is there someone who can help me to 3D print (and design) this turret shield in 3D? (i need 4 in 1/700 scale)

Perhaps a small project like this might be interesting to those just practicing skills etc. It doesnt need to be mega detailed, just to get the shape right.


Recall that Jim on his Bretagne had someone help him nicely with 3D printed parts, so Im looking for bit of help like this on the more complicated bits that are tricky to scratchbuild well and 3D is the way to go, but this is highly niche, of course (french, ironclad).