The hull of this small viking warship can be printed out as two pieces each 12cm long at full size which is 1:72 scale. If you have a 22x22cm printing plate you can also print it out as a single hull, which avoids having to glue two hull pieces together in the middle.  I designed it to go with my viking army.

It is more modest, and it also probably was more common, than the 32-oar ships that one normally associates with the era. The length of this 24- or 26-oar ship would have been be around 17m, which makes the model ca. 24-25cm long at full size.

To avoid joints and warping, the plan was to print out the entire hull “right side up” with minimum supports (i.e. 80% overhang) as one job.  The single hull will only fit on a 22x22cm plate diagonally. Supports do mess up the structure of the lower hull but I think this is the best way to display the details on the deck. 

The partitions or segments in the hull were called rooms. Inside the partitions and underneath the floor they had the ballast stones, and possibly, space for additional storage.

There is also a mast and a sail. When not in use, the sail would be stored on the stands before and after the mast, above the heads of the crew, as shown here.  If you want to make an unfurled sail out of paper and string (or cloth), then for 1:72 scale or 100% size the dimensions should be 9 cm wide x 10 cm high.

There are 13 pairs of oars, along with 13 pairs of benches/treasure chests for the rowers.  Putting those on the hull is a bit of work (you will appreciate how cramped it must have been on there).  Three stands that carry the sail when not in use (along with other stuff you may want to add) should go into their places on the deck as shown in the pictures. There is a steering rudder along with an anchor.  There is also a stand for displaying the finished ship.

As for the rigging – this is not Nelson’s Victory.  Look it up yourself in pictures of other ship models of this class.  The general dimensions and shape here have followed the Skuldelev 5 ship and the Bayeux Tapestry ones although I took many liberties.

What we also need now is a proper crew.  See my other posts for some ideas.

Update 23.10.2019: The files now also include shield racks - doubtful authenticity when used with oars but the result looks smashing.  The shield rack extension strip is added on top of the hull sides and it then needs to then be filled with individually painted shields.

Update 03.11.2019: Sample prow and stern decorations have now also been added.

Update 14.12.2019: Added option to print hull in two parts if you have a smaller plate area.

Update 09.05.2020: Added the new slim oars from the 32-seater ship for a more realistic presentation as a "Oars New" file.  Also, I've added updated new versions of the hull files (whole hull as well as half-hulls A+B) to correct some minor design mistakes that I made half a year ago.

Update 14.06.2020: Some people apparently are using this model with 6mm armies, which requires scaling down to 22% size instead of the 35% size limit mentioned in the printing tips section below.  Attached now is a special "Small Scales" version with extra-reinforced hull for potential use with a FDM printer at below 35% size.  If you use a resin printer at this scale, I think the original files should still be OK and the subject would be moot.....

Update 20.07.2021: Removed most of the pegs and replaced them with holes through ribs, which is historically correct.  Added a more realistic grip for the rudder at the back right side of the hull. Also the 2-piece version now finally is available with smooth hull planks !

Update 16.02.2022/22.01.2023: As some people have requested to use this ship without stand, here we finally now have a waterline version of the hull, both as a single-piece hull, as well as a version in two pieces.