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#2426 MOC OF THE WEEK: L’Espadon by @brick.fitter

Today we explore this stunning pirate ship MOC! Featuring impressive sculpting and water techniques, and crammed with details and part uses, this would be a mighty addition to any captain's fleet!


Today we explore this stunning pirate ship MOC! L’Espadon means “swordfish” in French! Can you see how the ship got its name? Image is a port side of a LEGO brick-built three masted ship of the line with a red flag at its tallest center mast. There is a water line just below the mid-deck of the ship. SWIPE FOR MORE!

Pirate Ship Inspiration MOC Designer Jim derived inspiration for this “Best in Show” MOC from 17th and 18th century ships. The three-masted, 80 cannon, French ship of the line The Saint-Esprit, or “Holy Ghost”, was a guiding light. Attached image of the Holy Ghost. Background image is a quartering angle of the pirate ship, taken from the bow looking towards the stern.

The Base, Stand, and Water Line Sideways bricks and clear Technic liftarms are the foundation for this pirate ship! Top left image is a closeup of the four layered stand made from light bluish grey bricks built on their side. Technic liftarm, part 32278, in trans-clear, is highlighted as it rises from the base. Additional side-built trans-light blue bricks form the waterline! Splashing water creates a dynamic scene! Bottom right image is taken from the bow, at the water line level, facing towards the stern. Pieces 54200 in trans-clear, and 1 by 2 brick piece 3004 in trans-blue are highlighted.

The Lower Deck The cannons are firing away thanks to the trans-orange power elements! Background image is a closeup of the cannons. Two different cannons are firing and a trans-orange power element, part 35032f, is highlighted. Great NPU! Image highlights minifig hand part 983 in black as it holds open the cannon firing ports.

Bridge Deck Check out the NPU: skeleton legs, paint brushes and sausages!

Insights From the builder: “I really like how slope 67810 rounds off the corners of the captain’s cabin. It was a challenge to figure out which route to go with that part of the ship, but that piece really made it all come together!” Background image is a closeup of the stern, with an emphasis on the cabin and steering parts. Part 67810, a rounded corner 2 by 2 brick in reddish brown is highlighted.

Crow’s Nest & Flag Red flags on a pirate mast were a lethal warning! This crew took no prisoners. Image is a closeup of the three masts, including the crow’s nest and red flag. There is a male minifig in the crow’s nest. He sports long black hair and a musket. Part 64951, a reddish brown barrel, and part 2550c01, a reddish brown monkey, are highlighted.

Brick-built Sails Expert display of upside-down building in the furled sails! Background image is a closeup of the brick built sails. They are light tan in color. A schematic shows how the bricks come together. In particular, 1 by 2 curved brick part 6091, 1 by 4 bowed brick 61678, 1 by 3 bowed brick 50950 are highlighted. The 1 by 1 inverted bracket part 73825 is called out as an attachment point for the sails.

Interior Techniques Multi-level stud reversal required some serious LEGO engineering! Center image shows the interior of the hull with all the connections. It is a rainbow of parts, including 1 by 2 modified plate 18649 in white; 1 by 2 vented slope 61409 in reddish brown; 1 by 1 brick with horizontal clip, part 65459 in light bluish gray, and 1 by 1 plate with horizontal clip in black. Clips and bars achieve the desired angles to hold the interior of this ship together!

Wrap-Up If you enjoyed this build, be sure to check out Jim’s other MOCs on Instagram: @brick.fitter Image of Jim’s Instagram profile picture: Minifigure Chewbacca riding a red scooter There are three images of Jim’s other MOCs: first top middle: a gray castle with five towers and a drawbridge. Bottom left, a Dunkin Donuts MOC with an orange and pink astronaut minifigs out front. Bottom right a small circular Star Wars vignette. It features two clones, one riding an AT-RT, and one standing on the ground.

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