This "EGYPTIAN SHIP" was another very funny model to build.

It was not very great in dimensions, about 35 cm overall, but the particular building of the hull, the double mast, the coloured sail and the unusual shape of hull and deck made of this model (this was my second shipbuilding experience) a very nice ship to gift to a friend that loves everything about Egypt.

So, having no possibility to gift her a pyramid or a camel, I preferred to build this little ship. Ther results of my surprise were unbelieveble !!

Unfortunately I don't took any pic about this my second model, but the final results was very close to the showed pictures, took from the AMATI catalogue.

In particular was interesting the way to connect the hull planks on  the internal frames and between each other. In a way technically near the real, all the pieces of wood were connected by ropes, as you can see in the right picture.

This type of construction seems simple, but you must to pay a great attention to make holes for passing the ropes at the same level and in the right sequence.

As I told.. it was a funny job and the result was an elegant,, little model.

Short History

In the Egyptian "Old Kingdom"  (I-VIII dynasty, 3200-2240 b.c.) in Egypt started the real building of wooden ships. The  hull lines were  the same of the pre-dynasty age's ships, with a profile of the hull like an half moon, flat and wide, and not deep in the water.
This type of hull structure was characteristics because there was not possibility to use long planks coming from the little trees that were in Egypt (acacia, ficus).
The hull had not a real keel, but was formed by an long, internal beam on which were connected strong crosspieces that connected the short planks forming the hull. This complex, was too much fragile and because this, a net of ropes was all around the hull.
A large rope, tauted between prow and stern, avoided the hull turning.
Over this rope, a double-leg mast brought a large squared sail, usually more high than wide. On both sides there were the places of rower using oas and, for turning, there were some rudders like great oars (usually 4 or 6) at the sides of the stern's wooden platform.
This type of ship is still visible on paintings in the tomb of Pharaon Sahure, one of the founders of Vth Dynasty (2550 b.c.)

Ship's Data 

launched :   2550 b.c. (probably)

Dimensions

Lenght : 19.5 mt.
Width  :  3.8 mt.   

Armament : swords, arrows and bows
Crew : 25 men

Model's Data

Lenght : 35  cm
Width :  6  cm
Scale :   1:55
Building method : Plank roped on frames
Plan's Manufacturer : AMATI