The Infamous Steve Contest tasked entrants to expand the story of Steve, and offered suggestions to inspire builds…
Where does Steve come from? Are there more merchants who use the same insignia on their flags and sails? Do these merchant also have ships?
Larger ships than Steve?
Elephant Knight rose to the challenge with “The Merchant Vessel Margaret Hamilton”; a plump merchantman capturing that classic LEGO set vibe, complete with trademark cross-cannon insignias, woven into the tan sails.
The build hit the mark with voters, earning him third place winner of Large Building Category.
Now, let’s find out why…
Sailing right towards us with those glorious custom sails
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- Port bow
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- Starboard broadside
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- Stern
Elephant Knight writes:
I thought that the name “Margaret Hamilton” was very piratey sounding when I saw that tile. Hence, the name of the ship. I have also been wanting to try out the clip and tubing thing for a ship’s stern for while.
Spot all the techniques Elephant Knight used…
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- Intricate detailing on the bow
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- Outside the captain’s cabin
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- The helm and some rigging
Elephant Knight continues:
I didn’t have plans to build this at the beginning at all, but I got inspired by a ship recently posted on the forums. This ship has a few firsts for me, like using curved slopes for the hulls, and a new technique for making the sails. even the way the stern is constructed, with the clips on the tubing, is a first for me.
Custom Sails
A distinctive feature of Steve’s “Cutter“, beyond the fact it’s the only official ship in the LEGO Pirates theme with a brick-built hull, were its tan sails with unique insignia.
Have a gander at the Who Is Steve? article if yer not familiar with The Cutter.
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- The main sail
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- Close-up of the rigging
Custom fabric sails add that aura of authenticity because it brings the build closer to those official ships we know and love.
The insignia also helps to differentiate these Merchants from the similarly tanned sailed Imperial Guards.
Elephant Knight continues:
The sails are cloth. They are stiffened up by using a mixture of gesso, water, and paint(For the colour.) I put four layers of this concoction on. I found the recipe on a topic here on this forum from like, 10 years ago or something. Once they are stiffened up, I cut it into paper sized sheets, and run it through my regular Ink-jet printer. The results are fantastic, in my opinion. I will have to tinker with the amount and colours of paint. This is my first attempt, and it’s pretty good, but I definitely want to be able to match the original Imperial Flagship’s sails
The Decks
From weighing anchor to steering the ship, this is where the action happens!
Elephant Knight has not skimped on the details either, incorporating lanterns, a capstan and jolly boats into the build.
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- Is that Marooned Marin?
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- Steve situated amidships near the capstan
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- The upper deck
Now let’s go down a level…
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- Steve down the hold biding time
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- 5 star crew accomodation
And all good ships have a crew…
Here be the crew, complete with original Steve minfig
The Backstory
Steve didn’t always have command of his cutter.
Steve’s cutter sails along along side the Margaret Hamilton
After an unfortunate incident, which involved some noodles, somehow he was stripped of his command and sent to serve aboard the Margaret Hamilton.
The Merchant fleet – they bare the insignia but we still don’t know where they originate from
He quickly found the captain was a tyrant to his crew, and arrogant to boot.
Steve jumped ship as soon as he was able and quickly found himself a home aboard the Skull’s Eye Schooner.
The Infamous Steve Contest
2023’s Return of the Classic Pirates contest was a rip-roaring success, so the Classic Pirates followed up with the Infamous Steve contest during mid 2024.
As per usual, the LEGO Pirates Forum at Eurobricks was utilised to accept a wondrous array of contest entries.
Elephant Knight selected 60441 Space Explorers Pack
The mission was to submit a build that expanded upon the backstory of Steve, one of the most unique and undeveloped minifigure characters in the entire LEGO Pirates canon.
Third place winner of the Large Building Category was awarded a LEGO set of their choosing, valued at 35€, or around $50 Canadian dollars in Elephant Knight’s local currency.
Many fantastic entries were submitted to the Infamous Steve Contest – which entries do you like the most?
About the Builder…
Elephant Knight (or Gerard) has constructed many impressive ships throughout the ages, many of which he’s shared in the LEGO Pirates Forum – and we’re very thankful for it!
But he definitely ain’t a one trick elephant! His Flickr Photostream is loaded with pleasing creations from a variety themes; Town, Space, Castle, Bionicle… and even Aquazone!
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- HMS Midway
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- HMS White Card
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- Crossed Bones Clipper
And if you’re not familiar with the output of Elephant Knight’s ship foundry, we highly recommend you set your sights upon the HMS Midway, HMS White Card and the Crossed Bones Clipper.
What Do Yer Think?
Is the Margaret Hamilton a worthy continuation of the aesthetic defined by Steve’s Cutter? Or would you have approached it differently?
Margaret Hamilton, mother of Steve’s Cutter
The contest may be long over but the discussion for the Margaret Hamilton continues in the LEGO Pirates Forum.
And it’s never too late to congratulate Elephant Knight for his third place victory!
