Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages... "The Ceridwen".
A Steam-Punked Maiden
More pictures to follow as fast as I can get them done properly.

EXCELLENT !!!

I was planning on using a similar approach using modified portions of the "Norge" airship (from Fiddlers Green): 3 elongated balloons attached to the masts in a stacked triangle fashion (1 centered over 2 lower ones) - with an addition mast on the bow deck, possibly another amidships in the deck section without a current mast. Additional transparency rigging would be applied.

Again, well done, sir!

Thank you.
I cannot stress strongly enough to use a good solid base and to mount both the ship's lowerdeck and the masts securely to the base.
I used 2" screws up through the 3/4" MDF base into the masts. There are breakaway points at the mid-mast/frame junction allowing the balloons to be removed as a whole assembly. It's kind of hard to see in this picture (more coming soon, technical difficulties) but there are three black mast-holder dowels on one side to hold the balloon assembly for game play.

Ok, now having the time for looking closer at the image blow-up, I can see those supports now that you've pointed them out. I also notice the little support leg at the stern corner to counter-balance them.

So, you've gone "heavy guage" with this one. I think I'm seeing:
- *wooden dowels for masts* - now I understand the "screw" comment because I thought at first you had just put a small block of wood inside the original paper masts
- corrugated cardboard for the balloon support framework?
- fishing lead weights
- plastic mesh for the envelope restraints?

Is the tethered observation balloon cage hiding in background included with the ship also? Attached at the stern?

And you used photopaper for the build? Matte or glossy?

Again, awesome work! Thank you so much for sharing.

That's a very fine sailing vessel you have there - lovely work.

The sandbags on the side are a nice touch. It's hard to see, but it looks like you've used simple pearl-drop earings.

Absolutely amazing!

"Sew, sew, sew your boat..." [sorry, I could not resist!]
And you greatly succeeded in the effort of "going where no man has gone before".

That is definitely an awesome vessel you have there! I am envious!

More Pictures as promised. I am NOT a good photographer so please bear that in mind.

and More

and last...
for gameplay...

Wow. Just wow.

jaw = floor

Having seen the detail my words do not do this justice, so...

... if we did not have a steampunk meister before, we do now.

Greypilgrim,
Awww, shucks. Thank you for that compliment.

Anyone interested in the items used:

Printed Maiden PDF's QTY Cost EA COST
Deck, Lower 3 $0.53 $1.59
Deck, Roofing 3 $0.53 $1.59
Deck Top 4 $0.53 $2.12
Hull, Forward 8 $0.53 $4.24
Hull Sides 8 $0.53 $4.24
Hull Rear 2 $0.53 $1.06
Sterncastle 7 $0.53 $3.71
Forecastle 9 $0.53 $4.77
Masts 4 $0.53 $2.12
Transparancies 6 $0.53 $3.18
Props 13 $0.53 $6.89
Pages 67 $35.51

The Other Stuff
4'x2' MDF Base Board 1 $10.00 $10.00
7/8" Dowel 3 $1.79 $5.37
Scotch Glue 1 $4.00 $4.00
Alleene's Tacky Glue 1 $5.95 $5.95
Xacto Blades 2 $2.79 $5.58
Spray paint Blk 3 $1.00 $3.00
Small dowels, pack 2 $1.79 $3.58
Hot Glue sticks 1 $4.98 $4.98
Propeller, Lego 1 $7.85 $7.85
Funnels 4 $1.00 $4.00
Split Peas (bag) 1 $1.00 $1.00
Plastic Glasses 1 $1.00 $1.00
Twine (3 roll set) 1 $1.00 $1.00
Flour (small bag) 1 $2.00 $2.00
Newspaper 1 $1.00 $1.00
Cardboard lots $0.00 $0.00
1/100 Katyusha (Zvezda) 1 $5.99 $5.99
3/16 size Fishing Weights 1 $2.05 $2.05
Spray paint, Ivory 1 $3.98 $3.98
Craft Sticks (Popsicle) 1 $4.95 $4.95
Craft Sticks, Thin 1 $3.95 $3.95
Bitz & Wire 1 $10.00 $10.00
Tire Pressure Guage 1 $2.95 $2.95
Minwax Wood Stain 1 $3.89 $3.89
Folk Art Craft Paints 3 $1.29 $3.87
Sharpies Pens 2 $1.79 $3.58
Beads 40 $0.00 $0.00
Water Closet Ballcock 1 $0.20 $0.20
GW bases (25mm round) 2 $0.10 $0.20
Mesh, 4'x1' 1 $30.00 $30.00
1/76 Katyusha 1 $10.99 $10.99
Light for inside of Mast 1 $5.99 $5.99
Fishing Weights (pack) 1 2.99 2.99
Various 'bits' around house $0.00

SUB TOTAL $154.89

Hours: waaay to many

TOTAL $190.30
Actually a bit more as I didn't add in the rail guns/rockets and two metal cannons (all of those are from the Flagships Games "Pirates!" line
Bucky and Peaches are Wolsung minis and Dan is part of Abney Park set from RAFM (rest are being painted by me this week)

normal operating costs
Twinkies: Lots
7UP (2 Liter Bottles) 16 $1.29 $20.64
Seagram's 7 (750ml) 3 $14.90 $44.70
$65.34

Wow. Impressive.

Thank you for such an inspiring piece , love the detail and craftsmanship, I bow to you in honor

Wow, what a fantastic looking model! Great job!

Very nice.

Where'd you get the mesh from that you have on the balloons?