As summertime kicks in (and I don’t have to help kids with homework in the evenings) I expect to gain some momentum on my languishing Victory build. I thought I’d gather my WIP pics from various posts and concentrate them in one place going forward… Hopefully I’ll have some more significant updates in the coming weeks…
I’m working from two kits - my older kit that I’ve had for twenty years is my test bed for the most part (some components had warped or cracked) and the newer kit is used for the main build.
The newer Airfix version (lighter color) does have some sink issues that I’ll be able to fallback on the older kit to avoid… But the older kit has plastic that seems generally more brittle.
I’m modeling towards the Victory depicted in the Clarkson Stanfield Trafalgar painting - rather than what we see in the preserved ship
First up I filled the blank area on her hull with copper plates… I’d like to display her up on pedestals so this area might be exposed:
Next up I need to add thickness around the gun ports to represent the stout build of a first rate ship of the line:
Now I really go off track… I’ve “exposed” a section below the waterline to show the frames and further demonstrate the sturdy construction of the great ship:
Now I’ve moved along to detailing the upper gun deck - adding some dimension to the coamings and modifying the moulded shift pattern to represent a four-shift butt pattern that would be more akin to reality. I’m also opening up the deck to expose the underlying beam structure - particularly the interesting shaped half beams (forked beams?)… I’ll do something similar on the quarterdeck to open up the view all the way down to the middle gun deck.
At this rate I’ll be ready to paint in about a decade or so!
At this rate I’ll be ready to paint in about a decade or so!
I know what you mean. I’ve been working on the Soleil Royale, a kind of sister ship to that kit, and I have been working on it for about a decade on and off. Recently started the rigging on it.
Beautiful build of a beautiful kit. Keep us posted.
Thanks Bill and Don for the encouragement… Not certain the world needs another Victory on a shelf, but I think I’ll bring a bit of a twist to the kit and enjoy the journey.
You’ve anticipated me… Since you’ve asked I’ll share a few pics from my secondary hull (the older kit that serves as my testing ground):
Since this is a mockup, I have not executed everything with perfect crispness, but I have learned enough to make a go of it on my main build. I’m generally pleased with the overall effect, however it strikes me as a bit thick in relation to the thinner bulwarks along the quarterdeck. I will also mock up another approach on the port side that will anchor the base of the outer bulwark on the existing timberheads which will allow for a slimmer profile… I’ll also need to impart a bit of wood grain to give consistency with the rest of the hull.
The dimensions are purely imaginary, but I am convinced that the forward bulwarks were reasonably hefty - certainly more than the thin strips depicted on the poop deck as described in the Mark Adkin Trafalgar Companion book and included in the wonderful Jotika Victory kit (I’ll also eventually include those thin “blast shields” later in the build).
I examined the Jotika approach before embarking but something just seems amiss there - even though they purportedly got sign off from the Victory folks. In particular the placement of the carronades seems an unlikely battle position…
The forward most gun port appears to be situated about where I have it (and Heller), but it is a deeper cutout than the others - probably to allow for the carronade. It does show an additional cutout forward for tying off a line - I think I’ll add something similar. The block model shows a third gunport, but that seems problematic to me: the total armament at Trafalgar probably included only one 12 pounder up forward in addition to the carronade (each side) and I’d like to keep the deck clear in that area to allow for the stowage of the fish davits. Instead of a gunport I took the approach of emulating what was represented on the quarterdeck of the Heller model to give some consistency - particularly with the cutout for a pair of timberheads. My final solution will probably be a hybrid of what we see here and my initial mockup.
It occurs to me that I am more than one year into this project and I have yet to glue two kit provided pieces together - everything I’ve done so far is augmentation - with much more to go.
I have managed to pull off a decent representation of the underlying deck structure.
A bit of artistic license has been applied, but I think the spirit of McKay’s drawings have made it to the model. What you see is comprised of nearly 100 distinct styrene components painstakingly (emphasis on PAIN) glued together just so… You’ll notice quite a bit of careful filing to get carlings inset with beams and ledges inset with carlings… The ledges, in particular, demanded I take that extra measure in order to maximize the surface area to ensure the components adhere together for the long run…
I did not keep track, but I think this represents about 16 hours of my life.
I also have two of these kits and was planning on raising the forecastle bulwarks as the limit to my modifications. I may have to reconsider after seeing what you are doing! Terrific work!
Thanks fleetsailor for the kind words. The kit is full of potential, but obviously not everyone will abuse it as I have… And it certainly makes an incredible build straight OOB.
Regarding keeping it a secret from the Admiral… I won’t tell if you won’t tell… [;)]
This kit is definitely the best plastic kit of the Victory. Your build will look superb when finished!
If any one else is contemplating building a kit of the Victory, there are some really good reference books that have been published in the past, that may be available through secondhand booksellers or on ebay. There was a book published by Patrick Stephens in the UK that was a guide to building the Airfix Victory ( The smaller original kit, not the big Heller one). Author Noel Hackney. Model and Allied Publications published a book by C.Nepean Longridge I think named ‘The Anatomy of Nelson’s Ships’ about his building of the model in the Science Museum in London, and Conway Maritime Press published one of their ‘Anatomy of the Ships’ series about HMS Victory. Also. Longridge wrote a book about modelling the Cutty Sark. Again by MAP.
I would agree that this is one of the best plastic kits of the Victory - in fact it probably ranks near the very fine Jotika wooden kit as well - at least in terms of the better representation of the ship’s proportions. I think Professor Tilley has often commented on the lousy models typically available from the bigger European POB manufacturers… They just don’t seem to get it right. You get a box full of wood and metal that certainly builds into a three decked ship with masts poking out, but they just seem sorta… frumpy. The HMS Victory is a special blend of sleekness and bulk that only a few models have captured.
Your listing of sources includes most of those that are often mentioned in this and other forums, but it is useful to highlight them again in this context. I would also add the fine “HMS VICTORY Her Construction, Career and Restoration” by Alan McGowan to your stack. This includes additional drawings by John McKay that have been very useful in my build. I would also include the excellent “The TRAFALGAR Companion” by Mark Adkin.
Here are some additional references that many folks utilize:
There are several informative photo collections online that are a terrific help:
Finally, here are some other Heller/Airfix Victory builds that are worthy of attention:
Dafi’s build is simply the most intricate/detailed effort you’ll likely ever see of this kit. His desire to add an extra measure of completeness is remarkable - especially considering that many of his included elements will never be seen once the decks are in place - a true artist who is building his Victory to satisfy a higher level of artistry than most of us mere mortals:
Rasper’s build is remarkable for the excellent use of the airbrush and washes as well as having perhaps the finest rigging of any Heller Victory out there. Many of the delicate spars are fashioned from brass rod and he makes extensive use of copper wire:
You’ll have to wait a bit longer for the fo’c’s’le bulwarks - I’m tending to the middle gun deck inner bulwarks for now. I’ll do the fo’c’s’le when there is less chance of damage after the other elements have been added.
Donnie -
Thank you for the complimentary note… I very much enjoyed perusing your ships of scale site. All beautiful and inspiring models…
