HMS Victory 1797 build log

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Although I bought the Heller 1/100 kit a couple of years ago, I knew I wanted to modifiy it to reflect how Victory would’ve looked circa 1797, Battle of Cape St Vincent era. In my opinion, that’s when she looked her best. So, in that time I’ve been researching as much as I can to get solid details on what needs to be changed. This has been quite hard, as there’s not a lot of information to go on. There are elements to the build which have conflicting information, in which case I will be going with what I think is best. Afterall, it’ll be sitting in my lounge when it’s done. As far as I know, at the time she had:

The ornate Figurehead and Stern with open galleries.

4 stern chaser gun ports

Rope wooldings on the masts.

Two entrance ports with balconies.

No Caronades on the forecastle

42lb cannons on the lower gun deck.

100 cannons in total.

Fore and Main chainwales underneath the upper gun deck ports.

Shortened Gaff and Boom on the mizzen.

Taffrail on the poop deck.

Plus other smaller details that warrant no mention as yet.

Any additional info would be great from you guys. I know a few others have done the 1765 version (and they look fantastic), but this one is in a bit of a grey area when it comes to confirmed details. (which gives me more artistic license!) [;)]

As the stern is a major defining part of the build, I’ve decided to tackle that first. If I can’t get this right, then I may as well bin the project. As you can see from the picture even at this basic stage I’ve made major changes. I’ve extended the Tafferel, cut the curve for the cove, put in the first foot rail and created the pillars to allow for the row of eight windows she had at the time. Doesn’t look like much work, but believe me, it’s taken a long time to get to this point (including a dry fit). Working on the windows next.

Flint

2

that look’s excellent flint , think I’ll grab a glass of something cool , sit back and enjoy this mate .

3

Nice work Flint[Y], I’ve seen pictures, sketches and models of Victory during this period with 8 and 9 windows, I just flipped a coin and moved forward on my build, at some point like you already realized you just have to go with what you like!. Most of what you listed looks accurate, but from what I’ve read she would’ve had 2 carriage guns of 12 pounds and 2 carronades of 24 pounds on the Forecastle deck and 6 carronades of 18 pounds on the Poop deck.

Your 1797 conversion will be exciting to watch for sure.

Michael D.

4

Cheers Steve, hope it’s a good brew [B]

Thanks for extra info Michael, will look into that nearer the time.

Funny that the two builds I was referring to are by the first two people to comment on mine. Great work by both of you. [Y]

5

Update: I’ve created and installed the windows for the stern, added the pilasters in between the wardroom windows (although you can’t see the detail in the pic) and cut the initial holes for the four stern chasers. It took me three attempts to get the glazing bars right as I wasn’t satisfied with thickness of the bars. I researched several methods for making windows including painting on the glass, 3D printing and buying etched parts, but I wanted to make them myself. In the end I managed to cut 0.25mm strips off the edge of some 0.5mm styrene which as you can imagine coiled up. I was able to straighten out the sections I needed and attached them to the frames. I’ve lowered the outside stern chaser ports a couple of mm lower than the inner ports, as the curve of the stern made the straight line look a bit odd. I’m quite happy with how it’s going so far. All looking a bit grubby at the moment though. Onto the carvings next I think…

Flint

6

Looking great!

7

very nice work flint ,

8

I’ve started work on the tafferel carvings this week. I only get about 1-2 hours a day to do this, so it’ll be a long process. More refinement to do on these, or even remake them if they don’t fit properly. Much filing, cutting and biting to do! I’ve just placed these on with Bluetac at the moment, but need to make the coves first to see what room I have to play with and see how I can layer-up the carvings. Also, His Majesty King George the third needs a proper wreath!

Like the fetching pink Fimo? It’s all I had…

Flint

9

That looks great Flint!. That will be the ultimate crowning moment when they are completed.

Michael D.

10

look’s brilliant flint , you and michael [cnsod], not only great modeler’s , but can carve too , time for me to quit I think [:D]

11

I am normally a car guy but I have this kit as well but haven’t started anyting on it. I am really looking forward to this thread and will watch this intently. This will be better than a feature movie [:D]

v/r,

Ben

12

Thanks for the comments guys. Don’t you dare quit Steve, your Victory looks amazing! If my rigging turns out half as good as yours, I’ll be a happy man.

[Y]

Flint

13

Minor(ish) update.

I’ve been crazy busy the last couple of weeks, so haven’t had much time for modelling, but this is what I have managed to do.

I’ve made and installed the two coves above the outer windows made with styrene and temporarily placed the central cove made from Fimo. The central cove was quite a challenge to get right as it is made up of several complex curves. I wanted to make it perfectly balanced as I knew this would show up if I didn’t get it right and it would bother me forever. I had apprx 7 attempts at trying to make positive/negative molds out of styrene, tin foil, wood, etc. But in the end I had to just make a wedge that would fit in the stern cutout and then go about carving the inner curves using a spherical sanding bit in my Dremel. This method was the last thing I wanted to do, but actually, it turned out just fine…phew! Also, I’ve made the quarterpeice carvings of the voluptuos Abundance and the God of War himself, Mars. Both are just stuck on with BlueTac at the moment, but both will have recesses cut into their backs, so that they fit around the outer edge of the stern when the time comes. Also, His Majesty King George III now has his wreath.

Sorry the pic is a bit over-exposed.

Flint

14

Absolutely superb work Flint. This is so cool that you, Steve5 and MichaelD are all working on the same time frame of the Victory. All of them are awe inspiring.

Steve

P.S. I agree with Flint, don’t you dare quit Steve5!

15

Steve, what are you talking about, quitting ? I am just about to start building the big Victory that warship guy gave me. I just got the deck yesterday. Darn, I will be 88 in 2 months, hope I have enough time. There is no better way to spend your time than model building.I have over 75 years practice.

Don’t quit until I get done, Gene

16

I am still doing this people! I haven’t given up! Have just been very busy and had several fiddly things go wrong with it. Will post pictures when it goes right… [:S]

Flint

17

The work you are doing is fantastic. It would send me NUTS…Cheers marke

18

Thanks Mark. It’s the filigree work on the balconies that’s killing me at the moment. There’s no room for error (and there‘s been many!). I’ll get it done.

Flint