Heller/Airfix HMS Victory build

Yours is a very interesting and creative approach! I will enjoy your build.

Bill Morrison

        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.

Do you plan on changing the fo'c'sle bulwarks as at Trafalgar or leaving them as they now exist?

Bill

Bill

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 historic block model in the NMM collection is of interest:

(You can use the zoom feature on the linked picture)
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewRepro.cfm?reproID=F2881%2D1&picture=1#content

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.

All fun stuff...!

EXCELLENT!!

Bill

Ahoy Lads...

Here is the latest state of the upper gun deck:





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.

Enjoy

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!

Don, did you raise the waterline on the Soleil?

Bill

Awsome work so far, makes me want one of these models more now than ever. Just don't tell the wife.

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...

Amazing work so far.  I look forward to seeing more!

Steve

I went ahead and added some detail to the partitions for Admiral Nelson's great cabin:

Some of this may be exposed once the dust settles and all my modifications are complete.

I'll continue this up in Hardy's quarters - I'll be peeling back a bit of the poop deck to reveal the beams and Hardy's cabin.

Enjoy

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 still can't wait to see the finished f'oc'sle bulwarks!

Bill

Hello Bugatti Fan...

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:

http://www.prdobson.com/album/hms-victory/1/

http://www.boatmodelling.com/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,87/lang,en/?g2_itemId=26760

These links have also been important sources:

http://www.hms-victory.com/index.php

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=SLR0513

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=BHC0565

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/The_Battle_of_Trafalgar_by_William_Clarkson_Stanfield.jpg

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:

http://modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13688&highlight=dafi

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:

http://modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8453&highlight=rasper

Enjoy

A very impressive approach I must say.

Donnie Driskell

Ships of Scale

www.shipsofscale.com

Bill -

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...

A beautiful build of a most beautiful ship... I look forward to updates!

Force9,

contact me at donnie@shipsofscale when you get a chance.

Donnie

Force9:

Let me just say first, your work on Heller Victory is fantastic. I have been studying these photos for a while on here in the last few days. I have also looked at the work you have done on the Revell USS Constitution you are building. Again, fantastic work.

I have both of these kits in my pile to be built at some point in the future. In fact, I have about 10 or so of these 1/96 to1/100 scale plastic sailing ships to build. So I am trying to learn from those who are far more experienced than I in how to build these kits.

Is there any insight you could share on how you have approached to building your ships? I would certainly like to hear what your thoughts are.

Ahoy Renaissanceman...

Thanks for the note - I'm heartened to see folks out there referencing my build logs for inspiration.  These large scale ship models are great platforms for creating something special - or at least something as far as you are willing to take it.

I would say that having a passion for the subject is the starting point for me.  It would be true to say for any modeling genre, but having a passion for the subject seems to be the underlying factor in all of the really exceptional ship model builds that I see out on the various forums.  That interest/passion can oftentimes overcome inexperience and allow the builder to move things to another level.  I'd say that would be the case for me.  Nothing you see in my build logs is hard to do - it just requires patience and passion. And nothing has required any unique tools beyond what should be in any modeler's tool box.  (I'll admit, however, that the "Chopper" is a godsend).

I frequent hobby shops that offer a wide selection of styrene for custom additions.  Typically your local hobby train store is well stocked.  Craft stores also have items of interest - small beads come in handy and fine lace netting for hammock cranes, etc (although the ladies may look askance at you as you stroll the aisles).

I have generally decided that if I find a build log in some forum that includes a bunch of research notes - particularly with detail photos or paintings of the ships referenced... then the chances are much greater that the model will include insights that allow me to learn something that helps extend the accuracy of my own kit.

Would I recommend that everyone who stumbles on one of my build logs replicate everything I've done?  Of course not... Only to the extent it would contribute to their own enjoyment and satisfaction.  And I'd hope that others would come along and refine things and take approaches that I did not take and share those efforts with the rest of us.  That is the ultimate power of these forums.

Thanks again for showing an interest in my efforts and please feel free to chime in often - and of course share your own builds with us as you move forward.

Force9:

Thanks for thoughts. I am just looking forward to the challenge of just working on these kits and the accomplishment of doing them.

Nice work on your build, I can't see if anyone has mentioned a book called 'anatomy of the ship - the 100 gun ship - victory', Author is John McKay, Publisher is Conway. It has an awful lot of drawings and photographs that might be usefull to you.

I like your exposed framing sections, you are going to have a very fine model there and I look forward to following your build!

Kev.