This post provides a recap of my HMS Victory model building activity in 2004. This model is built from Constructo's 1:94 scale HMS Victory kit. The kit was purchased (in Spain) as a gift by my Dad during his trip to Europe in Winter 2004. Wherever possible, I am attempting to make the model a bit more reflective of the real ship. Although I am not a purist with regard to scale, I do try to make things look good on the model. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for the HMS Victory as it still exists today.
Here you can see that we pretty much start out with a basic frame upon which the planks will eventually be fastened.
Here is an example of one of my additions to the kit. The window detailing added to the exterior of the coach house to provide a more accurate representation of the real ship.
In order to make life easier later on with regard to planking, basswood blocks were added in between the frames to provide a good base for the planks.
Here you can see how the filler blocks were then sanded to the contour of the hull providing an excellent base for the planks. This especially helps planking around the curves of the bow and stern.
The first few rows of planking are added here.
More planking...one of the most difficult areas is the curvature of the bow. Here, each plank has to be tapered in order to match the curve of the bow.
Here the planking has been completed and the hull sanded and filled.
This shows a nicer view of the completely sanded hull.
Following completion of the planking, holes for the gunports (there are over 100 on the Victory) are marked and cut into the hull.
Each of the gunport holes are then framed in.
Here we have the completed gunports all framed in.
The quarter galleries were the next step. Here, I made another modification by creating darkened windows rather than the blue coloration provided with the kit (which in my opinion looks very unrealistic). Thin veneer planking was used to give the quarter galleries a nice finish.
Here I begin work on the stern gallery, again using darkened windows.
Here the stern gallery is finished with Sapelly veneer.
Now, the stem has been notched into the bow.
Here, the lower, middle, and upper wales have been added to the hull.
Here you can see that we pretty much start out with a basic frame upon which the planks will eventually be fastened.
Here is an example of one of my additions to the kit. The window detailing added to the exterior of the coach house to provide a more accurate representation of the real ship.
In order to make life easier later on with regard to planking, basswood blocks were added in between the frames to provide a good base for the planks.
Here you can see how the filler blocks were then sanded to the contour of the hull providing an excellent base for the planks. This especially helps planking around the curves of the bow and stern.
The first few rows of planking are added here.
More planking...one of the most difficult areas is the curvature of the bow. Here, each plank has to be tapered in order to match the curve of the bow.
Here the planking has been completed and the hull sanded and filled.
This shows a nicer view of the completely sanded hull.
Following completion of the planking, holes for the gunports (there are over 100 on the Victory) are marked and cut into the hull.
Each of the gunport holes are then framed in.
Here we have the completed gunports all framed in.
The quarter galleries were the next step. Here, I made another modification by creating darkened windows rather than the blue coloration provided with the kit (which in my opinion looks very unrealistic). Thin veneer planking was used to give the quarter galleries a nice finish.
Here I begin work on the stern gallery, again using darkened windows.
Here the stern gallery is finished with Sapelly veneer.
Now, the stem has been notched into the bow.
Here, the lower, middle, and upper wales have been added to the hull.
8 comments:
Hi Josh,
Thanks for your build log on this. It seems that you are no other references on this constructo build around on the net. I started the Victory by COnstructo in April and at a stage where I have finished the planking and varnished, put on the top guard rails etc and now need to start cutting out the gun ports.
I have been following your build quite closely as I like the natural finish and I think I am going to use your build as a model.
Thanks!! :)
Do you have any other photos that you can share on your build so I can see more detail?
Cheers
Cuan
Cuan,
Thanks for your interest. It has been a very long time since I updated this blog and have since finished the model. I have a whole series of photos from beginning to end that I can share with you if you like. Just contact me by email.
Best,
Josh
Cuan,
You can now access my email address through my profile page.
Best,
Josh
Hi Josh.
I have just logged onto you'r site. I recently obtained an almost complete Constructo kit for the HMS victory from ebay. Only paid £125 for it. All that is missing are the masting set, I have these on order from Cornwall Model Boats here in the UK.
I would just like to commend you on the beautiful rendering of the model. Having seen her in the bare wood state, I too may fololow you'r example. (I may ruin a good model with paint!)
I would really love to see any further photos which you may have taken of the completing of the model.
Regards Bob Lloyd.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your interest. Just send me an email by referring to my email on the profile page and I can send you an additional set of build photos.
I can't access your email address from the comment page.
Best,
Josh
Dear John,
I've just seen your HMS Victory site and as I started Billing Boats kit earlier this year and I'm amazed at the beautiful model you've built. It makes mine look like a used toy!.I originally bought the kit mainly to complete and show the rigging, but I've found so many mistakes in the kits drawings and references that I've spent most of my time sorting them out. The spritsail rigging for example is shown as impossible and inaccurate and when I saw your brilliant photo's I realised what a mess I was trying to follow.
Could tell me your reference for the spritsail rigging that you used. my model is not as good as yours but I wish it to be accurate.
Phil Wells
Hi Josh,
I've been looking around for a little help and inspiration after my daughter bought me the Constructo HMS Victory for my retirement/Christmas gift this year. This is my first attempt at building anything on this scale, but with any help you could give me in the way of hints, tips or photographs I believe I'm up for the challenge.
Best regards Michael Burr
Hi Michael,
Sure, I'd be more than happy to share build photos, etc.
You can check out some photos of the completed build at my new site here:
https://wappenvonhamburg.wordpress.com/category/finished-builds/
I'm also on Model Ship World:
http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10097-wappen-von-hamburg-by-josh-kollat-corel-scale-140/
So if you join that site, you can contact me directly there. In general, that is a very good forum for ship modeling, and in fact, there are several others who have, or are in the process of building the Constructo HMS Victory kit (which is a tough tough build).
Talk to you soon,
Josh
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