Paul0367

I'm leaning to painted which when I had a lightbulb moment when my wife asked what I would like to fill the time whilst im flying (cabin crew) to her suprise I said a wooden ship. The Victory was first and only choice although since endulging I've seen some stunning ships being built. But painted was my intension, its only since building I've had to ask the question. I will paint some spare timber and get a feel for it.

I really thought this topic would help but honestly its harder to decide. I wouldn't be happy to have it looking stunning in natural wood only to paint it and it loose its appeal, I haven't looked into paint but what paint is used on the wooden ones. Oh and point taken about the wales on the real ship they run quite a way off the straight line you'd expect

Mtdormike, I know exactly what your saying and deep down I started this kit to be as intended like the Portsmouth example and totally agree the ship will probably loose its identity if left natural, I say the Portsmouth example, she will carry her sails. Richf, hi, I have seen your name on other topics welcome to newbie site

this is beautifully done, hats off stuff

KeithW, very diplomatic reply.I have spent hours getting her wood effect clean and joint free, paint it and I may as well dragged out some filla and just plonk it together, plus displaying a wooden ship looks class. All this said if I was to paint it the plastic kits would have made more sense. I will have to look at some painted versions I think.

What is the general opinions regards painting the Victory, or leaving her the natural wood state. Especially when the wood shows no gaps to be filled. I'm torn what to do

I am at a loss on this subject, up until This Monday I was painting it but told the wife I was staying natural just last nights, honestly.. I was initially sticking to painted but that said I could have just thrown it together and wood fillered the problems up and painted over them. I don't know what to do at the moment painting hides a lot of effort. I haven't investigated the colour direction yet I.e what paint to use. Any ones input on this would be much appreciated, for example if you saw it completed in wood, would your initial reaction be it should be painted.

Oh! the other sides top main guard rail and wale

I have started installing the main guard rails and wales and have stuck with the hard to bend Manzonia, well to be honest its hard to do anything with this wood, even sanding it. I will perservere.

Just for fun

Yes really my first attempt, the bow deck has since been repaired, if you look at the earlier picture of the build site you will notice a red Relax sign perched on the light. This sign decided to jump off directly on to the deck. Relax, ironic really.

Bow Reinforcement added

This is what happens when your ship receives a light canon shot on the deck.

A little more work this week, Stem fitted also sternpost followed by the false keel. Transom stern also fitted, quarter gallery also started but I have changed the blue card which has window frames drawn on with a black pen, I'm going black with wooden frames installed.

Thank you for the compliment, having seen the quality you create I'll take that any day. Builders like you push the rest of us

Latest images, close up of Bulwarks all capped and wow this took far longer then I had anticipated. Plus a few other close ups.

I have finally finished the capping of my bulwarks, this job took so much longer than anticipated, took some super close ups

Hey thanks for the compliments and looking at your builds they are compliments indeed, yes my first ever build of a ship.

Bulid site expanding

Total planks used on my hull as a guide for you was, below the last two light Ayous strips 21 x 6 mm x 2 mm on each side and about 5 more each side for packing any gaps, the kit provides 56 strips. Some will snap due to the grain direction and also due to grain be a nightmare to plane and also snap. ( normally when you have spent a while getting it perfect) I did use the veneer on my last 5 strips, I veneered the hull frames first and added the 1.5 mm strips to it when dry. this was because the strips should have been 2 mm but the quality control staff sent me 1.5. I did buy 12 extra strip and guess what, the shop only had 1.5 mm. read my log regards other issues I have had so you can avoid some problems Manzonia strips do not like doing as there told, Like a petulant teenager. ( my log will reveal all ) Hope all is ok

Well thanks everyone, really this site is the best, thanks everyone for your feedback, I think I have achieved the impossible and managed my bends with the Manzonia strips. I finally bent them dry with the plank bender (crimp type) and a lot of patience.

MTDORAMIKE This is my first ever build of a ship, I looked and did my homework regards the kit to cut my teeth on, If money was no object I would have gone Caldercraft all the way but it's a lot of cash for a first time build. Also instructions were the best on the Constructo, that said you do have to read ahead of your actual work to get the idea, they sort of think we're all experienced in this hobby. ( reading your comment you have built many). Manual is all colour as I'm sure your past constructo kits were. I did need to surf the net to find out what Ayous wood was / looked like as it's not marked up, just bundeled with a band around. I actually had to do this with all the timber due to not not knowing what they looked like, Oh the ply hull main section as with most kits was bent, I used the cannon mount timber to clamp it straight, the captains cabin fairing ply was marked up back to front on the paper page supplied. The planking went really well, took a while but went well, Contstructo do supply 0.5 mm x 6 mm veneer strips for those who struggle planking plus they are all the same shade. (I have no idea if this is the norm with there kits). I started using the brass pins in the kit which require a pre-drilling of the plank to prevent splitting. I then used the coloured pins in the pictures previous, they clamp really well and speed up the process by saving pre-drilling. Oh also the grates main spar should run fore to aft but the plans show port to starboard on the lower deck but upper deck the correct way. Mine are as the plan but only the purest will see it, still I may put mine right way soon. Wow I'm going on here but hope I've helped, get this kit and at sub £200 you wont be disappointed

Anyone building this kit, treat yourself to some strips of Walnut and ditch the Manzonia, the images are of the Manzonia bent, but I wastred a lot of strips trying to achieve this. The wood grain runs similar to what I can only describe as ply, and trying to bend so tight just split, split, splits and more splits before I got it to bend. Hot water, Steam, you name it I tried it. I will be replacing the lost strips with Walnut which appears the same. Colour matching of the same timber in the kit, don't get me started with that one. I may paint her but still haven't decided so the wood has to at least be reasonably close match Oh, just to let you know if your feeling brave to attempt it, well lets face it you have the Manzonia timber, use a plank bender, the pliers type that just creases the back with a blade and be careful, you need a lot of pressure but to much and watch it fly past your shoulder. Crimp as close together as possible mm even and bend as you crimp, they will behave eventually.

Cheers guys, Ha ha contructo can't - bend - the -wood club, really would prefer my membership be cancelled. The other issue with that timber is colour shades

Has any one tried to bend Manzonia timber 6mm x 2mm, I need to bend it quite sharp for capping my bulwarks, Constructo Victory. Hot water doesn't work as its very dense, it is listed on the web as steam bendable. Has anyone achieved this without it splintering