vossy

WOW! Thanks Chris. I can only hope this model will be released soon before I pull the trigger and buy the Caldercraft version. It is simply stunning and a great credit to you.

Cheers

Chris

Hey Chris, are you able to post more pictures of your Amati Victory in various stages? Totally understand if for moral/legal reasons you cant, but if you don't ask, you don't get.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris, did you design the Caldercraft 1:72 Victory? If so, how does it compare in accuracy/detail to your much anticipated Amati 1:64 version?

Cheers

Chris

You're just teasing now! lol

Cheers

Chris

Looking at splitting the kit to make it more cost effective over a period of time for modellers. Good idea I reckon. Will let  Emilio  from Amati explain more. He said he will make a post here to explain further.

Cheers

Chris

5 hours ago, chris watton said:

Don't quote me, but I think there may be some real movement regarding Amati releasing the 64th scale Victory. I would be so happy to see this released - I no longer work there, but this was two years work for me, and would be fantastic to see it available to buy.

Just received an email from Amati regarding your Victory. Seems we may all have good reason to start getting excited!

Cheers

Chris

I will definitely contact them. Given you designed her, drew the scale plans etc. do you still retain any ownership to the model? Could you not sell her as part of your current venture? As for cost; Amati are kidding themselves if they think junkies like us wont spend the big bucks on things of rare quality and beauty such as this! Sure, its not a kit that will fly out the door in the hundreds, but I bet more than a few on here alone would buy it.

Any chance you could maybe post a few more pics of your design in stages/completion? Fully understand if for copyright reasons etc. you cannot. Thanks for your work.

Cheers

Chris

Wow! Thank you for these pics Chris. Any idea if/when a release date? Price etc? How come if you completed the proto type 4 years ago she still isn't released? What would be the overall dimensions of such a beast? Sorry for all the questions. Stunning work! I want one!

Cheers

Chris

8 minutes ago, James H said:

The ultimate Victory kit is the 1:64 unreleased Amati kit, designed by Chris Watton. 

 

That thing is epic, and I'm trying to convince Amati to get off the fence and actually release it!

 

I'm sure @chris watton could give you more info...

Any pics, other info etc?

Hi all, I was just wondering, is Caldrcraft (1:72 version) the go to kit for Victory freaks? Is it the most detailed/accurate on the market? Indeed, is it the largest? Anyone know of any others to rival Caldercraft's version or any planned by other manufacturers in the pipeline?

Cheers

Chris

Using water and heat will achieve the same results 100 times quicker. Amati has a great soldering iron plank bender. I use that for all my bending needs. I am sure others will have their favourite methods as well, but it really comes down to soaking the wood to make it pliable, then heating it to achieve the desired shape. Once the wood is then cooled it will hold the shape.

Chris

Hey Dave, I find I use a small modelling hammer all the time, depending on your eyesight, some magnifying tools may be useful too. Pin vises are always necessary, and you can NEVER have enough clamps of any size!

In my opinion, some of the fancy rigging/ratline tools/frames are a waste of money. A good selection of small chisels come in handy, and if I had any money left over I would probably stock up on sandpaper of various grades and different types of tape for masking and holding.

And what CDW said; definitely invest in a good plank bender!

Cheers

Chris

Many thanks Mark! Didn't know the owner was on here.

Chris

Hello Jack, I am so glad I found your build log. This is a superb job you are doing. I love the Carracks! Your skill is unbelievable. Congratulations to you and your many feline assistants. If I may ask a few questions; is this model originally supposed to be double planked on the hull? Where on earth did you find your 0.4mm cherry strips? On the Maristella site it lists this model as for sale both upgraded kit and retro. Do you know what the difference is there?

Thank you very much, I will follow along with great interest and admiration for your work.

Cheers

Chris

Thanks Steven for all this wonderful info. I have just ordered the Mantua Nina 1:50 with extra pre stitched sails from CMB. I am a total Columbus freak, and have been since childhood. I have built the Amati Santa Maria 1:50??? but plan on building all 3 of the Mantua vessels. It doesn't appear as though any build logs for the Nina are on here, or anywhere I can find, so I may be the log Guinea Pig for this one!

Cheers

Chris

Hi, I am fully aware that there is no historically accurate information on the 3 specific vessels Columbus used, however having viewed this publication in limited PDF format I think it might be useful as a guide to the particular type of vessel.

Chris

Hi, anyone read, got a copy, recommend or otherwise of this book?

ISBN 978-1844860142

AUTHOR: Xavier Pastor

Cheers

Chris

This is simply stunning work you are doing here Eric! As a community here, we are very fortunate to have people like yourself who possess not only the skill to produce such works, but also the knowledge behind the vessels they create. Congratulations!

Cheers

Chris

Really glad you are going to plank her David. I hate these printed on decks. I have them on my Chaperon, and although that model doesn't call for them to be planked over, I will certainly do so. The printed stuff just looks too fake and perfect for me.

Btw, do you end up putting your models in display cases? If so, can you shed any light on affordable sources?

Cheers

Chris

Hi David, great progress. As for edge gluing, I have always done this on every model I have built. I think it makes for a more solid build, and indeed some kits do call for the removal of the ribs later in the build stage. Glad you read ahead and sorted this out. 

Cheers

Chris

Looking forward to this one David. What are the overall dimensions of the build? My riverboat is Sergal/Mantua. I can only vouch for my kit, but it had way more than enough wood. In fact I reckon they may have made a mistake because I could easily plank mine 3 times over! My plans are also double sided. Personally I don't find this a problem, and I like the fact that they are large and easy to read. Based on my 1 and only experience with this manufacturer, I wouldn't hesitate to get another of their kits. Hope you find the same.

Chris

1 hour ago, popeye the sailor said:

wow!  you've made some great progress    the third tier and pilot house looks great.......nice bit of detail.  finding the right mix of people is hard....even for the period it's based on.  color and a few adjustments will work in your favor 

Thanks mate, she is coming along slowly. Most of the people are just sitting on there, courtesy of my sister. I intend to paint them all different colors and put them around the boat so to the casual observer they appear to be different people. Already I have a few of the same figures on permanently, but because they are painted and in such different area's of the boat I doubt many will realize they are in fact the same figures. The Captain at the helm is the same figure as the guy with the lantern in the horse bay area, and the guy leaving the wheelhouse is the same figure as the guy opening the forward starboard door on the main deck. I just painted the wheel house guy's clothes black to make him out as a bit more important crew member. All up I have about 36 people, but only 6 of them are unique, so the trick is to try to make each look a bit different by painting and positioning I guess.

Chris

A few high res pics my sister took when I had the boat around at her house. Much better than my efforts.

Chris

26 minutes ago, Cathead said:

Chris, does this kit include the various bracing cables that supported the chimneys (stacks)? If so, that'll help stabilize them. If not, it'd be a great detail to add for function and appearance.

Hey Eric, yeah there are bracing ropes etc. You may be able to see a couple of eyelets near the top of the stack? Also there are 2 brass rods that connect both stacks together, so this will also help. I have jammed some wood into the end of the stack that will meet with some timber inside the stack hole, so that combined with a thin bead of glue around the bottom of the white part of the stack should make the whole thing pretty solid. Well that's the plan anyway!

Chris

Work on main smoke stack and access ladders. I slightly changed the smoke stack from the box art.  All parts, including the pilot house are just sitting there and not glued yet. Smoke stack also needs another coat of black to hide a few glue stains.

The smoke stack only goes through the deck 5mm so I am hoping it will be sturdy enough when glued.

Cheers

Chris