jazzyrjw@gmail.com

Richard From Cambridgeshire I built the Billings Nordcap "476" 30years ago. I have memories of my ex. complaining as I was soaking the planking in our bath over the night. I am now building The Mantua Panart high spec HMS Victory 1:78 (started finally in June 2020). I am following your posts Mark as I recognise your frustrations at early stages of the build. I have studied other peoples builds and the decisions they made. For instance I decided to pierce the inner stern panel 5 weeks ago which has worked very well. I still have the strength in the stern build with the envisioned inner and outer parts together. I have not fitted them yet. I will be using LED's, so I cannot proceed with the stern and deck installations until I install the wiring and lights. I want to follow how you do as well. You are moving forward very quickly and expertly which I think is wonderful (even if you don't like the wood they included in the kit). I am only just about to embark on planking the hull. I must just put the wiring and LED's in first. I think Bertu used flickering amber lights in his build to simulate candlepower. I may do the same although they cost more. You mentioned the front bollards and I totally agree that they needed attention so I have done that as well following your example. I noticed that the bulkheads were in the way of the gun ports on the cardboard template. I will be adjusting the front gun ports moving them a few mm just to clear the Bullheads slightly to make it all fit properly. I am interested in the gratings being lit from below decks and building stairways. More piecimg needed. I have started to plank the lower and upper deck but want to caulk between if I can find a solution. I have been considering the new restoration teams colours of the Victory as they are supposed to be what was used at Trafalgar. Although expensive, I am considering the Shapeways 3D printed parts as they are not only finely detaild but they were taken from the actual ship at Portsmouth. I need help right now please. Anyone tried to build the life boats yet? The instructions are totally scant. I don't want to assemble them badly. Any comments more than welcome. Keep up all that hard work you have done Mark. You are inspirational in your tenacity. Richard W

Jazzyrjw Billing Nordkap Panart Mantua High Spec HMS Victory 1:78 Early on I noticed that you only had the slot for the main mast in the main keel. The other two masts needed a slot depth horizontally and virtically in line with the main mast. It would be very difficult to get the angles entirely right after the decks were completed. I think you are doing a fantastic job. I have read all your posts and am staggered how much you have achieved so far. I am leaving all the canons brass but painting vermilion on the centre front of the barrel. I will be coppering the hull like you so I am looking forward to doing it later. Currently, I am adding LED lighting to the officers cabins and later, up top of the main mast. I will be painting the finished ship with the historic restoration teams new colour scheme that was uncovered during gargantuan project of restoring the ship at Portsmouth. I went to see it and was amazed by the inticate paint work done. They have changed the ships colours to reflect the true colours found in the lowest paint levels carbon dated to the battle of Trafalgar Have a look at these pictures taken by the photographer commissioned by the Restoration Team. https://www.flickr.com/photos/150573193@N04/page7

Jazzyrjw Built Billing boat NordKap 476 Building Panart Mantua 1:78 HMS Victory (High Spec) Hello Robert. I am building HMS Victory 1:78 (High Spec including coppered hull) and I am now reaching a similar stage to you. I spent a great deal of time trial fitting the frame and then finally gingerly gluing it all together. I started to plank the hull starting just below the top gun support rail. I stopped abruptly as I wanted to consider LED lighting, realising that I could not continue planking as I would not have access to the bulkheads after I finished. So I am now trying to work out what lighting I want (or not). Without having a completely clear idea of how to use, fix, and wire LED's and resistors etc. I am reseaching it very carefully. I am so glad to read of your build. I have painted the canon support rails black, but seeing what you have done, think maybe I should also paint the bulkheads black. I don't know if it is necessary. Can you tell me what I am not considering by not doing that. Anyway, I am considering lighting the ship at the moment with about 24 to 30 LEDs including 3 for the rear lanterns and of course 3 deck staircase placements (of which there are two on the lower gun deck). I am also considering whether I should subtly light the stern grating from below and the lower deck gratings in the same way. Lastly, there is the consideration of the bow Cannonade (if that is what it is called) to think about. I am considering leaving 2 doors open with a subtle light coming from inside. I have not started to build the back of the ship until I work out what I am going to do with the back cabins and also the Officers Quarters on the mid deck behind the ships wheel. I will keep up with you once I work out all the resistors I am going to need. Its all a bit daunting at this stage as there are many decisions to be made before carrying on.