ECK

Rudder now in. Looks like picture on the cover.

Did some painting and next will be install the rudder tomorrow

Copper always looks nice. Left stern unfinished as I will put in the rudder after doing the lower hull painting. Rudder easier to do now with nothing to damage on upper decks.

This is how the coppering will look. I taped out the line and painted the area copper to help hide any slight spaces after the copper goes on and provides an edge

So here is the new look. It looks appropriate although if you look at the model on the box it does have the 1+6 strakes. The above picture has 4 of the 1x3 mm strakes and is less curved than the model plan so will stick with the real thing as outlined by our gracious expert. Pardon the copper paint but I was prepping the back ground before I had to make the adjustments so will remark out the copper lines later.

Thanks all for the info. I agree it seemed too large despite the plan's instructions. Looks like I need to remove the 2 lower strakes. Will give it a try this evening. Stay tuned.

I checked the instructions, so 0.5 by 3 mm strake starting below top 1 by 5 mm second plank then 6 1x3mm after it for total of 21 mm or 7 planks. The strake by the picture may make it look wider from the angle and hard to distinguish it so not sure to leave as per instructions or remove lower most plank.

Finished the whales, I think needed a bit more curve but followed the plans. When I look at my Agamemnon, it should be okay. Gun deck ports and bulwark painted.At this point I am going to copper the hull for the next couple of weeks. I find it easier to do now as nothing to damage when I have it flipped over or sticking out to snag .

After sanding, filling defects and sanding am ready for the whales, then paint the gun deck then copper.

So I first saw an add for HMS Victory by De Agostini. Formidable as first build, my kids said I should do it, having previously done balsa wood airplanes. SO I got it 5 yrs or so ago. It had excellent instructions and You tube videos. Although not perfect came out reasonably well. Then did their Soleil Royale (plans ok) and constitution (had to print instructions from internet). The company plan for planking involves using more stealer strips than trimming for the bow. Also coppering done d\differently with straight line at water level and then cutting pieces at keel. Easier to get straight line that way. Finally did their Surprise kit, which was the prettiest but plans less detailed. Had to do mast/yard and rigging from on line plans. Major issue with the company is horrific costumer service, often never getting replies or the parts. An issue as had often missing cast parts (which I eventually received). Hard to buy needed pieces as have to search to fing products similar as the company does not say where source kits are from. Next did Caldercraft kits. Plans ok but helped that I had done the others. Only pars issue is never enough rigging line for running rigging but easy to buy. Did one Occre (Montanes) kit and have Trinidad waiting to start after Diana. Instruction not to bad but short on some rigging thread and blocks. Also box did not have brass cut out for stern and had to have them send it . There costumer service site works but took a few months to cross the pond and I had to do follow up emails to make sure things were being done. All in all, although plans, depending on the model, are a little harder to follow, most complete kit were the Caldercraft ones. Only wish could have sails but the ships look good with just the rigging. After looking at this form, I am can't wait until the Amati Victory is available as will be the biggest model to date. Has anyone heard about when it might come out? ECK

Glad to hear form the originator. Actually look forward to working on it. It is definitely not a beginner kit but after a couple of thers it is manageable especially with these forms where you can see what others have done.

I also wished the false keel and bow could be added latter as in most other models as it makes planking easier and neater.

Thanks. With the kids in college, I can spend 2-3 hrs a day working on it as my stress reliever. Biggest problem with the kit is the vagueness of instruction at times, definitely worse than other of their models. Will sand today and fill in cracks as it will be all painted and coppered. I will then put in the whale and copper. I like to copper at this pint as it avoids breaking things . They should change the order in their instructions.

Yes It is planked to the stern and trimmed off

Upper second planking done

My bad, I posted here by mistake instead of the build log.

Upper side second planked

Gunports now lined and interior bulwarks sanded

Finished first plank before sanding: and after some good sanding:

So coming along. Another couple of days to go for first planking

About 4 years. Snake took 3 months, the larger ones about 8 months each depending if they have sails or not.

You are very observant and correct so... here are the ships in order that I built HMS Victory, first but learnt a lot as the instructions were very thorough Second, Soleil Royale Third USS Constitution Fourth HMS Surprise Fifth is the HMS Agamemnon here next to my seventh (completed 3 weeks ago) HMS Snake, together for size comparison since same scale and sixth as you recognized the Occre ship Montanes IMG_4420 5.21.21 PM.HEIC

Port side ports done