dchrismiller

Hello Mike,
I've been at work on the Pegasus again after a long delay. I've gotten to the masts and, as you'll remember, portions of most masts and yards are square. I've been trying to merge the two designs onto some masts where (from bottom to top) there will be a square, then round/tapered, then square of one diameter then another. How did you go about making the square portions and aligning the faces from one segment to the other? Is there a tutorial for this that you know of?
 
I'd appreciate your assistance or those of other correspondents.
 
Chris Miller

I want to let the group know that I have decided to construct the Pegasus (Amati Victory Series). I ordered the kit from Cornwall for a LOT less than it's usually found elsewhere. I ordered it on Saturday online and it arrived on Wednesday morning. Amazing!
 
Many thanks to all of you. I'll be looking for a couple of good build logs, and I'm sure they're on this forum site.
 
Chris

I want to let the group know that I have decided to construct the Pegasus (Amati Victory Series). I ordered the kit from Cornwall for a LOT less than it's usually found elsewhere. I ordered it on Saturday online and it arrived on Wednesday morning. Amazing!
 
Many thanks to all of you. I'll be looking for a couple of good build logs, and I'm sure they're on this forum site.
 
Chris

I want to let the group know that I have decided to construct the Pegasus (Amati Victory Series). I ordered the kit from Cornwall for a LOT less than it's usually found elsewhere. I ordered it on Saturday online and it arrived on Wednesday morning. Amazing!
 
Many thanks to all of you. I'll be looking for a couple of good build logs, and I'm sure they're on this forum site.
 
Chris

Hello,
I am considering HMS Victory for my next project. I've decided that before I begin the Victory, I'd like some input from others who've done one.
 
I would appreciate your input and frank appraisal of your kit, the manufacturer, and whether you would use them again if starting over. If not, then which?
 
I would use a kit as a basis but would likely engage in some bashing to enhance authenticity. I would also likely use a good reference like Longridge or one of the many others. Ideas on resources are greedily accepted.
 
Input on wood quality; fitting (wood and metal) quality; plans quality (completeness, readability, accuracy); instruction (readability and accuracy of descriptions, quality of illustrations); accuracy of description of masting and rigging; etc.
 
Any input that you would like to share would be most gratefully acknowledged.
 
Many thanks,
 
Chris Miller

Chris,
No idea - zip - nada. I wish there was some news, one way or the other. I also have queried the owner of Cornwall Model Boats to keep me updated on news from Amati when the Vic actually happens.
 
When distributor/resellers know something, then us (internationally-aware) modelers will get the info pretty quickly. Like all manufacturers, Amati will fill the "pipeline" when they actually have something to ship.
 
For now, those of us who want to build this monster just need to keep a dry towel handy...to catch the drool.  
 
Ron

Ron,
 
Any thoughts about when the Amati kit by Watton might arrive? I've seen nothing definitive.
 
Chris

Ron,
 
Any thoughts about when the Amati kit by Watton might arrive? I've seen nothing definitive.
 
Chris

Chris,
 
You're most welcome. Glad you checked-out Cornwall. Keep an eye on the US posted price as it moves with the exchange rate, currently listing the Vic at $801. As I recommended previously, opt for the standard Royal Mail delivery (through the USPS here). This is a real bargain, a direct result of the ill-advised Brexit.
-----------
PS to dafi: the Heller kit is excellent too, especially with all your upgrades and extensive notes here (and other forums) on bashing it. If Chris is looking for a plastic build then there really is no other choice. However, for a wood(en) model kit, it's Caldercraft until Amati's Watton-designed Victory becomes available.
 
Good luck- don't forget to search for member builds here!
Ron

Ron,
Thanks for the heads up re: Cornwall. As it happens, I spotted their price and even went to the trouble of asking for a price verification. Amazing difference.
Your info helps me a great deal in price and handling. Thanks.
Chris

Hi again,
 
I noticed that a couple of guys made mention of the guns and gun carriages on Pegasus and suggested that they might need replacing.
 
What seems to be the issue? Is it size, that is, are they disproportionate? Are they too large, or too small?
 
Or is the construction faulty?
 
How about replacements? Where do I go (have you gone) to find appropriate replacements? What vendor and item #?
 
Many thanks. I'm getting closer to taking the step to buy.
 
Chris

Ron,
Thanks for the heads up re: Cornwall. As it happens, I spotted their price and even went to the trouble of asking for a price verification. Amazing difference.
Your info helps me a great deal in price and handling. Thanks.
Chris

Hey Chris,
 
There is a good discussion on BE's build log on the cannons, as well as Martin's and Alistair's Fly logs.  The guns are too large and out of scale.  I went with the same barrels that BE used for his Pegasus that he describes here (I bought mine from Cornwallmodelboats):
 
http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/332-hms-pegasus-by-blue-ensign-victory-models-enhancing-the-kit-a-build-log-of-sorts/?p=4136
 
http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/332-hms-pegasus-by-blue-ensign-victory-models-enhancing-the-kit-a-build-log-of-sorts/?p=354782

Chris,
 
I have built and modified several Caldercraft kits as well as several of the Amati Victory Models kits. Caldercraft's Vic is old now (circa 2000), but it still is regarded the best of the Vic kits - if you can afford it.
 
Here is a helpful link: www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/.
 
This UK-based reseller has excellent service and low prices (an accurate floating exchange rate on current currency rates). Shipping will not be inexpensive (the kit is HEAVY), but this firm knows the best way to make sure you receive it safely - and without U.S. Customs delays. The Caldercraft model's designer, Chris Watton, is a master and has designed a newer kit of the Victory for Amati/Victory (there is an extensive thread here on MSW that details his efforts, just search either Watton or Victory). However, this new kit is currently unavailable and has been eagerly anticipated for about 2 years now. As of this writing there is still no news on its availability or expected price (expensive, more than Caldercraft).
 
I modify my kit projects extensively, even the "better" kits. On an involved build like the Victory, one of the most important aspects of the kit is the quality of the plans. Chris Watton is a master draftsman and the near two decade old plans for Caldercraft's Vic are still quite good: reasonably accurate and detailed, with good rigging details. His plans for the Amati/Vic (when it appears!), will be CAD drafted by him and likely be superb.
 
I hope some of this will be helpful - and useful. Especially for your wallet.
 
Ron
 
PS: No, I don't work for Cornwall Model Boats.

Hi again,
 
I noticed that a couple of guys made mention of the guns and gun carriages on Pegasus and suggested that they might need replacing.
 
What seems to be the issue? Is it size, that is, are they disproportionate? Are they too large, or too small?
 
Or is the construction faulty?
 
How about replacements? Where do I go (have you gone) to find appropriate replacements? What vendor and item #?
 
Many thanks. I'm getting closer to taking the step to buy.
 
Chris

I went through the same process when thinking about which to buy.  Regarding the ships themselves, they are very similar, both have gorgeous, detailed plans from the NMM that are available for purchase, and since they are essentially the same ship, you can use the TFFM books to tweak your build.
 
In terms of the kits themselves, I liked the fact that the Pegasus had all the upgrades in one box.  The Fly upgrade kit was a bit hard to find when I was looking.  I think the Fly base kit uses cast metal carriages, which was a turn-off to me, but I'd note that you might want to consider replacing the Pegasus guns anyway given that they are out of scale.  As for the ply pieces, SpyGlass is right that they are pretty crumbly and not very good quality in the Pegasus kit (I haven't seen the Fly kit to compare).  That didn't bother me as much as I'm replacing much of the visible wood anyway.
 
In the end, I went with the Pegasus as I liked the figurehead and stern and quarter gallery decorations a little better.  It's been a really fun project, not just to build, but also to build alongside my Swan class brothers and sisters
 
As for the practicum, I have it and would strongly recommend staying away from it.  I wish I had thought to ask for my money back.  I bought it while working on my first kit, the Badger, and it did help me in certain places to see how various items fit together.  Otherwise, it is terribly written, the work done is rushed and sloppy (half the pages have some acknowledgement of a mistake that was made, like reversing the PE decorations, etc.), and many of the pages show a different model than the Pegasus!  Plus, no rigging or other instructions which would have been very helpful.

Thanks to all of you. The Pegasus seems to get the nod, but not by much. Thanks for your time and consideration of your ideas.

Thanks to all of you. The Pegasus seems to get the nod, but not by much. Thanks for your time and consideration of your ideas.

Hello,
 
In the continuing search for my next project I have been looking at two similar offerings in the Amati Victory class of kits: HMS Pegasus and HMS Fly. The designer, Chris Watton, has received fine reviews, I'm told.
 
On the surface, the two models appear to be very alike. Would those of you who have info agree?
 
There are only superficial differences that I can see in the website pictures of these two ships. Are there material, or major, differences in the builds?
 
How extensive are the instructions? Are the plans complete, well organized and clearly drawn?
 
I've recently completed USS Constitution with which I'm very happy and proud. Also, a Mayflower done in mahogany that looks great, according to biased grandchildren, and a scratch-built Viking Drakkar using Amati plans (they were OK only) that's going to an office in Northern Virginia. Bottom line is, I believe either model would be very doable.
 
Finally, I've noted that Bob Hunt has a practicum on the Pegasus/Fly. I've done a few of his practicums in the past. Any remarks about this practicum?
 
Many thanks to all who may offer ideas, impressions, opinions, assistance of any kind.
 
Chris Miller

Thanks to all of you. The Pegasus seems to get the nod, but not by much. Thanks for your time and consideration of your ideas.

Everyone is waiting for he Amati. Nothing from Chris Watton on it for some time. One big question is will you have a space to display it when finished or will you have to build an addition to your house!  I believe Chris also designed the Caldercraft Victory so he would end up with the two best models,
Jaxboat

Check this thread for additional discussion on this topic.

I built the Artesania Latina Victory and if you can't afford the $1200.00 for the Caldercraft, then the Latina version In my opinion would be the next best thing. One thing I liked about the Artesania Latina was their wood choices so if you chose to build it natural, the wood included in the kit would turn out beautiful and the pre-made sides of the Caldercraft kit turned me off. The Latina kit you have to make your own with planking. Finally the big difference was the price which was about half the price at about $600.00. The price was a big factor for me since I built this model as a donation to my local library. So the less money I had into the kit the better for me. If I had it to do all over again, I would still build the Latina version, it was a beautiful model when finished. I also did a bit of bashing on her as well and used the "Anatomy of the Ship Victory" as a reference guide as well as other materials. I also was lucky enough to have found a source in England that had a certified piece of Victory wood that I got from them and used it to make several things on the Model such as anchor davits, anchor collars and numerous other items that was left unpainted in their natural wood form to show the beauty of the Victory wood.
 
The Mantua Victory version was touted to be the best and most accurate of the Victory kits back in the late 70's and 80's if I remember right. But that was a lot of years ago and kits have come and gone since then. What is your skill level Chris, the Victory is one of the most challenging models on the market to build and the investment in time alone which is on average 2-10 years to finish her depending on time spent working on her. I finished mine in a year and a half. But I was really moving on it and would spend 40+ hours a week at times working on it.
 
mike

I have built both the Mantua version,& the Caldercraft version - there is no comparison. The Caldercraft version is by far the best - 18 sheets of plans & good instructions with many illustrations. The wood is a little better than average for a kit & is CNC cut instead of laser cut so only a little sanding on the edges is all that is needed to clean them up - no laser char to deal with. Any wood parts that have edges showing are solid wood - not plywood. Lots of well done photo etch parts & crisply cast metal parts.It is more expensive than the other Victory kits on the market,but well worth it. The Mantua version could be made into a good model,though with a LOT of bashing. Or you could wait - Amati is supposed to be coming out with a Victory kit that is rumored to be the best yet.
 
Mark

+1 What Andy said.