HMS Victory by rkwz - AIRFIX - Scale 1:180 - First plastic ship build

[rkwz]

A welcome distraction from the monotony of fitting gunport covers...

 

 

Plywood shaped to simulate the nun buoys. Thought of using short grain rice but I needed them to be 7mm in length (1/4 the length of the anchor shafts). 

 

Perhaps a plant could suddenly germinate one day along the ratlines if I'd gone with that option ...

 

 

Those sure are strange looking pills.

 

Thin copper wire was used to crudely simulate the rigging of the buoys, I had to cheat after a few failed attempts at doing it the proper way. 

 

 

Some enamel paint to hide the evidence.

 

While waiting for the paint to dry, I finished off the gunports along the port section of the ship.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, I decided to purchase this box of brown plastic for my next project!

 

 

 

 

Stay safe everyone,

 

Ron

 

[Baker]

2 hours ago, rkwz said:

Meanwhile, I decided to purchase this box of brown plastic for my next project!

 

excellent choice. i can't wait to follow the build 

[shipman]

Good luck with that one, RON.

I'm sure you'll build this one to even higher standards than your excellent 'Victory'.

No doubt you'll enjoy hunting references.

[rkwz]

First nun buoy on the port bower anchor rigged (thank you dafi for your wonderful log on this subject!).

 

Fairly happy with the result... The first one is always the worst, so hopefully the next 3 will progressively improve! Haven't worked out what to do with the excess line yet... 

 

 

[clearway]

gets better n better , also at 1/72 scale you should be able to replace the plastic yards and masts with wood which will be a lot less "bendy" (i have this one in my stash and am still thinking about it).

 

Keith

[shipman]

Ok Ron, I'm going to upset everyone and spit my dummy out.

When you've got to the level of your Victory, don't waste your new found skills on this travesty of a kit, which always looks best with the lid kept firmly on the box. This applies to any ship kit from this period, except the Vasa, which has the improbable advantage of being here for all to see for what it is.

There you go.....I'm a bad 'un, trying to save you from yourself.

Because I care.

[rkwz]

14 minutes ago, shipman said:

Ok Ron, I'm going to upset everyone and spit my dummy out.

When you've got to the level of your Victory, don't waste your new found skills on this travesty of a kit, which always looks best with the lid kept firmly on the box. This applies to any ship kit from this period, except the Vasa, which has the improbable advantage of being here for all to see for what it is.

There you go.....I'm a bad 'un, trying to save you from yourself.

Because I care.

 

Thanks shipman, I always appreciate your egging me on and speaking your mind.

 

I agree with you somewhat about the Airfix Golden Hind. As soon as I opened the box... so many questions! Hatches instead of gratings, where are the stairs leading to the lower decks? weird stern decor, hull thickness is too thin, deck warping (easily corrected I suppose) etc. 

 

However I was keen to try something a little different and was curious to know more about rigging etc from a different era. Plus I have the Mayflower manual from Hackney to help guide me (although not everything is exactly correct for the Hind... Different deadeyes and blocks were used then, so much more armchair researching to do).

 

I guess I've committed to this and look forward to working on a slightly larger scale & take liberties with historical accuracy.

 

...or it could just as well end up in my recycling bin later if I lose patience. 😁

 

 

 

[shipman]

Aye lad. It's the lifelong curse of being a Yorkshireman. Can't help it.

Well....I can, but to me some things are simply beyond the pale.

What matters the most here on this forum is we should all enjoy what we do.

I've had my rant, so now I can comfortably sit back and let you prove me wrong.

[rkwz]

Those nun buoys sure made me all loopy.

 

 

Getting close to the finish line... Now to tackle something I've been pondering on and dreading for quite a while. 

 

 

A little test fitting of some pretend hammocks (netting and stanchions to follow). Big thank you to dafi for your suggestion of balsa which is actually quite easy to mould into shape and looks fairly weathered.

 

 

Stanchions made by bending some staples over a needle nose plier. Staples are pretty tough to cut compared to softer metals like copper!

 

Fingers crossed it all works out later, stay tuned...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by rkwz

[Hubac's Historian]

Your Victory looks incredible, RK - a beautiful, clean build!

[Paulh]

Its been great to see your work .you've gone the same route as  I have done . The intention of using the kit as a way of preparing for more serious projects certainly mirrors my work. With my own kit it was a return to a build I started 3 years ago but was not happy with the detailing. ( deygarvous with you ?) . I replaced an awful lot of masts/spars/booms etc with wood ( cocktail sticks,bbq skewers,coffee stirrers with brass rod to connect most things .it makes a big difference with the rigging that follows . The use of the staples though!! Are you a kind of mind reader?!! Seriously makes me wonder.If I can add some piccy's I will.