HMS Victory by JEFFRAV - Heller - 1/100 - PLASTIC

[JEFFRAV]

Hi I joined this forum a few months ago and after reading other ship builds I decided to do one myself. This is my first time doing this and would like any help from other members will be appreciated. I've already stated and I know it is going to take along time.

[Kevin-the-lubber]

Hi Jeff, here are various photos of the jigs I knocked up when assembling the cannons about 10 years ago (is it really that long!). These were made with styrene, there's nothing very clever or technical, I just cut and filed to size to hold everything in place. There were two or three lessons learned that I'll mention;

1: after a while, you'll almost inevitably get styrene glue on the jig and it'll get spoiled(-ish)/soft(-ish), so it might be worth making 2 or 3 of each. Or use something other than styrene. Or be better at applying glue than I was 10 years ago 😊

2: I mistakenly thought the carriages would have an inwards camber bottom to top: keep an eye on that, they don't.

3: the quality of moulding is superb; the cannon halves aligned true every time, as did the carriage parts.

 

I hope this gives you the general idea. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'm looking forward to seeing your build develop, the Victory is such an interesting kit to spectate on, and everyone has their own take and way of doing it. 

 

[JEFFRAV]

Thank you Kevin now I have an idea of what too make. I have plenty of Evergreen I guess I just have to get the right measurements will play around with it. I started a build log and tried posting some pictures but they are coming up rotated. 

[Kevin-the-lubber]

I think you need to orientate them correctly before posting. I always edit mine in MS Picture Manager (other packages are available etc.... but I find this one easiest); first I crop them, then I compress for the web to 'for documents'. You can also resize here, just double-click while editing.

[JEFFRAV]

Thanks Kevin I will try that. Worked great in MS Photos

 

Edited April 13, 2022 by JEFFRAV

[JEFFRAV]

Got hulls painted and evergreen to thicken hulls finally done. Lots of touchup too do but can be done later. Next the guns.

[JEFFRAV]

Well been out of ship building for awhile back into it. Got all the guns for lower decks done took awhile.

[JEFFRAV]

Got lower deck glued in but in my haste and not following detail I forgot to glue the main mast step in so I had to cut deck open glue in and fix with milliput sand and paint again.Know one will see it. I guess I have to pay more attention to detail.

 

 

 

Edited July 28, 2022 by JEFFRAV

[JEFFRAV]

Got all the guns on lower deck and lines for gun hatches threaded through.

[Ian_Grant]

Jeff, looking good so far!  I'm always pleased to see another Heller Victory being built, it is a very special kit despite its shortcomings in rigging instructions. There are several Victory logs on MSW, the most recent by BILL97. You would be well advised to read through his log as you progress; there are many faults with the Heller instructions especially pertaining to rigging and some things you need to add to, for example, the quarterdeck in order to be able to rig properly in later stages. But rather than detail all these for you here, the information is all in Bill's log.

 

I have a few general recommendations, in the meantime.

 

1) Forget Heller's deadeyes, they are impossible to rig without a groove around their periphery. Buy some after-market wood deadeyes.

 

2) For rigging, a copy of "The Anatomy of Nelson's Ships" by C. Longridge is indispensable. It contains detailed info for each rigging line including rope and block sizes and has many many helpful diagrams.

 

3) Brass etch parts are available for this kit. I highly recommend the chains and stanchions. Heller has no representation for the chins beyond loops of thread and their stanchions have no eyes so are difficult to rig.

 

Looking forward to reading about your progress.

[Ferrus Manus]

I believe the idea that ships of the period were painted red in their interiors to lessen the psychological impact of battle was simply a Victorian myth. The interior should probably be painted as she is seen in Portsmouth today. 

[Ian_Grant]

Yes, the last I read was the sides of the hull were painted a "restful" yellow ochre in the gun decks. Who'd want to live in a red habitation?

[Ferrus Manus]

I believe the interior was painted tan or off-white. 

[JEFFRAV]

I have been out of ship modeling after a long stay in the VA hospital been hitting it hard the last week.

[JEFFRAV]

1 minute ago, JEFFRAV said:

I have been out of ship modeling after a long stay in the VA hospital been hitting it hard the last week.

Got half the upper gun deck on.

[JEFFRAV]

3 minutes ago, JEFFRAV said:

Got half the upper gun deck on.

Got the other half of upper gun deck on. Need to do some touch up.

[JEFFRAV]

Got guns and carriages painted just need to paint the wheels. Drilled the holes for the eyebolts for the breeching rope and tackle. Holes seem a little big but eyebolts should cover them up.

[JEFFRAV]

Noticed this today. I don't know what these are called but will have to make some more with a mold and resin. I guess when i was away it must of fell over somehow.

Edited February 18, 2023 by JEFFRAV

[Mexspur]

I think they’re called “ timber heads”.

[JEFFRAV]

Back in the fall before i went into the hospital i was building a log cabin in West Virginia i was at a yard sale and i seen a box that said HMS Victory. Took a look and to my surprise it was a complete model. The older lady said it was her husbands that had passed away. She wanted 25 dollars for it. I told her that is worth more than that i ended giving her 50 dollars. What a deal all parts seem to be there except for the sails which i am going to make my own. Now i have spare parts which i needed as some of the parts were broken from sitting in my Mothers attic since around 1981.

[JEFFRAV]

Getting ready to order a bunch of blocks and deadeyes for this build. Can someone tell me what size wooden deadeyes i will need for the shrouds i will need for Daniels etched parts plate 3. Getting ready to rig the tackle on the guns on the upper gun deck. I am getting 2.5 mm single sheath and 3 mm double sheath wooden blocks which i will sand down to 2 mm as i can't find 2 mm blocks right now is that right. Also i will be making my own eyebolts what gauge wire wold you recommend and diameter of the eye so it up to scale.

[Mexspur]

I bought Daniel Fischers eyebolt set. Was very very good.

[Bill97]

Good morning Jeff. I found your build and will enjoy watching it go together. As Ian said, always enjoy following a Victory build. There is so much available here on MSW from other builders to help you.  I teased with Ian that I was going to put his name on my Victory name plate as a co-builder! 😊. You should definitely take advantage of it. Again let me recommend Longridge’s book.

[Bill97]

Jeff I used 5mm wood deadeyes for my shrouds. 

[JEFFRAV]

Bill97 what size deadeyes did you use for the smaller deadeyes that tie to the chainplates as in your picture.And yes i have Longridges book lots of info.

[Bill97]

Jeff I need to check my supply to see what size they are. Will let you know as soon as possible 

[Bill97]

Jeff the smaller deadeyes are either a 3.5mm or 4mm. I don’t remember. I have a supply of both. My Victory is in a display case and it would be difficult to get to the deadeyes to get an exact measurement. I think more likely 3.5mm. 
Check your email when you get a chance. I attempted to email you a fantastic spreadsheet Ian made up that lists all the thread sizes you will use for each line by name and block sizes as well. Hope you can open the link. 

[JEFFRAV]

Bill thank you for sending me the spreadsheet. Ordered 5 and 3.5 mm deadeyes from Amazon today will be delivered in a few days. Not at the shipyard this weekend visiting my niece and nephew at University of Maryland then going to Northwestern- Maryland basketball game tomorrow will hit the build hard this week.

 

[Bill97]

Great Jeff. Enjoy the game and your visit. 

[Bill97]

Great game against Northwestern yesterday!