HMS Victory by nealefoulds - DeAgostini - Scale 1:84 - Trafalgar Colors - First wooden ship build

[st george]

Hi Neale,

 

Great job on the planking. Following your build with the Victory.

 

David

[nealefoulds]

Hi guys,

 

 

Well, another weekend over, and another bit of my model completed ... Last weekend (and over the course of last week as well) I added eight more rows of planks to my Victory hull. The build was nearing the final stage of planking but before I started, I'm a little bit fussy, and so I wanted to ensure that the measurements for both sides were the same at each rib before I finished the job - purely to ensure that the table I create applies equally to both sides of the ship. My alternative was to create a separate table for each side - not outrageous, I grant you, but my build was between 1 and 2mm difference at two points on the hull, and so I fitted one final row to correct the difference, and then started with the table.

 

This picture is where things stood after I removed all the pins;

 

Here's the table I spoke of, and, the packet of planks supplied for this issue (issue 38). These planks should be sufficient to complete the hull planking;

 

Using the rib measurements, I completed the first row of the table. My planks are 5mm wide, and the gap I have to fill is 52mm wide at the biggest point, and so I need to add eleven more rows to finish the hull;

 

After filling in each row of the table, I marked up the planks for each row. Unlike earlier planking, I decided to get each row's planks near-perfect and ready to fit before putting any onto the hull;

 

Here's the planks for the other side, and so I can fit them to the hull now;

 

Here's the hull as I leave things at the end of the weekend, I managed to get four rows added, so I'll add more during the week if I get the urge ...

 

Remaining pictures below include one of the last views of the inside of the hull before it gets covered forever, and some pictures I like that show the lovely curve of the hull planks over the bow and stern

 

As usual, thanks for reading my build log, I hope you enjoy the pictures  and more pictures and detailed commentary can be found on my flickr account. Feel free to comment/critique

Edited April 4, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[nealefoulds]

I can't pick up a URL for the pictures at the bottom of the link, but there are some nice pictures of Victory in the snow from January '13

 

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/HMS-Victory

[nealefoulds]

Right, so ...

 

It's the weekend (nearly), and I've managed to do a little on my build during the week.

 

There's only a few rows left to fit, but these last few rows seem to be taking the longest, by a long way!

 

I also added to my micro-tool box this week with a delivery, I like toys!

 

So, with the ability to measure to tenths of a millimeter, another row fitted (three hours, give or take 30 minutes)

 

Five rows remaining, here's a couple of daylight views, sorry for the naff lighting!

 

On this fifth-last row I also fitted stealer planks at the stern;

 

They don't look too bad once tidied up a little;

 

And so, four rows remaining ...

 

The remaining views here are some I took of the whole hull form.

 

Thanks for viewing my build log, and I will update with more progress at the end of the weekend, I'm really hoping to finish the hull planking, and with the opening 2013 Season Australian F1 GP this weekend  ...

I may just get that chance coz I just know I'm gonna be up at silly hours 

 

As always, more info and detail of my build can be found on my flickr account, comments, etc, etc.

Edited March 15, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[nealefoulds]

Hi folks!

 

Happy St. Patricks Day everybody, I have a double reason to celebrate, I reached a major milestone in my build today when I completed the hull planking. Yipee

 

I had a fair bit still to do, my last entry finished with four rows remaining to fit. Before I finished and closed the hull, I wanted to add a time-capsule, and so I prepared this little gem, with the build synopsis and a family tree of my current direct living relatives;

 

I fitted another two rows, leaving the final two rows left here. You can see my time-capsule placed in the hull

The space at the garboard plank is very tight;

 

So I started at the stern, and here's my final gap to fill after I fitted the lower plank;

 

The next plank, then, was the first to complete the planking top-to-bottom at any part of the hull

 

Same again for the other side, and the stern needs to be trimmed;

 

My first view of the completed stern, I like it very much

 

The final plank for each side was prepared extra carefully, checking the fit after a few seconds on the sandpaper;

 

I prepared the final row to be a press-fit, very tight - I had to use another plank on top to seat it fully when glued;

 

The garboard plank closed the gap at the front on the second-last row, and so I had to make some minor alterations;

 

Trimming the garboard back to accommodate the final row, thus;

 

I soaked these front planks before final fitting, because there was a high risk of snapping (three snapped!);

 

Same again for the other side, trim back the garboard plank to add the final row;

 

This bad boy is the very last, final plank to be fitted to the hull;

 

This is the very last, final hole to be filled;

 

That's it! The final plank is fitted, the hull is filled

 

I'll finish with this view, my current favorite, of course, and following on, some other angles of the finished (but un-sanded) hull;

 

The hi-res pictures, additional pictures and more detailed commentary can be found on my flickr page here;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nealefoulds/8563688435/in/set-72157632399309392/

 

So finally, thanks as always for viewing my build log, and please feel free to comment or inquire on any aspect of my build.

Edited April 4, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[WackoWolf]

Nice job. Your getting there, takes time, then you can have fun with the cannons and deck planking. Keep the pictures coming.

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Neale

Got to agree, keep the pictures coming. Exellent build and log, and very good detailing. Keep enjoying your build, and have

A pint of Guinness it's St Patricks Day!!! DAVID

[xavjar]

Hi,

 

Your planking looks great mate, really nice work.

 

Cheers Phil,
 
 

[nealefoulds]

Tried uploading pictures today, but failed in both Chrome and Firefox

 

So apologies, but all I have at the moment is the flickr link to give you.

 

I will add the photos when the script bug is fixed.

 

Best of building to y'all

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nealefoulds/8583922606/in/set-72157632399309392

Edited March 23, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[nealefoulds]

Hi everybody,

 

I decided to try and re-post my last build log update, the one that failed earlier due to me being unable to upload pictures, and this time SUCCESS!!

 

So, here's where things were left after my last post;

 

The hull planked, but in a rough state, prior to sanding and finishing. I started the sanding task by leveling all the gun port linings on both sides of the hull, as these next few pictures show;

 

At this point, I was kinda ready for the sanding, but impatient me wanted to see what the keel would look like fitted, and as I needed to route out the channel in any case, I decided to do it now, although the instructions have this done after the hull sanding!

 

The kit provides a curved stem to fit at the bow;

 

The next few pictures show the process of preparing the keel for final fitting. For each part, I taped the piece to the hull, and then used a craft knife to make the mark and cut. I didn't use a pencil as I was looking for a more accurate cut. Ultimately, this worked out very nicely for me  ;

 

Finally, here's how things stood then, before I really had to sand the hull, as there was nothing more to do at this stage!!

 

My next post will show the process I went through to get the hull up to "finishing" standard, the sanding and filling, and sanding, and filling ...

 

Until then, happy building, and as always, more detailed pictures and commentary can be found on my flickr account. Thanks as always for viewing, and feel free to comment/critique/inquire on any part of the process

Edited April 4, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[nealefoulds]

Hi Builders,

 

Another post, another bit of progress

 

In my last post, I went through initial sanding of the hull, specifically the gun ports. I also prepared the keel and the curved stem and the stern post for final fitting.

 

The underside of the hull was next, and as well as sanding it required some filler too. I had initially done a "first-pass" over the entire hull, and this helped show the areas that required attention!

 

And so it continues. Here is where I started the hull sanding task, with a heap of work and a small tub of wood filler;

 

This picture shows the depth of the steps remaining at the bow. The initial pass with the "Mouse" sander highlighting the work ahead;

 

The hull planks are supposed to be 2mm thick, but in some cases this wasn't so. During fitting, I didn't notice, and perhaps wouldn't have done anything about a thinner plank even if I had. As this process and picture shows, I could perhaps have saved myself some time by checking during installation! Along the side of the hull were some thinner planks that needed filling out;

 

The bow got a healthy slap of filler for the first pass, and the thin plank on the side was covererd;

 

Off I went into a side room, and a short while later, my Mouse had sped me on to this point;

 

For the second pass with the filler, I focused on smaller imperfections and anything big I missed from the first pass;

 

The third (and final) pass with the filler dealt with any remaining problems;

 

So after three passes with the filler and the sander, here's how the hull was looking. I was mighty impressed with myself ;

 

Next was fitting the keel. As I already did the work to dry-fit the parts, it was a simple case of "just-add-glue";

 

Once trimmed and dried, the underside of the hull was substantially complete;

 

The keel runs perfectly straight down the hull ;

 

With the finishing work on the underside of the hull, it was necessary (and a step in the instructions) to line the stand with felt. I had some available from the edge of my poker mat ... I trimmed a little away;

 

The felt was cut to lengths to line the stand;

 

And the hull now sits on felt, voilà;

 

My cut-away cover is the only remaining park of the hull that is unfinished. I have some thoughts on what I want to do with it, but this is how it still looks. My next post will work on the cover some more;

 

So to end this post, some views of the hull with the sanding task over ;

 

Thanks as usual for viewing my post and build log, please feel free to comment/critique/inquire on any part of my build. Additional pictures and extra commentary and detail are available on my flickr account

 

Happy ship building all.

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Neale

Photos galore!!! Exellent built keep enjoying it . And photos as your build progresses. Thanks for posting DAVID

[nealefoulds]

Hi Peeps,

Another day, another log update, but before I do, a quick thanks to all of you following and commenting on my build

 

Ok, so as I left things in my last entry, I had finished the hull planking and also "finished" the hull. Fine grade sandpaper and a "Mouse" sander ... result!

 

Next part of the build was to build up the stern gallery, but before I could do that, I had to add some filler to the stern gallery support to add strength in an area that will be sanded down later;

 

Once the filler was dried, I was able to start sizing up the stern gallery decks. The lower and middle decks are provided as slide-in parts, but in order for the middle deck to fit, I had to cut grooves into the hull either side at the stern. Here's how things looked at the first dry-fit;

 

With the decks in-situ, next I had to mark the top of the gallery at the hull sides, and trim them back somewhat. Initially I left 6mm or so as an overlap, to be adjusted before final fitting;

 

Next it was time to glue in the lower deck. This one curves, and so I clamped either side until the glue dried;

 

The backs of the decks were angled to meet the back of the gallery (once fitted);

 

Next I had to sand back the remaining surplus I left at the top of the hull until the back of the stern gallery met the backs of the decks. With the curving lower deck, it was important to ensure that the back of the gallery was curved properly in and met the hull and the deck in all the right places!

At last, I was able to fit and glue the back of HMS Victory into place - a milestone, in that the rear of the ship is now structurally complete;

 

Finally then, Below the lower rear deck, and covering over the filler I added at the start of this log, I needed to add three layers of planks to build the gallery support back to cover all of the lower deck;

 

This point marked the end of the second binder, or the end of issue 40 in the build instructions. Not a milestone in the build, but perhaps a milestone in the overall process - I'm guessing there are 100 issues in total (I have not received them all yet!), so that would put me 40% into the build process

 

I explained earlier in my logs that I work ten issues at a time. Here then, retrieved from my parts box, are the parts required for issues 41 through 50;

 

For the next part of the build, I will be adding the stern gallery sides, some of the detail above them, and the curved bow deck ;

 

First in is a support piece into the back of the gallery;

 

The tops of the gallery sides are provided over-sized. I had to dry-fit the side, measure the internal gap at the rear, and then transfer that measurement to the underside of the top of the gallery side. Scribing that mark around the curve, and then adding some fillets on the line like this;

 

Once that lot dried, I was able to fit and glue the gallery sides properly;

 

While waiting for the stern tops to dry properly, it was time to move attention to the opposite end of the ship, and fit the bow deck. The part is provided along with a dowel to insert into the front mast hole, but the cut in the deck is not big enough, and needs to be enlarged. This is how things started;

 

A short time later, the bow deck is ready, and is glued into place. The dowel is temporary;

 

Back at the stern, the tops of the gallery sides dried nicely, and are ready for sanding;

 

So it's out with the "Mouse" again to take the tops back;

 

A visitor took this picture of me hard at work adding the gallery side detail;

 

The detail comes as three parts graduating back;

 

Each part is marked with the internal dimension of the part that sits on top of it;

 

The parts are then rounded from the lower edge to the marked pencil line. The top part is also rounded at the edge in the same way, and then the parts are fitted and glued to the top to complete the effect;

 

Back at the bow, the dowel is removed, and the bow deck is sanded back when dry to follow the curve of the bow planking properly;

 

Right then. That's the end of issue 41, and the next issue deals with adding the "wales" to the side of the ship. This, in turn, forces me to make decisions about what I want to do with my cut-away cover. The side fit is good, but top and bottom, there is a gap of between 0.5mm and 1.0mm along the length of the cover, when fitted.

 

I decided to add a length at top and bottom to fill this gap;

 

The piece I fitted is 4mm wide, and so sits proud of the side by 2mm to provide delineating feature edges;

 

So initially, the part is now too big to fit back into the hull;

 

After a couple of hours of careful sanding, the cover now has a very tight "press-fit" and holds itself in place where previously I used pins on the bottom of the cover going into the two covered ribs;

 

Speaking of ribs, for builders adding the cut-away section in this particular (DeAgostini 1:84) build, removal of the ribs in the cut-away section does not happen until issue 74 !!! As I'm at issue 42 now, I had to read ahead 32 issues to find it, and to determine that nothing important happens that requires the ribs to remain in place. I duly removed them with a razor saw to retain as much as possible, both on the hull, and in the removed rib sections. Here's the hole in the hull;

 

The removed rib sections are now transplanted onto the inside of the cut-away, in the precise position they would have in the hull. This has the added benefit of enforcing the curve shape of the hull properly into the cut-away cover;

 

Last picture then, shows my cut-away back in the hull, but in it's finished form, matching the hull finishing I did earlier;

 

Next post, I will show the work I'm currently doing adding the wales.

 

As always, feel free to comment/critique/inquire, and many thanks for viewing my log. If you want extra detail see the expanded set and commentary on my flickr set

 

Happy building all.

[nealefoulds]

Wales, wales, wales ...

 

Hi folks,

Another weekend nears, and I have great plans as usual to make progress on my Victory build. The pace has been a little slower for me over the last 2 weeks, what with Easter and family and all, but I did manage to make some headway on the next task in my build, with the addition of the middle and main wales.

 

Last post I focused on the changes I made to my cut-away cover in preparation for the work ahead. As I start to dress the hull, I want to add to the cover at the same time so that if I choose, it is (nearly) unnoticeable when fitted (and finished!).

 

So here are the pics of my efforts adding the wales, starting with the middle wale. I'm provided with a "map" to show where to fit the wales to the hull, and start with the middle wale. You'll notice I raised my working platform to eye level ;

 

As the wale crosses my cut-away;

 

And as the wale meets the stern gallery;

 

This wale is made of two rows of planks, 1mm thick. They are dry-fitted first, here's the completed wale ready for fitting;

 

Glued down and trimmed at the stern;

 

These planks are thin enough that they don't need to be soaked before fitting. I used a clamp on the curved stem to hold a wider plank up to the bow. The wale plank is then held close in the curve while the glue dries;

 

This wale crosses the cut-away with both rows of planks, and so is easy to fit. I like the look;

 

The main wale starts with another thin row of planks. The two middle wale rows are each 5mm wide, but this row on the main wale is 3mm wide. Again, dry fitted initially as multiple rows help guide each other;

 

At the stern, the wale crosses underneath parts that will be added later. The parts are used as a guide for positioning;

 

The second row of the main wale crosses the cut-away cover edge. I used a disposable nail file, which is handily enough the right width for the slot I needed to cut;

 

Here's how it looks at initial dry fit;

 

Another row is added under that, making three rows, and you'll notice that the second and third row are 2mm thick planks, so at the bow I had to soak and bend them. I did have two left-over from the hull planking, but that left me four short, so I resurrected my bending jig and soaked up a few more. Anyhow, I digress ... here's three rows of dry-fit main wale ;

 

This pic then, shows how the cut-away cover looks with all four rows of the main wale glued in place;

 

The final plank in the main wale bends around the stern and up the back, so it needs a little twist, a lot of chamfering and patient fine tuning;

 

Here's the starboard side then, with the middle and main wales complete ;

 

Viewed from the bow;

 

For the (easier) port side, I just measured down at each rib on the starboard side to place the middle wale at exactly the same level on the port side. Quick and easy ... there's the middle wale fitted and glued on the port side ;

 

Here's the main wale. After measuring up the first three rows, the first row is glued, and the second row removed (so it doesn't get inadvertently partially stuck, as it did on the starboard side ). Once the glue is dry, the second and third rows can follow;

 

For the final plank at the stern, I jigged up a little "twister" using tape and a couple of wide, strong clamps;

 

Last plank glued into the main wale;

 

Here's the port side then, with the middle and main wale complete. I have to re-cut the obscured gun ports, and I have to drill and prep for gun port covers (fitted much later) and I have to mark up and cut for wriggles (again, fitted later);

 

Here's the view from the bow;

 

Here's my final pic for this post then, a nice side view in good lighting. There's a lot still to do ... the bow deck planking (next), the top wale, stern gallery build-down, port re-cuts, wriggle cuts, port cover mount drilling, and then ... (from my read-ahead) ... I get to finally move on to fitting out the internal decks, canon etc. etc. ... That's the part I'm very much looking forward to!

 

So bye for now, and thanks for viewing ... feel free to comment/critique/inquire and I'll post more progress at the end of the weekend as I work on my to-do list

[petervisser]

Hi Neale,

 

Great build log of your Victory. Your technique for planking your model is VERY comprehensive and you have helped many of us understand how it can be done with greater accuracy and correctness.

 

Thanks for taking all the time to post all your excelllent photos.

 

Peter

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Neale

It is looking very good. Your planking is excellent, and the whole build is really neat and tidy. Keep enjoying your

Build and keep posting the photos DAVID.

[nealefoulds]

Hello Neale

It is looking very good. Your planking is excellent, and the whole build is really neat and tidy. Keep enjoying your

Build and keep posting the photos DAVID.

Thanks David, really enjoying it, and appreciate your encouragement

Neale

[nealefoulds]

Hi builder dudes ,

 

Another day, another build log entry. I feel a bit StarTrek-ish making my logs ...

 

This log concludes the process of adding the wales. The lower and middle wale were done in my last post, and here's how I left things;

 

Before I could add the top wale, I needed to plank the head deck. To start this, a centre line ...;

 

The centre planks are crafted for the later fit of the bowsprit, initially a dowel is used as a guide. The planks taper on the underside. Also, every plank on the deck is marked up on one side with black permanent marker to simulate deck caulking;

 

I prepped all the deck planks before fitting. The middle ones are the fiddly ones;

 

So there's one side;

 

There's the other side;

 

There they all are, glued into place. I like the effect ;

 

Sanding them once dried, first one side;

 

Then the other ;

 

And there's the dowel in place. The fit for the bowsprit is even closer now, I'm delighted with the outcome ;

 

Onto the top wale then, dry fitting as before, here's the first row of 5mm x 1mm planks used in this wale (same size as the middle wale);

 

The top row in the top wale passes exactly above the cut-away section ... as if by design ... so no need to trim this row's planks;

 

Second row of the wale, and this picture shows my method (described previously) for holding the planks onto the curve at the bow ... a wide piece of wood and a clamp on the curved stem;

 

The second plank for the second row of the top wale (still with me peeps?) needed to be trimmed 1mm for the cut-away cover;

 

A couple of feature edges then, in the first pic, the second plank entirely crosses the cut-away and just the top needed trimming to fit the edge. In the second pic, the top wale sits proud of the head deck by 1mm;

 

There's the top wale glued into position;

 

The wale almost completely obscures gun ports at the stern (as viewed from inside the ship);

 

The cut-away cover is now firmly held until ... well ... issue 74 if I recall correctly ;

 

In the first picture, the view from the bow with one side of the top wale fitted. In the second picture, all the wales as they meet the curved stem at the bow. I'm going to be adding parts here for my next post;

 

Port side, top wale, first row, dry fit;

 

Second row of the wale;

 

I used a scrap as a temporary dry third row, to hold the second row properly in place at the joins ... "look Ma; no pins :D";

 

With the first row glued down, you can see the scraps remain on the hull ready to guide the second row once the glue has dried a bit in the first row;

 

First pic shows second row glued in (that's all the wales added) and the dry row scraps removed ... Second pic shows another view from the bow (why not?) with all the wales finished ;

 

Loving the look of the head deck ;

 

Next, I sanded the wales to the same finish as the hull (well, the top half of the hull at any rate, which is finished with medium paper, whereas the lower hull is finished with super-fine grade);

 

Final bit of trim, a single strip of 3mm x 1mm wale above the top deck gun ports. Again I was able to omit pins, but this time because my little clamps can reach this far;

 

Quick and easy to dry-fit and final fit. Here's the strip glued down;

 

First pic shows the initial completed detail for the cut-away section. The distance between the middle wale and the top wale is the same (in the instructions) all the way down the side of the ship. The distance between the top wale and the top strip is also the same all the way down the side of the ship. The second pic, then, shows how the wales meet up with the stern gallery side at the rear;

 

A view down the starboard side showing the even spacing between the middle and top wales;

 

Here's the front then, on the port side ... I took a few pics with the extra daylight ;

 

Right, so that's where I'll leave things. Marking and drilling and re-cutting gun ports, and wriggles still to finish on the outside, I hope to get through that during the week ;

 

Thanks, as usual for viewing. Feel free to comment/critique/inquire. Have fun with your builds, and don't have nightmares, bye for now

Edited April 7, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[Shipyard sid]

Neale

I just had a look at the de agostini ad for this ship, do you get the copper plates included. I was looking at the price of them and they are £60!! Still excellent keep it going. DAVID

[nealefoulds]

Neale

I just had a look at the de agostini ad for this ship, do you get the copper plates included. I was looking at the price of them and they are £60!! Still excellent keep it going. DAVID

Nope. Copper plates are NOT included   but I did get two tubs of copper paint!

 

I'm half way through the copper hull debate in my head ... still not fully decided!

[nealefoulds]

Hi Neale, your build looks very nice and clean, you do nice work, please keep the pictures coming. I am building the H.M.S.Victory 1:84 scale via AL. and find it very challenging and enjoyable, I was wondering if you could give me the water line measurments from the keel up, I can not find this measurement in my build book.

Thanks ever so much Lawrence

Thanks for the lovely comment Lawrence. I'm finding the build both challenging and immensely enjoyable. it's a great stress reliever for me 

I'm in the office atm, so unable to make that measurement, but I will do so this evening.

best wishes

Neale

 

<Edit>

Right so, back at home I checked two things ... firstly the waterline level as per my instructions, and then (as it was different geometry) the measure you requested.

The instructions put the waterline mark 3mm above the bottom of the lower wale, as measured when the model is sitting upright in the supplied stand. This measure is 114.8mm (in the stand), and the stand adds 16.8mm to the distance from the bottom of the keel to the waterline. The measure you requested then (from the keel up) is 98mm.

I would be interested to see your build if you progress well. I see we're working at the same scale

Best of luck with it

Neale

Edited April 10, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[Patrick Haw]

Hello Neale.  Just checked your log for the first time in  a while and I like the progress you've made. Very clean and nest work.  I have a feeling she is going to be a beauty.  Yard work and prepping for spring & summer has interrupted my own building the last few days, but hope to get back on it by the end of the week.

 

Keep up the great work

 

Patrick

[nealefoulds]

Hello Neale.  Just checked your log for the first time in  a while and I like the progress you've made. Very clean and nest work.  I have a feeling she is going to be a beauty.  Yard work and prepping for spring & summer has interrupted my own building the last few days, but hope to get back on it by the end of the week.

 

Keep up the great work

 

Patrick

Ah, thanks for stopping by Patrick

Some days it seems I'm flying along, others (usually when I do a read-ahead) it seems there's so much still to do. I started the log saying I aim to finish around the summer, I might have to move that schedule back to end of autumn LOL

I may yet get a similar interruption, as we're planning a move later this year ... so I may get my own workshop :D

I've followed your own build with great interest also, very similar in respects but also different - I see you got gun port templates for example ... ugh ... I still shudder when I think of the pain in my hands cutting them out. For my build I had to measure each port from a reference to the lowest plank, so had I your template, that would probably have cut three weekends out of my build time!!

Nevertheless, I love the outcome of my planking on the upper side. Having finished the wales, I'm dreaming about painting, but still a good few issues short of that stage, but getting there - as you said

Happy building bud.

Neale

[nealefoulds]

I hit a wall!

 

After fitting the wales, I went to mark and cut out for the wriggles. At this point, I realized that the difference of 1mm I noted earlier in the wale positions matters.

 

The wales on the port side are higher than the starboard side! Just a millimeter and a half, but it's causing fussy old me a major issue. Do I remove the starboard wales and start again? Do I try and move them? Do I try and add a thin strip below and trim the same from above?

 

I'm not losing sleep here, but it has bought my build to a shuddering stop while I ponder the alternatives.

 

My problem is that because of the wriggles, the wale positions are obviously and visibly different. The wriggles sit into the underside of the starboard side middle wale. The wale is carefully cut to accommodate them. The upper wale runs below the top deck gun ports in the middle of the ship on the starboard side, but on the port side it crosses the fronts of the gun ports marginally. Similarly, the bottom (main) wale is a little high to the gun ports on the port side, and the cuts in the wale are deeper into the wale than those on the starboard side as a result.

 

This picture shows the port side after I cut the gun ports out again. Apart from the top row wriggles, I made no further cuts on this side;

 

This picture shows the starboard side with the gun ports re-cut. The top row gun ports in the center of the ship are not cut because the wale runs below the gun ports here;

 

The top row wriggle cut (only for the first gun port) is the same on both sides;

 

The cut-away cover looks great - it's just a shame that the other side doesn't match! You can see how the top wale does not cover the top gun ports here, whereas the same ports on the starboard are trimmed. Also shown here, the middle wale is cut for the bottom row wriggles;

 

This problem stems from the fact that the gun ports were measured and positioned relative to a fixed point at the lower deck. But, for the wales, I measured down from the tops of the ribs - a completely different relative point! Doh!!

 

On the port side, I added 1.5mm to the tops of the middle bulwarks because the instructions directed that the space required to fit the upper deck is 4mm, and at this part of the ship, it was 2.5mm. The 1.5mm strip I added to the bulwarks has now come back has come back and bitten me firmly and painfully in the rear!

 

The starboard side is right, and looks marvelous, the port side is not, and doesn't.

 

What to do ... ... ...

Edited April 20, 2013 by Neale Foulds

[Shipyard sid]

Neil

We're are you?? Been waiting a while for an update on your little prob, look forward to your progress. DAVID

[nealefoulds]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to all who are asking where I got to!

 

I had a little "life crisis" hit in the last week of April - some of you may be familiar with it ... Redundancy

 

Now, whilst this opens doors on the one hand - considering I now have a glut of time on my hands to do the build - it closes them on the other; my get-up-and-go seems to have temporarily got-up-and-gone!

 

I will be resuming my build, and hopefully soon, but my state of mind won't return to "normal service" until I rectify my current employment crisis.

 

Keep the faith, and happy building.

Neale

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Neale

Sorry to here about your employment situation, lets hope the problem is soon resolved, and you are back on your build.

Hope things go well. Regards DAVID

[nealefoulds]

Hi shipmates!

 

Been offline for a few weeks resolving employment status. Now that my personal ship is back on an even keel, I'm going to resume my Victory build

 

I have kept myself busy though, and whilst it's totally off-topic, I did manage to complete another project that I have been working on recently - I won't bore you all with the details, you can check out my "restoration log" on bikepics-dot-com if you want, but I did put together a little montage (below) that summarises the project nicely I started on 25 April, and finished it last weekend (15 July)

 

So I look forward to progressing my beautiful HMS Victory again - I have everything I need, and I'll resume posting my progress for y'all to view, comment and critique.

 

Bye for now

 

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Neale

Welcome back, I wondered were you had got to. I think we are all looking forward to seeing further progress on your victory. Best wishes DAVID

[Kevin]

Nice to see you back

 

All the best