HMS Victory by gil middleton - FINISHED - Caldercraft - 1:72

[Mirabell61]

Gil,

 

a wonderful Build log, I love it, very good explanations, and lovely Pictures.

Congrats,This surely is going to be an inspiring and welcome guide for fellow builders of 18 th century square riggers.

The rigging is first class, very neat and Looks authentic to me

 

Nils

[gil middleton]

Sjors,  You are more than kind in your remarks.  Let me see if I have this correct.  We publish a book for perhaps $10,000, sell 100 copies for $10 each and make $1,000. What am I missing? I learn just as much from our friends on MSW and we're having fun doing it. But thank you sir.

 

Nils, It's interesting that there are many on our web site with woodworking skills far beyond mine. But I believe every component of a ship model should convey it's function, which can be difficult if one has never been to sea. I enjoy rigging the model, perhaps dreaming of taking the ship (model) beyond the horizon. Love the sails on the Pegasus by the way.

Cheers, Gil

[gil middleton]

I've looked at Jerry's lovely ship's boats, and he even makes it look easy. Why is it that I always make things complicated?

There are a few pitfalls along the way (such as breaking the bulkheads) but these can be repaired and the results should be much the same.

For the Launch, the bulkheads are placed and aligned.

 

 

Shaping and narrowing the planks at the bow by sanding

 

 

The 0.5mm x 3mm walnut planking supplied with the kit is rather rough and splits easily. Bending these around the first bulkhead dry tended to produce fractures or splitting of the planks. After soaking the planks, they tended to produce a sharp angle over the first bulkhead. I found preforming the planks by soaking and drying with a genlte curve gave better results.

 

 

 

[gil middleton]

Planking the launch. Pre-bent planks.

 

 

Lightly glued, since the bulkheads have to be removed later.

 

[Jerry]

I don't think you are having any problems, Gil...Looks real good so far.

 You are correct about the quality of the 0.5 x 3 mm wood strips.  I soaked them also.  The hardest bugger of them all is the little cutter.  I woefully messed up on it but luckily i had an extra set of small boat parts which I purchased a couple of months ago so I was able to learn what not to do while breaking the first set of bulkheads;   I did much better the second time.  I look forward to seeing the rest of your work.

Best,

Jerry

[gil middleton]

Continuing planking.

 

 

After rough sanding.

 

[Jerry]

Hello Gil...

I just wanted to let you know that I applied a diluted coat of white glue after the first and second planking.  This went along way to stiffen the planking so that when the bulkheads were removed the hull was very firm and easy to work with.  Take care,

Jerry

[gil middleton]

JoTika specified double planking, however after the first planking, I couldn't see the advantage in repeating the procedure.  The only concern seemed to be damaging the planking when removing the bulkheads.  However, with fast C/A applied between each row of planks, the hull was firm enough  to sustain no damage.

 

 

I did a trial run with Dap Plastic wood and Minwax Wood Filler. The Plastic Wood dried very quickly and required more sanding, while the Minwax was easier to apply and sanded more easily.

 

 

Minwax Wood  Filler.

 

 

A second filling and sanding with Micro-fill.

 

[gil middleton]

Jerry, Thanks for the update. I'm trying to get as nice a result as you had.  I love the finishing touches on your build.  The flags look great. Cheers, Gil

 

The posting on the launch should be done by now but the computer thinks it is in charge.  It's response to most commands is "Not Responding."

[gil middleton]

 

Ribs added using 0.5mm x 1.5mm styrene strips.

 

 

An outside plank (styrene) added to support cutting the oar locks.  The upper plank saturated with fast C/A to prevent splitting.

 

 

With template for deck planking. Also an inside reinforcement for the base of the oarlocks.

 

 

After a little work on the computer, I'll finish the launch.  Thumbnail is the third photo. Cheers, Gil

Edited December 12, 2014 by gil middleton

[shihawk]

Great pics , it,s a mini model on it,s own !!!

[gil middleton]

Shihawk,  Indeed it is with perhaps less forgiveness than the ship's hull.

I've done some painting, planked the floor boards and added thwarts.  Will add photos when I've resolved the computer problems.

Cheers, Gil

[fnkershner]

Gil - Where did you source your Micro fill? I think I have a need for this material as well. Also did you use the tick strip method to determine the tapering of your planking? I don't see much taper anywhere.

[gil middleton]

Hi Floyd,  I can't remember where I got the Micro-Fill.  I've had it for ten years, but unlike solvent based fillers, adding a bit of water and stirring each time it is opened keeps it soft for spreading.

For the planking, I simply measured the number of 3mm. planks needed midships and tapered the planks at the bow accordingly.  At the bow, the planks were 2 - 2.5mm. with a plank tapered at each end inserted second plank from the keel.  (Best seen in the photo after rough sanding).  This worked since the boat will be painted.  Were the boat to be varnished,  compound tapering and stealers would be the drill.

 

I hope my professor (you) will forgive the shortcut. Cheers,  Gil

[fnkershner]

Professor!! If this is really true the student has surpassed the teacher by a huge margin. Thanks for the compliment undeserved but still appreciated.

[gil middleton]

Floyd,  Once a professor, always a professor. 

 

In building the launch, I'm tending to follow colors seen in photos of the ship.

 

 

Floor boards added and rising planks to support the thwarts.

 

 

Floor boards, 3mm. walnut, weathered with "Weather-It".  Thwarts, 4mm., also weathered. Mast supports and steps for the masts at the 1st and 5th thwarts. Horizontal windlass and lifting rings added.

 

 

Exterior painting underway.

 

 

There is still detailing to do with painting, rudder and supports, etc.

If the computer holds up, I'll post another photo or two.

Cheers,  Gil

 

 

 

[Jerry]

The boat looks very nice, Gil.  I never noticed the mast supports.  I guess you found that with research.  I just took the easy way out and followed the kit.  Hope your weekend is going well.

Jerry

[Kevin]

wonderful work Gil

[WackoWolf]

Excellent work, nice and clean detail. Keep the updates and pictures coming.

[gil middleton]

Jerry,  I was concerned you would have nothing to do after your grand conpletion of the Victory.  Concern no more.  You're off at full speed into the Half Moon.  Good luck with her.  I'm still looking forward to seeing your Victory in her new home.

Many thanks Kevin and Joe. I know you guys follow lots of builds. It's nice to know you are keeping us on the straight and narrow.

Cheers, Gil

[gil middleton]

Winding down on the Launch, which will likely be the only boat on the skids, which will allow a clear view of the upper gun deck. Progress includes painting, cutting in oarlocks in the wash strake and fashioning the rudder with pintles.

 

 

And the painting.

[Jerry]

Hello Gil..

Yep, I'm on my way with the Half Moon.  I was very fortunate to be the winning bidder for the kit on Ebay,  so the cost of the kit was less than half the regular selling price.  This build is a real challange since there are no copper plates to hide my imperfect hull planking. Working with a much smaller model feels good though, with much easier handling than Victory; speaking of which, I'm still waiting for the display cover.  It is now promised for delivery this Friday.

You can be assured that once Victory is encased I'll be posting pictures on my build site.

I hope you and your family enjoy a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthful New Year.

Best,

Jerry

[gil middleton]

A better view  of the painting.  The launch presented with grapnel and line, a heavier line for the horizontal windlass, oars lashed to the thwarts and the rudder unshipped in the stern.

 

 

Next will be a cutter.  Gil

[gjdale]

Lovely little touches of detail to complement your fine build there Gil.

[gil middleton]

Many thanks Grant.  However, the launch at 72:1 is like a giant compared to your cutter at 90:1.  I'll probably build the 25' cutter in order to fit the falls of the davits.

And a very merry Christmas Grant and Jerry, although you'll miss the snow.

Cheers, Gil

[Remcohe]

Looks really wonderful Gil, I love the different shades of colour and with the details added it really comes to live.

 

Remco

[gil middleton]

Remco,  Coming from the master carver, I sincerely appreciate your comments.  We all look to you for inspiration.  Cheers, Gil

[edmay]

Hello Gil, Christmas greeting from Port Alberni,wishing you and your family a healthy and prosperous New Year.

   The small boats are beautifully built as your work always is. Edwin.

[gil middleton]

Edwin and Lawrence,  Thanks for your more than kind remarks.  Our computer crashed (terminal) over the holidays, and after a decent burial, I'm just getting up to speed with the new one.  Too late to wish you a merry Christmas, but all the best for the new year.

Lawrence, your beautiful "Victory" finished with a flourish.  Sails, sailors and hammocks!!  Mine will feel a bit naked without those touches, but the point of interest is that each model is different and has it's own character.  Congratulations.  I thoroughly enjoyed our posts.

Gil

[popeye the sailor]

beautiful work on your launch Gil......so clean with some really great detail!   sorry to hear about your computer woes..........wishing you and your admiral a super New year!