Artesiana Latina HMS Victory 1:84 scale kit (REVIEW)

[mtdoramike]

I recently ordered the Artesiana Latina HMS Victory 1:84 scale from Plastic-Model-kits.com for the price of $567.00 with free shipping. They basicallt only sold Latina kits. They are a sub of Oakridge Hobbies, who actually shipped my kit. It took 10 days from the date of order to receive this massive kit. The invoice claimed 21 pounds shipping weight and I believe every bit of it. Upon receiving the kit, I opened the box and did an inspection of the contents. I was quite pleased with the woods chosen for the model and the fit and finish materials supplied. But they included an adendum to the instructions due to a sheet of the laser cut bulkheads were mislabeled and giving the correct sequence in the adendum. 

 

Observations so far:

 

LIKES: The building materials are outstanding, the instruction book is quite thick and very detailed with color pictures to follow as well as written instructions.

 

Definitely the price point for a kit of this magnitude.

 

The false keel and bulkheads are cut from some thick plywood, so no worries about breaking anything.

 

As usual with Latina, they include some very nice containers with actual lids to keep all the parts in one bin. They are a lot nicer than those egg carton still containers that are shrink wrapped but the small pieces still find their way into other bins.

 

Dislikes: A major dislike for me is NO PRINTED PLANS, What???, no, you heard right, I can't believe AL cheaped out on a kit this expensive and sent a CD with plans on it rather than printed plans. This is a problem for me, because I build by plans, not by instructions or a CD. So now, I have to locate someplace to get the plans printed off of the CD and bare that added expense and living in my neck of the woods, it's not that easy. We don't have a Kinko's/Fedex or anything like that. The best I can do is Office Depot, so I'll have to check them out. Now, can the model be built with the CD plans? YES, it can and has been and there's a build log on it. But, I'm old school I guess.

 

I could be wrong, but I didn't see a second layer of hull planking, which was Always supplied with AL kits in the past just in case you messed up on the first layer.

 

One of the bulkheads was quite warped, so I had to wet it down and then took a hot air paint remover gun and with enough heat and a bit of cursing, it flattened out fairly well enough for government work anyway.

 

The fit of the bulkheads to the false keel is quite sloppy and some with gaps up to 1/16". This makes plumbing up and squaring the bulkheads quite difficult. Also, you MUST lay the first false layer of decking BEFORE gluing the bulkheads to the keel or you will have a devil of a time getting the deck to fit properly. They floppy bulkheads do help in this instance though. So it may have been planned. 

 

They also included a cheap cradle style display board for this grade of s ship model, something besides plywood will be in order to compliment her beauty.

 

With all this being said, so far I like the kit and I have always like Artesiana Latina kits for fit and finish and it's nice to see they are still kicking. Will this kit make into a fine model? the answer is yes, with a little hard work and determination. I know there are doubters about Latina kits, but as long as you remember, kits are not Museum quality models, they make into fine ship models but they aren't unique. If someone is looking for museum quality then they should scratch build, which would be unique. I'm not a scratch builder, I'm a kit basher. I have a lot of respect for scratch builders willing to devote the time, patience and money into a single project. I know a few near me and applaud their efforts, but I was more into building and selling my models at the time. So build time was a premium.

 

But this particular project will be my last model. This model (the HMS Victory) will be donated upon it's completion. So no hurries mates as long as my health holds out and my eye site holds on. 

 

I will continue to add to this review as I go along. I was also able to obtain a small piece of wood from the actual Victory ship, which I will incorporate into the Victory model such as anchor collars or something like that.             

Edited June 21, 2014 by mtdoramike

[mtaylor]

Mike,

I hope you'll do a build log and let us follow along.  Interesting kit.  I'm surprised at the "no second planking"... that's one of AL's hallmarks.

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Mark, I know what you mean, I was quite surprised at no second layer of hull planking and no printed plans. I'm used to 24X36 sheets of plans.

[mtdoramike]

OOps, I had to edit the original post, I put down the cost of the kit at $657.00,  but the actual price was $567.00.

[mtdoramike]

I just received the piece of HMS Victory wood from England that came off the Victory during one of her recent refits. I will use some of the wood to make various pieces of the model and then will include what ever is left of the wood in the display case which will be included in the donation to the library along with the model.

Edited June 21, 2014 by mtdoramike

[HIPEXEC]

That's great! Build in its history!

[mtdoramike]

Okey, here is an update. I have determined that either I got a bad cut kit or they are all this way, but of all the model ships I have built, this is the first kit that I have had to shim better than half of the bulkheads while planking just to get them to run true without any dips in them. Planking is getting rather exhausting after laying a couple of planks, checking them and then having to go back and shim 3, 4, or 5 bulkheads in a run. I feel like this kit is fighting me every step of the way so far. I'm just short of calling this kit a dog. But I'm not far from it. I'm missing the Mainsail and the foresail, although I have the full accompaniment of sails (19). Artesania Latina used to be one of my favorite manufactures for those lower budget kits, but after spening over $500.00 for this kit, which a bit more than I have ever spent on a previous kits, I'm beginning to wonder. 

 

The white or natural wood color is the shims.

 

 

Edited July 8, 2014 by mtdoramike

[WackoWolf]

I am glad you are doing a log on this build. I have one question what is the length going to be when finished? I agree with you about the price. As far as the CD with the plans on it more and more company's are doing this with everything, no more printed stuff, everything is on CD's now. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[mtdoramike]

The model will be 49" inches in length when finished. It really is a shame that the companies are cheaping out and not printing the plans anymore. I usually build strictly by the plans and chunk the instructions in the garbage. I also checked with Office Depot and they can print out the plans on 24x36 sheets for $2.00 a sheet and I believe there are 9 sheets total. So for less than $20.00 you can get your plans printed.

Edited July 9, 2014 by mtdoramike

[mtdoramike]

I bought some Brass Black metal finish to blacken or darken the bright brass on the new cannon. I was torn because I really like the bright brass look of the cannon, but I they were quite bright and not so realistic. They are turning out quite nicely with the Brass Black. I had thought of just painting them a flat black, but the paint I think would hide quite a bit of detail. The Brass Black does not. Hey, for $10.00 I figured why not give it a try. But, be warned, it is finicky . You have to clean and triple clean each item or else it will come out splotchy. You must remove any dirt and even oil from your fingers. So, I just dipped them in alcohol, then vinegar and then into a soapy solution, then wiped them dry and then into the Brass Black and within seconds BAM, they turn black. IT"S MAGIC, well not really, just a chimcal reaction.    

[dgbot]

Good luck. It seems you have a handle on a rather over priced kit. Keep up the good work.

David B

[mtdoramike]

They are all over priced these days. But when you have fools willing to pay the money for them, I guess I can't blame the kit manufactures for over pricing their product. You could by one of the most expensive kits on the planet, the SOS for around $600.00 US less than 15 years ago, but now it's doubled in price.

[mtaylor]

Well... there's inflation, rising transportation costs and various "green" initiatives that have made wood more expensive.  From where I sit, everything is more expensive.

[mtdoramike]

I agree, but not double the price. Take a car for instance, 15 years ago, an average car would cost you $20,000.00. Now, that same car would cost you $25,000 to $30,000.00 depending on options. Yes, everything goes up with inflation, but rarely doubling the price.

[mtaylor]

Well...if you have a niche market... your price point is whatever the market will bear.  Now I think your $1200 is list price so one would have to wait for a sale.   It's still a shame that they've gone up so much.  Even wood for scratch building is getting spendy.

[Paul0367]

Hey I've been routing around and checked out what your upto, nice

(fighting) build. I do like the plank intervals on this kit, just shy of three per canon port, more scale than the constructo version and similar to the Caldercraft approach

[mtdoramike]

hahahahahaha, Yep Paul it seems to be fighting me every step of the way as far as the planking goes. I've never had a kit and I have had numerous one's, but none that required the shiming this bugger is requiring. I've just started on the hull planking and pretty sure it's going to run about as true on the upper section has.

[mtdoramike]

I have started the hull planking and so far, no big surprises yet.  

[mtdoramike]

Almost done with the planking. I also found a beautiful slab of Black Walnut to utilize as a display base.

[mtdoramike]

I have been looking at different styles of display cases and like this one quite a bit. So far, the estimates I'm looking at to build one similar to this one 53 inches x 38 inches x 20 inches will run me close to if not more than $1000.00 US. 

[mtaylor]

Hey Mike.... open a build log.  I'm sure most of us would like to follow along. 

[mtdoramike]

Hi Mark,

 

when I get a little extra time, I will transfer this stuff over to a build log.

[mtdoramike]

I found a dress makers tracing wheel that I will use to dimple the copper tape to simulate rivets. I had one years ago, but when I got out of modeling, I didn't think I would need one again so I gave it to someone, probably a dress maker:). I had one years ago that I made from a watch gear wheel that gave an even tighter pattern, I wish I still had that one. Once the hull is completely planked, I will sand it down with several grits of sand paper, then last grit will usually be 400. I usually then spray a clear laquer or poly over the hull, making it smooth and gives the copper tape something to stick to besides saw dust and raw wood. 

Edited August 14, 2014 by mtdoramike

[Paul0367]

All gone quiet here, they say no news is good news and with that kit you sure need some of the latter. Hope alls well

[mtdoramike]

Hi Paul, I have actually been waiting on missing parts from Latina before going any further with the review to give them a chance to make things right, which they have. I was missing the main sail as well as the entire brass sheet, which had the 90 some odd hammock cranes attached to it. Now, it took about 5 weeks to get the issue straightened out with latina. But they sent the parts without charge. So hats off to Latina. So far, I don't have any real questions about the kit. I pretty happy with the kit and it's progress for the price.

[Paul0367]

Hi Mike

Its looking very nice , the build approach is so different to the Constructo version, closer to the Caldercraft. So pleased the parts are being supplied, I'm not sure if it would be the same for Contructo but I have not tried. I would have like a stock list at the begining of the build to ensure I had enough wood , I knew I was going to run short due to using extra for decorating the rear quarters. the little decorative trims above your canon ports are not even mentioned in this kit. Whoops there is a stock list at the back of the parts manual, I didn't push past the english section enough to see it.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Paul0367

[mtdoramike]

Here is my middle of the road assessment of the Artesania Latina HMS Victory kit.

 

1.  Packaging was very good, everything was taped down so nothing much moved around until the box was opened.

 

2.  Materials supplied were excellent or at least above average for a mid level priced kit, the woods were some of the best that I have used, not dired out to the point of splintering. The castings were quite clean and needed very little touching up or smoothing out. The brass etched parts where very clean. There were at least one dowel rod that was warped like a snake, which was supplied for the Main mast. But since it's going to be painted, I will supply a much cheaper dowel rod.

 

3. There were a few missing parts, which once contacted Artesania Latina shipped out to me within about 5 weeks. So that wasn't too bad considering they didn't ask for a kidney or anything.

 

4.  Now as far as the supplied model kit being historically accurate: well, that would be up to speculation and what time frame you want the ship model to represent. But as it sits now in the Portsmouth Harbor, I would have to say not quite. It is closer than some of the other manufactures, but the transom is a bit off with the arch of the windows on the stern not being quite as pronounced as it should. The stern decoration is a might bigger that it should be, which didn't allow for some of the molding and detail to be used and lets face facts, that is one of the stand out trade marks of the Victory as with most ships.

 

5. Ease of build: that is up for debate I'm sure from different modelers, but to be, it's a fun and at times challenging build, which could be even more challenging depending on whether or not you want to tackle the not so accurate issues like the stern windows. 

 

6. Is This kit historically accurate? not so much, but it could be with additional work, time and materials I'm sure you could make it an exact replica. But for me, it's close enough for government work. BUT, I"M NOT A PURIST, I'm a realist and build ship models not as museum quality nor have I ever stated any model that I have ever built as museum quality. I build display pieces with little changes or additions to suit me. 

 

7.  Would I buy this kit again: YES, in a heart beat, but not at the retail price. But I would be happy and was happy to pay $567.00 for the kit with free shipping and feel it was worth every cent.

 

Disclaimer: Now these are just my observations of the Artesania Latina HMS Victory kit and should only be viewed as such. I will give a final review of the kit and the build upon final completion.         

Edited November 15, 2014 by mtdoramike

[mtdoramike]

I would really like to see if I can get Lawrence to add his opinion or review of this same kit since he also built it and made a few minor changes or additions to the kit and see what he thinks of the kit over all. I think it would be beneficial because unlike me, Lawrence is a bit more of a purist than I am. I'll send him a copy of the link and see if he has time to add his views here.

[ronald305]

nice job on the victory mike 

   may I ask where did you get the copper strips for the hull  and what would be the size for that ship 

 since I heard the copper strips does not come with the Latina kit 

                                Ronald

[mtdoramike]

Hi Ron, the scale is 1:84, which equates to about 49 inches in length when finished. The Copper tape is 1/4 inch in width. It cost about $7.00 a roll from Hobby Lobby and takes a tad over one roll to finish the model. This is the same tape that stain glass folks use, which is also called copper foil tape. I have used this tape a numerous models that I have built and find it the best alternative to purchasing actual copper plates from places like Cornwall Models and spending $75.00 and up.

 

 

Mike