HMS Victory by dafi - Heller - PLASTIC - To Victory and beyond ...

[popeye the sailor]

mac and cheese? .........is there a difference between weevil and grub? {sorry.......my American influence is showing  }

[dafi]

And on we go with some trifles :-)

 

I was wondering how to create furniture without it looking like dollhouse toys. Ok, off I went to find out.

 

Luckily I was successful, only have to stick to the true dimensions :-)

 

 

Here the substructure, fast done and quite stable.

 

 

Contemporary drawings always show the tables direction fore aft, so I displayed them over the massive partner of the sternpost. Like this canvas cabins could be erected on the ship´s sides.

The openings on the deck are no litter bins but aft there are the two scuttles of the ventilation trunks of the hold and in the front the scuttle for the bread room and in the middle the one for the Lady´s hole, means the stuff of the gunner. The gratings are flipped open for better ventilation.

 

 

 

Here we already have the name of the area, the gun room. The gunner had his quarters here and was then highest warrent officer in this area.He had a canvas cabin on starboard and larboard was the one from the chaplin. The area also was the mess for the warrent officers, junior lieutenants, marine officers and first class volunteers. Here also the chaplin taught the junior midshipmen. The Area was separeted from the rest of the deck by means of canvas covers.

 

  

 

 

Still have to redo the canvas blinds, but they work well as layout separations.

 

I hope, I got the details right,

 

cheers Daniel

 

PS: Could not resist to show the Tic Tac in place :-)

[dafi]

This weekend, lifestyle trade show at Stuttgart, near my home. And guess what, the friends from Arbeitskreis historischer Schiffbau (Work group historical ship building) had a small booth in the hobby hall :-)

 

So there was to be tinkered publicly ...

 

 

... talked ...

 

 

... to be engrossed into building ...

 

 

... discussed ...

 

 

... looked up ...

 

 

... conversated ...

 

 

... immersed even more into model building ...

 

 

... and for a change some chatted and gossiped.

 

 

Robert explained the esprit of his Phantom ... 

 

 

... while poor Joachim had to listen for half an hour to this dear man who explained to him, why Alexander´s Sphynx is not relly well done - to put it politely ;-)

Joachim: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/836-amerigo-vespucci-by-schiffebastler-mantua-model-scale-184-italien-sail-training-ship-build-1931/

 

 

How will Alex react? How will he deal with this truth? See day two ...

Sphinx: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/410-hms-sphynx-by-alex-m-scale-148-english-20-gun-frigate-as-build-1775/page-12#entry258120

Edited November 23, 2014 by dafi

[dafi]

PS: Oh yeah, some models were there too ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dafi]

And always a highlight for me, Revell´s Cutty. I simply love those hybrid builds, that make wonders out of a heap of plastic !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here some proud ship builders :-)

 

Kingsley

 

Phantom-Robert, aka Tarjack the boneman ...

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/1749-hmy-royal-caroline-1749-by-tarjack-made-from-bone-m-1-50/?hl=%2Bbone+%2Bcaroline

 

... my treassssssssure!

 

THE dafi

 

End day one :-)

Edited November 23, 2014 by dafi

[dafi]

... go to a show and tell ...

 

... day two  ...

 

First we had to calm down Alexander, who had a breakdown after the secrets about the quality of his Sphynx was revealed the day before. Now he stands there with shattered dreams, on the pile of shards that is nothing more than a worthless and substandard model, now filled with the hankies of his bitter tears. I always told him to do a bit of research before starting to build. At least a little bit, a tiny bit. And better he would have done the scuppers of the decks properly and not just faked, as now the deck is stained with plenty of teardrops that could not drain away ...

http://modelshipworl...-12#entry258120

 

 

And dear Norbert was told, to better put planks, as the water could penetrate through the gaps in between the frames.

 

 

They even did not accept the far-fetched excuse, that these were the scuppers needed to drain out the water that came over and in by the hatches ...

 

Especially Joachim´s Vasa was judged to be unrealistic, as it is missing a very elementary part, the pirat plank that all ships of those days were fitted with ...

 

 

... and now he stands there and tries to find out where it fits.

 

Just Dieter, he was fine, as it was discovered immediately, that that little boat is an easy to build snap-together kit ...

 

 

... never build a ship, do not worry, that´s easy, just tell me where to get the kit and I will do even better :-)

 

Just Ingo, he was clever, he gleamed in the brilliance of his latest build :-)

 

 

So we really enjoyed thoroughly, DAniel

Edited November 23, 2014 by dafi

[ianmajor]

Daniel,

 

Fabulous photos. The chap being super critical looked grumpier than me.

 

When I initially saw your last photo I thought that Fritz Lang's Nosferatu had become a member.    

[cristikc]

Excelent pictures. Nice that you share with us.

I like "young boys" at work.

Al the best from me

Cristi

[popeye the sailor]

wonderful pictures Daniel...stunning looking builds there.    they all get a positive review in my book 

[dafi]

And here comes another round of cardboard dummies with refined partitioning before I move on to produce the final ones.

 

As the Vic was an admirals ship in 1805 there were a lot of extra personal on board. This made me opt for a forth cabin as shown on Royal Sovereign in 1807.

ZAZ0083  http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/79874.html

 

 

 

 

 

XXXDAn

Edited December 6, 2014 by dafi

[dafi]

There were three options for the cabins: wood, canvas on a wooden frame and pure canvas like a shower curtain. 

 

All three versions of course were taken down in case of clearing the decks, but this is well known from the captains and admiral room bulkheads, as seen too in MaC ;-)

 

For the canvas I used washi paper for model planes, primed with clear varnish and put several thin layers of white and light rust paint (white paint with rusty stirring screws). Applied both sides of course.

 

For the gunners cabin I opted for the semifixed cabin with canvas on a wooden frame, as he surely had some material and documents to be kept off the reach of curious hands. The other cabins probably will be the shower curtains, just lets see how this works in the model.

 

 

Funnily the transparency turned out just like I wanted it too :-)

 

 

Took the cardboard template out and fitted the wooden frame accordingly onto the canvas ...

 

 

... opened the door ...

 

 

... fixed the bit in place and the gunner might move in. For sure he still will bring some chests, his kit and some bedding stuff to satisfy his nesting instinct and to feel home and cosy :-)

 

 

Also the first lieutenant has already his place fixed ...

 

 

... while those two little shipyard workers still discuss on how to proceed further ...

 

 

Cheers, Daniel

[popeye the sailor]

very well done Daniel 

[mtaylor]

Daniel,

 

You and the guys who do ships in bottle make my eyes hurt at the amount of detail you do in such small scales.    Just amazing framing.

Edited December 10, 2014 by mtaylor

[foxy]

Great pictures Daniel.

 

Love the work in wood, 'even going to try my hand at wood', sometime!!!!!.(note the sometime)

 

But love those tables, 'what next', chairs.

 

Frank.

[dafi]

If one is unsure, best get a specialist to sort things out. And I could not have found anybody better :-)

 

My I present, Mr William Rivers, Gunner of the Victory since 1790*.

 

 

Aged 50 he is already one of the oldest on board and lives since 15 years on the starboard aft end of the lower deck. he told me, that his nice wooden peace-time cabin was replaced by a batten-canvas construction as it facilitates removal during war times. But as he had some materials and documents to keep, he was the only one to get a real door.

 

The gunroom also was separated by a batten-canvas construction from the lower deck. Also the cabin underneath the weep was done this way, the middle cabins of the gunroom and the two extra cabins in front of it were pure canvas hanging from the beams. 

 

Through Mr River I had als the joy and honor to meet Chaplain Reverend Alexander Scott. In his typical black suit he took me to the so called school table where he held some lesons for the boys and midis.  

 

 

 

 

While Mr Rivers tries to circle around the group, holding his hat in the hand as the max headroom is very poor, this scene is watched attentively by two 2nd Lieutenant of the Marines, Mr Lewis Rotely and Mr Lewis Reeves.

 

 

 

Just some impressions, seen from the gundeck ...

 

 

 

 

... our fancy group ... 

 

 

 

... and Mr River, coming out of his cabin and trying to squeeze his way through.

 

 

 

 

Cheers, Daniel

 

*(1793?)

[Jason]

^{Excellent build!  The addition of the figures and interior details is brilliant, and brings the model to life!  Very well executed figures as well.}

Edited December 16, 2014 by Jason

[lambsbk]

Daniel, I have to 'get me' one of those surgical robotic arms you MUST be using to get these figurines so detailed. Wow. Congratulations. Fun, fascinating detail.

[themadchemist]

Excellent camera work. how do you get those at gun deck level shots?

 

Amazing as always. Thanks for sharing.

[dafi]

Thank you Robin, Jason, Dave and Keith.

 

@Keith: There are two ways :-)

 

 

[mtaylor]

Just stunning...So much excellent research into this, there should be a book on it.

[dafi]

Thank you Mark :-)

 

 

But this was the closest I could do about his face in 1:100 ;-)

 

The nice thing on the Vic is, that some of the personalities are still traceable today. A very interesting family this was the Rivers, father and son on Trafalgar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._R._Rivers

See "Family background"

 

William Rivers, born 1755 in Bermondsey, London, dies 1817

Ships

Triumph / Gunner 27-02-1781 bis 17-12-1781

Conquistatador / Able Seaman 12-03-1782 bis 29-07-1782

Triumph / ? 14-10-1782 bis 09-12-1782

Triumph / Gunner 10-12-1782 bis 30-11-1787

Barfleur / Gunner 01-12-1790 bis 30-05-1790

Victory / Gunner 31-05-1790 bis 25-01-1812

 

Battle honors 

Battle of Hyeres 13-07-1795  

2nd battle at Cap St. Vincent 14-02-1797

Trafalgar 21-10-1805

 

A nice essay onto the duties of a gunner

ROYAL NAVY GUNNERS IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY AND NAPLOEONIC WARS

 

He also wrote a diary/book about his work, that often is quoted:

HMS Victory: First-Rate 1765 von Iain Ballantyne

Nelson's Victory: 101 Questions and Answers About HMS Victory von Peter Goodwin

 

 

That is why I am looking for this source out of the Royal Naval Museum: William Rivers (1755-1817), gunner on HMS Victory: gunnery notes (Acc 1998/41)

Does anybody have any copies of that?

 

XXXDAn

Edited December 18, 2014 by dafi

[druxey]

Well researched, well executed figures, and at such a small scale! Great stuff, Dafi!

[Usgecko]

Amazing figures - and amazing build!

 

Are the figures scratch made.?

 

Stuart

[Force9]

Great figures Daniel!

 

It looks as though some of the attendees are more interested in learning the finer points of trigonometry than others... (Perhaps the master would teach that course...)

 

Excellent research as well!

 

Evan

Edited December 20, 2014 by Force9

[dafi]

Thank you Sirs (and Madames?), very appreciated!

 

Here are some hints towards the figures

                                          #516                         

 

XXXDAn

[Kevin]

Dafi I tried to PM you without success ( i think your inbox is full)

[dafi]

Thank you Kevin,

 

it is cleared now :-)

 

Cheers, Daniel

[popeye the sailor]

truly some great work Daniel.......wonderful trick with the mirror      very nicely done!

 

have a great Holiday season, my friend!

Edited December 24, 2014 by popeye the sailor

[foxy]

Yep me to Daniel.

 

If I know you, you will have a very good time.

 

Merry Christmas to you my friend

 

Frank

[dafi]

Never found the time to introduce somebody else quite interesting:

 

Reverend Alexander Scott 

 

 

Born in 1768 as son of a lieutenant in the navy. In 1793 he assigned as chaplain to HMS Berwick an. He was fluent in French, Spanish and Italian.

 

In the Mediterranean he met the captain of HMS Agamemnon, a certain Nelson, but refused to change to this ship, as he wanted to stay faithful to his own master and crew. Later he served abord HMS St. George and HMS Britannia under Sir Hyde Parker. 1801 was on the HMS London at the Battle of Copenhagen where he helped to draw up the treaties and helped Nelson as an interpreter. Afterwards being asked again to join Nelson, he refused a second time for the same reasons as before.

 

Then he served in the West-Indies on HMS Topaz as foreign secretary. Admiral Duckworth used Scott's linguistic abilities to help in translating documents and to spy and eavesdrop whilst visiting foreign ports. On one occasion he brought Scott to dine with him and the French general Charles Leclerc, in order to try to ascertain the French intentions towards the Caribbean.

 

1803 he had a shattering experience: Topaz was struck by a lightning that passed though his cabin and igniting some powder cartridges stored above him. This did cost him some teeth, injured his jaw and affected his hearing and eyesight. He recovered but still suffered some after shocks.

 

Nelson used the occasion of recovery to try a third time and was finally successful. From 1804 on, he served as foreign secretary aboard HMS Victory. There he spent plenty of time with Nelson reading newspapers and letters captured from foreign prizes to Nelson.

 

Also aboard the Victory was another man named Scott, this was John Scott, Nelson's personal secretary. Nelson solved the problem by terming Alexander Scott, now installed as his chaplain, as 'Doctor Scott'. Scott was not actually a Doctor at this point.

 

The thing he did not know yet at the time of the small gun room scene is, that he was to attend the dying Nelson, most of the time rubbing his chest to relieve his pain even after Nelson was already declared dead. He also stayed with Nelson on the way back and throughout the funeral.

 

Afterwards he lead a quiet life, married 1807 a much yonger woman, had to daughters and a son that died short after birth and also lost his wife because of the birth. He died 1840 at the age of 72.

 

His daughter Margaret Gatty became a best selling author, also telling his story.

 

 

So far I know two portraits of him: 

 

One on William Devis´ „Death of Nelson“, him at the center, rubbing Nelsons chest. Apparently based on a real life portrait Devis did himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Nelson,_21_October_1805#mediaviewer/File:DeathofNelsonDevis.jpg

 

 

 

The other he is shown in his late life – possibly painted posthumously – in the background the lightning strike on HMS Topaz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_John_Scott#mediaviewer/File:Rev_Dr_Alexander_Scott.jpg

 

 

Cheers and a happy new year, Daniel