HMS Victory Most Popular Model

I started building the HMS Victory from Airfix a few years ago but an accident destroyed the model. I'd say the Revell Victory is more finely detailed. Airfix is a little bigger if that's an issue. Another thing I don't like about Revell Victory is cannon carriages on the gun deck are molded right into the deck, so a close look will reveal a detail problem. I might actually shade the lower portion of the carriages so they look like they are above the deck. On the other hand, they'll be barely visible on the finished model. (In order to see them you'll have to look through the gaps between the ship's boats.)

This kind of detail is only noticed by me. Even my wife wouldn’t realize it so shading may be overkill.

Despite these few problems I'm still happy with my Revell version so far.

Most modelers seem to have forgotten about this kit, but it's actually quite a good one for its size and age. The Victory, of course, is an enormously popular modeling subject.

 

For myself, individually, I commit my life to Him who made me, and may his blessing light upon my endeavors for serving my Country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Admiral Horatio Nelson aboard the HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar

 

Over on the Drydock Models website we recently had a discussion about the various kits that are available; there are at least a dozen. In my personal opinion four of them are worth consideration as the basis for serious scale models.

I've been giving the color scheme a little thought while I am waiting for the replacement kit. My first thought was about the copper cladding. I am planning on painting the lower portion with copper enamel, then painting over that with a patina green with lighter and darker shades. The idea is to blend the two somewhat.

I had originally planned to use spray cans to paint the upper portion of the warship's hull but my results with spray cans, specially when I have to mask it from black stripes, has been less than spectacular.

I will resort to hand painting the stripes between painter’s masking tape.

 

One of your first decisions when it comes to modeling HMS Victory is what media to use.

I have worked with both plastic and wood when it comes to ship modeling. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few to be leary of in your selection process.

**Wooden kits are mostly imported and this means varying degrees of difficulty.
**You will begin with a few bulkheads and a pile of differing strip woods which will need to be cut to length.
**You will need to fit two layers of planking to the bulkheads which means dealing with the curve of the bow.
**Once accuratley planked, your model will look very realistic.

On the other hand:

**Plastic hulls come with pre-molded planking and decks
**The plastic molding process leaves a lot of flashing to clean from holes, tackle and mast components.
**It is unforgiving when it comes to glue, painting and even slips of the knife.
**There is litttle ability to replicate parts from scrap for replacement.

HMS Victory "Out-Of-The-Box"



Kit Review: Revell's HMS Victory

Perfection Goal for Victory Modelers