Caldercraft's 1:72 Scale HMS Victory

This is what Jotika/Caldercraft have to say about this model.

After more than two years of extensive research and development, using information and sources previously unavailable, this is the most historically accurate, highly detailed kit of Victory in her Trafalgar condition available.
Our model is very different to other manufacturers, and the amendments are the result of our own research verified by Mr. Peter Goodwin, and further research provided by Mr. Goodwin.
Mr. Goodwin is the Keeper and Curator of H.M.S. Victory in Portsmouth and is currently heading the project, researching Victory's true Trafalgar configuration. It is the intention of the Navy to restore Victory to this configuration by the 2005 bicentennial celebrations. Details of the planned amendments were due for release today but have been delayed until October 21st this year. As soon as this information is available it will be posted on our web site.

Forever associated with Nelson's last battle, H.M.S. Victory is one of the most famous ships of all time, and is now preserved as a major part of the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth. The ship's survival is particularly appropriate since Victory is not only an example of the ultimate sailing warship ~ the three decker First Rate ~ but she was also the most popular and successful 100-Gun ship of the period.
Forty years old by the time of Trafalgar (1805), she had been the flagship of half a dozen Admirals, and was to continue in active service until 1812.

This was not the first ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Victory, there were in fact four predecessors:

1. The first Victory was built in 1559. In 1586, she was rebuilt to 800 tons and carried 34 guns with a crew of 750. At the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, she was the flagship of Sir John Hawkins.
2. Phineas Pett designed the second Victory. She was built at Deptford and launched in 1620. Rebuilt in 1666 to 1029 tons and carried 42 guns and a crew of 500.
3. The Royal James of 1675 was renamed the third Victory in 1691. She was rebuilt in 1695 to 1486 tons and carried 100 guns and a crew of 754.
4. The fourth Victory suffered a tragic fate. Launched in 1737, she was of 1920 tons, carried 100 guns and had a crew of 900. She was lost during a gale while off the Casquets in October 1744. Her whole crew perished with her ~ this tragedy caused the name Victory to be deleted, temporarily, from the Admiralty's list of ship names.

This, the fifth Victory, was one of twelve ships ordered by the Navy Board on June 6th 1759 ~ more than 40 years before the battle of Trafalgar for which she is famed. Designed by Sir Thomas Slade, construction began at Chatham Dockyard on July 23rd 1759, the 'marvelous year' (Annus Mirabilis).
This, the year of victories, marked the turning point of the 'seven years war' for Britain. These facts may well have played a significant part in the naming of the vessel and the name Victory being restored to the Admiralty list of ships.

The Caldercraft HMS Victory includes: Double plank on bulkhead construction in lime and walnut, complete with pre-cut gunport strips ~ no more need to tediously mark on and cut out the gunports yourself; 5 different sizes of turned brass cannons; Carronades; 8 sheets of brass etched components; 3 different profiled brass rails; CNC cut walnut and ply components, profiled where necessary; All new scale turned wood belaying pins, support pillars and staircase balusters; All necessary blocks and black / natural hemp for rigging; All 4 ships boats in authentic plank on bulkhead construction; All new scale copper plates.
18 sheets of fully detailed actual size plans and a comprehensive, full colour, step-by-step instruction manual including constructional photos of the prototype. All this enables you to build the most authentic model of H.M.S. Victory as she appeared at Trafalgar. As well as this, the kit also includes the timber work to produce the model to the current specifications as she stands in Portsmouth, for example timberheads, capping and hammock cranes for the forecastle.

Specifications:
Scale: 1:72
Length: 1385mm
Width: 525mm
Height 940mm
Planking: Double

This model has a skill rating of 5
1 being suitable for beginners and 5 being suitable for Experienced modelers.[/b]



This model was bought for me as a Christmas Present from my familly, I first fell in love with HMS Victory when I came face to face with her at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, after stepping on board, there is something about this ship that inspires you, and from there on, I had a place in my heart for this Historic Ship, and now I have the chance to recreate this magnificent wonder as a display piece in my home, I just hope I do it justice

When the kit arrived, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the box, but after almost giving myself a hernia trying to lift the box alone, the wife helped me carry it into the hobby room.
I was under the impression that I could not touch it, until Christmas day, but my Wife, looked at me and said "I bet you can't wait" I replied "Of course I can love, It's for Christmas" she replied "You Liar" and she was so right lol but to my amazement, she told me I could start it now, as I would be busy at Christmas with the kids.

On opening the Box, this is what I found

The Building Guides


The 18 Plan sheets




The Rigging thread (Just for size comparison, I have included a rigging thread from a Constructor Kit, it's the thread on the bottom of the picture)


Rigging bits


The Cannons


The White metal fittings and copper plates for the hull


I used my plans tube to store some of the finer timber planks




Making a start

After looking at the plans, book one and the contents of the box, I located the familiar Main Keel and set it down on the build board, on fist examination, it was not a pleasant sight, the keel piece had a warp in it, but after wetting it, then using an Iron on the steam setting, Im managed to get it flat, but if I dont clamp it down on a flat surface, this curve will re appear.
24 Hours later, after removing the clamp, the piece remained flat, so it's time to locate the Walnut front Keelson and Stem. Placing the parts on a flat build board, I assembled and clamped them together. The white squared paper you can see on the build board is non stick backing paper, this will stop any glue or wood sticking to the build board.

David

This isn't fair!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still up to my eyes with trying to get the plumber sorted to finish our bathroom before Christmas.

Everytime I go into the spare room to get another bit of pottery, I can see my box waiting to come down the Christmas chimney.

I don't blame you, of course, your wife obviously has too liberal ideas

I better get back to the bathroom

Mike T

Hi David...



I want one... I have asked the wife if I can have £150 of my wage each month to save for the victory... So by summer hopefully I can invest in one ...
I got the usual I'll see..

I will be watching your build with beady eyes... And Mike's.. When he finishes the bathroom..Lol

Chris.

Cor, that looks to smart for words.

Keep us posted.

So are you stopping the DeAg model?

Mike T wrote:David

This isn't fair!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still up to my eyes with trying to get the plumber sorted to finish our bathroom before Christmas.

Everytime I go into the spare room to get another bit of pottery, I can see my box waiting to come down the Christmas chimney.

I don't blame you, of course, your wife obviously has too liberal ideas

I better get back to the bathroom

Mike T

Sorry Mike, I should have thought about you, before posting this, I just couldn't wait to start after the wife said I could have the kit now lol.

Magpie1832 wrote: Hi David...



I want one... I have asked the wife if I can have £150 of my wage each month to save for the victory... So by summer hopefully I can invest in one ...
I got the usual I'll see..

I will be watching your build with beady eyes... And Mike's.. When he finishes the bathroom..Lol

Ohhh mate, I feel for you! This kit is just awesome, the brass etched parts alone are awe inspiring! I have just assembled the ribs and they went together like a dream, I will take some more pics tomorrow when I have better light.

I was hoping you would get yours for Christmas, that way we could all share some nice ideas etc.

Chris.

zeptrader wrote:Cor, that looks to smart for words.

Keep us posted.

So are you stopping the DeAg model?

Please don't get me wrong when I say this, I got disheartened with the DeAg build when I found out the real keel and stem were going to be Lime, this although being a hard wood, it's not really that tough, and with all the bumps and sanding to do, it can easily become damaged, unlike Walnut, then all the problems with the cannons ets, I just lost faith, but it's still a great build, just not for me.
I canceled my build a while ago now, not because I got this kit, as when I canceled, I didn't know I was getting it.

Here are the ribs, ready to be cut out, there are 18 for the first assembly, all 5mm ply, no laser cutting here, everything in this kit has been routed, and it's remarkably accurate!

Here are a couple more photos for you

This is a letter from Peter Goodwin. MPhil. IEng. MIMarEST. The Keeper and curator of HMS Victory, to JotiKa, stating that he has reviewed the model and found it to be an accurate representation of how she would have appeared in 1805 at the battle of Trafalgar.



There is also a sheet in the box for you to register your kit with Caldercraft/JotiKa, and they state that if any changes are made to the model, you would receive the added parts free of charge as a registered customer, like the Prince of Wales feather motif.

The Etched brass sheets.
Theses are well detailed













I have now dry fitted all the bulkheads and to be honest, with a little sanding, they went together like a dream, tight but not too tight as to cause problems.







I have now glued the bulkheads in place, only two needed clamping at 90 degrees to the keel, so I'm well impressed.



I have added the first deck to aid the drying of the bulkheads while keeping the keel in line. The deck and ribs are all cut from 5mm ply.

Don't suppose anybody would be interested in photos of my shower screen or handbasin???

Here are a couple more pics of the build.

The Bow forward supports are now glued into place awaiting the gunport patterns



The Stearn Extensions are in place and needed no attention to make them square to bulkhead 18, so fat this kit has been very accurate in the cutting of their parts.





I have finished decking the the middle gun deck, only a small portion of this required decking due to the fact most of this won't be seen once the upper gun deck is in place, but you will be able to see it from the entry ports and gun deck companionways.
I chose to try and keep to scale and went for the 4 butt shift system, using the 1x4mm Tanganyika planks at lengths of 85mm = to 20ft planks with offsets of 34mm for each plank, I then coated them with matt varnish, I am satisfied with the results.





It was time to paint the dummy barrel supports, I was shocked to find that my wife and daughter were keen to lend a hand.

Stunning looking kit mate, gotta wait till july for mine!!!

[b]
what a cracker,I want one,but seriously the wife would have a fit,when I told her the price,she said"buy a new sofa for that money" that's me shot down in flames,but I have the black pearl,so must'nt be greedy,just had another look at jack's build,made my mouth water,hope you don't mind jack,I was looking for possible problems,but could see none,so hope it goe's well.as for the victory,you lucky devil,keep them there pics coming.and looking sumpsious.can see you sleeping in a hammock to make room for it.

Thanks for the comments Karl mate! It is a lovely kit, and I for one never thought I would be able to have one due to the price!
It was a gift from the wife, kids and my parents, it's been a tough year for me, medically, so they all thought the kit would lift my spirits, boy it did, although it caused some injuries when lifting the box lol
I also like the Pearl you and Jack are building, that is definitely a ship on my wish list, and I eagerly await your build diary!

Well folks. tonight was the night to have a first look at my Victory kit. I don't think that even David's pictures have done justice to the size and complexity of this kit.

I'm hoping to start tomorrow with my build log and some kit photos, but first my work area and storage arrangements are going to need some re-organisation!

I am looking forward to seeing your progress David, I suspect you will be keeping ahead of me, but you never know I may catch up.

Mike T

I think you will catch me up Mike lol, I have to play with all the kids toys for the next two weeks, so can't see me touching the ship until they are back in school, then I have a feeling all our DIY will start.
Just to update everyone, thanks to Mike! he reminded me to do something I have always done, but this time I completely forgot to check the kit contents and have now found that I have the same missing parts as he does, I find this very strange indeed, have Caldercraft changed some of the kit contents and haven't updated the parts list, or is it a case of the missing sheet 3? I will keep you posted lol.

Did you buy your kit from CMB? It is possible that the same mistake has been made for a whole batch. I know CMB had four in stock wehen I ordered mine about a week before you.

Mike T