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HMS Victory

N

Nelson-Lilibet

Joined
Dec 7, 2025
Messages
6
Points
1

Hi trusted ship builders!
I am considering the build of HMS Victory and want to ensure the kit is authentic to the Trafalgar era and not the original build date. Having researched this, I understand from many forums that the Caldercraft HMS Victory, 1:72 scale is the gold standard, built directly from the Royal Navy’s own restoration research at Portsmouth.
Any thoughts on that?
Also, if concluded to be the right one, where is the best place to buy the kit?
I'm based in CT, USA.
I recognize this will take further extensive research and prep work, so I want to start right and in the right direction.
I am a modeler, but this is my first ship, so I understand it's a big journey, so I'm open to any advice!
Thanks
Jim
 
Jim -- Welcome to the forums! You will find endless resources and nice people generous to share their experiences on this site. I'm a long time plastic airplane and ship modeler but am only into wooden boat building for less than 2 years I've done build logs for 4 of my first wooden builds and I learned a great deal from members on this site who care to follow a particular build log. I think doing a build log, even at the relative beginner level, is one of the best ways to interact with the seasoned veterans on this site.

One friendly question, why do you want your first wooden build to be the Caldercraft HMS Victory 1/72 kit? Is there a personal connection to the ship, are you interested in British ships of the line, or searching for what can become a multi-year challenge? Just impressed by your choice of what is reputed to be more than a Level 5 (expert) build. Some logs of the HMS Victory by Caldercraft on this site have said basically that the Caldercraft 1:72 HMS Victory is regarded as one of the most difficult wooden model ship kits ever made. Please consider doing a build log so we can all chart your progress!

My wife and I are going up to Boston next month for Sail250 with over 100 tall ships sailing up the East Coast. We'll be stopping by Mystic CT on the way up to see the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Groton Submarine Museum. I wish you fair winds and following seas!
 
Welcome, Jim! I'm very new to the hobby but understand the lure of that beautiful kit. I wish you good luck and as mentioned, be sure to post a log so this community can help when you need it!
 
Ignatius27 said:
Jim -- Welcome to the forums! You will find endless resources and nice people generous to share their experiences on this site. I'm a long time plastic airplane and ship modeler but am only into wooden boat building for less than 2 years I've done build logs for 4 of my first wooden builds and I learned a great deal from members on this site who care to follow a particular build log. I think doing a build log, even at the relative beginner level, is one of the best ways to interact with the seasoned veterans on this site.

One friendly question, why do you want your first wooden build to be the Caldercraft HMS Victory 1/72 kit? Is there a personal connection to the ship, are you interested in British ships of the line, or searching for what can become a multi-year challenge? Just impressed by your choice of what is reputed to be more than a Level 5 (expert) build. Some logs of the HMS Victory by Caldercraft on this site have said basically that the Caldercraft 1:72 HMS Victory is regarded as one of the most difficult wooden model ship kits ever made. Please consider doing a build log so we can all chart your progress!

My wife and I are going up to Boston next month for Sail250 with over 100 tall ships sailing up the East Coast. We'll be stopping by Mystic CT on the way up to see the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Groton Submarine Museum. I wish you fair winds and following seas!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the note, very much appreciated. Victory does go way back for me personally and as a family as I lived in the UK for the first part of my life and now in Westport, CT. I started life as a laborer then tradesman for our family construction business in the UK and enjoy model making. We visited Victory a lot and I'm also a huge Napoloeonoc Wars / Nelson / Wellington fan (we even named one of our dogs Nelson..). I'm getting feedback that although aim good with my hands, Victory (no matter the scale) is the ultimate challenge - perhaps I should start on something smaller as a first time ship builder? I'm up for any recommendations! Boston will be be beautiful this time of year and well worth the 250 year celebration!
 
Nelson-Lilibet said:
Thanks for the note, very much appreciated. Victory does go way back for me personally and as a family as I lived in the UK for the first part of my life and now in Westport, CT. I started life as a laborer then tradesman for our family construction business in the UK and enjoy model making. We visited Victory a lot and I'm also a huge Napoloeonoc Wars / Nelson / Wellington fan (we even named one of our dogs Nelson..). I'm getting feedback that although aim good with my hands, Victory (no matter the scale) is the ultimate challenge - perhaps I should start on something smaller as a first time ship builder? I'm up for any recommendations! Boston will be be beautiful this time of year and well worth the 250 year celebration!
Click to expand...
Jim -- Sounds like your HMS Victory bona fides are genuine! He is quite the towering figure and his tomb at St. Paul's Cathedral in London is amazing. I know others will want to chime in, but my friendly suggestion would be for you to consider building the HMS Badger, which Lord Nelson captained in 1778-1779 during the American Revolutionary War. It was his first command - he only served on her for less than a year - but it has historic significance as one of the few ships Lord Nelson captained during the American Revolution.

Young Horatio as captain of the Badger did two quintessentially "Nelson" acts - according to Caldercraft:

"In 1778, while serving on board the 50-Gun Ship Bristol, Nelson was promoted by Admiral Parker to the position of Commander and, on 8th December 1778, he was appointed to Badger. Nelson actually entered into Badger on 31st December 1778, superseding Captain Everitt.
Nelsons time on Badger was generally uneventful, carrying out blockade and escort duties."

However, two incidents worthy of mention during Nelson's command of the Badger are: (1) Nelson captured an 80-ton French prize in the Caribbean, and (2) Nelson led the rescue of seamen and crew from the HMS Glasgow right before she foundered off Montego Bay. So I think the Admiral Horatio Nelson legend flows through the HMS Badger!

Caldercraft has a beautiful 1/64 scale model kit of the HMS Badger, which appears as a decent medium-level build. You get the Caldercraft quality (lime wood bulkheads and tanganika wood strips, brass cannons, double-planked hull) and the price point looks great for a first model. At 1/64, that's a good medium-large scale for a first build: almost 2 feet long with a rigged height of 21 inches. So its a model you can literally get your arms around!

I hope I don't violate any forum rules, but here is a link to the Caldercraft HMS Badger, should you wish to pursue her:
www.bluejacketinc.com

HM Brig Badger Wood Model Ship Kit - Bluejacket Shipcrafters, Inc.

The HM Brig Badger is a magnificent sailing ship that has captured the imagination of seafarers and land-dwellers alike for centuries. Wood Model Ship Kit
www.bluejacketinc.com www.bluejacketinc.com

May your compass guide you safely!
Ignatius
 
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Thank you very much for such a thoughtful suggestion.
Nelson’s first command, then Victory his greatest command - great story there.
I must admit, I hadn’t really considered HMS Badger before, it's quite appealing about beginning at the start of Nelson’s story rather than at its culmination with Victory. As you say, those early episodes—the capture of the French prize and the rescue of the crew of Glasgow,
already set that stage at the qualities that would later define him.
That said, your suggestion has given me something to think about. Its quite attractive beginning my ship modelling journey with Nelson’s first command before, one day, hopefully earning the right to tackle Victory. From both a historical and modelling perspective, it makes a great deal of sense.
Thank you again, I shall certainly spend some time reading more about Badger before making any decisions and will keep you posted
 
Jim, have been building for about 10 years. Variety of challenges throughout. Built the Caldercraft Victory two years ago. Fantastic kit. It is difficult but there are a variety of build logs and videos out there that really help. If you choose a difficult/expensive kit I recommend going through a dealer for parts support in case something is missing or broken when you open the box. I have had great luck with Cornwall Model boats in the UK and Premier Model Ships that is based overseas but has a US rep. Both have been responsive to support issues and both have had reasonable pricing and shipping. Just my two cents, am sure there are other options, it does pay to shop around.
Vr,
Andy
 
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