HMS Vanguard 1:150, converted from Heller's Le Superbe

[Captain_Mumbles]

I agree. The two deckers have good proportions. Being more of a plastic builder myself I always thought it was a pity there is not many kits like these in a larger scale.

 

[WilliamM]

Igor has a nice library of 3D-printable parts: https://drydockmodeler.com/index.php?/profile/49-igorcapinos/

Thank you! I will check it out.

 

[WilliamM]

I hate to say it but I can't find parts for the Vanguard on that site. HELP!

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

This is a fantastic build! I love the resourcefulness of your stern reconstruction, as well as the overall cleanliness of execution.

I also agree that it would be amazing if Heller would release a 74 in 1:96, as a continuation of the Prestige Series.

Maybe if they ever do, they’ll finally dispense with their silly insistence on making the hawser area a separate insert. I’ve never understood this, myself.

 

[WilliamM]

This is a fantastic build! I love the resourcefulness of your stern reconstruction, as well as the overall cleanliness of execution.

I also agree that it would be amazing if Heller would release a 74 in 1:96, as a continuation of the Prestige Series.

Maybe if they ever do, they’ll finally dispense with their silly insistence on making the hawser area a separate insert. I’ve never understood this, myself.

Mark,

I emphatically agree with you!

Also, many years ago, Heller had planned a 1/100 kit of the HMS Sovereign of the Seas as a continuation of the Prestige Series. Then, they stopped developing anything.

I, too, never understood that separate hawser insert. I also do not understand the flat disk area of the lower hulls. After all, no other manufacturer had that problem, even Aurora.

Bill

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

Yeah, it’s kind of mystifying that they didn’t do the Sovereign or the Prince. The Airfix Prince is a decent kit that can be made into an outstanding model. Rex Stewart made a brilliant job of it.

One would think that with modern 3D modeling and automated tool and die processes that they could develop moulds at a fraction of the investment costs of the 1970’s.

Introducing one of those kits to the line would be a cash cow as so many GenX and older would snap them up in a heartbeat.

1:96 is just big enough to add loads of detail, but not so big that it is difficult to display.

 

[WilliamM]

Yeah, it’s kind of mystifying that they didn’t do the Sovereign or the Prince. The Airfix Prince is a decent kit that can be made into an outstanding model. Rex Stewart made a brilliant job of it.

One would think that with modern 3D modeling and automated tool and die processes that they could develop moulds at a fraction of the investment costs of the 1970’s.

Introducing one of those kits to the line would be a cash cow as so many GenX and older would snap them up in a heartbeat.

1:96 is just big enough to add loads of detail, but not so big that it is difficult to display.

Mark,

I hadn't considered 3D printing a kit, although I have used quite a few printed upgrades.

That's a great point!I would like to add another recommendation for a kit. Revell made a 1/450 very early Spanish Galleon kit. I don't know what the attraction was among manufacturers about such small scales in their new releases. Revell also made a 1/450 yet another HMS Victory. Zvesda made a small series of 1/350 ships from the Spanish Armada. Airfix released HMS Rose in 1/450. It was frustrating.

Therefore, I recommend that they focus on 3D printed kits in 1/100 of similar ships. For example, the early galleon (with oars!) could make an exceptional kit.

There are so few decent sized accurate models of the ships from this and earlier eras. For example, Pyro once made the Henri Grace A'dieu. Zvesda produced the San Martin and others from the Armada. Each of these produced in 1/100 would be nice.

One other comment . . . Why would Revell produce yet another kit of the Victory? Your idea of a 74 is a great one.

Perhaps we could begin a lobbying effort!

Bill