• SUBSCRIBE TO SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE MARCH/APRIL 2026
  • Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.

HI!

Joined
Nov 12, 2022
Messages
9
Points
0

Hello from Wales,
Just recently decided to get into model ship building. Decided to purchase the Heller HMS Victory 1/100, so I have been reading all the threads regarding this model wow the skills of everyone who have posted on this ship are amazing.
Rowland
 
Last edited:
Welcome aboard Rowland! I hope you will find the resources (human and otherwise) on this site to be helpful as you begin modeling. I've only been building wooden ships for about 2 years and I have really learned an incredible amount on the beginner forums and build logs presented here. In my time here I discovered that the best way to engage with the members of SoS is to start a build log and, when you get stuck or have a question about adhesives, wood stock, tying ratlines, etc., to ask questions right in your build log (I put them in bold) so the SoS members can see where you are and to offer constructive advice. It takes a little while to get members to see your work, but if you work on interesting builds and do your research, people will start watching your work. Another tip is to read up on naval, maritime and shipbuilding terminology -- there are so many terms to know so that you can discuss your builds intelligently with other builders. For your HMS Victory build, you will see many naval terms from the golden age of sail, like windlass, top royal sail, tumblehome, garboard strake, stealers, stern castle and an infinite number of rigging terms. Fair winds and following seas!
 
Welcome to the SoS forums ! :)
Thanks for the welcome...
Welcome aboard Rowland! I hope you will find the resources (human and otherwise) on this site to be helpful as you begin modeling. I've only been building wooden ships for about 2 years and I have really learned an incredible amount on the beginner forums and build logs presented here. In my time here I discovered that the best way to engage with the members of SoS is to start a build log and, when you get stuck or have a question about adhesives, wood stock, tying ratlines, etc., to ask questions right in your build log (I put them in bold) so the SoS members can see where you are and to offer constructive advice. It takes a little while to get members to see your work, but if you work on interesting builds and do your research, people will start watching your work. Another tip is to read up on naval, maritime and shipbuilding terminology -- there are so many terms to know so that you can discuss your builds intelligently with other builders. For your HMS Victory build, you will see many naval terms from the golden age of sail, like windlass, top royal sail, tumblehome, garboard strake, stealers, stern castle and an infinite number of rigging terms. Fair winds and following seas!
Thank you for the welcome, and the great advice looking forward to pick everyone's brains...
 
Thanks for the welcome...

Thank you for the welcome, and the great advice looking forward to pick everyone's brains...
Rowland, you are quite welcome. If your Revell HMS Victory involves rigging your build, I highly recommend you read "The Art of Rigging" by George Biddlecombe. It's an older book but it has aged well for building tall ships like the HMS Victory.
 
Rowland, you are quite welcome. If your Revell HMS Victory involves rigging your build, I highly recommend you read "The Art of Rigging" by George Biddlecombe. It's an older book but it has aged well for building tall ships like the HMS Victory.
Thank you for info regarding the book, I do have some period ships books somewhere will check if I have the one you mentioned..
 
A warm welcome to you Rolthom

I totally agree that learning the language of a sailing ship is very helpful. There are great lists in Steel's 1794 paper The Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship which is free on line as well as in Steel's The Elements and Practice of Naval Architecure., Lees' The Masting and Rigging English Ships of War, and others. Sorry to disagree Ignatius but Biddlecombe's book may not be appropriate for all things on Victory itself as it covers 1840 and beyond and Victory was taken out of service in 1812. Still the terminology should be helpful. :)

top royal sail,
I must admit that was a new one for me. I know topsails, topgallants, royals, skysails. and moonrakers, but never heard of a top royal mentioned in any book, including Biddlecombe. Learning new things is part of the fun of this hobby so if you could share your source that would be fantastic.
Many thanks
Allan
 
Last edited:
A warm welcome to you Rolthom

I totally agree that learning the language of a sailing ship is very helpful. There are great lists in Steel's 1794 paper The Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship which is free on line as well as in Steel's The Elements and Practice of Naval Architecure., Lees' The Masting and Rigging English Ships of War, and others. Sorry to disagree Ignatius but Biddlecombe's book may not be appropriate for all things on Victory itself as it covers 1840 and beyond and Victory was taken out of service in 1812. Still the terminology should be helpful. :)


I must admit that was a new one for me. I know topsails, topgallants, royals, skysails. and moonrakers, but never heard of a top royal mentioned in any book, including Biddlecombe. Learning new things is part of the fun of this hobby so if you could share your source that would be fantastic.
Many thanks
Allan
Alan - My bad, I mixed up the royal sail and its neighbor, the topgallant sail. The terminology!
 
My bad, I mixed up the royal sail and its neighbor, the topgallant sail. The terminology!
You are not alone. To me learning the terminology is a never-ending language class. I never got more than B's in French class and the first Italian words I learned when traveling there for work were profanity so my struggles in learning and REMEMBERING the terminology continue
Allan
 
Back
Top