- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
I started using the metal bands, after a few attempts, I was not happy with. I decided to use rope instead.
-
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.
HMS Victory - Mantua 1:78 Build log
- Thread starter Phillipsart
- Start date
- Watchers 5
They are a pain but mostly go under the cheeks and paunch so doable. Thin copper is easy to work compared to brass and can be blackened in situ with diluted liver of sulfur if you ever want to give it another try down the road. Even black construction paper works well and is really easy for this purpose. Just need to keep the ends where they butt together under one of the cheeks or rubbing paunch as appropriate.
Allan
From James Lees' The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
I could look into making up some iron bands and add in place.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
A Very Special Piece of History – HMS Victory Oak
Today I was given something truly extraordinary – a genuine piece of oak timber from HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
️
For those who may not know, HMS Victory is one of the most famous warships in naval history. She led the Royal Navy at Trafalgar, where Nelson secured Britain’s dominance of the seas, though at the cost of his own life. Victory still survives today, preserved in Portsmouth, England – a living monument to maritime history.
The small block of oak I now hold once formed part of that legendary ship. Over her long life, parts of Victory’s original timbers were removed during restorations and carefully preserved, some being gifted or sold as mementos. Owning even the tiniest piece is like holding a direct link back to 18th-century naval history.
I’m deeply honoured to receive this gift, and I’ve been contemplating something meaningful – perhaps incorporating this very piece of Victory’s oak into my model build. To think that my scale replica could actually contain wood from the real ship is almost surreal. It would transform the model into not just a tribute, but a vessel carrying an authentic fragment of history within it.
Building HMS Victory has already been a journey of craftsmanship, patience, and respect for history – but this addition would elevate it to something truly unique.
️ A model of the Victory… built with a piece of the Victory herself.
Today I was given something truly extraordinary – a genuine piece of oak timber from HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
️For those who may not know, HMS Victory is one of the most famous warships in naval history. She led the Royal Navy at Trafalgar, where Nelson secured Britain’s dominance of the seas, though at the cost of his own life. Victory still survives today, preserved in Portsmouth, England – a living monument to maritime history.
The small block of oak I now hold once formed part of that legendary ship. Over her long life, parts of Victory’s original timbers were removed during restorations and carefully preserved, some being gifted or sold as mementos. Owning even the tiniest piece is like holding a direct link back to 18th-century naval history.
I’m deeply honoured to receive this gift, and I’ve been contemplating something meaningful – perhaps incorporating this very piece of Victory’s oak into my model build. To think that my scale replica could actually contain wood from the real ship is almost surreal. It would transform the model into not just a tribute, but a vessel carrying an authentic fragment of history within it.
Building HMS Victory has already been a journey of craftsmanship, patience, and respect for history – but this addition would elevate it to something truly unique.
️ A model of the Victory… built with a piece of the Victory herself.Looking at authenticated items on the Paul Fraser Collectibles website, these kinds of things are worth a fortune, depending on when it came off the ship. Some things to consider if winning Lotto numbers comes my way, otherwise, just a dream to own one of these things.
Allan
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
I’m considering leaving it as is. Get an acrylic display case made up for my HMS Victory I’m building and have this piece of history on display near a nameplate.
I’m supposed to have another piece of the oak timber of the original ship in the post on its way to me now. I just hope it passes Australian customs.
This piece I have here that was donated to me. The person purchased it when he visited the ship. I’m not sure how many years ago. I will have to check.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
HMS Victory Build Update – Deadeyes Installed!
Today was another big step forward in the rigging preparations of my Mantua 1:78 scale HMS Victory build. I spent the day working on installing the deadeyes, and I now have the majority of them in place – with around 22 more to go before this stage is fully complete.
For those who may not know, deadeyes are the small, round, wooden blocks you see lined up along the ship’s sides. They play a critical role in the rigging system, acting as tensioners for the standing rigging (the heavy black ropes that support the masts). The shrouds – thick lines that run up to the mast tops – are secured and tightened through these deadeyes, creating the ladder-like rigging sailors used to climb the masts. Without them, the entire rigging system would lose its strength and stability.
Details from today’s work:
Still a way to go with the remaining deadeyes, but the progress today feels like a major milestone. Next steps will be preparing for the standing rigging – where the ship will really come alive with lines rising skyward!
A ship like HMS Victory wasn’t just about firepower – it was a masterpiece of rope, timber, and engineering. Recreating it at this scale is both a challenge and a joy.
Stay tuned – the rigging era of this build is almost ready to begin!
Today was another big step forward in the rigging preparations of my Mantua 1:78 scale HMS Victory build. I spent the day working on installing the deadeyes, and I now have the majority of them in place – with around 22 more to go before this stage is fully complete.
For those who may not know, deadeyes are the small, round, wooden blocks you see lined up along the ship’s sides. They play a critical role in the rigging system, acting as tensioners for the standing rigging (the heavy black ropes that support the masts). The shrouds – thick lines that run up to the mast tops – are secured and tightened through these deadeyes, creating the ladder-like rigging sailors used to climb the masts. Without them, the entire rigging system would lose its strength and stability.
Details from today’s work:
- Carefully aligned and fitted the deadeyes to both sides of the hull.
- Installed chain and wire fittings to replicate the way the originals were secured to the ship’s timbers.
- Double-checked spacing to ensure they will properly take the shrouds later on when the main rigging begins.
- The deck is now really starting to look busy and authentic, with the network of blocks and fittings giving that unmistakable “man-of-war” feel.
Still a way to go with the remaining deadeyes, but the progress today feels like a major milestone. Next steps will be preparing for the standing rigging – where the ship will really come alive with lines rising skyward!
A ship like HMS Victory wasn’t just about firepower – it was a masterpiece of rope, timber, and engineering. Recreating it at this scale is both a challenge and a joy.Stay tuned – the rigging era of this build is almost ready to begin!
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
Exciting mail day today!
My copy of The Anatomy of Nelson’s Ships by C. Nepean Longridge has finally arrived. This book is considered one of the most comprehensive and detailed references ever written on HMS Victory and Nelson’s fleet. It goes into incredible depth, covering everything from the ship’s construction and fittings to the rigging and finer details that most plans never fully explain.
For anyone who’s into ship modelling or naval history, this is basically the “bible” of Nelson’s era of ships. It’s going to be an invaluable guide as I continue my build of the Mantua HMS Victory. The drawings and explanations inside will help me make sure the finer details are as accurate and authentic as possible.
Looking forward to diving into it and applying what I learn straight onto the build.️
My copy of The Anatomy of Nelson’s Ships by C. Nepean Longridge has finally arrived. This book is considered one of the most comprehensive and detailed references ever written on HMS Victory and Nelson’s fleet. It goes into incredible depth, covering everything from the ship’s construction and fittings to the rigging and finer details that most plans never fully explain.
For anyone who’s into ship modelling or naval history, this is basically the “bible” of Nelson’s era of ships. It’s going to be an invaluable guide as I continue my build of the Mantua HMS Victory. The drawings and explanations inside will help me make sure the finer details are as accurate and authentic as possible.
Looking forward to diving into it and applying what I learn straight onto the build.
️
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2025
- Messages
- 73
- Points
- 78
Progress Update – HMS Victory Bow Decoration ️
Today I spent some time working on one of the most iconic features of the HMS Victory – her ornate bow decorations. This particular piece is part of the ship’s coat of arms and sits proudly at the bow symbolizing power, prestige, and the grandeur of the Royal Navy in the 18th century.
I carefully painted it using a rich mix of gold, deep red, and royal blue. The gold highlights bring out the fine detail of the crown and scrollwork, while the red and blue background makes the crest really pop. This was quite a delicate job, as the details are very small, but it’s incredibly satisfying to see it come to life with colour.
On the real Victory, these carvings would have been gilded and brightly painted, a statement of dominance on the seas. Adding this detail to my model really gives it that authentic historic touch and adds to the overall grandeur of the ship.
One more step forward in this long journey of bringing the Mantua 1:78 HMS Victory to life – slowly but surely, she’s transforming into a miniature reflection of the legendary flagship.
️Today I spent some time working on one of the most iconic features of the HMS Victory – her ornate bow decorations. This particular piece is part of the ship’s coat of arms and sits proudly at the bow symbolizing power, prestige, and the grandeur of the Royal Navy in the 18th century.
I carefully painted it using a rich mix of gold, deep red, and royal blue. The gold highlights bring out the fine detail of the crown and scrollwork, while the red and blue background makes the crest really pop. This was quite a delicate job, as the details are very small, but it’s incredibly satisfying to see it come to life with colour.
On the real Victory, these carvings would have been gilded and brightly painted, a statement of dominance on the seas. Adding this detail to my model really gives it that authentic historic touch and adds to the overall grandeur of the ship.
One more step forward in this long journey of bringing the Mantua 1:78 HMS Victory to life – slowly but surely, she’s transforming into a miniature reflection of the legendary flagship.