HMS Victory - Mantua 1:78 Build log

[Phillipsart]

PROGRESS!!! One small detail for the future, rope wooldings were eliminated on British ships built or rebuilt by 1800, like Victory was in 1803, and 3 inch wide iron hoops and iron bands were used in place of rope wooldings.
Allan

I started using the metal bands, after a few attempts, I was not happy with. I decided to use rope instead.

 

[AllanKP69]

I started using the metal bands, after a few attempts, I was not happy with. I decided to use rope instead.

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

 

[Phillipsart]

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
View attachment 540718

I could look into making up some iron bands and add in place.

 

[Phillipsart]

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.

 

[AllanKP69]

A Very Special Piece of History – HMS Victory Oak

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

 

[Phillipsart]

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

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.

 

[Phillipsart]

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:

• 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.

It’s one of those jobs that looks repetitive, but every placement matters for accuracy and strength. This stage also transforms the ship visually – you can really see how the masts and rigging will eventually dominate the profile of Victory.

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!

 

[Phillipsart]

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. ️

 

[Phillipsart]

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.

 

[Phillipsart]

HMS Victory Progress Update

Today I finished painting the statue on the bow of the HMS Victory. I’ve tried to replicate the original as closely as possible using the parts Mantua supplies in their kit. It’s a real centerpiece at the front of the ship and really brings the build to life.

At this stage though, I’ve hit a pause — I can’t continue the rigging until my 1mm black rope arrives, which may take a week or two. Historically, HMS Victory’s standing rigging was tarred black for protection, while the running rigging remained natural. I’ve tracked some down online, so once it’s here, the rigging work can finally begin.

That means the Victory will be on hold for a short while. But the shipyard doesn’t stop! In the meantime, I’ll be switching over to another Mantua kit I’ve got on the bench: the magnificent Sovereign of the Seas. This ship is loaded with detail and golden decorations — a real statement piece from naval history.

Plenty more progress to come, both on the Victory and the Sovereign. Stay tuned — the next chapter in the build is about to begin!

 

[AllanKP69]

. Historically, HMS Victory’s standing rigging was tarred black for protection, while the running rigging remained natural.

Sort of Historically It was treated with Stockholm or similar pine tar and thus brown or dark brown or even very dark brown, but not black.

 

[GIG1810]

Hello Phillipsart,

I really must say that you have built the Victory very nicely. I like it very much. You can see how much love and patience you have put into this kit. Very nice. But if you want another book about her complete construction, please have a look at the book "The HMS Victory: Her Construction, Career and Restoration" by Alan McGowan and you will be more than amazed at the material and drawings about the HMS Victory.

Cheers
Günther

 

[Phillipsart]

HMS Victory Update + Workshop Expansion

Progress on my Mantua 1:78 scale HMS Victory has hit a bit of a stall recently — all because of one simple thing: rigging rope.

The kit supplies only tan rigging, and for historical accuracy I’ve been trying to source 1mm black rigging (traditionally tarred black on the real ship). I did manage to order 80 meters a few weeks back from an Australian online store, but after weeks of no replies, failed attempts at contact, and no delivery, I had to lodge a claim. Thankfully PayPal stepped in and refunded me yesterday.

In the meantime, I was only able to find 10 meters, which is currently on the way — but that won’t be anywhere near enough for this build. So, I’ve been experimenting with different methods of colouring the tan rigging provided in the kit. After some trial and error, I think I may have found a workable solution: black shoe & boot polish. It soaks in well, gives a proper deep black tone, and still keeps the rope flexible without making it stiff or brittle. If this holds up over time, it might just solve the issue and let me get back into the rigging stage sooner than expected.

On top of all this, the last few days have been a major shift — literally. I’ve been relocating my entire workshop into a much larger room at home. The old space simply couldn’t cope with the growing fleet. Between the HMS Victory, Sovereign of the Seas, San Felipe and the Endeavour, I had completely run out of room to work. The new setup gives me the ability to have four ships on the go at the same time, with more space for tools, plans, and (importantly) elbow room!

So while Victory is waiting on rigging, I’ll be able to keep busy across my other projects. Once the black rigging problem is solved, it’s full steam ahead again.

Stay tuned — things are about to get busy in the shipyard once more.

 

[AllanKP69]

Rit or other brands of cloth dye work great, is cheap, and easy to use. Get the various circumferences you need and coil them. Lay the coils in a dish of the dye then give them a quick wipe with a rag to get the excess off. Then hang them up with a small weight on the bottom and let them air dry. Remember that standing rigging is not black, but rather medium to dark brown from being treated with pine tar, not bituminous tar. I understand that Rit brand can be found in Australia at Knitting Company and probably other places.
Allan

 

[Phillipsart]

HMS Victory Build – Rigging Begins!

Finally making some great progress on my Mantua HMS Victory, and tonight marked an exciting milestone – I’ve started the main rigging.

This stage of the build is one of the most rewarding but also one of the most demanding. The standing rigging – those strong black lines you see running from the mast tops down to the hull – are critical for holding the masts steady and replicating the sheer strength of the real ship. Every line has to be measured, tensioned, and secured with precision. Too tight and it risks bending the mast, too loose and it won’t look (or function) right.

The deadeyes and lanyards are now in place, giving the model that unmistakable look of a true man-of-war. These blocks weren’t just decorative – on the real HMS Victory they were used to adjust the tension of the shrouds, making sure the masts could withstand the stresses of the sea and battle. On the model, tying them neatly and symmetrically is a real test of patience, but the end result speaks for itself.

I’ve also started wrapping the mast with its reinforcing rope bands – another authentic detail that adds both strength and character. With each section complete, you can really feel the ship’s rigging “coming alive.”

There’s still a lot of rigging to go – ratlines, stays, braces, and eventually the running rigging for the sails – but this is the moment where the Victory really starts to take shape as a fully rigged warship.

It’s a long journey ahead with many more hours of knot-tying, but the results so far are very satisfying. Slowly but surely, HMS Victory is transforming into the powerful 104-gun flagship she was meant to be.

Would you have the patience to tie every knot by hand? Or does just looking at all those lines make your fingers ache?

 

[Phillipsart]

HMS Victory Rigging Progress Update

Today I got stuck right into one of the most time-consuming but rewarding parts of the build – tying the ratlines. These are the horizontal ropes that form the “rope ladders” up the shrouds, allowing sailors to climb the masts. On the real Victory, these were essential for reaching the yards and sails; on the model, they’re just as essential for giving that authentic look.

Each ratline has to be carefully knotted and aligned so the spacing remains even from top to bottom. It’s a smooth but very repetitive task – almost meditative once you get into the rhythm, but it demands patience and a steady hand. Every knot locks into place and gradually builds up the intricate webbing that makes the standing rigging look alive.

What’s most satisfying is seeing the side profile take shape – those neat, symmetrical ladders stretching from the deadeyes at deck level up to the mast tops. It really brings the ship to life and makes you appreciate the amount of ropework the real sailors had to rely on in the age of sail.

Still plenty more ratlines to go, but I’m thrilled with how this stage is looking so far. The Victory is finally starting to show her true character as a fully-rigged ship of the line.

Sharing a few close-ups so you can see the detail in the knots and the rigging tension. Every step forward at this stage feels like a major milestone!

Onward with the rigging – one knot at a time!

 

[Phillipsart]

HMS Victory Build Update – Rigging & Ratlines Progress

The last few days have been all about one of the most time-consuming but rewarding stages of this build – tying the ratlines and setting up the main rigging.

On a ship like the Victory, the ratlines (the rope ladders running up the shrouds) were essential for the sailors to climb up into the rigging and reach the yards. On the model, they really bring the masts to life – giving that unmistakable look of a fully-rigged warship. Each line has been carefully measured, tied, and tightened to keep the spacing even, which is no easy task when you’re working with dozens of knots on every side!

The standing rigging – the heavy black lines you see running from the mast tops down to the deadeyes – is now set in place as well. These ropes were tarred on the real Victory to protect them from the elements and provide the strength needed to hold the massive masts steady, even in rough seas. On the model, they add that strong, authentic framework that makes the whole ship feel solid and ready for action.

It’s slow going, but the detail is worth every hour spent. With each ratline tied, the ship takes another step closer to looking like the Pride of Trafalgar she truly was.

Still plenty more to go, but it’s really starting to look the part now – can almost picture Lord Nelson himself climbing aboard!

Next stages: continuing with the rigging up the foremast and mizzen, before moving into the finer running rigging.

What do you think so far? The detail is really starting to stand out now!

 

[AllanKP69]

Are the ropes used for the ratlines what the kit instructed to use? They seem to be almost the circumference of the shrouds, thus my question. Thanks
Allan

From a contemporary model below, the size difference is very noticeable.

 

[Phillipsart]

Are the ropes used for the ratlines what the kit instructed to use? They seem to be almost the circumference of the shrouds, thus my question. Thanks
Allan

From a contemporary model below, the size difference is very noticeable.
View attachment 545317

I’m pretty certain 0.5mm was advised for the rat lines and 1mm for the main black lines on my kit.

I will double check. Looks to me the main rope is thicker than 1mm on your image

 

[AllanKP69]

The main and fore shrouds on Victory in about 1803 when she was converted from being a hospital hulk were about 3.5 inches in diameter. The ratlines were no more than 1/2". For 1:78 this would be 1.2 mm for the shrouds (close to what the kit calls for) and the ratlines about 0.12mm, much smaller than what they advised.
Allan