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Just acquired HMS Victory. My first wooden ship

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Phillipsart

Joined
Jun 2, 2025
Messages
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Hi, I’m new and this is my first wooden model ship. It’s not the first ship I’ve built.

I built 4 ships thus far from 3D printed parts. The largest 200cm long.

Last week I received the Panart Hms Victory 1:78 scale kit with copper plating.

The hull as shown is mostly completed. It is from a deceased estate. I have not built the hull.

I’m super excited in completing this build. My first wooden ship.

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Bryian said:
Great stuff. That’s a big complicated model to tackle for a first build.
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Yeah. It’s a bit daunting. But I’m slowly figuring it out. I been spending the past week studying the plans.

There was no instructions included. Found some instructions online for this kit. Started reading them last night. It’s starting to make a bit more sense.

But there is a few areas I’m a bit confused on. Mostly measurements. Particularly the masts.
 
Phillipsart said:
Yeah. It’s a bit daunting. But I’m slowly figuring it out. I been spending the past week studying the plans.

There was no instructions included. Found some instructions online for this kit. Started reading them last night. It’s starting to make a bit more sense.

But there is a few areas I’m a bit confused on. Mostly measurements. Particularly the masts.
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Plenty of Victory build logs here, so you might gain some clarify from a search of those.
 
Namabiiru said:
Wow! That’s mighty ambitious, but looks like someone gave you a quality start. Coppering’s a bit worse for it’s age. Do you plan to re-copper it?
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I was wondering about that. The kit was purchased by the builder of the hull just over 2 years ago. As there is a purchase docket included with some tools that was also given to me.

I was wondering if the copper was detoriated or was purposely left to age like that.

Can I salvage the copper? Or is it to far gone?
 
Phillipsart said:
I was wondering about that. The kit was purchased by the builder of the hull just over 2 years ago. As there is a purchase docket included with some tools that was also given to me.

I was wondering if the copper was detoriated or was purposely left to age like that.

Can I salvage the copper? Or is it to far gone?
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Could have been an attempt at a patina. Going to be tough with all that texture to clean it thoroughly, but there are a few suggestions for cleaning solutions online. You could try a few different methods to clean sections away from the paintwork to see how they work out, but it might save a lot of trouble to just strip off the old copper and start over.
 
I’m going to soon startup a build log of my own and I’m sure I’m going to need some help on the way. For a start, I’m confused on the plans for the masts. There are measurements given on the length of the mast that does not match what’s shown on the plans.
 
Namabiiru said:
Could have been an attempt at a patina. Going to be tough with all that texture to clean it thoroughly, but there are a few suggestions for cleaning solutions online. You could try a few different methods to clean sections away from the paintwork to see how they work out, but it might save a lot of trouble to just strip off the old copper and start over.
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I do like how it looks. I was wondering if it was purposely made to look that way myself. If I can somehow protect it from worsening.

I run my fingers over it and there is no residue on my fingers.
 
Phillipsart said:
I do like how it looks. I was wondering if it was purposely made to look that way myself. If I can somehow protect it from worsening.

I run my fingers over it and there is no residue on my fingers.
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If you like how it looks, that’s what counts. If no residue is coming off, then it may already have a protective coat on it. Further indication that the original builder intentionally gave it a patina.
 
Namabiiru said:
If you like how it looks, that’s what counts. If no residue is coming off, then it may already have a protective coat on it. Further indication that the original builder intentionally gave it a patina.
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I had a closer look at the copper plating today and yes it is powdery. Particularly bad towards the back and front.

Do you know what the best plan of attack would be.

I don’t mind the look of the green powder. Can I give it a quick clean than apply a clear lacquer over the top to protect it?
 
Phillipsart said:
I had a closer look at the copper plating today and yes it is powdery. Particularly bad towards the back and front.

Do you know what the best plan of attack would be.

I don’t mind the look of the green powder. Can I give it a quick clean than apply a clear lacquer over the top to protect it?
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First thoughts-
Try gently cleaning a small area with very fine (emphasis on fine) wire wool. I use Trollull brand and you can get it on Amazon. Also handy for a range of rubbing down tasks (spars, masts etc) so worth having on your bench.
Or -
A small wire brush wheel (brass) for a Dremel or similar. But go easy with it!
Either way you may catch an edge and a few plates might ping off, but you can easily CA them back on.
To lacquer it use an enamel lacquer, not acrylic.
For myself (see my build log of HMS Snake) I colour washed it to get the verdigris look, but it's your call.
Hope this helps.
 
Graham said:
First thoughts-
Try gently cleaning a small area with very fine (emphasis on fine) wire wool. I use Trollull brand and you can get it on Amazon. Also handy for a range of rubbing down tasks (spars, masts etc) so worth having on your bench.
Or -
A small wire brush wheel (brass) for a Dremel or similar. But go easy with it!
Either way you may catch an edge and a few plates might ping off, but you can easily CA them back on.
To lacquer it use an enamel lacquer, not acrylic.
For myself (see my build log of HMS Snake) I colour washed it to get the verdigris look, but it's your call.
Hope this helps.
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What about using Vinegar mixed with baking soda?

If I can can most of it off. Than spray with a lacquer over the top?

I don’t mind how it looks, but I’m concerned if it will continue to oxidise and eventually effects the timber. Or does the lacquer stop that from happening.

Also the green powder is under the copper plate in the worst areas.
 
I do not know the vinegar method, where did you see that?

If you go with the vinegar my concern is how it may affect the adhesive which was used to fix the plates, and we don't know what that was. My preferred approach would be fine wire wool as suggested earlier

I suggested an enamel lacquer because that will stop any oxidisation, but I would brush it on rather than spray. That way you will get into all the join lines and crannies and it will add a slight adhesive benefit when dry.
 
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Use one of those white, cloth Dremel wheels/pads to 'whiz' the oxidation off of the copper plates. Take care not to run the Dremel wheel in a manner that will grab an edge of copper. Run it so the wheel will lay the copper down, not pull it up from the edge, if that makes sense. Also, you might forego the kit instructions and look to historical references for a guide. Use those references to identify parts and go from there. You're definitely going to have your hands full with 'this' one! Take your time, don't trust the shoddy instructions (if you find them) and the best of luck to you!
 
I’ve cleaned it up a bit. I used a bit of white vinegar mixed with baking powder. It’s a gentle cleaner. Used my fingers and ear buds to clean the copper plates.

There still some of the green in it but the majority is gone.

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