• 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.
  • PRE-ORDER 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 FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026

Resumption of VASA build

Joined
Aug 22, 2022
Messages
298
Points
138

After having completed my build of Corel's "HMS VICTORY cross-section," I am gearing up to resuming my build of Corel's VASA and I am a bit leery of doing so based on my experience with the X-section. As I have commented previously, straight out of the box, that kit was not at all even a reasonable representation of the VICTORY. I had to do quite a lot of scratch building and referring back to the plans I used in building the full model (Mamoli) to do the rigging. I am also a bit leery of creating a build log. I do not have CNC equipment, millers or a lathe (not yet anyway) like many of you do. I am trying to learn how to do 3D printing but the learning curve is rather steep. I do have good power tools but those are wood shop-size. I recently purchased an "X-Y" table for my Dremel drill press stand and have been practicing with it and turning out reasonably looking parts. I have done a considerable amount of research on the VASA including lots of information, drawings, etc., from Dr. Fred Hocker of the VASA Museum in Stockholm. I have saved lots of photos from various build logs for reference use. Still, work by some of you on your VASAs is a bit intimidating. I say that totally in a complimentary way.

So, my quandry is this. I feel that, from reading and following other build logs, I might benefit from the experience of you others, especially other VASA builders, as I progress with the construction of this ship. The vast majority of comments I have read in lots of build logs have been complementary, helpful, insightful and constructive and extremely rarely have negative comments been posted.

I welcome positive comments, especially from those who have built the Corel kit. What ever direction I take, this will be, as we all learn, building a model such as the VASA will require lots of time and patience and the learning of new and/or improved/unexpected skills.
 
I wouldn’t worry about CAD, CNC, or 3-D printing. I scratch build models without having access to any of these or a desire to use them. You can build a fine model of Vasa without them. Vasa of course was built almost entirely of wood so little or no metal turning requiring a lathe; cannons excepted but maybe you can use the kit supplied ones.

Since you have full size power tools, these can be used for model building. A full sized table saw with the right blade can be set up to rip planking. I use my full sized drill press daily.

And last but not least, much of this is a mind game. Don’t worry about stuff that needs to be done “down the road” focus on what you’re working on today. As you progress you will gain confidence.

Roger
 
Thank you very much. I know what you mane about the mind game aspect. After having built seven ships, 25 aircraft and 1 helicopter, I have gotten reasonably good at scratch building. And you are correct that large tools can be used to make small parts when done safely.
I have almost completed the first planking of the model and have painted most of the figures. I can resume my log with a review of what I have completed so far and then just see where it takes me.

Thanks again and I look forward to more of your good advice!
 
I am a past Billings Vasa-builder and completed my model about 3 years ago. As you mention, extensive research is available for this ship, and a visit to Vasamuseet in Stockholm is a wonderful experience. Dr Hocker and his information Is amazing and always reliable.

I remember there was criticism about the hull shape of the Corel kit, and I don’t think it has been revised but plans from Billings and others are available and may be worth examining for comparison. That said, ship modelling is for self-reward, so if you are not as concerned with absolute accuracy, it should not be an issue.

Good luck with the build, and if I can assist (or any other of the avid and amazing Vasa builders out there), please contact us.

Regards,

PeterG
 
After having completed my build of Corel's "HMS VICTORY cross-section," I am gearing up to resuming my build of Corel's VASA and I am a bit leery of doing so based on my experience with the X-section. As I have commented previously, straight out of the box, that kit was not at all even a reasonable representation of the VICTORY. I had to do quite a lot of scratch building and referring back to the plans I used in building the full model (Mamoli) to do the rigging. I am also a bit leery of creating a build log. I do not have CNC equipment, millers or a lathe (not yet anyway) like many of you do. I am trying to learn how to do 3D printing but the learning curve is rather steep. I do have good power tools but those are wood shop-size. I recently purchased an "X-Y" table for my Dremel drill press stand and have been practicing with it and turning out reasonably looking parts. I have done a considerable amount of research on the VASA including lots of information, drawings, etc., from Dr. Fred Hocker of the VASA Museum in Stockholm. I have saved lots of photos from various build logs for reference use. Still, work by some of you on your VASAs is a bit intimidating. I say that totally in a complimentary way.

So, my quandry is this. I feel that, from reading and following other build logs, I might benefit from the experience of you others, especially other VASA builders, as I progress with the construction of this ship. The vast majority of comments I have read in lots of build logs have been complementary, helpful, insightful and constructive and extremely rarely have negative comments been posted.

I welcome positive comments, especially from those who have built the Corel kit. What ever direction I take, this will be, as we all learn, building a model such as the VASA will require lots of time and patience and the learning of new and/or improved/unexpected skills.
I had the same opinion of that Victory kit, in fact after getting 60% of the hull built, I gave up & sold it. I'm now building Caldercraft version, but even this one is not without faults in materials, & some quality issues. For example, the ship's barge has a davit made up of two shaped pieces of 1.5mm walnut [rubbish], I made one from 3 x 7 solid quality walnut, using my MF 70.
 
As a Vasa builder myself I would love to see your finished version. The experience you would gain from just the rigging alone would be well worth your effort.
With this one, yes! The rigging plan for the Corel VICTORY cross-section I just recently finished was all but useless. I'm glad I kept the rigging sheets from my full sized model as it was very useful in getting a more accurate and substantially rigged model. I'm hoping VASA II will have some information about its rigging and maybe Dr. Hocker may have some suggestions. I have built eight ships now and each one had its rigging challenges. I have a bit of the way to go before I get to that point.
 
Which manufacturer? De Agostini? Artesania Latina? Corel? Mantua?
Corel's VASA. It's 1:100 scale, and the decorations are plated gold, but can be painted if desired. That kit could use extra details because it is simplified a bit, but those are easily added with more sticks of wood. The nice thing is that Corel includes fine quality hardwood.

As built out of the box:
1767963330130.png

Member @md1400cs made an excellent example of a bashed model with this kit:
1767963541208.png
 
Last edited:
Corel's VASA. It's 1:100 scale, and the decorations are plated gold, but can be painted if desired. That kit could use extra details because it is simplified a bit, but those are easily added with more sticks of wood. The nice thing is that Corel includes fine quality hardwood.

As built out of the box:
View attachment 569318

Member @md1400cs made an excellent example of a bashed model with this kit:
View attachment 569319
My Corel version is 1/75. Yes, nice hardwwood but poor instructions and plan dimensions don't always agree with whats in the box.
 
Back
Top