When I started the Occre Victory I thought it might be interesting to compare it to the Caldercraft Victory I made a decade ago. This might help people to decide which of the two models they should go for – it would seem that they are both represent the top of the Victory model range each with a cost in excess of £1k.
Anyway as I am now on the rigging stage of the Occre its about time to give my humble opinion of the plus and minus of each version
So here goes……………….
As you see below I have scored each model using a variety of categories, giving each a score or 1-5 (1 being low and 5 high). As you can see the Occre Victory comes out top with a score of 60 with the Caldercraft having a score of 53. In other words according to my scoring criteria they are both score almost the same. As any project manager would tell you (I am one from the IT world!) scoring is all very well but what counts is what one actually thinks
A big plus with the Occre are the Sails, Oak Hull and the small size. A big big negative is the lack of instructions and terminology just missing. Once you start making the model one forgets all about the posh box it came in (it comes in a custom made wooden box complete with limited edition medals etc). Having just started the rigging my knowledge of the terminology of the Victory is no further forward than when I started – they don’t even mention the various decks, catharpins and futtocks!. I build model to lean about the ship – its not just a collection of wood and metal which is the impression Occre seems to have.
The Caldercraft copperplated hull is a big plus – its really does look good. Also the instructions are simply superb. When I built it I was not an expert builder of models – the most complex model I had made was very simple model ships and planes in my youth. However the instructions enabled me to build it without too much trouble; when I got stuck - which was’nt very often a quick look at this forum put me right.
A comment on the Occre Victory by Neilm is worth noting – he says “Occre just abandons any detail after the main build. Poor customer care, loads of money on the kit and such poor instructions. Shame on them . Avoid this kit if you haven’t the skills to rig.”
He is right on all counts; however I have got to make my mind up. Which model is better..
I have to say for a modeller without too much experience the Caldercraft is the better one to make. This is due to the superb, easy to follow instructions and also the fact that you learn all the nautical terminology.
For the more experienced modeller I have to say its rather a toss up between the two. To simplify matters – if you want sails chose Occre, for a copper bottom choose Caldercraft
What do you all think??,. Let the debate start
I do like making a Victory – am very tempted to make a cross section – but that’s next years project as I guess the rigging on the Occre will take me into Feb/March next year.
Have put photos of the two models side by side so you can make your own mind up
Category |
Details
O – Occre
C - Caldercraft |
Occre |
Caldercraft |
Cost |
O – approx. £1,250 – but you do get sails
C – approx. £1,050 – copper bottom |
5 |
4 |
Size |
O – Scale 1:87. 1172 long, 785 high
C – Scale 1:72. 1385mm long, 940 high |
5 |
5 |
Hull - Ribs |
O – Oak exposed so can see ribs construction
C – Plywood so more accurate and quicker to build |
5 |
4 |
Main Cabin |
O – Windows better and metalwork easier to fit (no individual items)
C – Metal work all pre formed so looks more accurate |
4 |
3 |
Guns |
O – Provide jig so easier to make carriages. Every gun has a gun carriage. However no side tackles
C – Lower guns fit into hole in plywood ribs. However side tackles are provided |
4 |
4 |
Fittings |
C – more metal fittings provided – ie Oars, hooks for rigging |
3 |
5 |
Plans and instructions |
O – Instructions do not mention any nautical terms and just do not cover the rigging at all
C – Very good instructions, really detailed ‘how to do’ . Plan also good complete with dimension’s for masts |
2 |
5 |
Jigs |
O – Lots of jigs provided (they are needed for the rib construction)
C – Cannot remember if provided. Does not matter as everything fitted. |
5 |
3 |
Rigging materials |
O – Not as many different sets of threads as Caldercraft |
3 |
4 |
Sails |
O – Full set of sails
C – No sails |
5 |
0 |
Historical accuracy |
Gun ports are not flush on both models
I do not know enough to make a comparison / judgement on either model |
3 |
3 |
Bulwarks |
O – Netting provided which make bulwarks look good |
4 |
3 |
Masts and spars |
C – Overwhelming advantage in making due to dimensions on drawings.
O - Do not provide large blocks for fitting spars.
Also mast cross sections not as detailed |
2 |
5 |
Quality of materials |
Cannot really differentiate between the two.
Yes Occre has oak ribs but Caldercraft has a copper bottom |
5 |
5 |
Stand |
O – Rather nice Oak stand with legs to mount the completed model on
C – You have to make your own! |
5 |
0 |
|
Total score |
60 |
53 |
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