Couple of things Harry. 1) Seeing your stash of unbuilt models makes me feel soooo much better about my 'pile of shame' of which the HMS Victory is a part. 2) there are some outstanding photo etch that do the kit real justice. A little tip- change out all of the masts and especially spars for actual wood. by the time you do reasonable prep of the plastic you could have done a replacement in wood which has MANY advantages. Thanks for the presentations!
never done a ship kit before i normally do planes and armour but you have got me into doing a ship kit just have to get my head round rigging you bugger thanks harry going to enjoy this.
Thanks Nik. Did you watch my series on the Revell Bounty? I went into great detail about the rigging and chaptered each line and knot for quick reference.
Thanks for the review! I bought the Heller kit about 25 years ago as a retirement project and your review has now gto me motivated to get working on this kit!
Those deck edge planks you mentioned are called "nibbing strakes". They follow the inboard edges of the frames, the deck planks are then "nibbed" into them to give that sawtooth appearance.
That kit (Heller) is very very good right OOB... And yes, its a daunting task to build it as it is but with the PE sets is insane! On the obter hands once (,or if) finished its a work of a life time! Great review Harry!
Thanks Alex.. your Victory will be a masterpiece once you add all those extra parts… luckily you are younger than me so have many more years left in you to finish it.
A good supplementary book to have is "The Anatomy Of The Ship HMS Victory" by John McKay. It shows a breakdown of the ships construction and a comprehensive list of her rigging, including rope and block sizes. 119 pages all with illustrations.
Yes, costing more than I paid for the kit. I have plenty of books on square rigging model ships. But I agree, John McKay’s books are brilliant, if not a tad expensive.
Oh how wonderfull! i started mine [same release] in 1984, took me three years to get off page 4!![yaeh, i'm slow-was spending 5-6 hours per gun!]It really is the best plastic sail warship i have ever found! One flaw i had to fix, the Mizzen [3rd mast] will NOT slide in to the decks if done as per instructions! the poop deck hole does NOT line up with the below decks ones- i had to widen the upper deck hole into a slot, then make a deck cover for the extra open area, otherwise superb kit- I will send you some photos, Harry! PLease build this, it's WORTH the effort--
I was given a Heller French Royal trireme in the same scale 12 years ago. It’s only now that I feel my modelling skills are up to it while time has taken its toll on the eyes. Excellent review !
I remember reading that the Victory was repainted fairly recently with an as accurate version of Trafalger colour scheme as possible today, based on historical research.
Well some clever clogs managed to peel back layers of paint and found a salmon/pink layer they think was dated to the time of Trafalgar.. but paints back then were not as colourfast as paint chemistry today. So I believe this whole pink Victory idea is just a big mistake. Mine will be yellow as Queen Victoria enjoyed it.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Yellow(ish) and dark grey is the current theory. I did visit the habour but didnt get close to Victory (we had a guided group tour around HMAS Anzac, which was more than I got from any RN ship !).
I've done this one 3 times now .the last ones hull is in yellow oneside the other the pink colour.So if anyone bitches about the colour I just turn her around
Sorry to hear you’re feeling crook Harry. Rest up and recover, because health comes before everything else - even modelling !! 😀😀 Hope ya soon feeling much better. 👍👍
@@HarryHoudiniModels We’re none of us twenty-five any more, Harry …. but as an homage to your recent Gooch ….. “She’ll be roit, mate” !! Take it easy, ya young Turk !! 🤪🤪👍👍
Great review Harry, and good luck with your health - hope it's not bubonic. Don't throw away the Vacuform sails if you do not use them. I'll buy them off you. I aim to build the Heller Victory one day, when I retire, and it's always good to have a spare sail or two with a kit of that magnitude.
Great review, hope you are feeling better soon. I have three versions of this kit including original box, recent box and the airfix rebox. Still not got the guts to even attempt one of them.
@@HarryHoudiniModels the original box I've had a look at as it was open, I've not looked at both the recent box and the airfix boxes are still sealed just in case a swap ever arises.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Ok Harry, I caved. Picked up the Airfix 1:180 version. Only half the size of yours but going over its specs, there is plenty here to keep me occupied for ages with it! Already thinking of cutting the windows out and putting in some clear plastic sheet behind them then build a wee cabin to look in on as there is room in the stern, even in this smaller kit.
hi harry ,, good revue ,, i am about 2/3 of the the way through this kit ,, really is a good build ,, gonna get some cloth sails for it ,, think thats the way to go , imo ,, my only minor niggle with the kit is the instructions ,, which do need to be bigger , the numbers on the rigging diagram ,, just too small ,, that said , she is a challenge to build but looks the buisness , enjoy your build mate :))
Thanks for showing this model that I bought many years ago and never assembled it! For your curiosity the entrance was only fitted after the battle of Trafalgar when designated as the Port admiral's flagship possibly around 1822. Anyway thanks for sharing and take care 👍👍
Just a slightly crazy thought for you. 1:100 is more or less the same as what wargamers call 15mm. You could go nuts on the upper decks of this thing adding crew. Stonewall Figures in the UK do Napoleonic RN sailors & marines.
The cat looks very interested 😛 Nice looking kit. Just had a look at this on eBay UK and it’s showing up at £170 abouts 😬 A few more kits of the French fighting ship. Thanks for the info.
The Victory in this scale is never cheap, and the recent releases are a lot more flashy plus have even softer plastic. Comparatively I got a bargain, but it was the most I had ever paid for a sailing ship model at the time.
Just picked up one of these for $70. Probably above my skill level at this stage but I couldn't resist. Any idea where you can get the Imai instructions Harry?
I have that model. It goes well with the 1/96 scale USS Constitution. They are 3% different scale, and at those scales basically indifferent to the human eye. Painting the sun yellow paint detail is probably the most difficult part of building her. It is easier to paint the yellow and paint the black on top.
My good God I never knew there was sailing ship plastic it this big for sailing ship, this is bigger than the revel Uss constitution I think. Also on ebay I've seen the Uss Sasquahanna Steam sailing frigate by Imai, it's bit pricy but may want to check it out
The Imai ship kits are on the whole very good, better than Heller. And yes this Victory is the biggest and best plastic sailing ship kit you can currently buy.
I am just about to start i am watching your you tube video i found that as well with the instructions what was that web site for the instructions again emay was it?
Ships are beyond my skill level. I have only 2 ship kits in my stash, both 1/350 scale. The Pyotr Velikiy and an S-Boot. If a 1/100 CSS Alabama were to become available, then I would consider a sailing ship.
Got this kit a couple years ago (same boxing as yours) second hand but box was in good knick and still sealed - very disappointed when opened everything good, except the hull - the bow had gone all brittle, very tiny pieces 1 to 5 mm and 70mm of bow gone just handling it made it worse don't know if it was a manufacturing issue or storage issue, I have heaps of kits in my stash (some just as old) and never seen anything like this. Funny thing is the vac sails are all like new
Couple of things Harry. 1) Seeing your stash of unbuilt models makes me feel soooo much better about my 'pile of shame' of which the HMS Victory is a part. 2) there are some outstanding photo etch that do the kit real justice. A little tip- change out all of the masts and especially spars for actual wood. by the time you do reasonable prep of the plastic you could have done a replacement in wood which has MANY advantages. Thanks for the presentations!
You can put a metal rod between the mast halves to strengthen them, but I agree that replacing thin bendy plastic yards is a good idea
never done a ship kit before i normally do planes and armour but you have got me into doing a ship kit just have to get my head round rigging you bugger thanks harry going to enjoy this.
Thanks Nik. Did you watch my series on the Revell Bounty? I went into great detail about the rigging and chaptered each line and knot for quick reference.
@@HarryHoudiniModels not yet mate ill have a watch of that cheers
I can't belive it. I visited the Victory a few days ago and bought this kit as a result. Now you're reviewing it. Excellent.
Synchronicity Eddie
Thanks for the review! I bought the Heller kit about 25 years ago as a retirement project and your review has now gto me motivated to get working on this kit!
Good to hear, I hope you enjoy the build
Those deck edge planks you mentioned are called "nibbing strakes". They follow the inboard edges of the frames, the deck planks are then "nibbed" into them to give that sawtooth appearance.
Thanks Robert… Yes that rings a bell.
That kit (Heller) is very very good right OOB... And yes, its a daunting task to build it as it is but with the PE sets is insane! On the obter hands once (,or if) finished its a work of a life time! Great review Harry!
Thanks Alex.. your Victory will be a masterpiece once you add all those extra parts… luckily you are younger than me so have many more years left in you to finish it.
A good supplementary book to have is "The Anatomy Of The Ship HMS Victory" by John McKay. It shows a breakdown of the ships construction and a comprehensive list of her rigging, including rope and block sizes. 119 pages all with illustrations.
Yes, costing more than I paid for the kit. I have plenty of books on square rigging model ships. But I agree, John McKay’s books are brilliant, if not a tad expensive.
Oh how wonderfull! i started mine [same release] in 1984, took me three years to get off page 4!![yaeh, i'm slow-was spending 5-6 hours per gun!]It really is the best plastic sail warship i have ever found! One flaw i had to fix, the Mizzen [3rd mast] will NOT slide in to the decks if done as per instructions! the poop deck hole does NOT line up with the below decks ones- i had to widen the upper deck hole into a slot, then make a deck cover for the extra open area, otherwise superb kit- I will send you some photos, Harry! PLease build this, it's WORTH the effort--
I will when I have the back log of 20 kits in progress out of the way. That kit needs time and dedication. I have neither right now.
I was given a Heller French Royal trireme in the same scale 12 years ago. It’s only now that I feel my modelling skills are up to it while time has taken its toll on the eyes. Excellent review !
Thanks Gerry… these big Heller ships take some skill and patience to complete
I remember reading that the Victory was repainted fairly recently with an as accurate version of Trafalger colour scheme as possible today, based on historical research.
Well some clever clogs managed to peel back layers of paint and found a salmon/pink layer they think was dated to the time of Trafalgar.. but paints back then were not as colourfast as paint chemistry today. So I believe this whole pink Victory idea is just a big mistake. Mine will be yellow as Queen Victoria enjoyed it.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Yellow(ish) and dark grey is the current theory. I did visit the habour but didnt get close to Victory (we had a guided group tour around HMAS Anzac, which was more than I got from any RN ship !).
I've done this one 3 times now .the last ones hull is in yellow oneside the other the pink colour.So if anyone bitches about the colour I just turn her around
Sorry to hear you’re feeling crook Harry. Rest up and recover, because health comes before everything else - even modelling !! 😀😀
Hope ya soon feeling much better. 👍👍
I forget I’m not twenty five anymore so over do things then pay the price. A few days rest and I should be right as rain.
@@HarryHoudiniModels We’re none of us twenty-five any more, Harry …. but as an homage to your recent Gooch ….. “She’ll be roit, mate” !!
Take it easy, ya young Turk !! 🤪🤪👍👍
Great review Harry, and good luck with your health - hope it's not bubonic. Don't throw away the Vacuform sails if you do not use them. I'll buy them off you. I aim to build the Heller Victory one day, when I retire, and it's always good to have a spare sail or two with a kit of that magnitude.
I’ll use the vacform sails as templates for cloth ones, if I decide to have sails on her.
Great review, hope you are feeling better soon. I have three versions of this kit including original box, recent box and the airfix rebox. Still not got the guts to even attempt one of them.
Thanks mate… do you notice a difference in the plastic quality between the different boxings?
@@HarryHoudiniModels the original box I've had a look at as it was open, I've not looked at both the recent box and the airfix boxes are still sealed just in case a swap ever arises.
They were able to do some excellent 3D parts even without fancy slide-molding
They had craftsmen make a very detailed model first, then they moulded off that.
Thats a real beauty. I have the smaller Airfix Victory in my stash that I will build sometime down the road. Hope you get better soon.
Thanks Mark… yes slowly getting back to normal.
I’m still here and following you Harry and haven’t commented lately as I’m doing the house up here Thailand before the hot season arrives!😬
Hi Rusty… wondered where you got to.. yes get that roof on and the aircon installed!
Always good to have a size comparison...
That’s very true.
Always a great video. I hope you get well soon.
Thank you
One hell of a fine kit, from what I've heard. There's a built one in a hobby shop in my area.
One to enjoy in the retirement home, as I drool from the meds and need help getting on my zimmer frame.
This is so beyond my abilities. Maybe, one day, I might attempt a smaller version!
Mine too right now… it’s a retirement build for me
@@HarryHoudiniModels Ok Harry, I caved. Picked up the Airfix 1:180 version. Only half the size of yours but going over its specs, there is plenty here to keep me occupied for ages with it! Already thinking of cutting the windows out and putting in some clear plastic sheet behind them then build a wee cabin to look in on as there is room in the stern, even in this smaller kit.
hi harry ,, good revue ,, i am about 2/3 of the the way through this kit ,, really is a good build ,, gonna get some cloth sails for it ,, think thats the way to go , imo ,, my only minor niggle with the kit is the instructions ,, which do need to be bigger , the numbers on the rigging diagram ,, just too small ,, that said , she is a challenge to build but looks the buisness , enjoy your build mate :))
Thanks Monster
Great video... brought back happy memories of my build. It took 9 months to berth. (Birth?). Hope you're feeling better, Harry!
You did well to complete her in 9 months Rupert. I suppose it was all you did night and day?
@@HarryHoudiniModels lockdown... plenty of off time... yeah it was pretty full on. That Victory kept me sane!
holy shit Harry, that's a big kit will comment when I'm sober
Yes please Paul. Never drink and use a modelling knife.
Thanks for showing this model that I bought many years ago and never assembled it! For your curiosity the entrance was only fitted after the battle of Trafalgar when designated as the Port admiral's flagship possibly around 1822. Anyway thanks for sharing and take care 👍👍
Glad I could help. Thanks Paolo
@@HarryHoudiniModels you are welcome 👍 👍
Heller did some huge kits back in the day. I have their 1:35 Super Frelon helicopter (1989 release with Exocet) somewhere in the stash.
That would be a monster
@@HarryHoudiniModels The body would be approx, 56cm long.
Good luck with the rigging blocks they're r fun.
Not my first square rigged ship… I know the pain, but it will be fine once finished
I dit build this kit in the late 80's. once glued the mast's are just fine. no need to add a steel rod or replace these with wood
Thanks Vincent.. Good to know.
looking forward to this build mate, The flags on the box art need to make their minds up though.
Must have been a squall…LOL
awesome video as always sir
Thank you Charlemagne
Nifty...hvg a look now Harry...
Thanks Bill
Now you've done Harry going by the comments...Let's Go...Build It! Maybe a separate sideline build for a few years?
I already have 20 sideline builds! No. The Victory is for my retirement when I can spend all my time on her.
Just a slightly crazy thought for you. 1:100 is more or less the same as what wargamers call 15mm. You could go nuts on the upper decks of this thing adding crew. Stonewall Figures in the UK do Napoleonic RN sailors & marines.
I’m already considered nuts, but yes that could be done..
Good idea adding stiffeners inside the masts/yards....I had forgotten that technique ;-)
There you go. Stops droopy dick syndrome.
The cat looks very interested 😛
Nice looking kit. Just had a look at this on eBay UK and it’s showing up at £170 abouts 😬 A few more kits of the French fighting ship.
Thanks for the info.
The Victory in this scale is never cheap, and the recent releases are a lot more flashy plus have even softer plastic. Comparatively I got a bargain, but it was the most I had ever paid for a sailing ship model at the time.
Just picked up one of these for $70. Probably above my skill level at this stage but I couldn't resist. Any idea where you can get the Imai instructions Harry?
You could try Hismodel
www.hismodel.com/victory-20
This link has them, scroll down
bishophobbies.com/2016/05/18/hms-victory-imai-or-heller-1-100/
@@HarryHoudiniModels legend Harry thanks so much.
Holy heck thats huge! Did you see alex did the copper tape and it looked good, going to try it when i start mine
Yes, that copper tape looks like a great way to do the lower hull
@@HarryHoudiniModels it looks better than paint but i am more worried about how the edge looks. Need to try and just see what edge is left
I have that model. It goes well with the 1/96 scale USS Constitution. They are 3% different scale, and at those scales basically indifferent to the human eye.
Painting the sun yellow paint detail is probably the most difficult part of building her. It is easier to paint the yellow and paint the black on top.
Rule #1 of painting order... lightest colours first then work towards black as your final layer.
@@HarryHoudiniModels yea, I did it backwards on that rear window area and quickly figured it out.
I can hear you now since I turned up the volume
I didn’t shout much in this video, as there have been complaints. Not from my neighbours, but the watcher of Boobtube.
My good God I never knew there was sailing ship plastic it this big for sailing ship, this is bigger than the revel Uss constitution I think. Also on ebay I've seen the Uss Sasquahanna Steam sailing frigate by Imai, it's bit pricy but may want to check it out
The Imai ship kits are on the whole very good, better than Heller. And yes this Victory is the biggest and best plastic sailing ship kit you can currently buy.
I am just about to start i am watching your you tube video i found that as well with the instructions what was that web site for the instructions again emay was it?
Imai may have some…
You can buy as many Kits as your wallet says it's OK and Gato doesn't go hungry 😎
Little chance of that, she’s very spoilt
Ships are beyond my skill level. I have only 2 ship kits in my stash, both 1/350 scale. The Pyotr Velikiy and an S-Boot. If a 1/100 CSS Alabama were to become available, then I would consider a sailing ship.
Revell do a C.S.S. Alabama in 1:96 scale Ken.
@@HarryHoudiniModels THANKS!!! Will check it out!!
Got this kit a couple years ago (same boxing as yours) second hand but box was in good knick and still sealed - very disappointed when opened everything good, except the hull - the bow had gone all brittle, very tiny pieces 1 to 5 mm and 70mm of bow gone just handling it made it worse don't know if it was a manufacturing issue or storage issue, I have heaps of kits in my stash (some just as old) and never seen anything like this. Funny thing is the vac sails are all like new
How strange… I wonder if it was stored near some toxic chemicals which leached the plastic causing the brittleness.
@@HarryHoudiniModels don't know but when I got the kit it looked brand new still sealed - very strange
Have you tried contacting Heller to see if you can get a replacement part?
@@HarryHoudiniModels never gave it a thought being second hand kit - certainly worth a go
thats a load of ship Harry
It certainly is Sammy.
Start building it please
Sure. As soon as I retire.