The Ship Model Forum

The hull for H.M.S. Victorious, is now in the holding area of No1 Drydock, awaiting the slipway, which is presently occupied by H.M.S. Marlborough.

As Marlborough slowly progresses, work will start shortly on strengthening the Vic's hull, by fitting its internal keel, frames and supportig frame work, which will form the supports for the gallery decks, quarterdeck and flight deck.

A 190 mile round trip was taken today, to collect this mighty monster of a hull, which measures 95 inches in length, 14 inch beam and a depth of almost 10 inches from keel to flight deck level.

I was originally going to scratchbuild this hull, but considering the cost of materials, I would not be saving all that much, as against an already proven hull, which has all the plating, porthole, gallery deck opening detail, sponsons, outriggers and an island superstructure/funnel, separate moulding, included in the price. This has saved me at least six months work.

The rest of the ship will be completely scratchbuilt, which should take at least 2 years to complete, as there is lot's of work to do on a model of this size.

So here are a few Preview Shots of the unworked hull, which itself, has lots of preparation work to be done on it. like cutting out all the Upper & Lower Gallery Deck openings. She will be fitted with three prop shafts, with central 5 blade prop and outer 3 blade props as per the original ship.

I have not taken any photos of the Island & Funnel mouldings as these are just the basic shapes and need lot's of detailing work, before they will ressemble a proper superstructure.













Enjoy Victorious

Hi,

thats bigger than my bath tub

What make is the hull ? and I am looking forward to the build

Regards,
Mark D.

That is some work you�ve got ahead!

Hi Geoff HOW DID YOU GET SUCH A HULL IN THE CAR? It's truly awesome . This is a project of a life time I look forward to any postings on the build. What period are you modelling at, go on please say the mid 50s. Victorious at her best .
Dave Wooley

Heh heh - I can see my dear wife's face now if I came home with that little beauty.

Looking forward to this one Geoff.

Get in there Geoff, carriers, carriers, carriers!
Check my Abe Lincoln out on my site, she'll eat Vic for breakfast, LOL.

To all who don't know yet, watch out for HMS hermes in 1/96th comming soon, May we think? 93 and a half inches long, Falklands fit, Hull and plan.

Incomming, Paul...

This build is going to be one of the highlights when it starts, looking forward to it. Keep us up to date Geoff

Precariously perched there, Geoff!! Better be careful!

Have fun with her!

And just how many planes will you be doing for her?

Anonymous wrote:This build is going to be one of the highlights when it starts, looking forward to it. Keep us up to date Geoff

Im looking forward to this one also, Geoff might teach me a few things for a change, . ARH

I am overwhelmed by all the response this hull has created already. So let me answer all your questions.

What make is it? (or who produces it sounds more appropiate).

It is a Deans Marine Hull, actually made from plans of one of the Illustrious class H.M.S. Idefatagable, back in 1987. The first modell was built during that year and it broke the World Endurance record at Stevenage, by sailing 36 hours continuously, running two props with four 12 volt car batteries aboard and 2 Austin Metro Car Heater Motors. This record still stands for a 1/96 scale warship. Since that date, only eleven hulls have been sold by Deans Marine and mine is Hull No12.

How did I get it in my car?
With great difficulty Actualy, quite simple. The front passenger seat backrest was reclined right back, to almost horizontal, after the rear seat backrest had been folded flat, this gave me a total loading space of 9ft 6ins, from front footwell to tailgate hatch,thus having 18 inches to spare.

What period am I going to model her?
Not exactly sure yet, as I would like to model it as built, with Fairey Swordfish, but may opt for the period, post war when she flew Supermarine Hurricanes.

Deans Marine are currently working on a brand new Aircraft Carrier Kit in 1/96 scale of one of the Escort Carriers H.M.S. Fencer. This will be ready for 2007. For this kit, they are making 1/96 scale aircraft of about six different models, which will be available as separate kits ( no release date yet for these). I was shown a completed model on my visit today, and some of the aircraft master's and they look pretty good. Here is a pic of the real H.M.S.Fencer.

Swordfish get my vote!

Stephen Larsen wrote:Swordfish get my vote!

Yes they were the backbone of the British Carrier Fleet during the war and it was one of those that crippled the Bismark.
I like the old Walrus too, and Victorious carried two of those right up to the early fifities. Whatever period I decide to build her in, she will have a few Swordfish on deck for display.

Hi Geoff Victorious in the 1950s embarked the hansome Scimitar and superb Sea Vixen now that the period. You know you are making me itchy to get on with the Soviet carrier KIEV but that will have to wait a few more weeks yet. Only problem for KIEV is that no 1:144 YAk 36 aircraft model exist any were so its down to good old scratch building.
Carriers you've got to love em !
Dave Wooley

Hi Vic
Good luck with those supermairne harricanes
gary r uk

Rock on Geoff.

Good luck!

HOT DAMN!

WOW!!! That is some hull you have there. Whan are you going to start building it? Are you going to show how you do each part like you have with the Marlborough, with lots of pictures?
I just love the old aircraft carriers with lots of armour on them. Good luck, you have a lot of work ahead of you

Bill Waldorf wrote:Good luck!

Thank's Bill, if it turns out half as good as your Wolverine, I will be more than happy

To answer the Guest's question.

I will be making a start on this model when I have got a bit further with my present build, maybe about mid summer, although I may start to get the hull strenthenig done pretty soon, as this will prevent any slight warping that could happen with such a long hull, which is quite flexible as it stands at the moment.

Yes, I hope to show lot's of pictures, of each stage of the build, like I have done with Marlborough.

Looking forward to this article when it kicks off