I’ve got Revell’s 1/450 Victory on order…should be here next week. The ratlines on the kit are injection molded and look obviously over-size. Anyone have suggestions for a dedicated, or generic set of PE ratlines in a scale close enough? Otherwise, I’ll have to use a really sharp blade and scrape the plastic thinner. Not really looking forward to that.
Victory is mine!! Just arrived yesterday. Model isn’t bad, but could use some detailing. In 1/450 the hull is around 6" long, and around 8" over the bowsprit. In Revell’s infinite wisdom, they decided to mold entire masts, including spars and yardarms, in one single section. As a result, at least on my example, they are garbage, being warped and bowed in every direction, not to mention being slightly off register. Trying to straighten them is not an option, but a fool’s errand! I shall have to replace all the masts, etc. with styrene, or brass rod. The sails are pretty crappy, too, and I will have to replace them with tissue. I ordered some PE 1/350 ratlines, so we will see if they fit.
BTW, this is definitely NOT the video to watch as a tutorial!! youtube 1/450 victory - Google Search
I have seen some really nice models made out of that lump of plastic. The PE ratlines will be a huge improvement. Brass masts, spars and yardarms will make rigging much easier, but I cannot think of anyone making a set. Master models makes some generic brass masts and yardarms and offers them in sets, perhaps they can be of use.
I’ve got these ratlines: 1/350 Ratlines Various Sizes for All Rigged Ships NW35045 | eBay on the way - hopefully some of them will fit. I’m not going to the expense of turned brass masts, etc.; they’re going to be DIY.
I am considering the resently reissued Revel 1/96th HMS Beagle, a smaller simpler rig, It is a long time since I completed a fully rigged sailing ship, and I think Beagle will be a good one to relearn the skills. I shall be following along for rigging tips.
Cheers, Si
I bought that kit several years ago. It looked like a large enough model to have detail, yet small enough to be a manageable build and not take up a lot of space. It’s still sitting in it’s box, partly due to laziness, but mostly due to the fact that Revell decided to put over a dozen pin marks (some sunken, and some raised) all over the top surface of the deck ! It will take some cutting, a lot of sanding, and a lot of re-engraving of plank lines. Some sink holes to fill, too. Or maybe there’s a wood deck available. Meanwhile, mine’s languishing in it’s box.
Actually, there is: Wood Deck for 1/96 HMS Beagle (fits Revell kit) from Scaledecks.com [LCD-09] | eBay Don’t know why I didn’t look sooner!
That does look rather nice indeed. The heads up is much appreciated. I did try and have a look on Scaledecks.EU, which are closed for maintenance at the moment. I will hang on for a bit, if they re-open, it will be a saving in postage, plus no duty or handling charge (Ransom) from the Royal Mail to order it via them.
Cheers, Si