Absolutely beautiful. I have wanted to build a proper wooden ship since I was a child, and have just started to look into what is involved. Your work on this ship is an inspiration.
Really spectacular build! I visited the Victory in 1972 when I was in the US Navy. We tied up in Southampton not far from the Victory. Liberty call sounded and I was off for a tour! What an experience. In later years I built a “from scratch” plank on frame model of the revenue cutter Dallas which actually came out well. I couldn’t imagine building something as complex as this...it would take me a lifetime!
WOW! well done Bill. I have attempted to build the Victory, in standing rigging, from scratch using copies of original drawings. Started in 1978 and it is still a long way from finished, so i know how difficult a project like this can be. Patience patience and more patience is the name of the game.
This is ONE FINE SHIP! I also build 15th to 18th Century Galleon Ships as a hobby and mine are all handmade from scratch and handbuilt. They are each about 2 feet long made out of wood and carved by hand. I have kept some and sold some. Thanks for sharing your talent too!
BEAUTIFUL. One of my doctors, at the V.A. Hospital in Long Beach, CA , was a member of the official U.S. delegation to the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. He had a 15 minute private conversation with Prince Phillip and the Royal Navy gave him a scale model of H.M.S. Victory, in a glass case, made completely out of wood salvaged from the famous ship. He keeps it in his office at the hospital. The model is about two feet long and is beautiful. I took a cell phone picture of it the last time I was there. That baby is PRICELESS.
The last time I was in my doctor's office, I looked more closely at the model of HMS Victory. It's still beautiful, but the workmanship and, especially, the attention to detail, I found to be lacking. I was going to point out, to my doctor, the twin wheels used to steer the ship. Alas, there wasn't a quarter-deck on his model. No wheels, no anti-personnel cannons, no anything.
theoriginalbadblob I've been on that boat its beautiful I've stood Right next to the spot Lord admiral horatio nelson was shot in the back and I've been to the deck he died on
I find very hard to believe that any one was allowed to “salvage “ wood from that ship which is as sacred a monument to the British as the Alamo to Americans. Even if it were permitted, such a prize of wood certainly wasn’t given to any low skill model builder as the one you describe seems to have come from. If such a model exists it would not have been flippantly given away to an American delegate to such a celebrated anniversary that country had nothing to do with. No one that low down the feed trough gets a private audience with an HRH for any amount of time. Your doctor needs his head examined.
I build/paint models for a living but i can only dream of producing something of this quality. Truly amazing. I dont think people really know just how much work goes into a model like this until they try it for themselves.
Awesome is an overused word. This build is simply spectacular. It is truly a piece of museum quality. I’ve been a scale modeller now for 60 years and I would be proud to produce work of this quality
I have been building models since I was 5 years old (I am 30 now)...Ive built hundreds of different types. But, this right here is a damn beautiful piece of art. I would NEVER be able to do this! That ship is absolutely amazing!!!
Just in the process of reading 23 books by Alexander Kent about a fictional Vice Admiral from around the time of Nelson. This model is way beyond my ability but helps bring to life the books. Thank you, it is simply beautiful. Wow!
Since watching your video i have started build a 1/124 thermopylae and it makes me apreciate just how much time and effort goes into these ships compared to the plastic kits. You have done an amazing job of yours keep up the good work.
Hi Bill you nailed it. I live in Portsmouth and make products for the Royal naval heritage museum gift shop using wood taken from HMS Victory during its restoration work. I am really impressed with your craftsmanship, it is a brilliant example of our beloved HMS Victory.. All the best Tony
Beautiful craftsmanship. I haven't seen such great work in a long time. I'm on my second ship build, not even close to this level, so I appreciate the fine work you've done.
Dear Bill, Thank you so very much. It's the most spectacular birthday gift I've ever gotten. If you need for me to pick it up myself, let me know when and I'll drop by when convenient for you.
Я еще помню времена, когда такие модели создавали с нуля. У меня даже настольная книга моделистов была. Правда забыл автора и название)) Сейчас наверное уже нет таких извращенцев
I'm building the same kit. I really like the idea of planking only up to the top of the gun-ports then cutting them out before laying the header plank. My carving hand thanks you, Sir.
That's why I posted them - Glad they helped someone. I know how hard my first one was and how much I could have used more photos of the build. Have fun!!!
Incredible, Bill. I’ve been fortunate enough to tour HMS Victory in dry dock at the historic dockyards in Portsmouth. It’s an amazing ship and yours is a faithful representation.
Hi Bill,lovely job. Artisani Latina sell a model building clamp which is fantastic,like having 3 hands and much better that the old towel. I also make my sails wind swept by using moulds and sugar water or thinned down varnish,gives a more real appeal.
Wow! Now I've seen work that I'll never be able to even dream of equaling. How you did that build in less than 10,000 or so hours is amazing!! Incredible!!
Very nice! The bigger the better! Watch out with those glass tables, one time a hooded crow pecked once at the middle of one of mine and it instantly shattered to hundreds of little pieces.
Congratulations! It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. When I was younger (14/16), made some models of aircraft and ships, but NEVER something so beautiful as well. I admire such a beautiful job as yours. Thanks for reward us with his masterpiece. Applause. Big hug. An admirer of your work, Helder - Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis.
Stunning, Bill. I had an uncle, also named Bill (Hura) that built ships too. Back in the 60's and 70's, He was pretty locally known (Lorain county, Oh).
Absolutely awesome to behold.That is my idea of a proper galleon that really captures the imaginationWonderful to watch it in "fast forward" fashion too!
I'm not hugely into wooden ship modeling but, WOW, that's amazing. I'm just finishing up the titanic and was complaining about the "complicated" rigging.
I am back again. I'm mighty impressed with your work mate. I've just finished my first build (it won't win any awards) but I enjoyed myself making it. I will try a couple more easier models before I will even think about the HMS Victory. I'm retired army, play guitar and am hooked on building wooden model ships. Life's good! LG
This is so cool.. I've always wanted to build a model sailing ship but there are so many beautiful kinds and historic ones I don't know which to spend time on! I love this nice video
