Home
Corel kit build
Scratch build Practicum (future)

Practicum - H.M.S. Victory cross section

Page Navigator

General Information

References used for research and source information:

Acquisition of these two books is necessary in order to make use of this practicum.


The Corel kit provided 2 hull halves made of plywood, 25 layers thick. The fore/aft length of hull sections are about 61mm, which equates to about 19.58’ on the ship. This dimension matches the hull segment between the centers of ribs (B) and 5 on the plans in Longridge and McKay, and is quite fine on paper.  This is reflected by the blue indices on the image at left.  Placing the fore and aft ends of the kit hull section at these stations, which are the mating surfaces between sister frames at the stations, results in the aft end of the kit part being about 6’ forward of the aft faces of all the deck beams just aft of the main mast on all decks. Following the kit plan will result in the necessity of eliminating many operational parts of the ship and misplacement of the supporting pillars between the decks.

The intention in this build is to section the hull to span from the aft face of frame 85 to the fore face of frame 68 (McKay). This section is delineated with the red indices on the image at left.

This expansion of the hull section will facilitate the inclusion of much more detail in the completed model, not the least of which will be the Fore Brace Bits. The intended deviations, relative to the Corel kit, are documented below.

(McKay, page 39, plate A4)

  

(top)

Planned enhancements (relative to Corel kit SM24)

As with any project that requires a plan, the project plan is a guide. Albeit, it is most desirable that the plan be as complete and accurate as possible. However, during the course of implementing the plan there well be inevitable adjustments that must be made. The discoveries and happenings of actual construction of this cross section of the H.M.S. Victory will result in deviations from the plan, and alterations to the plan. Nonetheless, the objective is to keep to the plan as much as possible and practical.

General

  1. Extend cross section length to run from the fore face of frame 68, the first filler frame fore of Frame (B), to the aft face of frame 85, inclusive. Frame 85 is the first filler frame aft of Frame 5 (both McKay and Longridge). The final length of the hull section, faced with ribs will be 3" (24' 6" on the Victory).
  2. Cap both ends of cross section with built up frames representative of a full frame set of the ship to illustrate construction of the scarf joined frames of the period.
  3. Keel construction in the kit does not accurately reflect the Keel, False Keel, Sole Plate, Keelson, Deadwood, Limber Passage, Limber Board, Limber Strake and Garboard Strake. Use built up keel and end pieces to model the Keel, False Keel and Sole Plate pieces.
  4. Add the Limber Passage and related parts (not included in Corel kit).
  5. Deck framing in the kit is very generalized. Since deck framing will be visible from below, the decks will be framed out according to deck plan data from McKay and Longridge. This will include beam arms, lodging knees, deck beams, carlings, hanging knees, ledges, etc.
  6. Include inner hull planking ventilation gaps per Longridge (pp25, figure 14).

    (top)

Hold area

  1. Add the Riders (McKay, pp46, part 30) found in the hold atop the inner hull planking. Add Rider (sister framing construction fore of Station 3, and the forward half of the Rider sister framing at Frame 85 at aft end of cross section, and the aft half of the Rider sister at frame 68. Refer to McKay, pp25, photo 11. The Corel kit does not include any Riders.
  2. The Corel kit does not include hold Platforms (McKay pp46, part 9). Add Port and Starboard platforms for full length of cross section per McKay and Longridge. Refer also to McKay photo 11.
  3. Pillar placements in hold area will be done as per McKay. Pillar profiles will be alters to reflect actual profiles illustrated by McKay (pp25, photo 11) and Longridge. The Corel kits employs brass sole and top plates for simple pillars that are inconsistent with actual pillar construction.
  4. The main mast step will be added to the hold per McKay (pp46, part 18) and Longridge (pp63, Plan 4). The step is not included in the Corel kit.
  5. Construct hold well (McKay pp 46, part 11) and part of shot locker (McKay pp 46, part 31). Longridge shows shot lockers fore and aft of the well (Plan 1, pp20). The hold well will also include provision for the shafts of the Elm Tree pumps and bilge chain pumps. None of these elements are included in the Corel kit.

    (top)

Orlop Deck (E) framing and plan

  1. Deck framing will be assembled according to framing plan B13 in the McKay book (pp56) as opposed to the simplified deck framing in the Corel kit.
  2. The deck planking layout on the Orlop deck will be altered to match that shown by McKay (pp44, fig A10). Planking on the Orlop deck was let into the tops of the deck beams and not fastened down to permit quick removal to gain access to areas in the hold as necessary.
  3. The pump room that contains the shafts of the bilge and elm tree pumps (McKay (pp44, fig A10) will be added to the deck. This room, and the pumps, were omitted in the Corel kit.
  4. A portion of the bulkhead of Midshipmen’s berth on the port side of Orlop deck (McKay, pp44 fig A10) will be added to the deck fixtures. Omitted in Corel kit.
  5. Deck gratings will be added to the deck to match the plan by McKay (pp44, fig A10). Omitted in Corel kit.
  6. Add a grate fore of the main mast on the Orlop deck rather than the open hatch of the Corel kit. (McKay, pp44, A10).
  7. Revise Pillar placements on Orlop deck as per McKay (pp44, A10). Size and shape the pillars as shown in McKay and Longridge photo illustrations and plans.
  8. Disregard Corel kit parts 13 and 14 as show on the kit plan for deck E (Orlop deck). These are not required and are replaced by the pump room.
  9. Disregard Corel kit part 12 as show on the kit plan for deck E (Orlop). No waterway was utilized on the Orlop deck.

    (top)

Lower Deck (D) framing and plan, aka Gun Deck

  1. Deck framing will be assembled according to framing plan B12 in the McKay book (pp56) as opposed to the simplified deck framing in the Corel kit.
  2. Bilge chain pump housings will be constructed and added to the deck as per McKay plan A9 (pp44). Refer also to Plate 24 in Longridge for a very good photograph of the main mast, chain pumps, crank, and elm tree pump as viewed from starboard and slightly fore of pump area. Refer also to Plate 22 in Longridge for view from port side fore of fore capstan (note fire buckets and bulkhead between fore chain pump and main hatch).
  3. Starboard side Elm Tree pump will be added per McKay (pp44, A9) and Longridge Plate 24.
  4. Revise Pillar placements on Lower deck as per McKay (pp44, A9). Size and shape the pillars as shown in McKay and Longridge photo illustrations and plans.
  5. Discard all parts in the kit plan for the companionways leading down from the Lower deck (D) to the Orlop deck (E). These companionways do not exist at this location on the Victory.
  6. Construct the main hatch fore of the main mast, along with the related shot garlands.
  7. Add 6 bolts and rings to deck as shown on A9 in McKay (pp44).
  8. Waterways will be shaped according to data in McKay and Longridge to the extent possible, and will abut the inner face of the ribs while resting atop the deck beams rather than abutting inner planking as shown in the Corel kit plan.

    (top)

Middle Deck (C) framing and plan

  1. Deck framing will be assembled according to framing plan B11 in the McKay book (pp54) as opposed to the simplified deck framing in the Corel kit.
  2. Revise Pillar placements on Middle deck as per McKay (pp42, A8). Size and shape the pillars as shown in McKay and Longridge photo illustrations and plans.
  3. Add Fore Brace Bitts (McKay, pp38, part 41) that begin on the Middle deck and extend up through the Quarterdeck.
  4. Add the port side Elm Tree pump shaft.
  5. Add 2 bolts and rings to deck beside main hatch as per McKay plan A8 (pp42).
  6. Waterways will be shaped according to data in McKay and Longridge to the extent possible, and will abut the inner face of the ribs while resting atop the deck beams rather than abutting inner planking as shown in the Corel kit plan.
  7. Entry port gratings will be added atop the deck planking for both port and starboard entry ports. Refer to McKay (pp42, A8) and Longridge (Plate 27).

    (top)

Upper Deck (B) framing and plan

  1. Deck framing will be assembled according to framing plan B10 in the McKay book (pp54) as opposed to the simplified deck framing in the Corel kit.
  2. Revise Pillar placements on Upper deck as per McKay (pp42, A8). Size and shape the pillars as shown in McKay and Longridge photo illustrations and plans.
  3. Accommodate Fore Brace Bitts (McKay, pp38, part 41) that begin on the Middle deck and extend up through the Quarterdeck.
  4. Add the port side Elm Tree pump.
  5. Add 4 bolts and rings to deck beside main hatch as per McKay plan A7 (pp42).
  6. Waterways will be shaped according to data in McKay and Longridge to the extent possible, and will abut the inner face of the ribs while resting atop the deck beams rather than abutting inner planking as shown in the Corel kit plan.

    (top)

Quarter Deck (A) framing and plan

  1. Deck framing will be assembled according to framing plan B9 in the McKay book (pp52) as opposed to the simplified deck framing in the Corel kit.
  2. Add Fore Brace Bits, affixed to aft face of Quarterdeck beam 85. Fore Brace Bits extend down to the Middle deck from the Quarterdeck.
  3. Rib extensions will be added from frame 81 to frame 85, inclusive, to extend the sides of the hull to the proper height. Refer to McKay (pp36, plate A3; pp48, plate B1/2; pp76, plate C18, pp78, plate C19).
  4. The gangways from the Quarterdeck down to the Upper deck will consist of 9 steps rather than 5. Reference McKay (pp75, plate C17) and McKay photo 14.

    (top)

Hull, External

  1. Add port and starboard fenders fore of side ladders (McKay, pp42, A8, parts 24). Refer to Longridge Plates for placement and size information.
  2. Gun port wriggles will be added above middle and upper deck gun ports (McKay, pp86, plate D7).
  3. Entry ports will be finished out according to the detail drawing in McKay (pp86, plate D8) and Longridge Plate 27.
  4. Positioning of the wales will be adjusted according to the sections C16-19 of McKay (pp75-78). This will require careful alignment and marking during planking of the outer hull.

    (top)

Home
Corel kit build
Scratch build Practicum (future)