As many of you may know Cladercraft is releasing its version of the Victory, 1/72 scale, in May. $975 at Northernstarmall.com It is supposed to be the most accurate for the Trafalgar version to date.

Does anyone have experience with Caldercraft? OK, olyclassrich, this kit is burning a hole in my retina! Must... resist... at least for awhile...

The only one I know that has bought a caldercraft kit is a friend of a friend. Seriously though, I posted a thread at DDM and a modeler there said the caldercraft line is above and beyond.
The only hitch is the Cost!! And I've only found 1 shop is the USA that carries it.(the line) I've also read that there has been some problems with that supplier(read frustration)but that is supposed to be taken care of.

I don't know. I 've heard of some people having problems with Northernstarmall. Something about orders not going through and being non responsive to complaints.
The Cladercraft line looks nice, but they seem to have a hefty price tag.

I don't know. I 've heard of some people having problems with Northernstarmall. Something about orders not going through and being non responsive to complaints.
The Cladercraft line looks nice, but they seem to have a hefty price tag.
Ditto! on Northernstarmall. Don't know anything about Cladercraft, but I'll check out the site.

The Victory has gone on hold as I won a Panart 1/78th on ebay, Have my eyes set on the Agememnon and have had Jotika contact aremoarine to provide me with a price as they have been sloooooooow, to get back to me!
Will let everyone know on progress as soon as i know.
Best,

Is the Jokita HMS Victory the most accurate one out there? does it deserve it's hefty price tag? Or are the less expensive kits by other manufacturers more than suitable for portraying this magificent ship? (Ok, I dragged my poor suffering wife around the Victory on a cold, blustery day - and we're still married - I'm wondering if she'll still want to be married when I fork out 700 pounds on a bundle of wood, metal and plans.....)

Is the Jokita HMS Victory the most accurate one out there? does it deserve it's hefty price tag? Or are the less expensive kits by other manufacturers more than suitable for portraying this magificent ship? (Ok, I dragged my poor suffering wife around the Victory on a cold, blustery day - and we're still married - I'm wondering if she'll still want to be married when I fork out 700 pounds on a bundle of wood, metal and plans.....)

Yes the Jotika Victory is the most accurate kit of all the Victory kits. It is also more detailed than the other kits, due to its scale of 1/72. I have actually been to Jotika, to collect my Granado kit and was shown around the workshops, where all the CNC cutting of the various wood sheets is done on state of the art machinery. Researching the acuracy of their products is second to none. Jotika have been involved with researching the Trafalgar condition of Victory with Alan McGowan, who was Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Maritime Museun at Greenwich. He is now Chairman of the Victory Advisory Technical Committee and has written many journals for the Navy Records Society.

Okay, maybe not the cheapest Victory kit, but the best both in quality and accuracy. I have seen their Showroom model, alongside the Agamemnon, another of their premier models and they look truely magnificent, much better than you see them in photos. I only live twenty miles from Droitwich, so picking up my kit direct from them was the best option, plus I got the chance to see how everything is manufactured.

Once I have completed my Granado, I will be having a go at Victory. I don't need any persuading as to which manufacturer I will be choosing. Look on their website and see for yourself.

I use Model Dockyard for Caldercraft models.
http://www.model-dockyard.com/
He gives very good service and is quick to respond to customers enquiry. I found it much nicer to deal with Model Dockyard then Model Expo who would not accept non US credit card.

Apprentice

Loyalhanna dockyard has the caldercraft victory, a bit expensive but they do have it.
www.loyalhannadockyard.com

Hello all,

I just purchased my CC Victory this weekend and could not believe the weight of it when I picked it up, every bit of 30 KG. I got it home and started on it. You can even go to the Jotika website and download the instruction booklets for it in pdf format. I did this and read them completely before buying and it helped tremendously. The parts do have a high quality to them and do fit together right away, with a little bit of sanding they slide right together. I am so far impressed with the quality and am happy to have spent the expensive price tag for it. I also must say that it is a large model. I need to buy another keel holder to hold it while I attach the bulkheads and eventually the planking. The box that holds the kit is filled completely with no wasted space. When you start taking things out to start construction, I recommend a 2 meter by 2 meter work area as the plans alone are this big and then you add the model itself you will very quickly run out of room. I am a kitchen table builder and I have already used all of the table and half the floor. I am very pleased with this kit and would love to have an ongoing chat with someone building the CC Victory. Anyone wishing to ask questions or provide hints and tips, please reply here or email me at worf01@hotmail.com. Thanks everyone, enjoy your modeling.

Hello Again,

Well got to the bulkheads today............They do not go together as smooth as I was led to believe. As much money as I spent, They should have almost put them selves together. They required alot of sanding to get them to even go together. Once I got the dry fit together, they remained so tightly joined I just glued them in place along with the middle gun deck. Speking of the middle gun deck, it took alot of maneuvering and patience to get it to slide down into position. I have heard stories and read forums that this just went together real smooth, please do not believe it. I do not mean to lower the level of the model, it is a great model. Will hope the rest goes smoother.

HeyJerry,
Did you finish Mississippi? How about some photos? I have a friend interested in riverboat models.

Hey Dennis,

No I have not finished it. I had to leave it behind when I got transferred to Amsterdam. I will be moving back to Houston in September of this year so I hope to start again with it along with my CC Victory.

Hello again,

my continuing trials with my CC Victory. I got the false gun deck planks installed. As the instructions say, you really need to soak them in hot water for a period of time so that they bend on demand. The 5mm ply is rather stiff and will not bend the way you need them too at the bow and stern. Bulkhead 1 and 18.......... Well make sure these get put in square to the keel because so much rides on them. Had to break glue to reset number 18 twice. Have installed the quarter gallery supports, also make sure these are square with bulkhead 18. Now, I am starting to measure and pin the false gun portal pieces to both sides. This is very important to get them exactly lined up with the quarterdeck and poop deck because it will effect how the other pieces will align. One out of alignment piece and the whole side is cockeyed and will definitely stand out.