I would like to do it so the gun deck can be opened or closed just got to figure out a way of doing it.

This forum just gets better & better
Having decided to paint the one side of the hull showing the cut out section and hopefully varnish/stain the opposite side if the planking is up to standard we now could have the possibility of a open/close section.I hope the idea is feasible as it sounds very interesting and I look forward to seeing more on this subject later.

I think it would be a good idea, and maybe Admin could speak to the professionals and see if they could add a section to the magazine, to show us what to do so to speak? but it's just an idea

One solution was included in the Del Prado Bounty kit which I know some members have made or are, like me, still making.

Del Prado included in the kit a moulded sheet of clear plastic with the same profile as the hole in the side of the ship. The plastic was held in place by cutting tabs in the plastic border which clipped behind the hull edges.

The suggestion was that you could cover the hole with the plastic and still see into the interior without letting the dust in. Alternatively some extra second layer planks (very thin) were supplied which could be stuck on the surface of the plastic to represent the complete wooden side to the hull. Just found the bits in my 'store room' (bottom drawer of chest of drawers!).

To use this technique with Victory would require a mould with the profile of the hole in Victory and access to a vacuum moulding set-up. Is there anyone out there who could do this or do we ask Admin to source the plastic sides?

I have to confess that I'm not convinced that I want to show the interior at present, but might be persuaded when others say they are having a go.

Mike T

Hi Mike, I built the Del Prado version of HMAV Bounty, and yes, the open sided version and the way I went about fitting the removable side was exactly as you described...but as time went by, I began to form a hatred with the idea of an open sided model, my dear wife would back me up on this, that when it came to dusting around the model, no matter how careful, she would accidentally knock the removable side panel off the model. I know that such models deserve a show case, but space is a problem in our household. Anyway, it is up to the modeller which avenue they choose to go down as regarding the two versions of display. My build will not include the open side this time, but I will be adopting the idea of forming a display of figures in front of the completed model each in a stance showing their individual station aboard the Victory.

Not sure about the plastic side window. It gives the impression of 'manufactured' to me. The more natural the better I think. Im painting this due to fact its my first ever build of this nature. I not optimistic of my skills yet. My goal is to do it again but varnished its 'my holy grail'.
Surley the deck would be of more concern with regards to dust. However the flat magnet idea sounds like the winner for me.
But hey each to their own.

I have been working on this idea since the begining ...i love kits where you can pop off the lid and see the insides.. ..i have several ..so i will be working in a way to do the same with the gun decks....and lighting .....using white/yellow L.e.d's as lanterns....but thats further down the line.....for now i'm still trying to get to grips with this %#@$^%$#^...launch..

i have..from my own lips about my launch

using say extra frames say 18 to 20 cut at lower deck leavel to main deck these pices tack to the corasponding frames when the boat is planked the planks are cut between the frames 18 and 20 lower deck to main when this pice is released it like a type of hatch extra frames holding it ridget
same as on model aircaft engine axsses hatches