So after having my PC fixed and returned to me a week later than scheduled I discovered that I had managed to lose all my documents - including my Victory photos.

Thankfully I managed to recover virtually everything using a wonderful piece of software called "Recuva".

I am therefore able to post a few pictures of the port aft quarter where I had to cut away the planking from the ribs to make the por and starboard sides level. I still need to take some pictures of the completed repair and the start of my porthole cutting.

More pics soon!

Not much progress on lower deck gunports but I have started several with the intention of trimming and finishing them all. I'm drilling a series of 2mm holes inside the gunport outline; cutting between the holes with a knife and finishing with a file of sanding stick.

I have attached a couple of photos showing the intact port aft corner and the beginning of gunports. Pack 4 is due this month so I had better get my act together.

Will keep you posted.

Gary

Looking good Gary. It's a bit of a haul doing these but at least they're easy. Slow but sure as ever. You can always take a little more off but it's harder to put it back.

Well a new job and lots going on around the house mean I haven't touched the model for almost two months. However, I'm hoping to get back to the gun ports in the next week or so.
I've just been catching up by reading your many posts and am now looking forward to posting pictures of progress soon.
I'm pretty sure Box 5 is due soon so that will be another reminder to get my backside into gear!
Regards
Gary

Hi everyone!
It's been a long time since I have done anything to the model but tonight I cut out some more of the lower gunports so we're back in business!
However, I noticed that when working on some openings the adjacent planking seemed to be flexing so I made up a thin PVA solution, put the model on her side and brushed it over the planking around the gun ports. It should get into any small gaps between planks and provide some reinforcement.
Well boxes 4,5 and 6 are stacked up and 7 is due at the end of this month so I have plenty to get on with.
Work is likely to get busier as Xmas approaches but I will try to spend an hour or two on the Victory model on those days when I am not working.
Will post photos once there is some obvious progress.
Regards, Gary

Box 7 has arrived and is sitting in a pile with the rest! However I have made some progress and completed the lower gun port openings. In several places the wood between openings seemed fragile and so I have been adding diluted glue to give a bit more strength.
I also noticed that a couple of the aft frames are no longer vertical where they stick up above the planking. I guess that's what happens when you leave the model off the building dock for ages with various temperature changes during different times of the year. Victory is now back on the building dock and I will pull them back into shape with some removable temporary structure before I continue planking.
Hope to post some photos soon and make some progress this week as I'm not at work but when I go back the shop will be preparing for the Xmas rush so no chance again for a few weeks.
Gary

Looks great Garfield, nice work on the gunports, they are time consuming to cut out but look great when done.

Chris

Looking good Gary and good to see you back.

Our builds are running more or less alongside each other so I know where you are coming from. Cutting the gun ports is a long and repetitive job (wait until we have to line them!) but as you go on with the planking, you can see the ship starting to take shape and this encourages you to move forward with it.

I have just finished the upper planking and I'm about to start on the lower hull.

.

Good luck,

Alan.