Hi everyone, here is the latest update re the project.

I am now sending off the measurements required by the manufacturer, but please note:-

THE MEASUREMENTS FOR THE FOREMAST AND MAINMAST REQUIRED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A SET OF BOARDING PIKES,HAVE BEEN TAKEN AS PER THE PLANS/INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS SUPPLIED WITH THE SERIES "BUILD THE VICTORY" BY DE AGOSTINI.

ANYONE WHO DIVERTS FROM THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY EXPERIENCE FIT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PIKE SET.

I will next get a lead time for delivery, and pass it on to all

Thank you

same can be done with dowel cut at 45deg angle

Though the Jotika/Caldercraft kit also has shortcoming's such as it not having sails....

It most definately does not have a sail set nor is one available, it is also missing both stern davit boats; that said the kit has the most accurate build content of any Victory kit; but like all kits, there is room for improvement to suit your own desire.

The missing stern boats is a bit of a mystery, Victory is reported to have carried six boats at Trafalgar which included two 25' cutters on the Quarter Davits, though there is some scope for argument about the size of cutters carried, but current thinking has settled on 25' as carried on the restored Victory.

According to Brian Lavery, Quarter davits were certainly in use by 1805, and without them where would the two cutters have been stored.
Quarter boats would normally have been launched just prior to the battle for the purposes of message carrying, crew pick up etc; The skid boats were all damaged during the Battle.

Precisely when Victory was fitted with Quarter davits is something of a mystery. She most probably had them following her refit of 1803, but their fitment could have reasonably taken place anytime during refits during the 1780s or 90’s, but they are not specifically mentioned in the refit records.
There is slightly more evidence regarding the fixed stern davits that Victory had for many years, following her restoration in the 1920s, but they were removed certainly by the 2005 restoration for the bicentenary of Trafalgar, which suggests that the Historical committee also doubted their fitment at the time of Trafalgar.
There is a reference in 'Nelson's Ships' by Peter Goodwin, in relation to the contemporary model of Victory in her 1803 configuration: "Also there are no fixed boat davits, these were abolished with the introduction of the closed stern circa 1796."

As for the kit, it also includes (upon request) the timber work to produce the model to the current specifications as she stands in Portsmouth, for example timberheads, capping and hammock cranes for the forecastle.

There is no natural finish option for this model simply because it is a replca of the 1805 Trafalgar Victory which is the painted version and corresponding spec.

As for its accuracy....

"After more than two years of extensive research and development, using information and sources previously unavailable, this is the most historically accurate, highly detailed kit of Victory in her Trafalgar condition available.
Our model is very different to other manufacturers, and the amendments are the result of our own research verified by Mr. Peter Goodwin, and further research provided by Mr. Goodwin.
Mr. Goodwin is the Keeper and Curator of H.M.S. Victory in Portsmouth and is currently heading the project, researching Victory's true Trafalgar configuration."

You simply can't argue with that unless you have specific historical proof that indicates otherwise.

Absolutely spot on!

Should be ok now Timebob

Can I have one set MWG please?
Thanks

Hi everyone, I am going to the manufacturer Friday 19th AM.

If anyone wishes to order a set of Boarding Pikes for no more than £15:00 please PM me.

Thank you.

PS as previously stated we have our orders for 50 sets, so the project is a go

Great job, very much appreciated. When and who do we need to make payment to?

cheers

Gary

Thanks Timebob, got it, you are on the list