This is my first wooden build, so this is all new to me too! But this is the best forum I have EVER been on, everyone is so helpful! I have not only embarked on a build I have always wanted to do, I feel I have also made some good friends!

Looks like the trick worked No 12 nice and flat, gluing No 8 to 11a while having No 12 clamped has done the trick.

Cheers for that Colin nice to be appreciated now and then, didnt really want to start the keel yet but i aint waiting till issue 24, so just getting done what i can. Prob start cannons and anchor next week paint due anytime.

Cheers Capt Stedders, its great that ive done something thats going to be of use to someone else, ive not got far into my build but its not a race and even though im taking my time still made an error on my launch jig which cost me 3 hours to put it rite, all in a days work ehhhh he he lol.

Had some fun with the launch yesterday, but did manage to get it sorted out.

A very nice repair job in deed John, wouldn't think that it had been broken. Keep the pics coming mate..

If at first...

Fudge it!

Good repair job bud' - I also have a catalog of minor errors and fudges to recount and I'm pretty sure that, if everyone is honest, there will be a only be a few, very experienced ship modelers, who get the launch right first time (Looks at Tomic's build enviously).

It is becoming increasingly apparent the the real pain is reserved for those who are planning to keep make this model in a natural wood finish - at least one can always use copious amounts of filler and lord-only-knows-what-else to hide bodges and gaps if you are going to paint it.

The learning curve just got steeper.

Keep going matey, you're doing just fine.

Appropiate coment Capt Stedders, i know what you mean about painting the launch hides a multitude of sins, i wont compromise on the keel though and bow formers, i think its important to get this section right.

Hi John..I am still holding back on my build (including launch, cannon and anchor) until I get the complete keel, in the mean time, I have my hands full trying to re-rig an old Del Prado build of Cutty Sark, which I am sorely tempted to go for the Deagosini Cutty Sark as an in between build with the Victory...Oh the temptation..

Well John im beguining to wonder if i wwould have been better to leave doing mine a little longer so there is more cock ups coming to light thus meaning we miss the pitfalls of the build ????

Hi Graham,
I think all to gether there is 3 pieces to the keel [ still waiting for No3 ] When i have all 3 i will have to glue some strengthners both sides down the full length of the keel hopfully this will stop any future warping, then i will be able to fit the bow sections one at a time square to the keel, by doing this i will have a completely square and flat keel, then my planking might go where i want it to he he lol.

I hope this has been some help regards John.

Hi MWG, im not sure whats causing all this warping one idea is they could have had slight moisture from their travel from china, and then when released into rooms with central heating they end up slightly warped [MAYBE]
ive had multi directional warping on piece No 1 of the keel but i do have a remedy but will have to wait for the other keel sections before glueing.