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Model Boat Builder Gallery - Working Models

Model Boat Builder Gallery

Display, Working and Pre-Owned Models.


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USCG_boat_for_site.jpg
US Coast Guard boat.832 viewsThis model came to us for refurbishment, as a box of rather battered bits. The brief was not to fully rebuild, but rather to reassemble, repaint and refurbish. This sort of job can be done at quite an economic cost. She looks smart in her new paint, and will go on to give pleasure for years to come.
trent_2jpg.jpg
Fishguard lifeboat (2)1302 viewsAnother fine model, again based on the Model Slipway's 1/16th kit, but this time embellished with today's livery; the go-faster stripes and a set of specially commissioned transfers. This model has a rotating radar aerial, lights, sound, and other built-in goodies.
Trafalgar_surfacing.jpg
Trafalgar Surfacing.879 viewsBlow ballast and up she comes!
(Model by John Davies)
Trafalgar_Diving.jpg
Trafalgar diving.752 viewsPump in ballast and down she goes. She will run beautifully under water, fast, level and stable. Unfortunately, she defied all attempts to photograph her doing so! All my attempts produced lovely pictures of areas of open, empty, water. But that's the point of a submarine really. Underwater, they can be very hard to detect.
(Model by John Davies)
Trafalgar_chuntering_on_surface.jpg
Trafalgar class submarine.756 viewsJust like the real boat, the model Trafalgar class is not really happy on the surface. But pump in ballast and she slips below into her true element.
(Model by John Davies)
Trafalgar_Bow.jpg
Trafalgar class submarine.824 viewsThis big black beast is a Sheerline Models Trafalgar class submarine. The Trafalgar class boats are the Royal Navy's current class of nuclear hunter-killer boats. They are among the most sophisticated, quietest, most effective boats in the world. The model is quite an intricate little machine. Just like the real thing, both rudders and planes work, and an onboard tank will either flood with ballast or blow it out.
(Model by John Davies)
swift2.jpg
Swift (steam launch)918 viewsHere is an interesting example of what can be done. The client supplied us with a wooden hull in a very rough state. He had picked it up in an antique shop, and liked the lines. We completely rebuilt it. We installed a simple interior, and a small steam plant. Just look at the engine! You can almost smell the steam and hot oil.
(model by John Davies)
solomon_browne1.jpg
Solomon Browne1079 viewsOn December 19th, 1981, the
coaster "Union Star" suffered engine failure off Mount's Bay, in a violent gale. It seems possible that the captain failed to realise how close in he was. The Penlee lifeboat "Solomon Browne" approached the casualty not in the huge rollers offshore, which would have been dangerous enough, but in the boiling cauldron of rocks and broken water close inshore, in darkness, amidst enormous breakers and hurricane force winds.
They made repeated runs alongside in the most appalling conditions. Twice, the lifeboat, all twenty-three tons of her, was picked up and beached on the casualty's hatch covers. Despite this terrible battering, they kept coming back. They took off four of the eight people aboard, but were overwhelmed before they could rescue the others. There were no survivors.
The small village of Mousehole was thown into deep grief. Then they showed true heroism. They mustered a new crew and asked for a replacement boat within hours.
As well as being a justly honoured piece of lifeboat history, the "Solomon Browne" makes a wonderful model. At 1/12th scale, fittings are sturdy. She fits in the car. She is as seaworthy as you would expect. While she is a lovely display model, she really comes into her own on the water, where she is startlingly evocative of the real boat. She makes a tiny, but not unworthy, tribute to some very brave men.
She will usually draw an audience. Rattle an RNLI collection box at them. The lifeboats need your help. Remember, they might be out again tonight.
(model by John Davies)
Solebay3.jpg
HMS Solebay 3733 viewsOn the water she has a lively and convincing performance, and is a complete delight to run.
(Model by John Davies)
Solebay2.jpg
HMS Solebay 2741 viewsThis example was modified from the Deans Marine kit for improved accuracy, and featured in Traplet's Focus File series.
(Model by John Davies)
Solebay1.jpg
HMS Solebay 1770 viewsThese are perhaps not the best of photographs, but they're well worth including, because it's such a fine, impressive, highly detailed model. The Battle Class destroyers were very handsome ships.
(Model by John Davies)
ryhope2.jpg
Ryhope (detail)905 viewsI was able to complete her at a very reasonable price, as there really weren't too many hours in the job. Now he has two models; one large and magnificent, the other a pretty little thing he carry in one hand, and can take to the water on impulse.
(model completed by John Davies)
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