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Peggy961 viewsThis model is over four feet long, and weighs over twenty pounds. She is thus fairly demanding of display space. Every expedition to the water demands careful planning, to get her in and out of the car without damage, and to transport her safely from the car-park to the water. But what a magnificent picture she makes! Models of this kind carry a level of detail, and acheieve a presence on the water, which their smaller sisters simply cannot match. She has a full range of working features, including navigation lights which work in two modes; steaming, or lying to her nets.
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Peggy966 viewsThey were built to pursue "the silver harvest, free to all", the herring which once swarmed in the North sea in huge, seemingly inexhaustible shoals. Now, due to a combination of overfishing and pollution, herring stocks have collapsed to the point where no more can be landed from the North Sea. We are learning, slowly and late, that the natural world is not an inexhaustible storehouse of resources to be plundered at will.
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Peggy992 viewsThis fine model of a North Sea Herring Drifter represents a vanished era. They were built in their thousands, but now only one remains in preservation. They evoke not only a vanished industry, but a major change in our attitudes to the natural world.
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Honeybee830 viewsThe result is a truly lovely little display piece, which also has a most convincing performance on the water. In her element, she really makes a very pretty picture indeed. She incorporates all the attention to detail and quality of finish which is so characteristic of our larger projects, but she is less than two feet long. She makes minimal demands for display space, can easily be transported to the water, and she won't break the bank either. In short, she is a little jewel.
This model was featured in "Marine Modelling", November 2001
(model by John Davies)
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Fishguard lifeboat (2)1319 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.
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Swift (steam launch)933 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)
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Solomon Browne1097 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)
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Ryhope (detail)920 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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Ryhope1016 viewsThis little tug was built for the same client for whom I built "Peggy", the large steam drifter model. She is an example of our "part completion" service. He had already made a competent job of the hull, but had got stuck on the superstructure, which is a good deal more complicated and difficult than it looks.
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Blue narrowboat981 viewsWe built two narrowboats, for a gentleman whose garden is given over to a large and splendid live-steam narrow-gauge system.
Visitors on open days say they make a marvellous sight, gliding silently along the cut, while the little trains chuff along the quays, and passing the two without mishap is as interesting as in a real canal.
Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTcQzjB1K8
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Red narrowboat977 viewsWe built two narrowboats, for a gentleman whose garden is given over to a large and splendid live-steam narrow-gauge system.
Visitors on open days say they make a marvellous sight, gliding silently along the cut, while the little trains chuff along the quays, and passing the two without mishap is as interesting as in a real canal.
Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTcQzjB1K8
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Flower Class Corvette (1/96th)913 viewsThis gives a good view of the intricate detail found on even a small warship model. Although it is only to 1/96th scale, it compares quite well with its 1/48th scale equivalent.
(Model by John Davies)
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