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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Peggy (detail)1002 viewsA professional commission for a model of this nature is usually a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. I have had some extremely satisfied clients for models of this size. It will bring you the most enormous pleasure, and it will continue to do so for many years.
Eagle-eyed readers may recognise one of the photos from "Model Boats" magazine, in which it has featured.
(model by John Davies)
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Sir Galahad.861 viewsIt incorporates a couple of mistakes I certainly wouldn't make today, but I am still not ashamed of it. It has led an adventurous life, being sailed in many different parts of the U.K. On one outing before the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, it was run down by a huge model of H.M.S. "Hood". Damage was quite superficial, and was quickly repaired. A properly made scale model is extremely durable, and will go on to give many years pleasure.
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Sir Galahad.848 viewsReaders of Traplet's "Introdution to Marine Modelling", which I co-authored with Chris Jackson, will recognise the model from that book, in which it is prominently featured.
(model by John Davies)
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Honeybee860 viewsThis little model of a Scottish fifie motor fishing boat really is a beauty. She is is one of my favorite projects. Like many of our models, she is based on a well-known commercial kit. This keeps construction time, and thus cost, within limits. However, she is considerably embellished.
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Honeybee815 viewsThe deck is laid with individual planks, with caulking faithfully represented between each plank. This modification alone effects a huge improvement over the printed plywood deck supplied. Remember, as we usually look down on our models, the appearance of the deck is very important. A good quality ship's boat is added, stowed in the correct place. A few of the more prominent fittings are re-arranged, following old photographs taken in the port of St Monance. The main hatch was subtly modified for a more authentic appearance. A carefully chosen colour scheme was based on paint, stain, and satin varnish.
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