| Most viewed - Working Models |
Clyde Puffer1352 viewsThe Clyde Puffers have been immortalised; some might say sentimentalised, in the Para Handy Tales. In reality, the pufferman's life was a hard one, sailing all the year round, in all weathers, around the west coast of Scotland.
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Coaster "John Masefield"1350 views"Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smokestack, butting up the Channel in the mad March days...." If you don't know Masefield's "Cargoes", you should. This model came to us basically sound, but needing some tidying up, and a new mechanism fitting. We did this, then sold her on. Here she is, running trials. What can be nicer than a pretty scale model, on a fine sunny morning?
(Model by unknown builder, restored 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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RNLB Charles Brown1308 viewsBig, impressive, 1/12th scale Arun lifeboat; a spectacular and seaworthy model, here seen running trials before the addition of the final details.
The model was featured in "Marine Modelling" magazine.
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Clyde Puffer (detail)1300 viewsYou can commemorate this world of honest toil with a model such as this one. Clyde Puffers make excellent models. The hull is capacious and stable. It will take a really substantial battery for long running times at a scale speed. These small ships can be modelled at a reasonably large scale, without becoming too big to display easily, or to transport to the water. Detail can thus be full, and individual detail parts can be made big enough to be resonably sturdy. Light weathering brings out the character of the model illustrated here. Erzi glaikit sumph an ra shilpit wee nyaff oan ra foadeck!
The result is a real delight. It is no wonder Puffer models are so justly popular. We will be very happy to quote for your requirements if you want one too.
(model by John Davies)
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Clyde Puffer1291 viewsI know from personal experience just what sort of weather the Minch can kick up, and just how rapidly a perfectly sunny day can turn into a mass of low, grey, wind-driven clouds and flying spray. Add to this the delights of working cargo on an open beach, with no harbour faciltites, digging down through a hold full of coal and using the ship's own derrick to load it into carts which had driven out to the ship at low tide, working hard to shift as much cargo as possible before the tide came up again, and you will see that the life was not an easy one.
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Clan Ross cargo liner.1266 viewsA magnificent model, well over four feet long, lovely lines, great areas of individually-laid planked deck, intricate rig, and looks absolutely stunning on the water. How I regret not taking the camera along to her trials. A heavy model to launch, of course, and not especially manoevarable. She does best what the real ships did; cruises happily forever on remarkably little power. But what a magnificent picture she makes afloat. Such lovely ships have gone from the world's oceans. Would you like to commission your own miniature?
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Fairmile D1222 viewsFerocious looking dogboat, based on a commercially available hull and fittings. Today kits are available. We would be happy to replicate her. She makes an interesting exercise in high-powered scale power plants, and on the water she doesn't half go!
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HMS Cossack1192 viewsWell known as the command of captain (later Admiral Sir Philip) Vian, who rescued 299 British seamen from the Altmark, and played a decisive role in the sinking of the Bismarck.
Vian did not suffer fools at all, and had absolutely no time for inefficiency. He was reputed to be intolerant, completely tactless, and an absolutely superb fighting sailor; truly one of the very great captains.
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HMS Cossack1163 viewsWarships carry a lot of detail. Even if time is saved by basing the model on a kit (this is from the Deans Marine example), good research and knowledge of the prototype is essential. We can claim expertise in the Royal navy, 1939-45, and have a good research library.
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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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Agnes1072 viewsThis is the same wonderful model of a pilot cutter that is featured in the "Pre-Owned" section. Sometimes a model comes back. The gentleman I sold her to said she was quite splendid, but not the right model for him. So I bought her back in. This time, she is staying. She is a beautiful boat, and I am having so much fun sailing her. But I could build one like her for you.
(Built by Mike Mayhew of Waverley Models, rigging modified by John Davies, featured in "Marine Modelling" March 2011)
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