Display Models

Every model in this section is finished before it leaves the workshop. The hull is planked, the deck is laid, the fittings are applied, the rigging is set up and the model is mounted on its stand, so what arrives is a finished object rather than a project.

How our ready made model ships are built

These are handmade models, not mouldings. Hulls are built plank on frame or plank on bulkhead in timber, then faired and finished by hand. Decks are laid in strip wood, fittings are made in brass, cast metal and turned timber, and rigging is rove through individual blocks and deadeyes rather than represented with moulded detail. That construction is why a built model ship holds up at close range in a way a mass produced one does not.

Three quality ranges

We build to three levels so the detail matches the budget.

• Standard. A well proportioned, attractive model at a sensible size. The right choice for a first model or a gift.
• Superior. Finer planking, better fittings and more deck and rigging detail. The range most collectors settle on.
• Premier. Museum quality construction with hand made fittings, accurate rigging and a finish that stands up to inspection at arm’s length. This is the standard we supply to museums, shipping lines and corporate collections.

Choosing the right model

Two things decide most purchases. The first is the vessel, and the sub categories below split the range by type so you can go straight to historic ships, yachts, liners, naval vessels or working boats. The second is size. Models run from small desk pieces to substantial models over a metre long, and a rigged model needs more height and width than the hull length suggests, so measure the shelf, cabinet or table before ordering.

Protecting a finished model

Rigging, railings and deck fittings cannot be cleaned once dust settles into them. An acrylic display case is the single most useful thing you can add to a ready made model, and we make them in standard sizes and to fit.

Common questions

Do these models need any assembly?

No. They arrive complete and mounted. Some larger models ship with the masts stepped and require only unpacking and placing.

What is the difference between the ranges?

Construction quality and detail, not subject. The same vessel may appear in more than one range at different sizes and price points.

Can I order a ship you do not list?

Yes. Our custom model ships service builds to order from your photographs or plans, including your own boat.

Do you deliver outside the UK?

Yes. We ship worldwide, with packing designed around fragile masts and rigging.