Reveal
What is the oldest thing you have worked on?
The oldest ship model we have worked on is the 90 gun sailing warship 'Neptune' which was made in 1683. It is made from wood and has gilded decoration. Despite its great age we did not need to do very much except clean it with water dampened swabs.
'Neptune'
What is the biggest thing you have worked on?
The model of Sir Edwin Lutyens' 1930's design for the Catholic cathedral in Liverpool is the largest model we have worked on. It measures 6.4 x 5.2 metres and is 4.5 metres high when on display. It is tall enough for someone to stand up in. The conservation of the Lutyens' model is the longest running project in the centre employing two staff from 1996.
Model maker John Thorp (the younger) sitting on the
Lutyens cathedralmodel
Our largest ship models are the ocean liners Titanic and Berengaria both of which are 6 metres long. The Berengaria is entirely made from metal whereas the Titanic model is made from wood and metal.
Do you use modern power tools?
Yes we do. Many of our models, even ones made 100 years ago, were made using machines. Sometimes we need to replace lost parts and these need to be made by machine to match the originals.
'Squaring' a piece of the Lutyens cathedral model
Why do people make models of ships?
Ship models are made for many reasons. Some were made for exhibition by ship builders to try and sell ships to ship owners, others so shipping companies could show off their latest ship to passengers and as a status symbol. Model makers sometimes make model of ships they sailed on, or to show ships and boats that have long gone. Some of the oldest ship models were found in the tombs of the pharaohs so making models is a very old pastime.
Ship model 'Berengaria'
Are the models (including ships and historic models) decorated only on the outside, or is there detail on the inside as well?
We have many ship models with interiors but they are usually quite small boats rather than large complex ocean liners. These are usually made by hobbyists with a special interest in recording the past.
The large model of the Lutyens' design for Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral has a full interior showing the many vaults, arches and the many statues that would have been if the cathedral was built.
View of the altar in the Lutyens cathedral model