Art of the Sea Galleries

Custom Work

New Custom Model
"Kittiwake"

Jerome Morris, our model restorer brings old models back to life and creates new models. This section will feature recent and ongoing projects on which he is working.

Here Jerome works on rigging a model of a late 1800's barque.

Part of the restoration of this fine model requires running a brace line from the fore mast.

REPAIRED MODELS

Pandora IV
Clear acrylic casting 18" long

WWII Destroyer Oberender

BEFORE / AFTER GALLERY
Click to see some spectacular transformations!

These are some before and after pictures of work done by the restoration shop on a model from a 1930's Popular Science Plan. The model was built by Harry Blunt.

Santa Maria
This is the famous caravelle that was part of Columbus’ fleet on his voyage to America. Built by Harry Blount in the 1930s, it features fine historical detail. The restoration was fairly extensive on this model, from refinishing the woodwork to replacing the complicated rigging.

This charming model is an early 1800s riverboat with a locomotive steam plant. It has the nostalgic appeal of a bygone era, and all of its moving parts function perfectly. Restoration included a meticulous cleaning, construction of new lifelines and some painting.

Yacht Brendy
This elegant yacht, Brendy, looks simple and sleek, but she is very intricately built. The fine details of the interior include pearwood and mahogany inlays, and the turnbuckles and blocks are fully functional.

U.S.S. Constitution
This somewhat primitive model of the Constitution still shows the beautiful lines of this beloved American icon. Both age and neglect had taken their toll on this model, and the lion’s share of the restoration was a thorough, painstaking cleaning. More than 300 Q-Tips were used to carefully remove the dirt, tar and stains. A custom case was also built to preserve the model in the future.

Barque Inverneill (scratch built)
This unique model of the British barque Inverneill was restored to its former glory. It was most likely built by an officer or crew member, as only someone intimately involved with the vessel could have produced the amazingly accurate detail on this model. Restoration included removing aged shellac from the hull and revarnishing it, repairing various broken parts and completely restoring the rigging from scratch.

Virginia Dare (scratch built)
This handsome 4-masted schooner, the Virginia Dare, is an impressive 4’ long. She has many embellishments, adding to the effect of fine detailing. The restoration work included custom staining of her wooden masts and deck, and rigging.

Viking Longboat
This formidable Viking longboat was built by Harry Blount in the 1930s from plans published in Popular Science. Mr. Blount was a talented modeler who began his career when he was laid off during the Depression. Note the finely carved dragon figurehead and side medallions, as well as the dragon-theme supports. Restoration included complete cleaning of half a century’s worth of dust, replacing rigging and building a custom case.

Red Jacket (scratch built)
Although she is only 12” long, the Red Jacket is an impressive model with her dark hull and heavy rigging. The restoration included repairing damaged parts, custom staining the deck and masts, repairing rigging and building a custom case.