This 2 masted schoonerfrom the beginning of 20th century is quite typical of the restoration work that we receive. There was not much damage to the mast and spars but the main hull and sails needed attention.

Our restorers started work having carefully studied the ship plans and the method of production of the model. The sails, masts and deck work were taken apart. The wood throughout was treatedwhen the paintwork and varnish was removed. A new set of sails was made in keeping with the aged look and matching riggings. Lastly aa presentation stand with an antique finish was made to set off the model.

The comment we received from the client, "The model and I have both arrived home in one piece - the ship didn't move all the way home! Many thanks for your help this morning and for making such an excellent job on the model - I'm extremely pleased with the results."

DFDS Re-branding of scale models of Cruise Liners (Project 3)

The re-branding of 4 cruise liners really challenged the skills of our model makers.

The actuals ships had new propellers installed and the models ( 1500 x 550 cm) had to be modified also.

The actual process of restoration had our model makers repairing broken railings, pipes, small life rafts, the main hull had to be repainted so sanding and preparing the hull for the new coat of paint. Lastly the new logos and decal work had to be made, approved by the client and applied to the models.

The client's response to the work carried out:

" Sainaz, Good evening I have just returned from leave and would like to thank you for the return of the models, they are exactly now as we had hoped for and will be displayed in your passenger areas. Whilst it took a long time, it was appreciated that you took every effort to get them correct.Please pass my thanks and appreciation to your model maker on behalf of DFDS and would be happy for you to use as reference if needed."

HMS Victory - Model ship Makeover (Project 4)

The imagination of our model makers were really put to the test with this restoration. I would describe this restoration as a makeover, the HMS Victory ship model was of good quality but certain aspect of the ship model was letting her down, in particular, the stern. By improving the finish and look of the stern the whole model instantly appreciated in value.

The other parts that were improved upon were :

• the netting for the hammock cranes 
• replacing 2 stern lanterns and 1 Admiral lantern, 
• new set of 5 small boats on deck -pinnace,barge,sea cutters hanging off the side of the stern,
• and the piece de resistance was to refashion the stern of the model.

Our client wanted to display his revamped ship model in a top end with stand. Client comment was, 
"That looks great, thank you, Plamen."

HMS Victory Model Restoration (Project 5)

The standing rigging on the model is well detailed. Some of the deadeyes, however, appear to have been originally incorrectly rigged. The running rigging is more simplified, although there are numerous bone rigging blocks. These are very attractive and nicely made, with miniature hooks. Two square sails – the spritsail and sprit topsail – and all of the stunsails, along with their yards, have not been modeled. Only three of the seven staysails have been modelled, or are missing

Whilst much deck and other detail appear to have been deliberately omitted, the model does contain numerous nice features, including: the rails on the main and fore mast tops; the nickel plated capstan; the railed platform across to the bowsprit; and the use of white cord to represent carving on the upperworks.

The most interesting feature of the model, of course, is themany hundreds of smallturned white and black cotton reels – wound with the same colour threads - which have been used to decorate the hull. These are said to date to the late 1880s, and to have been made at Coats' Paisley mills. There is no reason to doubt this statement. In this respect, the model would have made a wonderful advertising vehicle for Coats' products. This was most probably the model's intended purpose.

The cotton reels, which line the hull, are interspersed with the gunports. These incorporate lids, made of painted metal, and truncated cannon barrels. The same painted metal used for the gunports was also used for the two decorated entry port structures.

In addition to the sails and cotton on the reels, the model contains two other textile items. At the stern there is a white ensign of post 1801 design. At the top of the mainmast pole head is a red, white and blue pennant.

Generally, the model is in sound condition, although it has suffered from dirt encrustation and some damage. Most damage has occurred to the small cotton reels on the hull, to the spars, to the sails, to the gunports, to one of the entry ports and – to a lesser extent – to the rigging and the stempost.

It is recommended that the core approach to work on the model be to conserve what exists, and only to restore broken and damaged sections. It is not recommended – for instance - that the non-extant staysails be added, as it is not known whether or not these ever existed on the model.

The following schedule of work is deemed to be necessary:

1. Release the model from its base, and chock it up on blocks;
2. Check the underside and exposed areas of the hull for insect damage;
3. Re-position the fore royal yard, the fore royal topgallant yard, the main royal yard, the main topgallant yard, and the main topsail yard – the latter now completely detached; 
4. Re-stitch the detached/partly detached square sails to their yards. These include the fore topgallant sail, the fore topsail, the main topsail, and the mizzen topgallant sail. 
5. Check the fitting of the main topmast staysail, and re-position if necessary;
6. Dry clean all sails, by hand;
7. Dry clean white ensign and pennant;
8. Dry and damp clean rigging;
9. Dry and damp clean all masts and spars, and then give them a conservation waxing;
10. All wood and metal parts of the deck to be given a dry and damp clean, followed by a conservation waxing;
11. Clean and then conservation wax the figurehead;
12. Repair and retouch the damaged black painted area at the base of the stempost;
13. All painted lead figures to be given a careful clean and, where necessary, their positions corrected; v 14. Remove all of the loose cotton reels on the hull;
15. Check the glue fixings on the remaining cotton reel, and temporarily remove where necessary;
16. Dry clean all cotton reels; 
17. Supply and fit new cotton reels in the place of the missing and damaged ones. Approximately 30 cotton reels are missing on the portside and 35 on the starboard side;
18. Clean the stern window area, and rails and banisters;
19. Regularise the finish on the painted metal gunport lids and adjust some of their angles;
20. Re-fix the detached starboard side port entry; 
21. Re-fix selected areas of the standing rigging, especially the foremast stays and deadeyes;
22. Replace and re-rig broken running rigging lines;
23. Re-fix detached running rigging lines;
24. Re-form the shape of all sails and attempt to remove creases.

The above list does not include the removal of the large sheet of safety glass on the front of the display case. This will have to be undertaken by a specialist glazier, and arranged for by the client.

A common repair example.

Above is an example of a common repair problem.  The model was on display when a shelf above it collapsed, crushing the masts, bowsprit, sails and rigging.  There was also some minor damage to the deck railings and other parts.  When the model was received for repair, the rudder was also missing and had to be fabricated from scratch.

Recently restored model of the Danmark