Premier Ship Models are undertaking some very exciting projects, with the utmost care and attention to detail. They reflect our desire for perfection, historical-accuracy and customer satisfaction. We have always looked to better our products with each passing project, and so the following builds are excellent examples of the company’s growing levels of ambition.
IMI Critical:
We are currently in the process of building two very impressive models for IMI Critical, one being the Type 45 Destroyer, and the other being an astute submarine. The piece is incredibly unique, as the two models will actually be combined into one case creating a singular scenario, as seen below:
Type 45 Destroyer:
The Type 45 Destroyer would be located on top, and it’s a stunning replica of the real-life counterpart. Only six were ever constructed by BAE Systems Maritime, and all six are still in service in the Royal Navy. They cost approximately £1.050 billion per ship, including the fees for research and development. Whilst there are very few of them, their capabilities seem endless. Type 45 Destroyers were primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare; built around the PAAMS air-defence system. This is a system largely intended to predict an air threat’s flight path, before neutralising it as swiftly and as efficiently as possible. It tracks, targets and subsequently destroys high performance assailants, including supersonic cruise missiles, fighter planes and even UAVs. The system is capable of firing eight missiles in less than ten seconds, and can guide sixteen missiles simultaneously. Working alongside this are state of the art long-range radars; the SAMPSON ASEA S1850M. These radars are proficient enough to lock onto upwards of 1,000 targets all at once, within a radius of a mind-boggling 400 kilometres. The concept is very similar to that of the Iron Dome system, which has been deployed at air bases in places such as southern Israel.
A guided missile destroyer is never going to be phenomenally quick, however, considering the Type 45’s immense weight of 8,500 tonnes, it can still travel at 32 knots, which is equivalent to 37 miles per hour. To reach this speed, the Type 45 has to be powered by a plethora of enormous engines. They include two Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbines, which produce 28,800 horsepower each, as well as two Wärtsilä 12V200 diesel generators, which produce a further 2,700 horsepower each. This may sound like a lot, but without the propulsion elements of the ship, this unthinkable level of power would be useless. Therefore, the Type 45 has a pair of electronically integrated shafts with two GE Power Conversion Advanced Induction Motors and VDM2500 Drives, which subsequently produce another 27,000 horsepower each. When measuring the horsepower in a linear fashion, the Type 45 produces 58,500. That number is astronomical, and truly reflects the sheer power and prowess of the modern dreadnought.
Now of course, a military ship must be armed to the teeth, and the Type 45 is no exception. It’s equipped with long-range missiles, harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, an MK 8 naval gun, a pair of 30-millimetre cannons, miniguns, close-in weapon systems and even basics such as machine guns, rifles and handguns. It’s able to house a crew of up to 285 members, and the entire ship is armoured with plated Kevlar.
See Above - A Mk 8 Naval Gun
This model is an utterly exceptional facsimile of its real-life sibling, thankfully just a little smaller, slower (unmoving, actually), and a tiny bit less dangerous. Its clad in the infamous military grey colour, and complete with all the aesthetic features, such as the radar, the cannons and of course the bridge.
Astute Submarine:
Below the Type 45 will be an Astute-class submarine. These are the newest, strongest, stealthiest, most high-tech nuclear-powered submarines in the world. In total, seven were planned to be constructed, between 2001 and the current date. Five have been completed, with four of these presently in service in the Royal Navy. Each one cost over £1.65 billion, and every inch and piece of technology is absolutely state of the art.
To withstand the immense water pressure at depths of up to 980 feet, the Astute Submarines have to be incredibly durable and resilient. They weigh-in at 7,400 tonnes, but when submerged and at depth, this weight leaps to 7,800 tonnes. Thick armour prevents any leaks, and can endure gunfire, and even certain torpedoes and missiles.
Not only are they resistant to water-pressure and weaponry, but also time. Astute-class submarines can circumnavigate the entire globe submerged. They continuously produce their own oxygen and drinking water, and can store months’ worth of food for the 98-man crew. A Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor powers the Astute submarines, and they are capable of travelling at a speed of 30 knots, which is equivalent to 35 miles per hour.
For such a high-value asset, these particular submarines must have a heavily-stocked armament. They are equipped with torpedoes, cruise missiles, and even heavyweight torpedoes which can bring down destroyers. A plethora of sensors and radars are also fitted, including the Thales Sonar 2076, the Atlas DESO 25 echosounder, and a pair of Thales CM010 optronic masts. These allow the submarines to premeditate certain threats and eventually neutralise them, as well as planning routes.
This model is a fantastic replica of the authentic Astute-class Submarine, and is complete with the periscope, propellors and many other features.
See Above - An Astute Submarine
Vard Group:
For Vard Group, Premier Ship Models is building a state-of-the-art model, replicating the best-selling submersible in the world: the U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub. They are multi-purpose luxury submersibles with the best possible seat capacity. This particular range; ‘The Cruise Sub’ series, offers cruise-liners, high-end tourism operators, deep ocean researchers, ships for making documentaries, and even exploration vessels. They can accommodate between five to eleven people, with some that can dive down to 300 metres, with others capable of reaching depths as extraordinary as 1,700 metres.
The performance they deliver is second-to-none. Not only are they luxurious, but they’re also extremely reliable and efficient. They feature revolving seats and are designed in such a way to facilitate two individual viewpoints; one on either side. Customers are also given the chance to customise both the interior and exterior extensively, giving the vehicle a more personalised touch. The submersibles can be adapted and modified to accomplish a plethora of different tasks, hence why they’re so incredibly popular. For high-end purchases, people may opt to customise their private Cruise Sub’s interior with features such as bespoke lounge seating, toilets, and even privacy screens.
The Cruise Sub Series was initiated in 2018, and has exponentially grown with success ever since. Over fifteen models have been designed, assembled and sold, and are deployed in ongoing dives. These submersibles are the absolute pinnacle of deep-sea diving exploration, and thus have achieved record sales and monumental success. They’re quite rightly the most desirable submersibles in the entire world.
Most recognisable of the series is the U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7. It remains the record-holder for the highest-capacity deep-diving submersible. Immediately after being launched in 2018, the Sub 7 gained immense levels of recognition for its versatility and adaptability. U-Boat Worx accomplished a number of diving records to demonstrate to the world that submersible deep diving can now be done with the entire family. It’s a six passenger, one pilot vehicle, and this configuration delivers an unmatched experience. Deep-diving is usually associated with words such as arduous, trying, difficult and more. But with the luxury and comfort found in the exclusive line of U-Boat Worx submersibles, this perception has been altered, and it is now more appealing than ever.
Above is the construction of the endoskeleton of the Cruise Sub 7 Submersible model. It’s a fantastic replica of the real-life counterpart, and the exhaustive work going into this project reflects the hard-working ethos of Premier Ship Models, as well as our authenticity, attention to detail, and desire for quality.
Pearman Watlington & Co:
SS Queen of Bermuda:
For Pearman Watlington & Co, Premier Ship Models is undergoing an ambitious task in constructing a replica of the world-renowned SS Queen of Bermuda. This was a British turbo-electric ocean liner belonging to Furness, Withy & Co Ltd. She’s famous for serving not only as a cruise ship, but also an armed merchant cruiser and even a troop ship during World War II.
The SS Queen of Bermuda was built to succeed the irreparable MV Bermuda, which had been subdued to extensive fire damage in 1931. It had only been in service for a little over three years, so Furness, Withy & Co had to ensure the Queen of Bermuda was far more reliable, so as not to damage their reputation any further. She was built at a shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, and subsequently launched in September 1932, before being fully completed in February the next year. What was staggering at the time was the ship’s size; being over 550 feet long, with a beam of 76 feet and a draught of 27 feet. The SS Queen of Bermuda also had the ability to store refrigerated cargo, as well as over 700 passengers, with the majority being first-class.
See Above - The SS Queen Of Bermuda
Most recognisable about the ship were the three black and red funnels sitting atop the white bodywork. They stood tall and proud above the ship, billowing steam as the ship could reach a top speed of 19 knots, which equates to approximately 22 miles per hour. To generate this level of speed, the SS Queen of Bermuda was fitted with an immense eight water-tube boilers, which had a combined heating surface of 40,000 square feet. These boilers subsequently supplied steam to two individual steam turbines, which drove electric generators which powered electric motors, and these then drove the four screws. This complex, yet simultaneously linear system was rather efficient for the time, and aided in maintaining the ship’s longevity and reliability.
It is so named as the SS Queen of Bermuda due to the fact that it was the sister ship of the Monarch of Bermuda, and it was registered in the port of Hamilton, Bermuda.
Boston Whaler Outrage 330:
As well as the SS Queen of Bermuda, we’re also building a model of a Boston Whaler Outrage 330. This is a high-performance leisure boat, with phenomenal handling and the utmost stability. The ship is complemented with a plethora of reliable features and precise engineering. What’s more is that the Outrage 330 hosts a variety of fishing features, furthering the versatility of this incredible watercraft.
The Boston Whaler range is synonymous with luxury, pleasure and smooth-sailing. The Outrage 330 is no different. With its extensive range of fishing features, many consumers have raved about its brilliance. Furthermore, the 330 has a private enclosed head compartment in the console, and this consists of storage space, a porthole and even a bathroom. There are plush lounge seats which ooze comfort and sophistication, and they open to reveal more storage space.
People have described the Outrage 330 as the “perfect combination of a sports fishing boat as well as a pleasure boat.” This versatility reflects the brilliance surrounding the 330, and we at Premier Ship Models are hoping to capture this same brilliance in our construction of the model.
It’s a striking boat with stunning visuals and many intricate features and sub-features, full of innovation and extreme efficiency.
Overall, each and every one of these products represent our dedication to our craft, the desire to excel and satisfy, and the sheer attention to detail. We take exhaustive precautionary steps to ensure our products are of the best quality they can possibly be, and this is the exact reason why we have been entrusted to make these specific models for these companies. From custom enquiries to ready-made models, our ships persistently impress, and with the level of time and effort going into these projects, we’re sure the story will be no different.
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