Displaying model ships

[Sailorman]

I've just spent a couple of weeks mounting my model ships onto display bases. This makes them easy to move around since you can pick them up without actually touching the model. Of course, my models are converted to waterline models so this might not be that useful for full hull models.

[Sailorman]

It works like this:

The bases are ordered from a carpenter friend of mine. They are polished mahogany.

After cutting away the hull to make the model a waterline model I glue on a base out of plastic card.

Before gluing it on I place 2 stanless steel nuts a fixed distance apart. Usually about 150cm or so....not forgetting to drill the 2 holes in the plastic card before fixing the nuts.

I build up a "box" around the nut using plastic card and fill it with resin up to the level of the nuts. Then I cap thes other bits of plastic card also with holes drilled in them.. The model is then glued to the prepared waterline card with the nuts in it.

Once the model is complete I place it on the base and fix it in place using 2 stainless steel bolts and washers.

The wooden base has no holes in it when I get it ....so I drill out the holes of the right size. The hole at the bottom is widened so that the screw head does not project below the base and hence does not damage the furniture tops!

You can see the process in the following photos:

[Ratch]

I like my waterlined ships on a seascape

[Kenneth ONeill]

Nice Ratch, particularly the S-boot just arriving quay-side.

[Ratch]

Cheers Ken

[Sailorman]

Nice builds Ratch,

That's the beauty of modelling. Each can find his own preference, waterline, diorama or full-hull.

[Ratch]

Indeed it is Patrick. I've seen some fantastic seascapes that I strive to emulate. Full hulls sitting on wooden blocks look good too.