Repairing an old model ship

[jurek pinchesParticipant @jurekpinches15050]

an elderly relative built a wooden H.M.S.Victory many years ago. i sort of inherited it & tried to keep it clean & tidy because i thought it a family heirloom. however ill-health set in & i neglected it so the model is now in poor shape. it needs re-rigging & new masts. i live in Hampshire & i wonder whether anyone in the locality (!) could help in some way

[jurek pinchesParticipant @jurekpinches15050]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Jurek,

Sounds like a fairly major job and quite labour intensive. I do rather doubt if you will find anyone willing to take this on even if you were willing to pay them quite a lot of money!

It is rather a shame, but once a model deteriorates it is very difficult indeed to restore it to its original condition except at prohibitive cost.

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Jurek. I would like to offer an alternative, in the event that you will not be able to afford a proper restoration;

You could take lots of reference photos, de-mast it (or leave short stumps) and display the ship as a hull only model,

Touching up the hull, gluing back all those little bits that fall off etc etc should not be beyond you, and when finished, the hull will fit in an acrylic display case (to protect it) and take up much less room than a fully rigged ship.

All the original parts could be kept so as not to deny the ship a fuller restoration , possibly by a future family member, later on.

I realise this a half way house alternative, but realistically the ultimate alternative is the bin. The model will stored and deteriorate to such an extent that it will be chucked away. This would be such a shame.

Ashley

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Jurek ,

we really need to see an image of the ship, so that we can ascertain when and how the model was made. If recent, by that I mean within the period of "kit" ships then the repair would be easier. You mention an elderly relative so I imagine this model has some age.

If, as some of the models I have restored, the ship is from the pre 70's and was built from plans only, then the repair and restore is much harder, not impossible, but again we need to see what you are tendering. Restorations and repairs can take longer than a direct build. In a short space of time, relative, over 12 months I restored three what would seem to be identical vessels, all being the Ark Royal, and all built from the same "Model World" plans but all different.

Ashleys idea is almost original, being the Victory you could depict her now as she emerged from that battle with stumped masts and rigging askew, there are several images of her in that state. That, to me would be quite novel. Currently I have a full work load for the next 4 years, without my own interests being built too. Good luck I hope someone can assist.

Kim

This one above also wanted a display case.

Here's two of those Ark Royals, as you can see they have the original builders style in them.

[jurek pinchesParticipant @jurekpinches15050]

v.sorry for the late reply

thanx for good advice & good wishes

acrylic cases are available in AMAZON & in ACRYLICDISPLAYCASES

the former also has a rigging jig & threads as has CORNWALLMODELBOATS

however suggestions welcome

i plan to repair some of the rigging in the months to come in the hope te model will no more be a hull with stumps!

& once again my thanx

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