Interested in purchasing a custom model ship, plane, or train?
Email me at greg@davishistoricmodels.com.
Be sure to include in your message your phone number as well as a good time we can talk.
I will then call you and we can discuss the model (or models) you are interested in and shipping options.
Commissions
I can obtain many quality model kits. If a quality kit does not exist for your favorite model, scratch-building may be an option.
Delivery
It is my preference to build for customers in the upper Midwest, so that I can personally deliver the completed model to your residence or place of business. However, should that not be possible, we can discuss shipping options.
I have the following model ships in stock, ready to be made for you.
- America – racing schooner 1851
- Benjamin W. Latham – fishing schooner 1902
- Bluenose – racing and fishing schooner 1921
- Britannia – racing yacht 1893
- Confederacy – U.S. Frigate 1778
- Corsair – brig 18th century
- Constitution – U.S. Frigate 1797
- Emma C. Berry – fishing sloop 1866
- H.M.S. Endeavour – research ship 1764
- Flying Fish – clipper 1851
- La Couronne – French war ship 1636
- Le Pourquoi – Pas? – research ship 1908
- Niagara – U.S. Brig of War 1812
- Oliver Cromwell – U.S. privateer 1776 (Admiralty style)
- Oneida – U.S. Brig of War 1809 (Admiralty style)
- Prince de Neufchatel – U.S. brigantine 1812
- Puritan – racing sloop 1885
- Rattlesnake – U.S. privateer 1780 (Admiralty style)
- Syren – U.S. Brig of War 1803
- H.M.S. Terror – research ship 1813
- Willie L. Bennett – skipjack 1899
- H.M.S. Vanguard – British war ship 1787
- Xebec – Mediterranean sailing ship 1753
Model Construction
Many variables must be considered when constructing a historic model. Most important is to have well-documented plans of the ship or plane.
A number of model kit manufactures have done an outstanding job in checking the historic accuracy of their products. Their work, coupled with additional research and skilled craftsmanship, results in models of museum quality.
While the process is easily outlined, the number of precisely made components are numerous and the construction time is measured in hundreds of hours.
For example, construction of a model ship typically proceeds as follows:
- frames are erected on a keel
- the hull is planked
- the deck is planked
- deck furniture and fittings are added
- masts and spars are built
- the ship is rigged
- finishing touches such as anchors and ship’s boats
- finishes – paints and/or stains and varnish are applied throughout the process as required for the desired result.