Amateur Ship Models
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of ship models made by amateur model builders. These were constructed for pleasure, but those making them were often professional sailors and fishermen as well as dedicated maritime enthusiasts. The best of these models are fine, very personal representations of sailing ships, fishing boats, liners and tugs, ranging from models of famous individual vessels, such as the tea clipper Cutty Sark, to the models of 16th century carracks and galleons which were fashionable amateur projects during the 1930s. There are around 60 models in the collection. Some are made from commercial kits, while some are completely built from scratch with considerable skill and artistry. We have an example made by one of the best-known writers on amateur model making, Harold A Underhill, the model of fishing boat CN 474 was used as an illustration in his publication Plank on Frame Modelling. There are also commercial miniature models made by Glasgow-based company Millars Marine Models which, together with examples by Dinky and Tremo, were sold by shops such as The Clyde Model Dockyard from the 1930s. During World War 2 these companies made recognition models of warships and submarines for training – the collection also has examples of these. Finally, no collection of amateur ship models would be complete without that engaging staple of model making, the ship in the bottle, and we have a single fine example of the type.
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