The Ship Model Forum

I would like to present you here the work of a fine modelmaker-Robert Wilson.

He produces fine waterline and full hull models of a wide variety of ships, sail as well as steam.

His models can be purchased at auctions held by http://www.charlesmillerltd.com

His model frequently feature in the quarterly magazine 'MODEL SHIPWRIGHT' a venerable stalwart of quality modelmaking magazine publishing from Conways.

Robert Wilson has given me permission to feature some of his fine models here at MW.com for you to enjoy!

although a previous contributor for some warships here at MW.com
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
his fine merchant ships can now be seen here also!!
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Roberts says:

" I am retired after 31 years in the Merchant Navy as a radio officer. Between early 1961 & late 1992, served in 19 ships ranging from colliers to passenger liners. My first ship was the cargo liner SS RHODESIA STAR (Built 1943) and my last ship was the RMS ST. HELENA (II), completed in 1990. The smallest ship I served in was the collier WANDSWORTH of 1,792 gross tons. The largest was the passenger liner WINDSOR CASTLE of 37,640 gross tons. My favourite ship, and the one I served in longest (11 years) was the tiny 3,150 gross to RMS ST. HELENA (76 passengers) on the Cape Mail run"

.."I sell all my models in order to fund me carrying on building them & give me space for more. I am currently working on Number 230 since I started counting in October 1992 & they have all gone except three...."

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Here are some more of Roberts fine models....

As sharp as they get!

ther are soo many to chose from....!
watch this space for more of Roberts models soon....

JIM B


Rob's site:


http://www.miniatureships.blogspot.com/

and a few more....

Superb models Robert!

Thanks for posting those pics, Jim. I'll be waiting for more.........

Cheers!

Jorge Martinez

here are a few interesting ones.....!
It shows a typical English prison hulk as used to hold French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic period.
I based it on the hulk of HMS YORK, but I used the plans of BELLONA as the basis for the model.
The washing hanging in the sparse rigging & the naval officer figurehead were made by my wife Christine.
A gloomy scene, but there were a great number of these hulks in use at that time and a really fine big steel windjammer!

Roberts building style is very sharp and crisp...

Inspiring stuff! and the completed model...
The sailing ships in particular feature fine rigging,


The sea bases are a collaboration ...
Roberts sculpts the sea of plasticine-and his wife paints the sea ready to accept the ship!
Robert sells all his models-

occasionally the Couriers get it wrong--and a model is returned damaged....



ARGHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!!!

Fantastic stuff - I believe he used to sell them on eBay until recently.

John

Robert has built over 230 models since 1992...(!)
These models are entirely scratchbuilt....

I intend to continue to show Roberts models here ...

Jim B

JIM BAUMANN wrote:Roberts building style is very sharp and crisp...

Very! Great stuff Jim, thanks for sharing. The ship abandoned in the ice is particularly eerie.

Superb work and thanks Jim for posting.

Bill Keough

Just hilarious!! So nice!!

Any chance to find out where he gets the plans and references for the merchant ships? Would interest me alot...

Hi Everyone,
Bob Wilson here. Thanks for comments. Most of the plans come from old journals such as The Motor Ship, Shipbuilding & Shipping Record, Shipbuilder & Marine Engine Builder etc etc. Lot of sailing ship plans come from David McGregor books, but I have a few much older journals with plans in them. I suppose I have over 4,000 small scal plans in these books that I have been picking up for many years. I don't actively look for them, but they often appear on car boot sales, Ebay etc when I am least expecting them.
Bob

Mr Wilson congratulations.

Your ability to realize those small scale plans into models of this quality in such a short time is phenomenal. Please be so kind to show us more of your work.


Jim thanks for the nice photos.


Yannis

Mr. Wilson,

Perhaps you can help me, I've been looking for drawings of the infamous SS Waratah for a while now, with no substantial results. Would you happen to have a drawing of her? If so, and if you would share it, I would be rather grateful!

Thanks in advance,

Michel B

Hello Michel,
I would like plans of WARATAH myself, but unfortunately they have fallen into the hands of the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich UK. Their pricing policy is far more than I am willing to pay. They normally require in excess of �150 for copies of plans of a ship of that size. Sorry I can't help
Bob.

150? Ridicilous! I bet they fund the office christmas party off it!

But thanks for the reply!

Well, first I need to say THANK YOU to Jim and to Bob Wilson!
The first for letting us know and show the marvelous works of a very skilled and talented ship modeler, Bob, who have to be congratulated by his works!
I could never sell my "children" especially if they were so beautiful as your models!

I like very much the convincing water base (not to mention all the ships, especially the tall ships/sail/rigged), with calm and good wave length, and the fact that the ships even with this swell roll and tilt - you have captured that motion on your dioramas!

I can't pick a particular one, since they are all so good - and I must say that you beat me on the skeleton coast dio! I should work faster (and better too)

Once again thank you (Jim and Bob) for sharing!
Real inspiring and highly motivating

Rui

PS: The wrecked by Post is a pain!!!! Even if insured, it's a disgrace!

Hi Rui,
Thanks for comments. It would be nice to be able to keep them, but it is really a matter of space. I am currently working on the 231st model since I started counting in October 1992. Goodness knows how many I built before then.
I am slowing down considerably now because of the difficulties in selling them. Not because of any lessening in demand, but all the rules forced upon such as me by the new government & EEC rules regarding "Distance selling!" Fortunately, I am less than three months off retirement age & then I can stop completely if I want to. But - it is unlikely that I will want to as I enjoy it so much.
Bob