We caught up with model maker Mayflower Models at the workshop to discuss our latest project that is nearing completion; a ship model by SS Corinthic. Mayflower Models shared details of how he got into modeling, using 3D printing for the first time, and offered advice for other modelers just starting out.

1. How did you get into modeling?

I used to want to be a talented engineer. With a natural talent for math and an understanding of technology and good design; I left Bulgaria for London in 2011. My father had a modeling workshop in Potters Bar, just outside London. He restored and built models, spending many hours surrounded by tools, ship plans and building materials. My father worked under his own eyes and always strived for perfection, a trait he passed on to me.

The transition between school and college created the opportunity for me to take my first steps into modeling. I helped my father complete the restoration of a model yacht for one of our clients, who later became a yacht designer. As my experience in model building grew, so did my realization that I wanted to make a career out of it.

2. Introducing the program

The customer visited us and asked for models of two specific ships that we had never built before. He brought with him only a photograph of the SS Corinthic and a small amount of information showing that the ship had sailed from the UK to New Zealand. We worked with the Greenwich Maritime Museum to obtain the ship's drawings, but it lost some of the Corinthic's drawings. The ones they did manage to get to us were old and printed on paper that had become crumpled with age. When the copies were received it soon became apparent that the plans were difficult to read. Without the plans, it was almost impossible to accurately produce finer details on the model. By chance, a colleague of mine discovered a book based on Collins and her sister ships and he quickly snapped up the last copy on Amazon. The book, which I have now gone through countless times, contains a wealth of photographs and information that helped make this project a success.

3. How do you plan a project of this size?

Before building any model, I replicate a process. The process is mathematical and scientific and focuses on getting as much information as possible and outlining every detail of the model before proceeding with the build. This is similar to the process of building a real ship. Some model builders work from the eye, using photos of the ship to create replicas, much like an artist would. We prefer to work the way we do because we are committed to creating something that is a precisely scaled down imitation of the real thing.

With this model, the first thing I did was to correct and fix the plans as much as possible. I created the frames and transoms before planking the 2.5 meter hull. Then I added fiberglass to avoid any cracks after years of displaying the model. Then I finished the deck, the superstructure and finally the smaller details. I would say that I spent about 50% of my time on this project on the plans and the remaining 50% on the construction. This is usually the case with any project, and sometimes creates problems showing progress to the client because although I did a lot of work, they didn't get to see anything concrete.

4. What was the biggest challenge you faced in this project?

As I explained above, the biggest challenge so far has been the planning. While the book my colleague found was a real help, it was difficult to complete the deck details. The lines on the plans are distorted, which means that when comparing the plans of the superstructure and the hull, there will be different information. For example, the width of the center may be different or the curvature of the hull. I overcame this problem by changing the plans of the superstructure and the hull.

Other challenges we faced included finding out that there was a rebuild on the ship, which meant that some of the structures on the deck looked different between the information in the plans and how they looked in the photos. There were also differences between the plans, as some were from before the rebuild and some were from after the rebuild.

5. What do you find most exciting about this project?

When I like a challenge, the amount of research required is enjoyable! I found information about companies that build equipment on ships to help me create details more accurately. This was our first project using the 3D printer and it was a lot of fun. We used the 3D printer for details on the lifeboats, winches and decks.

6. How do you balance the need to meet your own and your clients' expectations with maintaining a commercial focus?

I'm still learning ab figuring out how to do this effectively. Honestly, I can't find the balance. It seems to me that the biggest struggle in your life is with yourself! If there is only one detail on the model that is problematic, even if only an expert would notice it, I can't leave it alone. Every time I look at the model, that detail stands out.

7. You built this model using new technology - tell us how it helped the process?

Yes, for the first time we used a 3D printer to build this model. The 3D printer means we can work faster, as small details that might take a day or two to make by hand can be done in a couple of hours. The scale of the model means you can see the details of the real ship 99%. This means you won't miss any details, no matter how small they are, which is what makes the 3D printer so useful.

8. What advice can you give to other modelers just starting out?

The best advice I can give is to do as much research on the real ship as possible. You should look at every plan, read every story, and learn as much as you can about the ship. You should be patient and love what you are doing or the final product will not be the best it can be. Remember that everything is possible in modeling - if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to do it.

9. What's the next project you're planning?

For the same client, we will be completing a model of the HMS Pangbourne, a warship with a connection to the client's family. The HMS Pangbourne, like the SS Corinthic, has a lot of small details, so this will be a great opportunity to use the 3D printer again.

The SS Corinthic ship model is nearing completion and we will share pictures of the completed masterpiece in due course. To stay up to date with all the latest news from Mayflower Modeling.

Morigi Mayflower ModelIt is an artisan boat model manufacturer dedicated to boat model making, with 32 years of boat model making history, and countless display boat models for major shipyards, and will treat the boat model business with the spirit of craftsmanship in the future. Please contact us by phone if you need any help!