I'd like to share another little project from my workbench: a Grand Banks Dory, built from the vintage Laughing Whale kit #102B, Scale 1:12 which I managed to find on eBay.
The Laughing Whale was a small model boat manufacturer based in Wiscasset, Maine, known for its quality wooden kits and attention to detail.
The Grand Banks Dory represents the traditional fishing boats used by fishermen working the rich but challenging fishing grounds off Newfoundland and the Grand Banks during the 19th century.
While building this model, I also used a historical reference from the Mariners' Museum collection to help guide some of the details and give the finished boat a little more authenticity.
It's a small model, but it certainly has a big story behind it!
Verlinden 1/35 Scale "Biber" German WWII Mini Submarine
The Biber – A World War II Miniature Diorama
The German *Biber* was a one-man midget submarine developed in 1944 for attacks against Allied shipping.
Armed with two externally mounted torpedoes, this tiny vessel represented Germany’s desperate attempt to counter Allied naval superiority during the final years of World War II.
This 1:35-scale Verlinden Productions model was commissioned by a gentleman fascinated by German submarines.
My goal was to go beyond building the submarine itself and create a complete, convincing scene around it.
The diorama brings the setting to life through carefully crafted cobblestone paving, weathered stone dock walls, rust-stained fittings, aged wooden details, and realistically textured harbor water.
The addition of German personnel studying their maps, stacked supply crates, dockside equipment, and a period-style streetlamp gives the scene depth and a sense of activity.
The wooden display base and clear protective cover complete the presentation.
For me, the real challenge was transforming a scale model into a miniature historical setting, where the textures, weathering, accessories, and composition work together to tell a story.
Every detail contributes to the atmosphere, making the Biber more than a submarine model—it becomes a small scene from a turbulent chapter of naval history.
Second Build - another 1/72nd Corvette - K19 HMS Campanula
Well, after the lovely reception of my HMCS Snowberry - which has been in the wars after a collision, now repaired and upgraded - now with a smoker and lighting - I chanced upon another 1/72 Revell Corvette, so taking everything I had learned in making Snowberry, I thought I would apply myself and see what I could do for a sister ship - the part-built kit - an eBay find - came with a few options for the decals, one of which was HMS Campanula, so the task was set!
Campanula has some differences to Snowberry, a diferent radar tower, different bridge supports - 2 x beams instead of 3 - different layout to the carley floats, an extra flagstaff on the funnel and a diferent bandstand edging for the rear pompom, so some scratchbuilding to fashion the diferences, as well as replacing a few missing parts.
The pics show it as it arrived, then the scratchbuilt carley float supports, the whaleboat runout on the davits, the bandstand alteration, the upgraded front gun, flota nets, navi and interior lights and an overview of the progress...
I am hoping to have her finished this week, and the crew painted and affixed, ready for her maiden voyage at Bury Lido next Sunday, fingers crossed!
Thursday club ran at night at the pool in Burlington. My Puffer lights took a while to install. And looked good. The only problem was that she leaked and needed bailing out several times. I checked the next day and found a big crack in the stern area, which will need repairing. P/S might have been caused by the FULL MOON.
I visited the Yamato museum in Kure, Japan, to photograph the 1/10 model on display there. The museum was built around the model, which is 86 feet long.
In addition to the 1/10 Yamato, the museum features an entire wall of 1/100 models of every IJN warship class from WWII, as well as a second gallery housing full-size artifacts from the war, including a fully-restored Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", and a type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo.
Now that would take a large pond to sail on!! - interesting you mentioned the A6M Zero, I had the privilege of sitting in the cockpit of a Zero several years ago - had to take my dive kit off as it was 30 mtrs underwater in Chuuk (Truk) lagoon !!
HMS Flirt, built by Palmers of Tyneside in 1897. It was a C class aka Star class three funnel 30 knot destroyer. Twin reciprocating steam engines.
The model is 1/72 scale, 3ft long. I have some figures to stick on yet as well as the torpedo davits and the ship's boats.
The model has twin electric motors and is controlled by a Flysky 10 channel radio. The motors can be run synchronized or independent, selected with one of the switches. The left knob rotates the forward gun and the other knob rotates the torpedo tubes.
The model is entirely scratch built. Fiberglass sheathing balsa for the hull. The funnels and cowl vent are 3d printed to my files. I now have a 3d printer which I'm sure will make many fitting for future models.
Hi Ronald,
What a beautiful video! I watched it several times, and I think you chose the perfect time of day to film her.
The sunset in the background, the calm water, and the silhouette of the sailboat create such a peaceful and realistic scene that, at times, it almost looks like a full-sized yacht instead of a model.
Many of us spend countless hours building our models, but you also reminded us that presenting them is an art in itself.
The lighting, the reflections on the water, and the gentle wake behind the boat all came together perfectly.
Congratulations on a wonderful build and an equally wonderful video.
Thank you for sharing it with all of us. It was a pleasure to watch, and it has inspired me to think more about photographing my own models in natural light once they're finished.
It is quite a question whether the propellers will be built correctly. The speed is too high on my small model. We will see about that during the water tests.
