It is that time of year again for our fall Rockler Ship Model Exhibit. As in years past, please submit a model form (see navigation link above) with the information about the model that you wish to display in the exhibit.
We will also be needing volunteers to monitor the event. A sign-up sheet with time slots will be made available for volunteers to sign up. It is a great networking event, and it is great to have our knowledgeable modelers on hand to help our visitors with questions about the models and the club.
Exhibit: October 2023 Name of Model: HMS Unicorn Modeler’s Name: Jay McKeown Period Ship Sailed: 1750’s Type of Model: Wooden plank on bulkhead Build Time: 2 years Scale: 1/75
Ship’s History: HMS Unicorn is a surviving sailing frigate of the successful Leda class, although the original design had been modified by the time that the Unicorn was built, to incorporate a circular stern and “small-timber” system of construction. Listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, Unicorn is now a museum ship in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. She is the oldest ship in Scotland, one of the oldest ships in the world, and one of the last intact warships from the age of sail. HMS Unicorn was built in peacetime at Chatham Dockyard, Kent and launched in 1824. This was a transitional period for shipbuilding, as suitable timber was becoming more difficult to obtain, and iron was increasingly available. Under the direction of Sir Robert Seppings, then Surveyor of the Royal Navy, Unicorn was built with diagonal riders made with iron straps and iron “knees” that strengthened the hull.
Jay McKeown’s IJN Misaka from October 2023 Exhibit
Exhibit: October 2023 Name of Model: IJN Mikasa 1904 Modeler’s Name: Jay McKeown Period Ship Sailed: 1890 – 1905 Type of Model: 1/350 Hasegawa kit Build Time: 5 months Scale: 1:350
Description of build: Lionroar upgrade kit
Ship’s History: She was laid down by Vickers at the Barrow in Furness shipyard on January 24th, 1899 and completed in March 1, 1902. She was transferred to the Japanese fleet on the 13th of March. She was 432 feet long and displaced 15,000 tons, and could reach speeds of 18 knots. She was protected by four 12” main guns in two turrets and fourteen 6” secondary armament. She was the flagship of the Japanese Navy during the Battle of Tsushima (Incheon Bay). Her claim to fame is that on the night of the ensuing battle against the Imperial Russian Navy, she gave the order to attack over a wireless radio network – the first military orders sent over the airwaves in military history.
Jay McKeown’s IRN Varyag from October 2023 Exhibit
Exhibit: October 2023 Name of Model: IRN Varyag Modeler’s Name: Jay McKeown Period Ship Sailed: 1898 to 1901 Type of Model: Zvesda kit Build Time: 3 months Scale: 1:350
Description of build: White Ensign Photo Etch, Model Master Barrels, Tamiya paint. Details enhanced with a set of 1/200 plans.
Ship’s History: Varyag’s keel was laid down at the William Cramp Shipyards in Philadelphia, PA in October 1898 and launched on April 11, 1899. She was fitted out and commissioned into the Imperial Russian Navy on January 2, 1901, as part of the Far East Fleet. She was 425 feet long with a displacement of 7,000 tons and was considered a “Protected Cruiser”. Main armament was twelve 6” guns, and twelve 3” quick-fire Cannet guns. She was involved in the Battle of Incheon. Her crew acquitted themselves well by attempting to fight its way out of Incheon Bay but was scuttled after sustaining too much damage. She was part of the surrender that brought about the end of the Russo-Japanese War in February 1905.
Modeler’s Biography: Building quality ships since 2008.
Jay McKeown’s SMS Kurfurst from October 2023 Exhibit
Exhibit: October 2023 Name of Model: SMS GroBer Kurfurst 1916 Modeler’s Name: Jay McKeown Period Ship Sailed: 1916 Type of Model: Build Time: 4 months Scale:
Description of build: ICM base kit with Eduard Photo Etch, Model Master barrels, Humbrol paints
Ship’s History: SMS GroBer Kurfurst was the second ship of the Konig class of battleships. Its keel was laid down in October 1911 in Stettin and launched on May 5, 1913. Shwas armed with ten 12” guns in five turrets. She displaced almost 26,000 tons and could steam at 21 knots. She participated in most of the High Seas Fleet actions during World War I, including Jutland. She was part of the surrender in November 1918 and infamously scuttled on June 21, 1919 with the rest of the fleet interned at Scapa Flow, Scotland. Modeler’s Biography: Building quality ships since 2008.
Phil von der Heydt’s USS Kersarge from April 2024 Exhibit
Exhibit: April 2024 Name of Model: USS Kearsarge Modeler’s Name: Phil von der Heydt Period Ship Sailed: 1861 – 18884 Type of Model: Wooden kit Build Time: 3 years on the bench, approximately 2,500 hours Scale: 1/8’ – 1”
Phil von der Heydt and his USS Kersarge from April 2024 ExhibitPhil von der Heydt’s USS Kersarge from April 2024 ExhibitPhil von der Heydt’s USS Kersarge from April 2024 Exhibit
Exhibit: April 2024 Name of Model: Montanes Modeler’s Name: Scott Shilling Period Ship Sailed: 1790 to 1820 Type of Model: Tall Ship Man of War Build Time: 2 years Scale: 1:70
Description of build: This is an OcCre kit. It took approximately 1 year to construct the hull and deck and then another year to complete the masts, rigging, and sails.
The Rocky Mountain Shipwrights have been building models along the Front Range since the 1990’s. Over the years we have had many modelers come and go and you will find some of our club’s work on this page.
We are continuously adding to this page so please come back often to see images of newly added posts to the site.
Thank you for stopping by!
Jay McKeown’s Unicorn from October 2023 ExhibitBob Fivehouse’s Republic from October 2023 ExhibitScott Shilling’s Montanes from April 2024 Exhibit
Modeler’s Biography: Bob Fivehouse is a retired middle school teacher originally from New Jersey. He built ship models for the dioramas at Ellis Island in New York Harbor and the restoration of Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island, NY. He has also built models for the oceanographic ships of Lamont Earth Observatory for Columbia University. His models are in many private collections including the model of excursion steamer Queen Mary that is now owned by the secretary of the restoration project for that vessel. Bob generally models steamships in small scales (1:600 ~ 1:384).
Type of Model: Scratch built with some photoetched parts
Build Time: About a year
Scale:
Description of build: The hull is carved from basswood with vellum overlays to represent the steel plating. The yellow line around the hull is painted vellum glued on. Decks are individual planks of holly. The deck houses are bass with paper overlays that have the windows cut into them. All the lifeboats are carved and painted with the davits made of brass rod. The masts are made out of skewers and the booms are of brass rod as are the deck stanchions. All the small fittings are made of wood, paper, and brass. The rails are photoetched commercially. The water is carved wood sealed with modeling paste and painted with acrylic paints. The flags are made of glassine paper.
Ship’s History: The Adriatic was completed by Harland and Wolff for the White Star Line in 1907. She was the fourth of the four giant ocean liners: Celtic, Cedric, and Baltic). The Adriatic was originally built for the Liverpool-New York service, she instead opened the new Southampton service for the White Star Line. In 1911, she went back to Liverpool service. She continued to serve until December 19, 1934, and proved among the most successful and profitable ocean liners ever built.
