Model maker extraordinaire

IFyou thought model making was all about assembling things from Airfix kits, then a quick glance into Probus resident David Wellington’s workshop will force you to think again! Packed from floor to ceiling with neatly labelled boxes of parts and racks of tools, it’s a testament not only to his technical skill, but also to his ingenuity and creativity.

David’s certainly built an impressive range of models in his time – everything from mechanical diggers and lorries to boats, submarines and helicopters. His models are 1:14 scale and he works primarily from photographs, painstakingly copying details and taking accurate measurements to ensure everything is in proportion. He’s had to master a wide range of skills, from carpentry and metalwork to electronics.

Below: Model of a police boat, complete with a working siren and lights.

Every single model works perfectly: one of his submarines can not only navigate under water but even has a tiny and fully functioning waterproof video camera. The police boat shown below even features a police siren and a recorded ‘about to board’ message.

Of course, you can go to a model shop to buy all the bits and pieces you need – but where’s the fun in that? For David, a major part of the enjoyment lies in coming up with creative ways of getting the look he wants and constructing parts from everyday items. The cabin of the lifeboat above, for example, is made from ultra-thin (0.5 mm) wood veneer that not only looks authentic but is also in proportion with the scale of the model. David also takes great delight in repurposing things. For example, the body of the yellow submarine shown below was made by taking a cast from an old fire extinguisher while its diving bell is an old ping-pong ball, and the hull of another vessel was constructed from aluminium signs that were being thrown out. He’s the very embodiment of the phrase, ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure’!

Above left: A model of the Lizard RNLI lifeboat, The Duke of York; Above right: Fully working model of a heavy-duty tow truck; Below: Model of a Kraken deep-sea rescue vehicle (DSVR).