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Philip Reed (model ship maker)

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Philip Reed
Occupation(s)Author, Art Instructor, Model Ship Maker
AwardsNational Living Treasure, Championship Cup

Philip Reed is a renowned model ship scratch builder and published author on the subject of model ship construction.[1][2] He is known for his models of ships from the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Napoleonic era and the 17th century.[1][3] Regarded as one of the finest model shipbuilders in the world,[4] he was awarded the Championship Cup by the Mechanical Engineerium Museum.[5]

Career

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Philip Reed began his career in fine art and education but shifted his focus after being captivated by a model ship-building kit displayed in a hobby shop window.[1][6] Determined to master the craft, he started constructing models and selling them at the American Marine Model Gallery in Massachusetts and the West End Gallery. He describes his passion for building model ships as an obsession, noting that at its best, it offers a ‘meditative absorption,’ while at its worst, it can lead to ‘total frustration.’[1]

Since beginning his career in model making in 1980, Reed has authored numerous articles and four books focused on ship model construction.[1][7] His publications are primarily aimed at advanced scratch builders,[8][9] but can significantly increase the model ship building skills of the readers, while showing them that persistence and trial and error can produce a fine model.[7] His books can also be valuable for nautical archaeologists who may benefit from using modeling as a tool to interpret information.[10] In his book Building a Miniature Navy Board Model, Reed guides readers through each stage of the process, accompanied by 400 photographs and detailed explanations.[11][10] The book marked the first comprehensive examination of early 18th-century Navy board models in many years.[12][13] He said that, “One of my great hopes is that someone will take up the baton and use what I’ve written to extend the life of this particular art form.’[1]

Reed has built many model ships from the First and Second World Wars and the Napoleonic era, but in recent years he has shifted his focus to ships from the second half of the 17th century, a period he admired in his childhood.[1] Each of his models is handcrafted, taking a minimum of 6 months to complete, with many requiring a year or longer.[5] He works in a small and simple workshop, using hand tools and small machine tools.[2] His models are built to a scale of 1/16 inch, which is a quarter of the normally used 1:48 or 1/4 inch.[1][14] Although the tools and materials that Reed employs are not different than what other modeler's utilize, it is the way he uses them and his outside of the box thinking that distinguishes him.[7] Roger Cole of The Northern Mariner said that pictures of Reed's models appear like they "could be photos of the original vessels."[2]

Early on in Reed’s career, he realized that it was very difficult to make accurate models from just plans. Fortunately, he was able to go to nearby London museums and take photographs. He said that without those photographs, he would not have been able to complete his early models. He believes that his time as an art student was critical in developing his mindset and abilities as a model ship builder.[15] He also emphasizes the importance of pursuing what you “absolutely love doing,” suggesting that everyone has a purpose in this world.[16] He wrote the foreword for Alistair Roach's The Life and Ship Models of Norman Ough and called Ough a great inspiration for his own career.[17] As a child, he visited the Imperial War Museum and was particularly fond of Ough's HMS Curacao.[18] Notably, Reed conveyed that he might be "the last model ship maker working in this particular format."[19] Country Life magazine has recognized Philip Reed as a living national treasure.[1][20]

Models

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External videos
video icon Philip Reed's Ship Models

Philip Reed crafted The Anne of 1678 to depict it as it was transporting Maria Sofia of Neuburg to marry Don Pedro the Second in Lisbon. He credits Richard Endsor's book, The Warship Anne, as a vital resource in his research for constructing the model, which he built to a scale of 1/16 inch.[15] The Mordaunt represents a further example of a miniature Navy board model crafted by Reed. The contributions of Richard Endsor were also instrumental in the development of the plans for this model. In its construction, Reed utilized Brazilian boxwood for both the framing and planking, while opting for carved boxwood for the decorative work.[9] Another noteworthy example of a Navy board model is the Royal George, for which Reed selected yellow cedar for the planking. In order to create the intricate decorative carvings for this model, Reed employed wire armatures, sculpted boxwood, and artist's gesso.[9]

While most of the models he constructed have been sailing ships, he has also built sixteen modern warship models, with the majority of them being WW1 and WW2 ships.[18] One such model is the HMS Caesar model. Before commencing its construction, Reed studied plans that represent 1/16 inch scale while using John Lambert's work for larger components. Additionally, he used a copy of Anthony Preston's Warship # 32, HMS Cavalier, and the Ca Class Destroyers. He also utilized the numerous photographs he captured of the HMS Cavalier at Chatham, recognizing that certain modifications made to the Cavalier may not have been made to the Caesar.[2]

Exhibits and recognition

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He was awarded the Championship Cup by the Mechanical Engineerium Museum in Brighton, England. His models have been exhibited at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, the Parker Gallery, and the Philadelphia Maritime Museum,[5] and other leading museums and galleries in North America and Europe.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The model ship maker: 'It's been my life's work - I wouldn't swap anything for the pleasure it gives me'". www.countrylife.co.uk. London: Country Life. 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Cole, Roger. "Waterline Warships. An Illustrated Masterclass."Northern Mariner / Le Marin du Nord, vol. 21, pp. 211-213.
  3. ^ Wood, James (11 October 2018). "Britain's 'last model ship maker', 76, who has spent more than 50 years painstakingly recreating maritime legends 'will die in his workshop rather than give up on his aging craft'". Daily Mail. London: DMG Media. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  4. ^ See the following references: • "The model ship maker: 'It's been my life's work - I wouldn't swap anything for the pleasure it gives me'". www.countrylife.co.uk. London: Country Life. 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2025. • Waugh, Tessa (11 July 2018). "Living National Treasure". www.magzter.com. Retrieved 24 April 2025. • "Britain's 'last model ship maker'". www.halfhullshipmodels.com. Maritime Arts and Research. Retrieved 24 April 2025. • “Miniature models Philip Reed.” Ships of Scale. • "Zen and The Art of Model Making - The Story of Philip Reed." Brit Modeller.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Britain's 'last model ship maker'". www.halfhullshipmodels.com. Maritime Arts and Research. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Phillip Reed." U.S. Naval Institute.
  7. ^ a b c Augustin, Gus. "Period Ship Modelling: An Illustrated Masterclass."Nautical Research Journal, vol. 53, pp. 180-181.
  8. ^ Reed, Philip (18 October 2007). Period Ship Modelmaking – An Illustrated Masterclass. Yorkshire: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1844156962. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Reed, Philip (1 August 2013). Building a Miniature Navy Board Model. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781591140924. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b Colin, Martin. "Building a Miniature Navy Board Model."International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, vol. 38, pp. 444-445.
  11. ^ Uwek (May 2018). "Book Review: "Building a Miniature Navy Board Model" by Philip Reed". shipsofscale.com. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  12. ^ “Building a Miniature Navy Board Model (Paperback).” Harvard Book Store.
  13. ^ “Building a Miniature Navy Board Model” Barnes & Noble.
  14. ^ Renshaw, Gary. (2024, March 28). "What is the Most Popular Scale for Model Ships?." Modelers Central.
  15. ^ a b "Philip Reed's Ship Models No#1 - The Anne". Model Ship World. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  16. ^ “Miniature models Philip Reed.” Ships of Scale.
  17. ^ Roach, Alistair (September 2015), "Norman A. Ough (1898–1965)", Model Boats, p. 7
  18. ^ a b Reed, Philip (23 February 2011). Waterline Warships: An Illustrated Masterclass. Great Britain: Pen and Sword. ISBN 9781783830862. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Britain's Last Model Ship Maker Will Never Give Up Craft". Caters Clips. Retrieved 2025-01-16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbzkHMIZYGc
  20. ^ Waugh, Tessa (11 July 2018). "Living National Treasure". www.magzter.com. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
[edit]

Zen and The Art of Model Making - The Story of Philip Reed

Britain's Last Model Ship Maker Will Never Give Up Craft

Philip Reed's Ship Models No#1 - The Anne

Philip Reed's Ship Models No#5 - HMS Cavalier

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