Masterpiece Models

Our friends at Formations asked Masterpiece Models to create a scale replica of Castle Williams as it looked when it was completed in 1811. This is for a larger exhibit at theGovernors Island national Park. The model was created using historical data and images of the fort as it looks today. Since the model was largely round our team was able to make sections of which were sent to our Casting Department to be cast out of a urethane resin. This model will be sitting outside for most of the summer months and will be be tactile, so it had to be made to take abuse from the sun and people. Overall this project came out beautifully and our customer is very pleased with the outcome. We would like to give special thanks to Rick Lawler, Ric Keen and Bruce Bowman for their craftsmanship on this project, and of course our casting team that spent hours and hours casting up the parts of this magnificent replica.

Masterpiece Models certainly kicked off the new year with a BANG with the completion of a number of very large, and impressive displays. The centerpiece(s) of the project were a interactive F16 fighter jet operated from the controls of a full sized cockpit along with a 36 foot Atlas V rocket.

A big “well done” to our project manager Bob for wading though stacks of circuit boards and endless wires in making a truly remarkable F16 interactive experience. From the full sized cockpit the customer will be able to control the plane….turning, climbing, banking…..wheels down….it’s all there to enjoy. Other features of the display include back-lit cockpit gauges, laser cross-hairs on the HUD, engine sound, simulated thrust through the use of LED’s – and perhaps the most comfortable ejector seat one could hope for. (Thanks to Ed.)

Atlas Rocket at the MOST

F16 at the MOST

Across our parking lot in building “A” work simultaneously was proceeding on our Largest Model to date – a 36ft replica of the Atlas V Rocket. For nearly 5 months our “Rawket Men” (Ben, Alex, and Matt) worked their larger than life magic turning ordinary materials into this centerpiece display.

As with the F16 this rocket is loaded with extra features. The boosters are all fitted with LED clusters that are synchronized with an internal sound system that really can shake the foundation around you. 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 ….. Lift Off!

Load ‘em up, move ‘em out!

When our projects are ready to ship it is always an important day for us…the long hours of research and building have finally come to fruition with a final product to be proud of.

Sometimes, however, getting our projects to the customer can be as big a project as the models themselves. A project of this size required a “all hands on deck” effort as the entire staff of Masterpiece Models chipped in to help load the project into the rear of a semi truck headed for it’s destination some 3000 miles away.

Today everything goes according to plan – even the weather had decided to cooperate. With the help of a hi-lift and some strong backs the projects are loaded onto the truck.

Today everything goes according to plan – even the weather had decided to cooperate. With the help of a hi-lift and some strong backs the projects are loaded onto the truck.

Masterpiece Models responded to a request for quote from the US Navy to quote on an 18′ long replica of a Los Angles class attack sub cutaway model.  This model is to replace an aging model that is already in the US Submarine Force Museumin Groton CT.  Since this Submarine is still in active duty finding blueprints was a bit of
trouble. after scouring the internet and being turned down by the Navy. We found the blueprints in the most unlikely of places, an RC Boat Newsgroup. considering the blueprints are supposed to be Top Secret.

The models construction is out of 1/8″ styrene sheet formed over urethane foam plugs.  The hull sections are then glued together creating the overall shape.

The images below represent the progress of the interior decks and bulkheads. Just an FYI: this post is for the gang at the Subcommittee Message boards please visit the Subcommitte it is a great site for anything and everything related to Submarines.

We are now on the final stretch of the LA Class Submarine for the US NAVY Submarine Force Museum. We will be shipping the model on February 13th for arrival on the 18th of February.

Due to a lack of information on the still classified sub. We can only guess at what
the sub really looks like inside. We did have some interior images but budget constraints only allowed us to place so much detail

Aft of the periscopes

Back up diesel engines the empty space above will be the galley and ward rooms

Reactor Room

Maneuvering Room

Captains Quarters

Crew Bunks

Forward Part of the Main Engine Room

Rick working away

Special thanks to Bob, Ed, Ric, Don, Bruce and Rick for the effort put forth on this project