Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Navy - Military - Battleships: => Topic started by: DickyD on January 29, 2012, 12:13:19 am

Title: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: DickyD on January 29, 2012, 12:13:19 am

79-year-old Phil Warren from the UK spent 62 years to build this incredible fleet of 432 ships. All vessels are built entirely of matchsticks and boxes of wooden matches.  The collection includes nearly 370 American and 60 British ships.

Although now 79 years of age, he began creating his first boat in 1948, when he was only 17.  He uses a razor blade, tweezers and sandpaper to carve the pieces and boxes, then assembles them with balsa wood glue.  In total more than 650,000 matchsticks are used to create an amazing collection of 1:300 scale models. Even 1,200 aircraft made ​​even more realistic appearance to dress the decks of aircraft carriers.

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_02.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_03.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_04.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_05.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_06.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_07.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_08.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_09.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_10.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_11.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_12.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_13.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_14.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_15.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_16.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_17.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_18.jpg)

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/DickyD_photos/Matchbox%20fleet/matchbox_fleet_19.jpg)

( Topic renamed )

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET
Post by: Shipmate60 on January 29, 2012, 12:23:40 am

Not only a good modeller but a really nice feller to chat too.
He always has time to answer what must be the same questions over the years.

Bob

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET
Post by: bobk on January 29, 2012, 12:41:00 am

Incredible !  Thanks for posting the pictures, and if you see him Bob please pass on our appreciation  :-))

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET
Post by: Shipmate60 on January 29, 2012, 01:20:16 am

Bob,
He attends shows mostly within easy travelling distance from his home (in Dorset I believe).
He donates all donations collected to charity.

A Utube video showing the fleet in more detail:  CLICK HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luaTqt1qMiY)

Bob

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 29, 2012, 09:17:37 am

 One of my video clips from 2003 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL4FXUOxeuI

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: Bowwave on January 29, 2012, 02:16:16 pm

An amazing guy and a gifted  modelmaker .
Bowwave

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: Rottweiler on January 29, 2012, 02:54:23 pm

   I must agree with DickyD on this subject! Phil is so talented, and always has time to have a yarn,and is always willing to show anyone interested,how it is done.
  I must have seen this display at least half a dozen times,and I still marvel at it,and still spend a lot of time looking at it.I haven't yet persueded Phil to make up a model of HMS Ramillies to go with the Spithead review though!
            Hopefully he will be at Appledore Lifeboat Model Show,again this year,so I can have another look.
    Mick

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: joppyuk on January 29, 2012, 06:02:51 pm

I've admired his work for years but never managed to see it in the flesh, as I a)live too far away from his appearances, b) never find out until too late where he is going to show. I believe he sells a booklet on his techniques at his displays and would dearly like to obtain a copy. If anyone can suggest how I get one it would be appreciated.

Title: SUPERB COLLECTION OF MODEL WARSHIPS
Post by: Patternmaker on January 29, 2012, 06:33:45 pm

My friend has just sent me these pictures of this amazing collection.

79-year-old Phil Warren from the UK spent 62 years building this incredible fleet of 432 ships. All vessels are built entirely of matchsticks and boxes of wooden matches. The collection includes nearly 370 American and 60 British ships.

Although now 79 years of age,  he began creating his first boat in 1948, when he was only 17. He uses a razor blade, tweezers and sandpaper to carve the pieces and boxes, then stick with balsa wood glue. In total more than 650,000 used matchsticks to create an amazing collection of 1:300 scale models. Even 1,200 aircraft enhance the realistic appearance of aircraft carriers.

Title: Re: SUPERB COLLECTION OF MODEL WARSHIPS
Post by: Patternmaker on January 29, 2012, 06:38:38 pm

Sorry, I have just seen this has already been posted elsewhere.

Title: Re: SUPERB COLLECTION OF MODEL WARSHIPS
Post by: mikearace on January 29, 2012, 06:44:08 pm

Still worth seeing no matter how many times and in how many threads its posted.  I have seen this display out and about  at various shows and events and I never get tired of seeing it.  The craftmanship is unbelieveable.  Just wonder how much the collection would go for at auction.  It must be priceless. 

Title: Re: SUPERB COLLECTION OF MODEL WARSHIPS
Post by: tugnut on January 29, 2012, 07:06:30 pm

I saw him at wymouth my jaw just droped, very clever man

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: lancejsy on February 26, 2012, 09:14:09 pm

Amazing gift and well worth the time to have a look at his youtube clip and thanks Dicky-D for bringing this to my attention. I have seen a clip of a chap in the USA who makes and uses RC boats made from match sticks but this takes the biscuit.  :o Wow

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: Shipmate60 on February 26, 2012, 09:16:14 pm

Joppy,
Next time I see him I will get a booklet and post it on. (assuming I remember of course!!).

Bob

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: joppyuk on February 27, 2012, 09:50:44 pm

Shipmate 60
Many thanks for the offer, it will be much appreciated, and I'm sure we can come to an arrangement for reimbursement

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: dave goldsmith on March 20, 2012, 06:59:50 pm

I saw this gentleman and his collection a few years ago whilst on holiday in Dorset, just the sheer volume, of vessels is amazing let alone the detail, as others have said very willing to talk, as if it's the first time he's been asked!

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: billa65t on March 21, 2012, 07:58:56 pm

Have seen this gentleman and his fleet a couple of times at Weymouth and it really is remarkable the detail he manages to get on these small models and as previously stated he really is easy to talk to even though he must get the same questions all the time.
If you get a chance to see this fleet make the effort as it really is worthwile and Phil is a lovely chap to talk to
 :-))
Bill

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: deadbeat on March 22, 2012, 02:44:40 pm

I've seen this fleet and one cannot fail to be impressed and awed. What I admire most though is the research that has gone on before he even starts the model. These are a national treasure!

Title: Re: TRULY AWESOME FLEET ( Phil Warren's Matchstick Fleet )
Post by: Martin (Admin) on May 14, 2012, 11:47:08 pm

Came across this just now:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7rzAD5V45QU#t=625s


A great find which also includes links to "The modelling world of Robert Symes"