Pat Roll
In the middle 1960’s I joined the faculty at the Naval Academy. While there I couldn’t help but observe that high quality ship models were in all the buildings, some of which were highly detailed. One of the curators noticed my interest and helped me build a model of Donald McKay’s Flying Fish, Boston 1851. He taught me the rudimentary skills which I have developed over the years. Since 1967 I have completed 14 ship models, all from kits by Model Shipways, Mamoli and Mantua. With the exception of a few, I have given them to friends and family.
The photo above shows me holding a half-finished model of the Royal Caroline, a three masted square rigged third class ship of the line launched in 1750. It was used as a yacht by the English royalty until broken up in 1820. The model is a PANART kit loaded with brass decorations as was the original ship. I have been working on it for about 15 months and will take another two years to complete. It is intended for my grandson and grand daughter-in-law as a wedding gift.