Ship In Bottle Models

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The models shown in the photographs on this page are not for sale, they are shown only to showcase John's skill and the level of detail that he is capable of obtaining with his miniature ship and boat modeling. Most of the models shown on this page were commissioned models, where only the single model for the client was built. The rest of the models shown are those John built and has already sold all the available copies.

Please note that any of the ship and boat models shown on this page, or anywhere else on this site, can be built by John under commission. Models that are shown as ship in bottle, ship in light bulb or static display models can be commissioned to the client's taste. For instance, a ship in light bulb model shown can be made as a static display, or ship in bottle model, or vice versa.

Commissioning John to build a model starts by contacting him and letting him knew your desires. John can then provide you with an estimate of the cost for the commissioned model. Please understand that John cannot quote a price unless you can specify the ship, or boat, to be modeled so that he can check on the availability of published plans. The size of any model determines both the final price and the level of detail it is possible to include in any model John builds. The type of model desired by any client also figures into the final price, ship in light bulb and ship in bottle models have different building specifications that must be taken into account. John will be most happy to help to determine which type and size of model, versus model pricing, would work best for any prospective client.

Most of the models shown on this page took months of work to complete, with the average being around 4 months. Commissioned models are only accepted when John nears completion of the current project he is working on. The best method for commissioning John to build a model for you is to contact him well in advance of any specific date you might require the model to be completed. While John estimates the total time the model will take to build, as part of the pricing for any given commission, he cannot make any garantees about the exact finishing time/date. There is a bit more about payment for commissioned models on the Purchase Information page.

Armed Transport "Bounty" as a ship in bottle model.
The model is housed in a 200ml "hip flask" bottle.

These models of The Armed Transport "Bounty" were built to the scale of 1:589, to fit both the bottle for one model and 3" globe light bulb for the other. The strange scale resullts from John's efforts to make the model as large as possible and still be able to finish it in the final container.

The light bulb version of this "Bounty" model won a Silver Award in competition, see the Awards & Article page for particulars.

The compass rose stand used for the light bulb version of "Bounty" is typical of most vertically oriented, small light bulb models that John builds.

Armed Transport "Bounty" as a ship in light bulb model.
The model is housed in vertically oriented a 3" diameter, globe light bulb.

Detail closeup of Armed Transport "Bounty", before being finished in either bottle or light bulb.

Shackleton's "Endurance" as a ship in bottle model. The bottle is a more than usually clear laboratory bottle.

These models of Shackleton's "Endurance" were built at slightly different scales. The "Endurance in bottle model was built to the scale of 1"350, while the light bulb version of "Endurance" was built to the scale of 1:275. Both were built at these scale to make the models as large as possible and still fit into their containers.

The ship on bottle model of "Endurance", shown at right, won First Place in the Miniature Division and Best in Competition Awards. Another "Endurance" model built by John won a Gold Award in competition, see the Awards & Articles page for particulars.

Shackleton's "Endurance" in a light bulb model. The light bulb is an 11" long sodium vapor light bulb, horizontally oreinted.

Detail closeup photograph of the "Endurance" model in the light bulb.

The Yawl "Seabird" as a ship in light bulb model. The light bulb is a 3" diameter, vertically oriented globe type bulb.

These models are a variety of smaller boats housed in 3" diameter globe type light bulbs. These bulbs, as well as most others, can be setup to display a model in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. Nearly any kind of light bulb can be configured either way. Some ship in bottle models can also be oriented vertically or horizontally as well.

Obviously, models of ships and boats for 3" diameter light bulbs are necessarily very small, and therefore not as detailed as larger models of the same vessels would be.

The Schooner Yacht "America" as a ship in light bulb model. The light bulb is a 3" diameter, vertically oriented globe type bulb.

The Sandbagger "Bull" as a ship in light bulb model. The light bulb is a 3" diameter, horizontally oriented globe type bulb.

Tahiti Ketch "Torea" static display model. The model is housed in a brass trimmed glass case, with a planked top to the case base.

This model of the Tahiti Ketch "Torea" was built at a scale of 1:96. The model was built using generic tahiti ketch plans, with specific dimensions provided by the client who commissioned the model. The client had owned "Torea" for a number of years, and wanted something special as a reminder of the boat he loved. The client provided numerous photographs of the real "Torea", which John used to add as much detail to the model as possible.

The client insisted that all the hardware on his "Torea" model be made of brass, just like on his beloved boat. The insert above shows the gaff tackle, with John's finger as background.

A detailed closup photo of "Torea" static display model.

Another detailed closeup photo of "Torea" static display model, with a dime at lower right to indicate scale/size.

The Brigantine "Newboy" as a static display model. The model is housed in a brass trimmed glass display case with a planked top to the case base.

This static display model of the Brigantine "Newsboy" was built at the scale of 1:384. The model was built using published plans of "Newsboy", with some alterations according to newer, better information. The model was commissioned by a modeler who wished to learn more about John's particular miniature modeling techniques. John provided the client with over 1500 photographs taken during the model's construction. Nearly every aspect of the modeling was documented, most things from various angles for more clarity. Contact John if you would like a DVD including copies of all the digital photos taken for his client.

This model won both a Gold Award and the Dana McCallip Best Miniature Award in competition, see the Awards & Articles page for particulars.

A detailed closeup photo of the bow of the "Newsboy" static display model.

A detailed closeup photo of the stern of the "Newsboy" static display model.

The Canadian Fishing Schooner "Bluenose" as a static display model. The model is housed in a mahogony trimmed glass display case with a mirror for the case base.	This static display model of the Canadian Fishing Schooner "Bluenose" was built at the scale of 1:240. The model was built in 1987 and is housed in a glass case with a mirrored bottom and mahogany frames. This model won a Gold Award in competition, see the Awards & Articles page for particulars.
A detailed closeup photo of the stern of the Bluenose static display model.	A detailed closeup photo of the topmast area of the "Bluenose" static display model.

The Frigate "USS Constitution" as a ship in bottle model. The bottle in this case is a standard gallon jug.

This model of the "USS Constitution" was built at a scale of 1:480'. The model is housed in a gallon jug, on a basswood stand with etched brass name plaques. The model was built in 1996-97 in honor of the Constitution's 200th anniversary in 1997. An extensive article on the model's construction was published in Model Ship Builder Magazine. The model won a Certificate of Merit in competition, see the Awards & Articles page for particulars. The model was on display at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, Massechusettes from July 4 to October 31, 1997.

The photograph below was used as the cover for one of the issue of Model Ship Builder Magazine that part of John's article was published in.

A detailed closeup photo of "USS Constitution"model, showing deck structures, cannon/carraiges and the rigging exit holes.

A detailed closeup photo of the "USS Constitution" model, knocked down and being inserted through the neck of the gallon jub. Note the 100+ control rigging lines that had to be operated from outside the bottle.

The Continental Sloop of War "Providence" as a ship in bottle model. The bottle in this case being a standard gallon jug.	This model of the "Providence" was made at a scale of 1:210 and was built during 1994. The model is housed in a gallon jug which is 11.5" long, 6.5" in diameter and 7.5" tall, including the stand. This model was the subject of a multi-part article published in Model Ship Builder Magazine. This model won a Silver Award in competition, see the Awards & Articles page for particulars.
A detailed closeup photo of the stern area of the "Providence" ship in bottle model, before it went into the gallon jug.	A detailed closeup photo of the bow area of the "Providence" ship in bottle model, before it went into the gallon jug.

The Catalina 30' "Romanza" ship in bottle model. The bottle for this model is a rather thick walled laboratory bottle.	This model of the "Romanza" was built at a scale of 1:120, and was built in 2000. The model was a surprise gift for the boat owner, from relatives and colleages. Plans were obtained from the Catalina company, and photographs provided by the boat owner's wife.
A photo of "Romanza" in an intermediate stage of construction. The dime is included for size comparison.	A detailed closeup photo of the "Romanza" ship in bottle model, before it went into the bottle.

The Morris 28' Linda model "Shearwater" as a ship in light bulb model. The bulb for this model is a vertically oriented sodium vapor light bulb, 11" tall.	This model of the "Shearwater" was built at a scale of 1:67, and was built in 2007. The model was a surprise gift for the boat owner, from relatives. Plans were obtained from the Morris company, and photographs provided by the boat owner's wife.
Another view of the "Shearwater" ship in light bulb model.	A detailed closeup photo of the stern area of the "Shearwater" ship in light bulb model.