SS Michelangelo Model Boat – GN

Description

About the SS Michelangelo

Constructed in 1965 by Ansaldo Shipyards, the SS Michealangelo is an ocean liner that belongs to the Italian Line. The SS Michealangelo and her sister ship the SS Raffaello, were the largest two ocean liners to exist since the SS Rex in 1932. At the time of construction, commercial airplanes had not yet taken off in the Mediterranean region, providing ample room for ocean liners for both commercial and economic purposes. Both the SS Michealangelo and SS Raffaello were designed to be genuine true liners, and to become the flagship of Italy.

In terms of her structural design, the SS Michealangelo received many modern technological upgrades. This included a Turin polytechnic-designed funnel, which allowed smoke to pass through and deflected it off the rear decks. Today, this design has become a standard in modern ship building. As for her interior, the SS Michealangelo was designed by naval architects Nino Zoncada, Vincenzo Monaco and Amedeo Luccichenti, who ensured that the ship adorned a traditional and classic look.

The SS Michealangelo began her service in 1965, and was recorded to be the 5th fastest passenger ship in the world. In April of 1966, she was damaged by a storm in the mid-Atlantic, which caused the front portion of her superstructure to collapse. This resulted in one death of a crew member, and around 50 injured people. Repairs were carried out shortly after, in the the SS Michealangelo was fitted with steel plates. This incident also led to her sister ship and several other ocean liners being fitted with steel plates for additional strength and protection.

Eventually, the use of transatlantic liners decreased as air travel became more prominent. Although the SS Michealangelo was transformed into a cruise ship, she was ultimately not suited for this job. After being laid up for around a year at La Spezia, the SS Michealangelo received interest from an acclaimed buyer; the Shah of Iran. She spent the next 15 years housing soldiers in Bandar Abbas. Plans to reconstruct the SS Michealangelo as a luxury cruise ship unfortunately never came to fruition and the SS Michealangelo was eventually scrapped in 1983.

Making of the SS Michelangelo Ship Model

The construction process begins with extensive research and planning, to ensure that the ship model is replicated as accurately as possible. The ship model is then scratch-built by master craftsmen, using her original plan and photographs.

The building process requires hundreds of hours of work before completion and undergoes a stringent quality control process before leaving the workshop. The team of master craftsmen make use of their skills and expertise to build the hulls and bridges exclusively out of hand picked hardwoods, in order to create the structure of the ship model. The plank-on-frame technique is then employed to follow the unique curve of each ships hull.  In order to create a smooth finish, the model ship is sanded and varnished, before the painting begins. An undercoat layer is added, to create a smooth and even surface. The paint is then selected and matched to the colour of the original ship. The details on this ship have been replicated using polished brass, metal finishes. Each of these processes are executed in sync with the customer’s customisation requirement or matched perfectly with the ship’s original layout. The ship model is then packaged carefully, to ensure that ensure for a smooth and safe transit to our clients.

This SS Michelangelo model ship is mounted on a solid wooden base with brass name plate, and would make a stunning addition for any space.

This model is not a kit and is ready for display.

About the Manufacturer

At Premier Ship Models, we are committed to building quality partnerships. With more than twenty years of experience, our manufacturers are specialised in the production of luxury hand-crafted model boat and ships. What originally began as an artisanal family workshop, now produces an extensive range of highly sought-after collectibles; Including classic speedboat models, historic tall-ship models, cruise ship models, moderns yacht models and battleship models. These ship models are carefully hand crafted and made from the highest quality hardwoods, sourced from local exotic wood resources.