The restoration of the historic HMS Endeavour formed part of a wider conservation project for two treasured family ship models, alongside the Volante Brig Restoration. Built by the client’s late father, the model had suffered decades of dust accumulation, insect activity, spider webs, structural damage and deterioration caused by the absence of a protective display cabinet. The restoration included deep cleaning, reconstruction of the broken bowsprit and topmast, repair and selective replacement of damaged rigging, the manufacture of a bespoke hardwood display plinth and a handcrafted glass cabinet to ensure the model’s long-term preservation.
HMS Endeavour is one of the world’s most recognised exploration vessels, best known for carrying Captain James Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific between 1768 and 1771. Originally built as the collier Earl of Pembroke before being purchased by the Royal Navy, the ship became famous for charting the coastline of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. Today, HMS Endeavour remains an enduring symbol of maritime exploration, making well-crafted ship models highly valued by collectors and maritime enthusiasts.
As with every historic ship model entrusted to Polaris Models, the objective was not simply to restore its appearance, but to preserve its original craftsmanship and historical character while ensuring the model could be enjoyed safely for generations to come.
Meg Brown contacted Polaris Models after inheriting two historic ship models built by her late father, including HMS Endeavour and the Volante Brig. The models carried enormous sentimental value, representing cherished family memories dating back many decades. Having remained unprotected for years without display cabinets, both models had gradually deteriorated through dust, insects and accidental damage.
Following a detailed inspection at the client’s home, both models were carefully transported to our workshop, where a comprehensive conservation and restoration programme was carried out before being returned and professionally installed in their new bespoke display cabinets.
Years without a protective display cabinet had allowed dust, insects and spider webs to accumulate throughout the model, while accidental damage had broken the bowsprit and completely snapped the topmast. Several sections of the rigging had also deteriorated or become detached, requiring careful assessment before restoration could begin.
The model was first thoroughly cleaned to remove decades of contamination while preserving the original finish wherever possible. Structural repairs focused on rebuilding the bowsprit and replacing the broken topmast before attention turned to stabilising and restoring the standing and running rigging.
Where replacement rigging was necessary, new ropes were manufactured in-house using our traditional ropewalk machine, allowing every rope to match the diameter, lay and colour of the surviving original rigging. This ensured the repairs blended seamlessly into the historic model while preserving as much original material as possible.
Unlike the companion Volante model, HMS Endeavour had previously been mounted on a temporary working base rather than a finished display plinth. A new bespoke hardwood plinth was therefore designed and manufactured to match the Volante, allowing both restored models to be displayed together as a unified collection. To complete the project, a handcrafted glass display cabinet was produced to provide long-term protection against dust, accidental damage and environmental deterioration.
Following completion of the restoration, HMS Endeavour was carefully returned to the client’s home, where it was professionally installed inside its bespoke glass display cabinet alongside the restored Volante Brig. The new matching plinths and display cases reunited both models as a coherent collection while ensuring their long-term preservation.
Seeing the restored models brought back treasured childhood memories for Meg, who commented on how closely they resembled the ships she remembered from her father’s home. She also praised the professionalism, organisation and friendly approach demonstrated throughout the project.
“Thank you so much for your work on my father’s ships. They remind me of how they looked when I was a child. The standard of your work, coupled with your friendly style has made it a very easy and enjoyable process. I would certainly recommend anyone seeking to have model ships restored to use Polaris Models.”
This restoration reflects Polaris Models’ commitment to combining museum-quality ship model conservation with thoughtful craftsmanship, preserving not only historic models but also the family stories they represent.