Lady Charlotte
Classic River Boat
Model Specifications
Scale: 1:15
Length: 880 mm
Width: 163 mm
Feature: Removable Roof
Commissioned For
Private Display
Client
Simon McMurtrie
Simon McMurtrie, a chief executive of an international business, commissioned this model as a deeply personal tribute to his restored river boat, Lady Charlotte.
After relocating from London, his love for river life was rekindled — offering him a space of calm, reflection, and renewed inspiration. Following a four-year search, he discovered the perfect vessel: Flying Fox — a classic river boat rich in heritage and elegance. Restored and reimagined to balance traditional charm with modern comfort, the boat was reborn as Lady Charlotte.
This model celebrates not just the vessel’s refined lines, but also the story of passion, patience, and rediscovery behind her transformation.
Simon McMurtrie approached us with one clear request: to create a display model of Lady Charlotte that matched the emotional significance and refined beauty of the original vessel. His expectations were exceptionally high — and rightly so. This was not simply a commission; it was a personal reflection of years of searching, restoring, and reconnecting with the river.
From the outset, the complexity of the project was evident. Every element of the boat’s design — its proportions, features, and heritage character — had to be captured with total accuracy and grace. Rising to the challenge, we brought together the full depth of our creativity, engineering insight, and model-making expertise to produce a truly bespoke scale replica that met and exceeded our client’s vision.
This commission stands as a rare opportunity to celebrate craftsmanship at its most personal — a one-of-a-kind piece, built not only with precision, but with genuine reverence for the vessel it represents.
To ensure absolute accuracy, we began this project with an on-site inspection of Lady Charlotte herself. Every aspect of the boat was meticulously measured — from tap fittings and light fixtures to handrails and even the spacing of individual planks. This level of precision was essential to achieve a faithful and authentic replica.
Using the extensive data collected, we developed a fully detailed 3D CAD model that captured every nuance of the vessel. Each component, no matter how small, was designed with careful consideration of the tolerances between different materials, technologies, and fabrication methods. The interplay of wood, metal, and resin required bespoke calculations to maintain structural integrity and seamless assembly.
One of the greatest challenges was the extreme fineness of many structural details — components so delicate that several had to be reworked multiple times to reach the required standard. Custom jigs, moulds, and support systems were developed in-house to allow these features to be fabricated safely and with absolute precision.
A particularly intricate task was the application of the rivets along the curved shell plating. Each rivet was installed individually by hand — a process that speaks to both the patience and craftsmanship this model demanded.
The roof was engineered to be fully detachable, offering a clear view into the richly detailed interior — a feature that reveals the depth of care and artistry carried through the entire build. This model was not just constructed; it was crafted to honour a one-of-a-kind vessel with enduring elegance and character.
Upon completion, the model was first presented to Simon McMurtrie and later to the boatbuilder responsible for Lady Charlotte’s full-scale restoration. Coinciding with a period of maintenance on the actual vessel, we had the rare opportunity to display the model side-by-side with its inspiration.
This moment — seeing the scale replica positioned beside the real Lady Charlotte — was a powerful affirmation of the model’s precision and craftsmanship. Every line, detail, and proportion aligned with extraordinary fidelity, drawing admiration from all who viewed it.
The response was both humbling and deeply rewarding. From the client’s quiet appreciation to the boatbuilder’s professional recognition, the model was celebrated not only as a faithful miniature but as a handcrafted work of art in its own right.