Red Lion
1557
Also known as Golden Lion, this historic vessel served in the English Tudor navy. The scale model, built in 1926, underwent a meticulous restoration to preserve its craftsmanship and historical accuracy.
Project type: Restoration
A private client commissioned the restoration of a 1926-built scale model of Red Lion. Originally made for their family nearly a century ago, the model holds strong sentimental value and reflects a long-standing appreciation for maritime heritage.
The project began with the careful collection of the Red Lion model from the client’s home, followed by secure transport to our restoration workshop. While the model’s overall structure remained sound, nearly a century of accumulated dust and grime had settled deep into the grain and fine textures of its surfaces.
Once cleaning commenced, we uncovered several cracks that required skilled repair. Every component was meticulously cleaned by hand, and the original paintwork was stabilised to prevent further peeling—an essential conservation step for heritage ship models of this age. Only then were the cracks filled and restored with precision, ensuring long-term structural integrity.
All colours, fine lining, and decorative artwork were delicately retouched by hand to maintain historical accuracy and ensure that no visible signs of repair remained. Finally, we designed and built a custom display case, offering both protection and a presentation worthy of this historic scale model.
The model restoration was completed seamlessly, with the Red Lion returned to its original splendour and displayed in a custom cabinet styled to reflect its 1920s era. Upon delivery, the owner’s reaction was one of pure delight—smiling, expressing amazement, and sharing treasured family memories connected to this heirloom.
This restoration not only revived the craftsmanship of the model but also safeguarded a unique piece of maritime heritage for future generations.