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Maritime Innovation in Miniature

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Using miniature masterpieces to tell grand narratives

Ship models are one of the most important but underused and under-appreciated cultural resources in the heritage world. Thousands of the very highest quality models are kept in storage and never see the light of day; those that are on display in national and local museums are notoriously difficult to interpret and understand in a traditional heritage setting.

Maritime Innovation in Miniature aims to change that. This project is designed to bring the public closer than ever before to this remarkable and untapped resource. Working closely alongside curatorial teams to gain unprecedented access to these models, our film crews use the very latest in lighting and camera technology, and filming techniques to bring these ships to life in a way that respects, reflects and honours the models themselves as works of art.

Presented by filming location, each video provides an in-depth look at a specific model and is paired with a detailed script, all designed to highlight ‘Maritime Innovation’.

Series 1

Detailed model ship showing the upper deck of a vintage ocean liner with multiple masts and rigging.

RMS Orion: A ship of the future

This is a miniature model of RMS Orion (1934), a groundbreaking passenger liner that redefined modern ship design.

Maritime History Transitions
Detailed scale model of a HMS Vengeance with red hull and intricate rigging displayed against dark background.

HMS Vengeance: For a moment in time

This is a miniature model of HMS Vengeance (1899), a Canopus-class battleship that marked a turning point in naval engineering. 

Maritime History Transitions
Detailed model of the Great Eastern, aerial view.

The Great Eastern: A monster ship

This is a miniature model of The Great Eastern (1854), the largest man-made movable object of its time and a marvel of engineering innovation.

Maritime History Transitions

Series 2

Detailed model ship with intricate rigging, multiple masts, and ornate decorated hull in classic sailing vessel style.

The Medieval Galleon: A votive ship model

This is a miniature model of Medieval Galleon, a ship model originally suspended in Stockholm Cathedral as a symbolic offering by seafarers for safe voyages.

Maritime History Transitions
Detailed scale model of a battleship viewed from the front, showing white superstructure and gun turrets against black background.

HMS Vanguard: The last Royal Navy battleship

This is a miniature model of HMS Vanguard, the pinnacle of Royal Navy battleship design, which embodied innovation and set new benchmarks in naval engineering.

Maritime History Transitions
Detailed wooden ship model showing intricate rigging and ornate hull decoration of a historical sailing vessel.

Océan: The flagship of the French Navy

This is a miniature model of Océan, the largest warship of its era and flagship of the French Navy. Océan displays symbolic features of naval engineering.

Maritime History Transitions
Close-up of a model boat hull with red upper section and white lower section, showing toggle switches and circuit boards.

Mozah: The world's largest LNG carrier

This is a miniature model of Mozah, a Q-Max LNG carrier that revolutionised LNG shipping by reducing transport costs and emissions while improving efficiency.

Maritime History Transitions

Behind the scenes

Discover how the films came together at each filming location. This behind the scenes offers insight into the filming locations, techniques and processes used to capture the detail and character of each ship model.

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