Since my last build of the Airfix Trilogy Series, I was recently commissioned to build a scratchbuilt model of the contemporary HALF MOON that was initially built on our shores at Albany, New York in 1988-89. The actual ship was in request for the New Netherland Festival that was to be held in New York City that October of 1989 at the Waldorf Astoria -with the Royal Family in attendance. My first ship model was featured at the event.
Two decades later I was commissioned again to build a second HALF MOON as a diorama which was to celebrate the arrival of Hendrick Hudson to his namesake river in 1609. That diorama was exhibited at Ellis Island during New York State's festivities of that event -which was known a hundred years prior as The Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909. The diorama was commissioned in 2009 to celebrate Hudson's discovery of the famed river; but also to acknowledge the Lenape Indians that approached the vessel as it entered the mouth of the river from the Atlantic Ocean.
Over a 33 year period I have seen many HALF MOON model interpretations and have embraced them all. However, I have not seen any copies produced on the 1989 build that occurred in Albany -and from now, the ship is berthed in the Netherlands. Unlike most replicas that had met its fate; HALF MOON seem to have weathered the storm of longevity,,,similar to MAYFOWER and our beloved frigate CONSTITUTION.
So now, I embark on this current project as a solid hull build, where the other two were plank on frame assignments.
These current images will highlight the early stages of the actual ship -and my current build relative to it. Thanks for viewing!
Two decades later I was commissioned again to build a second HALF MOON as a diorama which was to celebrate the arrival of Hendrick Hudson to his namesake river in 1609. That diorama was exhibited at Ellis Island during New York State's festivities of that event -which was known a hundred years prior as The Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909. The diorama was commissioned in 2009 to celebrate Hudson's discovery of the famed river; but also to acknowledge the Lenape Indians that approached the vessel as it entered the mouth of the river from the Atlantic Ocean.
Over a 33 year period I have seen many HALF MOON model interpretations and have embraced them all. However, I have not seen any copies produced on the 1989 build that occurred in Albany -and from now, the ship is berthed in the Netherlands. Unlike most replicas that had met its fate; HALF MOON seem to have weathered the storm of longevity,,,similar to MAYFOWER and our beloved frigate CONSTITUTION.
So now, I embark on this current project as a solid hull build, where the other two were plank on frame assignments.
These current images will highlight the early stages of the actual ship -and my current build relative to it. Thanks for viewing!
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