Modeller of the Month - David and Caleb Becroft
Participating in creating models is a fun, interesting and rewarding hobby which is not limited to any age group. Any age or any skill level can enjoy constructing models of all shapes and sizes. Modelling encompasses innovation and an analytic way of thinking; as each modeller has unique techniques when constructing their models and this is a great way of gaining skills or refining existing ones. Modelling can begin at any age, laying the foundations for skills that can continue developing. David Becroft from New Zealand has encouraged his son Caleb, 5 to model since he was 2 years old.
David has always had an interest in ships, in his early twenties David would help repair yachts and canoes on a Christian campsite and spent time rebuilding damaged yachts in his backyard. Like father like son, Caleb has always loved boats from an early age, playing with them in the bath and play pool and he enjoys watching Pirates of the Carribbean an action packed film about the adventures of pirates. Caleb has also really enjoyed going on a school excursion to the Maritime Museum in New Zealand.
"For a school trip Caleb went to the Maritime Museum where some of our 'America's Cup' yachts are and loved going for a sail in an old ship!" David said of his son's growing interest in ships.
David recalls one of the first times that Caleb wanted to build a model, it wasn't a ship but an ambulance and so David ready to assist his young modeller found some pieces of wood and some milk bottles for wheels and Caleb painted the ambulance. Caleb has also made model cars, including a car with family photos in the windows.
"It's really something that Caleb loves doing and when I come home from work he is in the garage before the car has stopped and he wants to 'build something'." David said.
Caleb wants to create models so often that together with David the father and son duo made a smaller workbench with a vice. David believes that this has encouraged Caleb to build more models because it has made it easier for Caleb to help and so he doesn't have to just sit and watch.
Caleb and David travelled to Australia while on school holidays and visited the National Maritime Museum in Sydney and saw a modeller building a ship which really caught Caleb's interest. Very advanced for his age an inspired Caleb, with the help of Dad has built a scratch model of a ship, Caleb drew up the plans and David supplied the materials.
"The ship was not a copy of anything Caleb just drew out the deck and we cut it out and started from there. We often looked at pictures of ships and added whatever he wanted." David said.
David and Caleb have used some very innovative techniques and materials to create their model ship. The deck of the ship named the 'Jolly Caleb' (pictured) was made out of MFD as was the shape of the hull. David recalls that Caleb has an interest in the planking of the ship. The cannons and masts were created out of different sized dowel rods and the sails are made of copper foil, heated with a Bunsen burner from the school that David teaches at, to make it look old. Tooth picks were used for hand rails, the rudder and hull were MFD and ball bearings for cannon balls, all which have created a magnificent looking ship. Hopefully some useful ideas for other parents and grandparents to use with their young modellers.
One of the challenges that David and Caleb have experienced while modelling has been trying to keep the materials to scale. Building all the parts is trial and error until the pair constructs a piece that fits. David said that Caleb wonders why they make so many cannons, sails and anchors. David and Caleb with their shared passion of ships and building have found an excellent past time to enjoy with each other. David enjoys modelling because of the fun that he and Caleb have together.
"I enjoy model building mainly because of the fun that the two of us have together and that there are so many smaller things that you make separately for the bigger job." David said.
Model building with a young enthusiast can be a great experience and together building as well as the finished product can be enjoyed. David's advice to fellow modellers is that for the parents to realise that it is better for the kids to have a go and if it's the child's idea that has to be allowed and that teaches young modellers that if mistakes are made they can learn how to fix them.
David and Caleb plan on making the Titanic for their next model because Caleb loves the film.
Participating in creating models is a fun, interesting and rewarding hobby which is not limited to any age group. Any age or any skill level can enjoy constructing models of all shapes and sizes. Modelling encompasses innovation and an analytic way of thinking; as each modeller has unique techniques when constructing their models and this is a great way of gaining skills or refining existing ones. Modelling can begin at any age, laying the foundations for skills that can continue developing. David Becroft from New Zealand has encouraged his son Caleb, 5 to model since he was 2 years old.
David has always had an interest in ships, in his early twenties David would help repair yachts and canoes on a Christian campsite and spent time rebuilding damaged yachts in his backyard. Like father like son, Caleb has always loved boats from an early age, playing with them in the bath and play pool and he enjoys watching Pirates of the Carribbean an action packed film about the adventures of pirates. Caleb has also really enjoyed going on a school excursion to the Maritime Museum in New Zealand.
"For a school trip Caleb went to the Maritime Museum where some of our 'America's Cup' yachts are and loved going for a sail in an old ship!" David said of his son's growing interest in ships.
David recalls one of the first times that Caleb wanted to build a model, it wasn't a ship but an ambulance and so David ready to assist his young modeller found some pieces of wood and some milk bottles for wheels and Caleb painted the ambulance. Caleb has also made model cars, including a car with family photos in the windows.
"It's really something that Caleb loves doing and when I come home from work he is in the garage before the car has stopped and he wants to 'build something'." David said.
Caleb wants to create models so often that together with David the father and son duo made a smaller workbench with a vice. David believes that this has encouraged Caleb to build more models because it has made it easier for Caleb to help and so he doesn't have to just sit and watch.
Caleb and David travelled to Australia while on school holidays and visited the National Maritime Museum in Sydney and saw a modeller building a ship which really caught Caleb's interest. Very advanced for his age an inspired Caleb, with the help of Dad has built a scratch model of a ship, Caleb drew up the plans and David supplied the materials.
"The ship was not a copy of anything Caleb just drew out the deck and we cut it out and started from there. We often looked at pictures of ships and added whatever he wanted." David said.
David and Caleb have used some very innovative techniques and materials to create their model ship. The deck of the ship named the 'Jolly Caleb' (pictured) was made out of MFD as was the shape of the hull. David recalls that Caleb has an interest in the planking of the ship. The cannons and masts were created out of different sized dowel rods and the sails are made of copper foil, heated with a Bunsen burner from the school that David teaches at, to make it look old. Tooth picks were used for hand rails, the rudder and hull were MFD and ball bearings for cannon balls, all which have created a magnificent looking ship. Hopefully some useful ideas for other parents and grandparents to use with their young modellers.
One of the challenges that David and Caleb have experienced while modelling has been trying to keep the materials to scale. Building all the parts is trial and error until the pair constructs a piece that fits. David said that Caleb wonders why they make so many cannons, sails and anchors. David and Caleb with their shared passion of ships and building have found an excellent past time to enjoy with each other. David enjoys modelling because of the fun that he and Caleb have together.
"I enjoy model building mainly because of the fun that the two of us have together and that there are so many smaller things that you make separately for the bigger job." David said.
Model building with a young enthusiast can be a great experience and together building as well as the finished product can be enjoyed. David's advice to fellow modellers is that for the parents to realise that it is better for the kids to have a go and if it's the child's idea that has to be allowed and that teaches young modellers that if mistakes are made they can learn how to fix them.
David and Caleb plan on making the Titanic for their next model because Caleb loves the film.
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