The modeller of the month for April is Bill Hulse
Growing up in a military family, Bill Hulse recalls his first interest in miniatures was the Toy Soldier. He has been interested in modelling since childhood; fuelled by frequent visits to military museums were model ships, in all their glory remain with other war history paraphernalia. Bill remembers the particular model that began his interest in model ships.
"I have visited military museums and there, based on my love of detail ...had discovered model ships of all vintages, sizes and quality. It wasn't until I happened upon a model of a British-Man-of-War that I became hooked with beauty of finishing and detail possible in a work of such a piece." Bill said.
Throughout his youth Bill was able to surround himself with model ships living in the United States where there is plenty of naval history. Quickly Bill's initial interest of War ships flourished into an enthusiastic hobby of model ship building. An interest in period ships has lead Bill to pursue the construction of models like the 1765 Spanish vessel the ship of the line the San Juan Nepomuceno which he is currently finishing the rigging on. From the projects that Bill has worked on he realised that model making is not just a hobby but the sculpting of artwork.
"I am beginning to believe that the modelling of vintage ships tends to move away from a hobby into a form of art. Done properly, the work represents the finest of craftsmanship in any field." Bill said.
Just as Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel there has to be a tremendous amount of effort and hard work before an artist can be satisfied with his work. As is the nature of model ship building which can be a frustrating, complicated but ultimately rewarding. As a modeller, Bill has had his fair share of bad incidents, getting a project completed and wanting to tear it down to the hull and start again. On reflection Bill has realised that model building is a 'total experience' and you have to take the good with the bad.
"The bad experiences are so much more valuable than the good because the knowledge and expertise we gain with technique and material all happen often through the mistakes we make." Bill said.
When building a model ship many difficulties arise and for Bill an initial difficulty is recreating the exact detail of the ship he is creating. And yet this difficultly is a bittersweet experience because it is the complex tediousness of the work that Bill thoroughly enjoys because he is attempting to create a miniature which is as close to the actual ship as possible. This precise authentication commands much research and the greater the knowledge often the easier the model becomes.
"A full knowledge of the vessel leads to the desire to know everything about the shipwright's skill. Exact recreation of the original vessel from scratch is a goal of mine." Bill said.
Often a common problem for modellers is the daunting task of having to rig the model. In all his years of experience Bill finds this a task of great magnitude.
"I tend to worry about everything when I prepare to rig a vessel ... The cord and its quality, the colour and the availability of all of the various dimensions and sizes I will require to complete the job." Bill said.
Bill spent a significant amount of time researching the different types of knots to create the 'rat-lines' before deciding on the Clove Hitch.
"I settled on the Clove Hitch because of the symmetry of the finished knot and 'fun' in learning how to tie the bloody thing. Also, when viewed from the reverse the clove hitch presents a unique double loop signature that is attractive on the inside of the shroud." Bill said.
Bill is looking forward to building the HMS Endeavour as his next model.
Also for the fellow modellers out there a helpful tip (if you haven't already thought of it) is making a notebook or journal of techniques, mistakes and ideas even including photos can help aid the modelling experience.
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