25 Years In The Making: HMS Ark Royal In Miniature | Forces TV

A Royal Navy veteran, David Fortey, has unveiled his model of former flagship aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. The model is over 12ft long, weighs 85kg and has taken him 25 years to build.
Read more: www.forces.net/news/navy/25-y...
Subscribe to Forces TV: bit.ly/1OraazC
Check out our website: www.forces.net/news/navy/25-y...
Facebook: / forcestv
Twitter: / forcesnews

[@eouzcuemarz3114]

25 years in the making, man that's quite long and too much effort. Building this replica takes longer than building an actual aircraft carrier. Well done!

[@marcozolo3536]

Eouz Cuemarz can you imagine if some fatty crashed through and wrecked the entire thing just out of sheer clumsiness, that man would weep blood 😂

[@alvinjohnchandra2509]

Coz he had to build the planes and the helicopters to go with it, unlike the actual ones where planes and helicopters are made by somebody else😃😃

[@k.f.cchicken2807]

Agar Edward but this ones smaller

[@philippebenz2643]

And he has a life other than this.

[@flick_shot_5625]

im a model builder and i have SO MUCH respect for this guy, this is an incredible amount of effort, skill, time and dedication to make this. it is INSANE

[@guydecervens]

I really liked the two guys sitting there holding hands. Really captured the spirit of the Royal Navy

[@mitchellbicket7155]

They will get u in the shower 😂

[@Vara91391]

So romantic

[@James-dq7oi]

Royal navy: where you get both types of seamen on your face

[@IndiaEight5]

And I thought that was only U.S. Navy thing...

[@thomasnikkola5600]

LMFAO!!!!

[@charlottemace1810]

I am 76 and been interested in models all my life. I have seen many great models and model builders. This is without a doubt the most impressive model I have ever seen. I gave up model building because I was always comparing my work to professionals like this fellow. I also seen the cost of model building go from being very inexpensive to ridiculous. Testors paints when I was a kid was ten cents a bottle: now they run around five dollars for the same amount of paint. They want as much for that one-tenth of an ounce as you pay for a pint of paint in many cases. You can buy many spray cans for a buck if you caught it on sale. This guy is truly an expert at what he does. He deserves the praise of all model builders.

[@jeffstanley4593]

I remember when that 10 cents bottle was 25 cents maybe even 15 cents. Comic books went from 12 cents to 15 cents and I wondered why. Most of my models were 98 cents. $1.98 was rare if ever. I quit years ago because I had nowhere to put them and would not even consider starting again. No way in hell I would pay todays prices.

[@Owe3ThyCool]

My grandfather served on the HMS Ark Royal (r09) in Suez, and I've never stopped asking him questions about it

[@MajorRoadAhead]

An amazing model, hats off to you sir. In the 1960's I was a member of the Royal Marine detachment on board H.M.S. Centaur, a carrier a fair bit smaller than the Ark. I completed the whole commission on board, which was the Centaur's last one, and eventually she went for scrap, which was sad. I thoroughly enjoyed being a Bootneck sailor!

[@nicpus6891]

My right ear loved the music and my left ear loved the info.

[@spoonages]

BRO i thought it was only me

[@Liam-ly7up]

Thank god I’m not the only one I thought my phone was broken

[@sniffadoghq]

No your left ear loved music right ear loved the info 🤦‍♂️ wrong way round dude

[@rhsaputro4793]

And my eyes loved the video.

[@nicpus6891]

@@sniffadoghq That all depends on how you putt the headsett on. For me the right ear was music.

[@_Matsimus_]

Amazing. And what a ship overall. Canada should have gotten her.

[@harryb8945]

Matsimus wouldn't have been bad idea for them with a few old Skyhawks. But if we couldn't afford her they certainly couldn't.

[@harryb8945]

MercyReaper at the time Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Thailand and India all had conventional carriers. And many still do. Also the QE I think you mean was supposed to have CATDRAP and could have easily been fitted with it. We simply went with STOVL for traditional sacks and then it was to far done to go back.

[@Ethan-yi4lm]

Matsimus I see you everywhere mat.

[@lutenantsweedpertasa]

@Matsimus yes they should have given her to Canada. But I think what they should have done is keep her in service and have the throughdeck cruisers such as the invincible class to compliment our larger carriers. Very much like how the USN and USMC operate their carriers.

[@mikecimerian6913]

An uncle was an officer on our last aircraft carrier, the Bonaventure. I got a chance to visit her.

[@stephencooper315]

A brilliant model keeping the memory of a fantastic ship alive. Thank you for sharing.

[@donsland1610]

I was one of the three SAR pilots on The Ark for the last two years before she was sadly decommissioned. Wonderful to see "Make" (the Wessex Mk1 046) with it's rotors turning again. Beautiful job, bringing back great memories. Thanks David.

[@wildfire160]

Well hello old shipmate...would you be LT GS Sutherland because if you are ive a photo of you,well technically its of all the SAR crew... We never actually met but i was on the ship at the same time as you my name is Malcolm Williams(ex able seaman(s) ..The Ark was a great ship and i loved my time on it the only ship i served on that i never got seasick...(kinda loved the ice cream parlour as well)

[@donsland1610]

@@wildfire160 Hi, yes I am the said Lt. I'm pleased to say that I have met up with my other two SAR pilots for lunch in Cornwall in the recent past. Amazing that we are all in good health considering how we partied in those days.

[@donsland1610]

@@wildfire160 I still have a scrapbook I kept of the last commission which I bring out and show people every now and again. I also met up with the other two SAR pilots for a boozy lunch at the Maytree Inn on the edge of RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, our home base back then last year. Happy times.

[@MrOrmesby]

In the early 1980's I seem to remember seeing the hulk of Ark Royal lying at the breakers yard in Scotland as I was sailing past on a ferry. A sad end to a beautiful ship. This 1/72 scale example is a great testament to her memory.

[@harrymyd3294]

This is awesome, my grandfather was an engineer on the ark, and worked on every single aircraft u can see in the video

[@userjlj]

love that touch of the chopper with the spinning blade, working radar and elevators.. you're a genius sir..

[@thomasnikkola5600]

As a former ABH3 V1 Div USS Boxer lhd4 I can really appreciate this. Great job!

[@syd4444]

Absolutely magnificent, I served on her in the early 70's, brought back a lot of memories.

[@flyingphobiahelp]

Brilliant!! Loved the Ark Royal and the show Sailor with Rod Stewart’s intro -all filmed on that aircraft carrier

[@diggilad781]

i have a picture of My late grandad's frigate he served on (F-15/HMS Euryalus) escorting the Ark Royal edit: I am happy he has made this model and it looks fantastic

[@chrisward7582]

Epic reconstruction, thank you :)

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

The love and care in creating this masterpiece is amazing. Beautiful.

[@syazananazir]

Imagine Karen's letting their kids destroy this masterpiece

[@kamisorani2693]

I'd prefer to imagine this masterpiece destroying the Karens.

[@flamez_177]

Kami Sorani I would like to see all the American army against the Karen’s and then they will stop

[@syazananazir]

@@flamez_177 I see your a man of culture

[@pricelessppp]

Syazana Mat Nazir And playing fighter jets with the display craft. And acting like noisy brats also.

[@sleepybeo3425]

that would be nightmare

[@johntripp5159]

Kudos from a fellow naval electrician and modeler. I have spliced the mainbrace in your honor sir, bloody marvelous!

[@awritenthat]

Did you ever see the huge Ark Royal model that was at the Glasgow Transport Museum. They have it in storage at the moment . It's Ark Royal as built .

[@mikearias2283]

Magnificent. Cheers From USA

[@Kilo-sz4ch]

Mike Arias yes. Cheers also from the USA

[@peterharrop179]

Your carriers from the USA are way better than ours from Britain. Cheers from Britain.

[@mikearias2283]

@@peterharrop179 Hey man if she fits the task her country calls her to do then that's good enough.

[@grummanf14tomcat40]

Gorgeous. Cheers from Poland

[@jackmerriman4445]

@@mikearias2283 exactly, horses for courses

[@rickconnel532]

Damn that's frickin awesome. Thanks for that build.

[@davidadams188]

Awesome model well done Dave.It was a sad day when they retired this beautiful ship.I remember the BBC doco about the last commission before it was withdrawn from service.

[@jotabe1984]

Pretty shure that's the finest Aircraft Carrier in the entire's UK history... I do think the "baby carriers" that replaced her were a decisive step back in UKs history. Good luck for us Argentineans it was decomissioned by 1982, since their F4 Phanoms II with their AIM-7 would had blasted all of our strike force from a much greater distance in 1982

[@bobpert4030]

My brother-in-law was a PO on the Ark Royal in 1976. He worked on ejection and missile systems and I still remember getting to board her and visit the PO's mess. An amazing ship and a stunning model!

[@colin3458]

Fantastic! Well done sir, this was worth every minute that you gave to it.

[@sharjk]

Keep in mind the real one only took 7 years.

[@morriganravenchild6613]

Magnificent! You must be very proud of this outstanding model.

[@gunner678]

A proper aircraft carrier, excellent.

[@socratease1432]

Bloody brilliant! I was so made up to recreate a Harrier scenario based in Germany at school during the mid-seventies. 1/72 to, no where near this superb production! ,

[@rdh67dh]

Is he started with the new one? He deserves help by the UK navy with his next project. Awesome!

[@planenuts]

I truly enjoyed watching this video. Beautiful model with great detail and accuracy, well done sir!

[@iammoose4349]

I want this in a glass box, such a cool model and beautiful ship.

[@michaelmolina6267]

Absolutely a fantastic model of the Ark Royal and her air group. Also some very fine modeling work.

[@paulgibbons2320]

That's amazing. Level of detail only form crew could do. Fantastic job. Love it.

[@AVMamfortas]

Well I bet that kept him off street corners for years ! :) Beautifully constructed.

[@rodneymcgiveron9563]

absolute work of art sir...beautifully done

[@daleeasternbrat816]

I remmber being aboard this ship in 1971. I was 15 and Ark Royal was making a call at Port Everglades. Florida. I especially remember a very impressive ASW aircraft with propellers at both ends . I also remember riding up that big elevator in the flight deck. I really enjoyed that ship!

[@eddieboy4667]

Absolutely astounding! Your attention to detail is admirable. Well done Sir.

[@jedlahaye4765]

A incredible model especially in 1:72 ,the sheer size displays the majesty off a wonderful vessel,well done thankyou

[@65tosspowertrapl36]

Fantastic model, well done!!!

[@TraustiGeir]

7:19 Wow! Instrument clusters and even the Rolls-Royce decal!

[@Andrew-is7rs]

That is utterly superb! Fantastic stuff. 👍🇬🇧

[@demco75]

A labour of love. A fine model.

[@markchip1]

An utterly superb and truly dedicated passion project! As a fellow "Ark" lover from my visit on board during Navy Days 1967(?), I salute you!

[@andrewjenery1783]

Work of a true model engineer

[@ianmacdonald5449]

My Dad was a draughtsman at Swan Hunter on the Tyne he worked in the drawing office and created a lot of the drawings for the Ark Royal while she was being built.

[@tgsgardenmaintenance4627]

Fantastic model of a fantastic ship! If only we still had her in 82!

[@SiggyCloud]

Rusty Lusty and Ark Royal. What great ships.

[@clintcrout813]

Great work. Clearly a man who created a labour of love.

[@JuergenGDB]

It should be put in one of the British Museums. Well done, very well done.

[@idleonlooker1078]

Absolutely stunning!! Well done!! 👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@richardwalker5612]

outstanding piece of work.

[@diogocatalano9557]

Marvelous work.

[@IrishManJT]

Well done Dave!

[@bikevault2302]

This is absolutely awesome - many thanks for capturing this. (Ex RN, Ex Ark Royal)

[@karlpeterfjrtoft7587]

Thats really nice, good job!

[@sank9039]

Teacher:students today we are making boats Students:make wooden boats That one kid at the back of the class: makes this

[@mikebaird6788]

That's dedication to detail

[@tgsgardenmaintenance4627]

Fantastic model of a fantastic ship!!

[@davidadams5922]

So awesome its actually fully rc and able to float !!

[@seaoreo2901]

This masterpiece should be preserved forever

[@HO-bndk]

I bet when he's alone he plays at landing one of those little Buccaneers on it... whoosh...wheee...kathump...

[@123Bilko]

Brilliant! Great model making skills.🖒🖒 Keeping our historical history alive in miniture.

[@ryan1mcq]

Outstanding effort. I served on the latest Ark, great ship.

[@BoxTunnel]

Aircraft carriers don't tend to be the best looking ships, but there was something about Ark Royal. I Will never forgive Simon Groom of Blue Peter for digging into her deck with a cutting torch when she was scrapped. I was seven years old!

[@Pumphyb70]

Absolutley incredible, great work. 👍

[@chrisarthur3577]

Very impressive. What a talented man

[@simonjamesdean2307]

Wow! Mindblowing model!

[@dattape2828]

great job! love it

[@sharpepeter]

excellent model very impressive, well done sir your dedication and skills are to be commended

[@DougHanchard]

Beautiful craftsmanship.

[@KillingDeadThings]

Awesome. This would easily sell at auction. Though that's really not an option for you I'm sure. Great to see this, thank you for sharing. I hope this is around for many many future generations to see and appreciate.

[@johnmercury2272]

Excellent stuff, amazing detail :-)

[@crabbyj]

Amazing! Well done you!

[@stevenfoxworth1755]

attention to deatail is amazing well done.

[@paladin0654]

Great job.

[@jimbellingham3191]

Simply brilliant. Where theres a will there's a way...

[@carabus0354]

Very nice, a lot of time and work and a great replica in 1/72nd scale. Nice.

[@Oliver-ub1mb]

Looks great

[@hugosciglianofilho3893]

Simplesmente Fantástico. Perfeito Congratulations from Brasil👏👏👏

[@brucesmith1383]

Well done from Canada 🇨🇦

[@1underground747]

thats freaking amazing sir i love it

[@rocket3man]

Great work and committment to a famous ship.

[@allgood6760]

Nice job..well done...my mate flew Sea Hawks from HMS Ark Royal.. thanks from NZ👍🇳🇿

[@timfronimos459]

Amazing model. 👍

[@matthewnash9580]

My favourite vessel ever!!

[@britishrailways4810]

My great uncle served on ark royal

[@SunDevil31]

Incredible

[@Ascheriit21]

Men I wish there would be model like this sold but might start to do the same and start to make custom one now! Really want an air carrier of 1/100 for a couple of years now

[@marksimpson2689]

Wow, just wow!!

[@tombrunila2695]

Fantastic! Awesome!

[@paulbrace8098]

Absolutely incredible quality of workmanship in this ship. I won’t call it a model because it could have ended up being our only Aircraft Carrier, before they announced that we were building H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and H.M.S. Prince of Wales. The only thing it doesn’t appear to have, is live ammunition! Oh what a shame. Brings back memories of H.M.S. Hermes, on which I served May 1972 until September 1974.

[@g2macs]

A great model, have you thought about a model railway smoke kit for the catapult?

[@antr7493]

So happy it's not a lego. Very well done

[@SteamboatWilley]

Great model.

[@xenosmoke8915]

“Ah, and here’s one from all the lads on the Ark Royal. May all your birthdays be happy ones, we like you more than Eddie” - Richard Richard VC

[@paulripley2178]

What an achievement David Fortey. Congratulations.