Meet The Man Who's Spent 70 YEARS Making A Matchstick Royal Navy | Forces TV

A fleet of model Royal Navy ships constructed out of matchsticks has gone on display at Nothe Fort in Weymouth, Dorset. Its builder has built at least one from each class serving from 1945, right through to today.
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[@incognitotomato9061]

I’m terrified seeing children there with no glass protecting the ships

[@fascinatinglist9654]

same

[@IJNAoba9-25-26]

Don't worry, Ark Royal will take care of them ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@jakartagamer6188]

@@IJNAoba9-25-26 I don't like where this is going

[@LexlutherVII]

@@jakartagamer6188 Lol,same!!😂

[@anodezinc9667]

I wish I could do that what a hobby.😂😂

[@rickch101]

They need to put glass boxes over them.

[@johnmortimerjbmfitness7753]

Ye, one slip

[@nathanwailes]

I was getting anxious just looking at so many years' worth of work sitting there without any protection.

[@peterbrown1012]

Also protection from dust, a pain to clean off delicate models.

[@wilsthelimit]

T0XIC_T0XIN Theres gonna be an entitled parent one day that lets her Child smash them all, and my hatred for them will be immense

[@adt4624]

This collection is amazing, They need to put this somewhere safe and behind bulletproof glass.

[@GTOAviator]

Until the end I had no idea he used actual matchsticks. Unbelievable.

[@elmo319]

And matchboxes

[@PointBomaN]

Yeah it was also cool how he didn't change his method over the years.

[@CP-jk3tc]

Yeah I thought the title was wrong at first. Impressive work.

[@connorsimonds1632]

GTOAviator magic

[@cleopatravii2385]

People, do you even read the title? Idiots

[@cimmeriabastardsword]

If it wasn’t for the title I would never guess all those battleships were made out of match sticks, incredible!

[@chronosschiron]

wow i know right

[@emperorryanii]

Cesar Perez Cachon , yeah, you can’t even tell 😂.

[@egSmith-sp9gl]

I guess you didn't watch the video !!!!

[@catwithabat7163]

Ikr

[@jamiemchale8283]

@@egSmith-sp9gl I thought matchstick was just a silly British euphemism for small things. Nope. Literal matchsticks

[@davidpickens8800]

Rumor has it, when the lights go off and everyone goes home, the ships recreate battles of the Royal Navy.

[@eternal5930]

Man: Ok, closing time. (Shuts lights) The ships: So should we do Battle of the River Plate or Battle of the Atlantic?

[@doubleohryo7606]

*_When the German model builder brings the Bismarck over_*

[@Acetul]

sounds like a pixar short

[@clevebro_9930]

@@doubleohryo7606 Hood be like: please no

[@atomicbetrayal1]

@@doubleohryo7606 god dammit i wanted to make the same joke xD Guess I was too late

[@totozilla6396]

Imagine this dude lives longer and achieves to build futuristic warships

[@volatilesky]

He pretty much already has haha.

[@nvbproductions6881]

The Navy is going to contact this guy for his Ships so they can do war games

[@creatorchris712]

A 1 to 1 from matchsticks

[@Catboi9000]

*Happy Combine from Half Life 2 noises*

[@russianbear7832]

GIVE HIM NANOMACHINES ...or something.

[@mofa9745]

For heaven's sake, don't trip and fall across the table.

[@shawnm3839]

Heaven doesn't exist.

[@L-i-f-y-t]

@@shawnm3839 how do you know

[@mofa9745]

@@shawnm3839 well, you'll feel silly when you're refused entry, won't you.

[@Pikasatupu75]

Heaven exist in your mind. But it is not real

[@mofa9745]

@dookie - lighten up, pal.

[@DkJ40K]

He is a man of focus, Commitment, And sheer he king will.

[@AptMantis2278]

He’s a legend

[@hansgruber788]

Something you know very little about

[@chr1642]

@@hansgruber788 shut

[@_Matsimus_]

What a legend! Made my day!

[@dosvidanyagaming4123]

Why doesn't it suprise me that you are here aswell?

[@danyapanya5089]

Matsimus any chance we will see something like this on your channel? You did do some videos on toys so you can't say this is not the topic

[@_Matsimus_]

Daniel Brajtman it will come 😉👍

[@rogalcorn5678]

You should make models of British AFV’s

[@duncanread4442]

Matsimus hi nice chanel by the way big fan. :-)

[@TheNinjaDC]

This was a good example of what the Royal Navy *should* look like.

[@nordic5628]

TheNinjaDC well this is what it used to look like back when britain was a superpower

[@lioraselby5328]

Small?

[@lightningphoenix7155]

Richard Selby, no big.

[@lioraselby5328]

Lightning Kasima oh, you want those ships but real sized.

[@lightningphoenix7155]

Richard Selby, huh? No. The British navy used to be big.

[@omkr0122]

The guy who spent his life building a Spanish Armada wants to know your location

[@stickyglue8083]

Lol, yeah!

[@quyenmojos9004]

Same goes with the guy who built a German U-boat fleet

[@kubel83]

Good one 😊🍻

[@jay0kew]

Trafalgar ?

[@Albiliuss]

The one who built the counter armada also wants to know your loc!

[@wordsmithgobshite3296]

That's the trouble with matchstick battleships, you never know where they're going to strike

[@NathanChisholm041]

Ah i see what you did!

[@ilikepigeons6101]

XD

[@42lookc]

womp womp...

[@King0neEurope]

Badum tsss

[@davidbradley3227]

Awwwwwwwww

[@BiggusDickusXVI]

Jesus, I don't even have the patience to make 10 airfix models

[@daniellarcombe8083]

😂😂👍🇬🇧

[@jerbear3915]

I'm currently working on a akagi aircraft carrier model

[@randycheow4268]

I’m currently working on 1/35 figures which are easy to build but tricky to colour

[@lordvonlord]

I average a model kit once every three months, and come up with exciting new profanity with each one.

[@hectorsoy]

As a kid in the 70s i couldn't afford the japanese models as they were terribly expensive. So I made the Akagi out of cardboard paper. I wish I still had it! I would bomb it with my Dauntless Dive bomber as it had a bomb release mechanism. Do kids still build ww2 models???

[@benuzzell1]

Thought it was incredible, then saw his toolkit and was mind blown. Absolutely amazing work to accomplish so much out of so little.

[@zam023]

Same here. I had to read the "matchstick" part several times. Couldn't believe my eyes.

[@ghostdiaries369]

I make small ship frm erasers

[@sunnyjim1355]

Real patriots fight on these vessels, he just plays with matchsticks pretending to be such.

[@glosterjavelin2111]

@@sunnyjim1355 he... he’s enjoying his hobby from his childhood appreciating who protest us there’s no need to be rude

[@Donleecartoons]

@@sunnyjim1355 I don't see where it said he's pretending to be anything.

[@bardy8702]

I can’t believe this guys from my town but I’ve never heard of him.

[@sverduijn1]

I'm not surprised. He didn't get out that much:D

[@sirloin8745]

You haven't seen him down the pub on a Friday night, socialising?

[@kevinpittman2517]

lol my first thought was that he was probably locked away in his hobby room cussing cause he broke a radar mast

[@ChezyInParis]

Same

[@AlvaroRCosta]

This collection is more powerful than some countries' navies.

[@TheAmir259]

More powerful than even the Royal Navy itself lol

[@iluvu4276]

@Geralt of rivia Chad’s navy.

[@architech02]

Wait until someone builds the Kaiserliche Marine and the kriegsmarine

[@CommanderSlayers]

The amount of dedication is outstanding. "Success is truly the child of audacity, and that audacity is of those who act first."

[@Briselance]

This man has golden hands. An old man, but his hands still as firm and nimble and steady as 50 years before. Impressive.

[@emperorryanii]

70 Years?? This man is a man of amazing talents, the whole set must be worth millions or even more!!

[@Thefoilingguy]

If there was more people in the world with steadfast dedication as this Gent, the world would be a better place. Discipline equals freedom.

[@josephharrison8354]

Can't wait to see his Type 26.

[@max.matyjasik]

He's already done it- 1:59

[@sunnyjim1355]

Can't wait for the real things being deployed in protecting the nation.

[@markbenjamin1703]

@@max.matyjasik That's a type 45 destroyer

[@captainearth3294]

His dedication is remarkable

[@ayoungconservative1051]

i had the privilege of seeing this in person. It was wonderful seeing someone put his heart and sole into a hobby. Absolutely top class.

[@Gary85Paul]

My dad and I by pure chance came across this man and his son when visiting the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. He was only too happy to chat to us and share the stories behind each ship that he had built (and refused to build). We probably took up half an hour of his time and I've also got a booklet that he produced detailing some of the ships. Thoroughly charming man. It was even more nostalgic for us as my grandfather (dad's dad, not my mum's) also built matchstick ships.

[@ashleyradwell709]

Incredible work...very british...rule Britannia..

[@ashleyradwell709]

Just an old saying mate, I do agree with you that all our military branches are in a dark time and needs a major funding increase...

[@maxvanbroekhoven2308]

*knock knock*.... IT'S NETHERLANDS! HELLOOO

[@taejo4975]

I want to Believe sadly he didn’t made HMS Victory

[@acertainscientificloli6392]

Britannia rule the waves!

[@MarshalShayCormac]

I want to Believe RULE BRITANNIA BRITANNIA RULE THE WAVES!!!

[@constantincosmindumitrache7549]

Most people would say this is a waste of time. I say not living your life doing what you trully love is a waste of time . This man is a legend.

[@eligebrown8998]

I agree

[@TheAmir259]

I know those people existed, but it's very offensive of them actually. Like is collecting a model train or plane a waste of time? Its a hobby u idiots (referring to those people, not u guys)

[@Donleecartoons]

I don't see too many people here saying he wasted his time.

[@acwright88]

I tried to show my kids building models was fun but they didnt seem to pick up on the fun. It's a new gen.

[@themysticsomeone2089]

@@acwright88 still Plenty if kids absolutely LOVE Warship models

[@quacksackerthegreatstarfir6996]

He is an incredibly talented, and I imagine extremely patient, gentleman

[@williamrichards3707]

I think he was just an introverted hermit who didn't care for people that thought I'll build a Matchstick Navy that way I won't have to deal with morons

[@hollywoodgriffin2866]

He’s like the real version of thrawn, because of the fact he loves art

[@AptMantis2278]

You are not wrong

[@Otter-Destruction]

This man got some steady hands.

[@stewsretroreviews]

Amazing collection here. What a nice bloke, and what dedication. I have a very small collection of plastic warships of about 9 I think, in a cabinet, in my garden shed which I feel proud of and still got a few to build. Would love to see this collection.

[@mozartman990]

As a Shikikan, I approve this art. Illustrious best ship.

[@badgamemaster]

Shikikan.... buy more gems.....

[@marikawashizuka9580]

The old shikikan before us though respect

[@internetperiodista]

Here is the magic place where every old sailor is a child again... Dont you think?

[@sunnyjim1355]

No. He was never an 'old sailor', as he states right here in the vid, he was a child during WW2, never served in that conflict, or any other. This man is a perfect example of western boomer weakness and decadence.

[@sakuya1185]

@@sunnyjim1355 But hes not a Boomer, hes from the Silent.

[@archiveacc3248]

@@sunnyjim1355 So, only people who have served in the armed forces are allowed to make ship models? Is someone not allowed to have a main hobby they put a lot of effort into? I don't really understand why you go after him for percieved weakness here

[@vaahtobileet]

@@archiveacc3248 he's just a salty weirdo who's spamming the comments here. In his world view, no-one should be able to make art featuring Navy ships because they're not true patriots or something unless they actually serve in the Navy. It's just dumb logic. His name certainly is ironic.

[@davidyoung5114]

Someone should put this man on a list for an O.B.E. He certainly deserves it!

[@SuryaGD]

Please put protection! That masterpiece shall never be destroyed

[@Connor-dq4my]

I saw this in Weymouth! June 2018, the builder was a super nice guy and and all kinds of story's to tell

[@ramanpreciado2241]

I'm impressed like a mom who's four children made As in math.

[@Prince77777100]

Lets set up an area of tables with World maps painted on them and then lets place the ships around the world on the maps my ships are stationed . I must Return to Dorset .

[@nightwing.3378]

Reward him with a knighthood.

[@herbivorethecarnivore8447]

They don't give out knighthoods willy nilly for making matchstick ships.

[@ProGrayRaven]

Making royal navy ships models for 70 years. At least this must get him a state recognition of some kind

[@emilianoshort]

He got close-ish it, he met prince andrew and gave him a model of his ship.

[@sebby324]

Yes

[@biguncle554]

Herbivore The Carnivore yea they only give them out to gays who dress up in feathers and play songs on the piano, lol

[@user-tj9vp8re4d]

i want to be that guy just spend whole life doing something that i like and fascinated with

[@natepike6147]

Jesus Christ, I better start doing something with my life.

[@douglasgreen437]

Look up Warrior Trading with Ross Cameron on KZbin....In 2 years you will be a leader to do what you want...

[@CN-wt2bj]

Yeh you're right because building a matchstick navy is really a good use of a life.

[@icebreaker9006]

dont use Gods name in vain

[@natepike6147]

@@CN-wt2bj Hey shut up, I'd been using snot, up until I saw this vid.

[@natepike6147]

@@icebreaker9006 Jesus and me go way back. He's given me permission to use his holy name in whatever god damned way I see fit.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Seeing what it starts out as and then seeing the quality of the finished models, it's absolutely mind boggling.

[@giotok1142]

When you have a passion,there is no boundaries.....

[@seantomlinson3320]

My 5 year old son and I loved this. What beautiful labors of love. Thank you for sharing!

[@_Michal_Michal_]

0:14 the guy runs in as if he wants to jump straight onto the ships, Careful!

[@ThisFinalHandle]

He's the original 3D printer.

[@Briselance]

00:37: "[...] and ready before the original." :-D

[@pornneliushubbard1967]

Fun facts: you didn’t search this but you’re glad you saw it

[@davida6146]

I thought ‘matchstick’ was a modelling brand.... until I saw the last part of the video... 😳

[@sweetdreams5024]

you were prolly thinking about Matchbox 😂

[@panduhgaming5473]

he needs his own his on world of warships dedicated to him, tier 8+

[@chickenwings9601]

Plot twist: Those ships are minimized, if those ship hit water it become real ship

[@diggilad781]

my Late grandfather served on the Leander class Frigate HMS Euryalus in the 60's so i'm happy to see a Leander class frigate in the collection. he died last year of cancer

[@jbrhel]

This is unbelievable! Talk about dedication and patience. But then it's obviously a labor of love.

[@ernulf1]

Fearless my first draft for a year.

[@randall.3189]

HOLY SHIT. That's fkn incredible. He needs to teach someone, cause when he goes that skill will go with him.

[@daemonartursson5952]

Lost art. Incredible.

[@comcastjohn]

Bless that man and his labor of love.

[@adamlauina491]

You can see the time, effort and the passion it takes to do what you have done. Well done sir.

[@alexandersarchives9615]

This whole video, all I could think of is “where’s the HMS Nelson?” Then they pan past it at the end, and that made me happy

[@eshuut9049]

This is amazing!

[@jerrymccrae7202]

BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY! As a fellow Navy modler im so impressed with your patience! Thx for showing this! Cheers and have a nice week.

[@Terraqueo22]

People do what they Love... Its amazing his commitment and love for his little ships

[@x-90]

Man my hand shakes when I try to put a needle through something and this guy builds matchstick warships

[@IJNAoba9-25-26]

I imagine the Japanese, Americans, Germans and the French all having these Matchstick recreations as well.

[@ghost-dg6tj]

Not really considering this is the most impressive in the world

[@TheSNIPERmac]

Unreal, the detail you have managed is perfection. You Sir have a wonderful talent. Thank you for sharing it with us. Good luck to you and may your work continue for many years...

[@eligebrown8998]

These are really amazing. Looks awesome. Hope these end up in a museum later. Keep up the great job and thanks for sharing, from the Oklahoma,u.s.a

[@deleted5338]

Someone get this guy a PC and let him play some World of Warships!

[@sammayne7716]

Awesome!

[@amateurgamer149]

Hats off to such talent!!! Any adjective isn't enough to explain such legendary work. It's a good example how can we create something great from such little things with a bit of passion.

[@lolaridgeback5875]

This is just amazing!!! Good job.

[@Vegas-if8ju]

He sure does have a talent and a good eye for thing respect from yot cousins

[@aferguson850]

what a lad

[@nozyspy4967]

That is absolutely incredible. Hats off to this man!

[@flyingf1sh]

Amazing. Nicely done, Philip!

[@watermetel5551]

Grandpa : *spends 70 years making these ship models* Japan : *throws ww2 plans*

[@sauron6064]

Japan: I’m going to destroy your fleet! YEET!

[@antonarenko3242]

Amazing!! :)

[@TheSNIPERmac]

Truly amazing. What a talented guy this man is with an excellent eye for detail. I would love to see his collection do a national tour so others can see this amazing collection of our navy made from matchsticks.. Well done to you Sir..

[@rocket3man]

Outstanding craftsmanship and what a labor of love!

[@ZEZERBING]

Matchsticks ur us. "look here at our sales figures Johnson, I told you smokers prefer matches over lighters.

[@ScrapYardDog64]

Bravo... :)

[@palco22]

Simply admiration for such dedication !

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’m glad the video showed how they were actually made. He has far more patience than I. Thanks for sharing!

[@MajesticDemonLord]

When the Candlestick navy attacks, we'll be ready...

[@Duchy_Warsaw]

I’d love to see him build the Titanic if possible.

[@slimemyhouse9877]

I'd like to seem him build the Yamato xD

[@Jez2008UK]

He is incredible fit, healthy and of clear mind for someone of that age. Remarkable. Must be his hobby that has helped. Well done!

[@PeteS1961]

Absolutely amazing - a true craftsman and a real labour of love

[@Prince77777100]

Amazing

[@Kiyoone]

HOLY Crasp THIS IS CRAZY. THIS MAN AND HIS ART... i cant even light up a match stick without breaking it.... imagine doing this LOL

[@TraustiGeir]

What a beautiful collection of craftsmanship! This really provides a great understanding of the Royal Navy's scale and scope.

[@JazzMan76]

Amazing how creative and focused some people can be. Wonderful.

[@NotScepto]

I thought it said ‘Yeet the man who spent 70 years of his life making matchstick Royal Navy ships.’ Lol

[@randompeople7595]

2:38 Fighter plane missing a single propeller blade.

[@johnnywindsor183]

Absolutely brilliant, I served on type 23s in my time in RN. Top marks to you doing all them.

[@342Rodry]

OMG, I love his work, incredible patience and details!

[@footsoldier857]

To the down voters, go for a long swim: preferably on Jupiter.

[@erikkollar66]

There is no liquid water on Jupiter.

[@bradley9856]

@@erikkollar66 shhhhh

[@ilikepigeons6101]

@@erikkollar66 not literally

[@ivorholtskog5506]

No, Neptune!

[@lordtabs]

I am scared some entitled kid will destroy all this hard work

[@glosterjavelin2111]

@FirewolfGaming125 not to an eight year old

[@brianhoar1085]

Extremely admiral work!

[@MrMogulvogl]

Cheers, mate. Well done!

[@DingleyDell]

It would be great if he made a matchstick model of himself, for posterity.

[@adijayaification]

Honorary commander perhaps..

[@janrabie1890]

Absolutely incredible!

[@christianjensen7189]

Incredible. Love the attention to detail and accuracy. No one has patience like old Phil. Hurrah!