Exhibition to display Clydebank-built ship
A MODEL of a Clydebank-built ship is set to take centre stage at the Scottish Maritime Museum.
RMS Queen Elizabeth, which was launched by John Brown & Co in 1938, originally was set to provide a transatlantic service before being refitted as a troop transport vessel after the Second World War broke out.
Post war, the ship was returned to Cunard. Along with its sister ship, Queen Mary, it dominated the transatlantic passenger trade until it was retired in 1968.
The model of RMS Queen Elizabeth, which weighs almost 1.5 tonnes, is 5.4 metres long and took 6,900 hours to build, was made for the Cunard New York City office by the English toy manufacturing company Basset-Lowke.
And is set to feature at the ‘Ocean Liners’ exhibition which will open at the museum on Irvine Harbourside later this year.
James McLean, curator at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Cunard for generously loaning us this precious 1:48 scale model of RMS Queen Elizabeth.
“The first of three Cunard vessels named after Queen Elizabeth, RMS Queen Elizabeth had an extraordinary life, from wartime service to glamorous voyages.
“As a troop carrier during the Second World War, it moved over 750,000 troops a staggering 500,000 miles.
“Post war, the familiar dark hull, red funnel and luxurious Art Deco interior soon became synonymous with style, elegance and refinement attracting some of Hollywood’s biggest stars amongst them Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland.
“We couldn’t have a better centrepiece for our new permanent exhibition ‘Ocean Liners’.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to come along and see this fabulous model of RMS Queen Elizabeth close up.”