Derek Burchill stands beside his model ship, The Victory, which he has been building for 18 years. CTV
Derek Burchill’s model ship, The Victory, is no ordinary project. It’s a stunning representation of his 18 years of dedication and craftsmanship. The ship is filled with intricate details, from the miniature cannons and ropes to the finely crafted furniture inside. For Burchill, every part of the ship presented a challenge, especially the small parts that require perfect precision.
The Victory is special to Burchill, as it is scratch-built, meaning every piece is made by hand from the ground up. He has built many model ships throughout his life, with 16 completed so far. His previous work included ships with up to 36 working mechanisms, but The Victory stands out as the "crowning jewel" of all his creations.
Each part of the ship, including the tiny cabins hidden inside, shows the level of attention Burchill has put into making it as realistic as possible. He even crafted cabins that can only be seen with a flashlight, as he wanted to ensure every part of the ship was authentic. Burchill explains that it’s not just about putting the pieces together; it’s about the challenge of figuring out how to make everything work perfectly.
“I love the challenge of trying to accomplish what I set out to do,” he said. “Once you learn how to do something, you never forget it.”
Though it’s taken him nearly two decades to build The Victory, Burchill admits that the project has not been continuous. He took two long breaks—one for five years and another for three. Despite these pauses, he has consistently returned to the ship, dedicating his time from January to April each year to work in his workshop.
Burchill started his shipbuilding journey in 1970 with a Man-of-War ship, which took him 2,200 hours to complete. Since then, he has created numerous other models. His passion for shipbuilding started with his great-great-grandfather, who built ships for transporting lumber to England. Over the years, Burchill developed a deep love for the water, building rafts and sailboats as a child and continuing his passion into adulthood.
When Burchill first displayed his models, people would often ask where he bought them, not believing he had made them himself. But with The Victory, there’s no question about his craftsmanship. The ship is a true testament to his skills and love for model shipbuilding.
For Burchill, the enjoyment comes not from finishing the ship, but from the process of building it. “It’s a lot of fun. The enjoyment is building it, not after it’s finished,” he said. Although he is 78 years old, Burchill plans to continue working on The Victory for at least another year, savoring every moment of the process.
