The Model Shipyard’s Cutty Sark Model Ship

At the Model Shipyard, the only official global designer and builder of the world renowned STEPHENS & KENAU™ range of ship models, we are proud of our range of beautiful model ships, which are replicas of the real ships on which they are based. Our model ships are museum quality and made to scale, right down to the brass fittings and sails. The Cutty Sark model ship is a superb replica of the English Tea Clipper that has gained immortal renown in the seafaring world.

Our Cutty Sark model ship dimensions

Our Cutty Sark model ship comes in two dimensions: 1:78, with an overall length of 1,160mm and height of 780mm and 1:96, with an overall length of 980mm and height of 635mm.

The Cutty Sark model ship and the birth the real ship

The real ship on which our romantically beautiful Cutty Sark model ship is based was designed by Hercules Linton, a partner in the Glasgow firm of Scott & Linton, with the final details of the fitting being completed by William Denny & Brothers. The magnificent 963 ton clipper vessel was given its now historic name when it was launched on 22nd November 1869 at Dumbarton on the Scottish Clyde.

The Cutty Sark model ship and her short history in the tea trade

The clipper on which our Cutty Sark model ship is based was built for John 'Jock' Willis, a seasoned sailing ship master. His vision for the Cutty Sark was for her to be the fastest ship in the annual race to bring home the first of the new season's tea from China. However, the same year she was launched saw the opening of the Suez Canal, which allowed steamers a shorter and quicker route to the Far East via the Mediterranean, a route not accessible to sailing ships. Consequently, her freight load diminished to a point where she was no longer profitable and she carried her last cargo of tea in 1877. Contact us now for more information on our Cutty Sark model ship.