SHF "Ships in Bottles" Course

Build your own "Ship in a Bottle".

Image of ship model with collapsed spars, ready to go into bottle
Spars partly collapsed before going into bottle

The Sydney Heritage Fleet will teach you how, in six two hour evening sessions. Free car parking at the door.

You do not need special tools or previous experience of model making. The SHF instructors provide step-by-step guidance backed up by written, illustrated, instructions, supply materials and loan specialised tools and jigs.

You will end up with a scale model of the topsail schooner "Mercury" featured on the $20 note and owned by Mrs Mary Reiby.

The scale, bottle dimensions and subject have been carefully chosen to demonstrate all the techniques of ships in bottles construction, whilst keeping within the capabilities of a "first time" practitioner.

Completion of the course provides the basis for self development to more complex, demanding subjects whilst resulting in a model of high standard.

Instructors are unpaid volunteers. All proceeds go to support SHF activities.

Course details

Where : Peter Doyle Room, Australian National Maritime Museum ANMM (map)
When : Tuesdays, 6pm to 8 pm, for 6 weeks commencing April 20th
Cost inc. gst


 :


$160-00 per person.
$145-00 ANMM member, student or concession
$125-00 SHF member
Image of model ship with spars upright
Spars upright

Sydney Heritage Fleet provides :-

  • Written, illustrated instructions.
  • Scale drawings.
  • Materials, paints, glue, sandpaper
  • Launch party refreshments.

Sydney Heritage Fleet lends :-

  • Construction jig
  • Bottle stand
  • Specialised tools

You provide :-

  • Clean V8 juice bottle with cap
  • Pencil ( preferably 0.5mm mechanical )
  • Tupperware style container with lid at least 160mm square.
  • Enthusiastic, good humoured, delicate determination

Useful (but not essential ) tools you may bring :-

  • Needle threader
  • Razor or junior hacksaw
  • Pointed tweezers
  • 1/4 or 1/2 inch wood chisel

Phone 9298 3888 to book a place