Display Recommendations
A good way to protect and display a model ship is under glass; we also sometimes use acrylic covers. As a general rule your case should be about 2" (50mm) larger in width, height and length than your model dimensions. For small cases we prefer sometimes only 1" (25mm) for the clearance, measured while the model rests on it's stand or base.
Oak display case with remote controlled top and bottom low-heat LED lighting.
Real glass is more durable and less susceptible to heat and sunlight, however the lesser weight and the clean, clear beveled edges of an acrylic case have its own advantages. Optically acrylic is very similar to glass. With good care, such as cleaning with a soft cloth, not paper towel, the acrylic will last for many years. Ship model cleaning suggestions can be found on our maintenance page.
Cherry wood and glass case displaying an 18th century cutter.
For a quality wood and glass case for your ship model we suggest Hallen Display Cases, they are known the world over for their classic style wood and glass display cases.
If a fully assembled glass and solid brass display case is what you prefer, Clear View Designs will have the display case you're looking for. US shipping only!
Houston Display Furniture will be able to build you a standard or custom display stand to do your model justice.
HMS Victory model under an acrylic cap with clear beveled edges.
Even though a case will keep your model dust and dirt free, lighting can really bring a display to life. External lighting from above and slightly in front can be used to make your model ship display the center of attention, even in the most prestigious of settings and could be effectively used when displaying your model in an alcove or above a fireplace.
Interior lighting can also be applied with spectacular result. Do make absolutely sure however that the lighting you plan to use emits as little heat as possible. In that lies an inherent problem since light is heat. I suggest using low-voltage LED systems for in-display-case lighting.
Any lighting system producing little heat is preferable and even crucial to the lifespan of both model and display case. The color-temperature and intensity of low-voltage LED lighting systems can often be changed or selected, possibly even with a remote control. Another clear benefit to using LED lighting lies in the absence of color fading ultraviolet emissions from normal LED's.
The image above shows a Bombay mahogany display case under construction.
She will be fit with a remote controlled LED lighting system allowing the lighting to
be turned on and off, allowing the color of the lights to be changed and last, but not
least, the intensity of top and bottom lighting will be able to be independently set.
The display case shown in the first images on the top of this page uses similar lighting.
To use multiple light sources, 2 to 8 depending on the size of the display, is
always preferred over using a single point of light.
Venting the case and drawing away heat from the interior is never a bad idea.
Douglas fir and glass display case with custom LED lighting.
The lighting system applied here uses only about 6 Watts total. Avoid using fluorescent lighting as it will usually make for a dull and flat display. Fluorescent lighting is great for above a work bench, not so much for use in a model display. LED strip lighting can be used to completely hide the lighting into the case. The drawback here can be somewhat the same as for fluorescent lighting, too many points of light destroying the shadow and highlight effects.
*The Art of Age of Sail receives no incentives for mentioning or promoting the display case manufacturers mentioned, we simply trust and like their products.
