David Glasson’s exquisite hand-built scale models are meticulously researched replicas of full-size boats he has been employed in at one time or another, or those he has identified as of significance to the Royal Australian Navy and recommended for acquisition on behalf of the Naval Heritage Collection.

In early 2016 David, and a team of good mates, including Glenn Wallace, Brian Thomas, Cyril Humbert, Dennis O’Brien, Tony Taranto, Benoit Bouf, Neville Brown & Toby Maigaard, had completed the nine-year restoration of MATILDA, the Royal Australian Navy Standard Motor Launch (1910) ex-H.M.A.S. PARRAMATTA (I).

Escorting her first to the Classic & Wooden Boat Festival, was Mr Clive Sewell who navigated the crane lighter. Clive’s Team also assisted in relocating MATILDA to her permanent home at the Naval Heritage Museum, Garden Island, Sydney.

In 2015, David Glasson received the Wooden Boat Association (N.S.W.) Hal Harpur Award for authentic restoration of the historic vessel. The award plaque which features an original painting of sailing yachts by Australian marine artist Ian Hansen, can be seen in AMETHYST AWB 420 ©2017 by Victoria Kitanov.

Scale models featured in The Master Modeller include Motor Tug ‘B.J.’ (Bailey & Jorgenson, 1949), Defence Maritime Services ‘WATTLE’ (Stan Tug No. 1606, Damen Shipyards, The Netherlands, 2014-15), District Naval Officers Launch (DNOL) No. 168 (1936), and Motor Tug ‘SYDPORT’ (Harbour Lighterage, 1960)