Scale: 1:96. John D. J. Glossop was a modelmaker to the Ministry of Defence and his ship models are always of a high standard of workmanship and attention to detail. This one is no exception, depicting the ‘Exmouth’ (1955) at speed in a very realistically modelled and painted seascape.

When the Ministry of Defence decided to introduce gas turbines for the main propulsion in large warships, HMS ‘Exmouth’ was selected for the trials of the prototype engines. The original steam turbine machinery and boilers were removed and an ‘Olympus’ gas turbine was installed for full-power steaming. Two ‘Proteus’ turbines were also fitted for cruising at 28 knots. Interestingly the two types of turbines could not be engaged at the same time.

The trials would have prompted a great deal of discussion at the Admiralty and so presumably, with the actual ship the focus of so much attention, this attractive but robust model was made with an integral display case that made it useful as a portable aide-memoire.