IT STARTED IN NAPLES In the course of our lives, there's sometimes the desire to achieve the impossible. If we believe and trust our ability, with some hard work, we can discover that the impossible, within some limits, can become possible. Never try to do something the same way and expect different results. It all has to do with achieving your sense of satisfaction and fulfillment of your desire. Use the experience of the past to better yourself and you will be able to reach great expectations. With an open mind, allow for perseverance, belief, passion and love for what you do, guide you to fulfillment of your task. Do not allow bumps on the road of knowledge to stop you. There's a question because there's an answer. What's the secret? Have an open mind, believe in learning, true communication and lessening opinions of others. This is my philosophy for achieving high goals. The proof is here......My lifetime achievement, the building of MY NAVY.
When I was 12 years old (not too long ago lol), I developed a passion for the sea and ships, in particular for NAVY warships. Because I was born in Naples, Italy and I grew up not too far away from the port, it was a daily routine to visit the port. With plenty of candy in my pocket, I was walked to the port where I had the opportunity to observe the navy ships. I was able to observe the US NAVY 6 fleet and what was left of the Italian Navy after the war. I decided one day to build a navy for myself. There was one problem. This navy had to be a manageable size. They had to be small, but look real with many details. So the work began and is STILL going on today as I continue to perfect my work and create these miniature detailed model ships. I feel that the best is yet to come. The scale of my models is 1 to 1277. At such a young age, the small scale looked good to me and still does today.
It all started with a small piece of wood and anything else that I could find that would give me the detail I desired and showed me the results I wished to see. I used my pet dog's fur to make lines for my models. Still to this day, I use anything from aluminum, wood, wires, etc. As you can see from some of the pictures, there's a big difference of quality in workmanship from models built during my childhood to the most recent one I constructed. Details are VERY important to me. On some of the ships, you can see the crew on the ship deck, cannons that rotate, and helicopter blades that spin. Because I called these ships my navy, I chose to build ships models of my design. I wanted my ships to be unique, however in more recent years I began building replicas of real ships. Every ship, with all its details are manufactured or carved 100% by hand. I don't use special machines, but only simple tools, some of which, I created myself.
My dream came true. My navy ships have become a form of ART. I want the world to share with me the enjoyment I found in my accomplishment. I remember my father constantly saying, ''Why are you wasting your time with these little stupid boats." I never gave him an answer. Today I would tell him, "BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN IT." The length of time to build a model ship depends on the type, size and detail. Each model has its own level of difficulty and intricate work that needs to be accomplished to my satisfaction. The Italian sail ship, Amerigo Vespucci, took me an estimate of 2000 hours of work. I believe it is a MASTER PIECE OF ART. This model ship is my proudest accomplishment. When I begin a model, I envision the finished product and how I would like it to look. In most the cases, it is better than my expectations.
My models have been on display in my home for my family and friends. Occasionally, they have been on display in the following places:
Newport, Rhode Island 4/24/1989
Chet Gotauco, from Newport Srimshaw for Antique and Fine Art; commented in writing; ''THESE MINIATURE SHIP MODELS ARE, IN MY OPINION, OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY"
August 1994, at SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM IN NEW YORK
May 2000, I was invited to display my model ships at The Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia
On display were 3 of my models; one of which was the Amerigo Vespucci at only 75% complete.
My small Navy consist of: 1 Small Aircraft carrier. 10 Cruisers 20 Destroyers 3 Frigates 12 Escorts 5 Corvettes 1 PT Boat 2 Training sail ships 1 Reefer ship 1 Water carrier 1 Oiler tanker 2 Cargo/refueling ships 1 Tugboat 1 Coast Guard boat 1 Mine sweep 1 Fast Support ship 1 Gasoline tanker 2 Salvage ships 1 Landing ship 1 Command intelligent's ship 43 Submarine Total of 111 Vessels
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