Artemis and Altaire Fishing Boat Models

Client Name: Interfish
Ship Model Name: Altaire, Artemis
Number of Models: 7
Size of Model: L: 75 cm to 106 cm
Scale of Model: 1 to 100 and 1 to 75 

In October of 2024, Premier Ship Models was approached by a maritime client seeking bespoke, high-quality display models of two recently built pelagic fishing vessels — Artemis (BF60) and Altaire (LK429).

The client’s request specified:

• Artemis – 3x models at 1:100 scale

• Altaire – 3x models at 1:100 scale and 1x model at 1:75 scale

They emphasised a requirement for exceptional detail and accuracy, providing a General Arrangement (GA) drawing and reference images for Artemis to support the design process. The models were intended for presentation and display purposes, making fidelity to the vessels’ actual appearance a critical success factor.

The project’s main challenge lay in the complexity of the vessel designs and the limited availability of reference material:

• The real Artemis and Altaire vessels were still under construction, meaning no physical reference could be used for detailing.

• The client’s technical drawings were provided in 2D GA format only, as the available 3D CAD files excluded outfitting details such as deck equipment, railings, and other structural elements essential for high-fidelity models.

• Working exclusively from incomplete drawings required significant interpretation and cross-referencing to ensure the models would accurately reflect the vessels’ final real-world appearance.

To address the incomplete nature of the 3D drawings, Premier Ship Models combined the technical precision of the 2D GA plans with in-house design expertise to produce a full, detailed 3D model of each vessel.

This process involved:

1. Interpreting and merging data from the 2D and partial 3D drawings to ensure all outfitting details were captured.

2. Creating complete 3D CAD files that incorporated every visible element of the vessels, from hull form and superstructure to railings, deck machinery, and antenna arrays.

3. Producing high-quality renders from the completed 3D models, which were shared with the client for review and approval prior to physical model production.

By establishing a fully accurate digital representation first, the workshop team could proceed with confidence into the model-making phase, ensuring fidelity and avoiding costly rework.

With the approved 3D CAD files as a foundation, Premier Ship Models transitioned into the production phase.

• Precision 3D Printing – The hulls and major superstructure components were 3D printed to exact scale tolerances, ensuring a perfect match to the client-approved digital designs.

• Hand-Finished Detailing – Skilled artisans meticulously added fine features such as deck railings, ladders, winches, and rigging by hand, using specialist tools and magnification to achieve the required level of realism.

• Premium Finishes – Each model was primed, painted, and polished using marine-grade paints matched to the vessels’ actual colour specifications, with subtle weathering effects applied to enhance authenticity.

• Quality Assurance – Throughout the build, every component underwent rigorous inspection against the 3D renders and original drawings, ensuring complete alignment with the client’s vision.

This hybrid approach — combining the technical precision of 3D printing with the craftsmanship of traditional model-making — resulted in museum-quality display pieces.

The project was delivered successfully, with all models completed to the agreed specifications and within the planned timeline.

Upon receiving photographs of the finished models, the client provided the following feedback:

“Many thanks Hussein / Nathan
The models look excellent.
Please could you let me know when they are packaged and ready for dispatch.
There will be a small change to one delivery address.”

This positive response confirmed that the models met — and likely exceeded — the client’s expectations. The project concluded with final packaging and preparation for shipment, along with minor logistical adjustments to accommodate the updated delivery details.