MOST model makers1 would enjoy building a model of that famous ship, the Santa Maria, if they knew that the result of their efforts would be reasonably like the vessel in which Christopher Columbus sailed to America.

It can be safely asserted that few of the models of the Santa Maria seen here, there, and everywhere are much like any vessel Columbus could have used. The best of them are a century out of date.

The "store models" are obviously not like any ship that ever floated, although one has no objection to them when used purely as decorations.

One learns that Christopher Columbus encountered fanatical opposition to his mad adventure and that, despite royal mandates, no one would supply him with vessels until - to quote "Gloomy Ocean" - "Palos now offered as a second caravel a certain carack, grown old from service, named the 'Gallega'; large comparatively, and heavy, but very solid. Although improper for the service now assigned to her, neither Columbus nor his counsellor, Father Juan Perez, dared to refuse her, for fear of thus protracting the delay already too greatly extended." A poor ship for exploration!

Columbus could not even get this vessel properly calked. How then would he contrive to make of her the gaily decorated, smart craft usually depicted?

Nevertheless, it was the habit to paint colorfully all manner of vessels. Sacred emblems were considered almost essential and Columbus was a High Admiral of the Ocean Sea, therefore he would be entitled to flags and banners, which would be supplied by his royal backers, and the shields of his companion adventurers might well be hung on the pavi-sades. Thus, although we are not going to make a seventeenth century, brand-new carnival kind of ship, ours will be equally beautiful, if not more so, than the usually accepted model.

After exhaustive research, the writer believes his model (Figs. 24 to 37) is of a ship such as Columbus might, and probably did, use in making his famous voyage. No smallest detail or touch of color has been embodied without reason. For example, the shade of the blue used on the loopholed bulwarks is not there because it is pretty, but because it is the blue that was used on ships for centuries, and is still to be found in the flags of Catholic countries, as the "blue of the Virgin's robe."

Having given reasons for this Santa Maria, instead of the all too common one usually seen, we may get to work, feeling confident that the result will more than compensate for the time and care involved. The model looks complicated, but if the plans and instructions are followed and troubles are not anticipated, it will be found to work out quite simply.2

1Many blueprints relating to both ship models and airplanes will be found listed in the Appendix.

2Full size drawings are almost essential in building so elaborate a model, but if you do not wish to draw them yourself you can obtain them in the form of blueprints. They are listed as Nos 74, 75, and 76 in the Appendix.

The tools required will be the usual domestic kit, with, in addition, a fret saw, spokeshave, half-round file or rasp, small round-nosed and cutting pliers, some small C-clamps or spring clothespins, a light hammer, small nail set, tweezers, and some very small wire twist drills with a handle. A set of die-sinker's files are useful, as is a jeweler's saw.

Fig. 24. - This beautiful and decorative model of Columbus' vessel Is as authentic in all its essential details as painstaking research could make it. The model was built by Capt. E. Armitage McCann, noted authority on ship models and the secretary of the.