Completed in 1997, the model has a balsa wood frame, brass for the ship railings, and appliance cord wires for the intricate weave of the mattress spring radar. To simulate the teak deck, Otis used aircraft-grade plywood covered with seven coats of urethane. In those days they didn't simply want to make a ship that was destructive, they wanted to make a good-looking ship. Otis has entered his model of the Kirov, a Russian guided missile cruiser, in a scale ship model competition in Virginia. The thing that drives ship modelers is they have a marine interest and like to work with their hands.
Some newer members tend to work with plastic-kit models.
Others take the far more demanding route of working from scratch, using parts from the kits on occasion. The group was formed as a forum for ship model buffs to meet and exchange ideas and skills. He has become an avid World War II historian and model ship builder. You have to be a history buff . . . With me, it's just the satisfaction I have within myself to recreate something that once existed.