Normandie
This is the 1:600 scale scratch built Normandie, by Onno Heesbeen
During the World EXPO 2000 in Germany the France pavilion hosed an exhibition on the history of France transportation. As I walked true the exhibition I suddenly noticed a five-meter long model of Normandie. This was the first time I ever saw something of the Normandie in 3D and somehow the ship got more real then seeing pictures in books. Being taken by the model, which looked aged and could very well have been an original builder model from the 30’s, I decided then and there that I was going to make a model of the ship. I made a lot of detailed photos because I knew this was a great opportunity for research that I would not get anytime soon. The idea of a Normandie model stayed with me, I searched the market for a kit but could only find some paper models and the resin model (which is excellent but a bit expensive for me) Two years after having seen the model at the EXPO I decided it was time to scratch build my first model, I discovered and learned a lot of techniques I still use when scratch building models (and of course noticed techniques that aren’t so practical to use) Still many details need to be done, but the essence of Normandie is present, if I would make the model now I would do many things differently. Unfortunately some changes I would like to see are virtually impossible to add. It is as they say, you learn by your mistakes and I have.
A nice forward aerial shot, showing her streamlined hull and bow design and her three "fat" funnels.
A picture of her stepped aft decks, I choose to render her as build because I liked the first class deck. I have put a lot of effort to create the windscreens and the steps towards the raced deck.
A look over her foredeck, showing the breakwater and her pointy bow.
A close-up view of the bridge/forward superstructure and her cargo cranes and hatches.
Aft aerials shot, showing the slender and long effect of Normandie’s design.