THE ill-fated “HMS Lady Nelson” will be an “under-construction” focus of this year’s Model Ship Expo.

ACT Scale Modellers Society and Task Force 72 (naval model ships) will be exhibiting museum-quality scale models ranging from historic to modern-day ships, including navy vessels.

The models on show have all been built by society members, including interstate members who will be travelling from Melbourne and the Gold Coast. There will also be an exhibition of historic maritime equipment and a display of maritime paintings.

Local members have been co-operatively building the scale model of the “Lady Nelson”, a colonial vessel credited with having been instrumental in mapping the coast of Victoria, SA and Norfolk Island.

The original “Lady Nelson” was built in 1799 for use on London’s River Thames. In March, 1800, she set sail for Sydney to take on survey work in the colony of NSW. At a later time, the ship was attacked by pirates near Timor and every person on board was massacred. The hull of the ship was discovered later.

There are full-scale replicas of the “Lady Nelson” in Hobart and Mount Gambier, SA.

The model under construction was started some years ago using copies of the original plans provided by the British Maritime Museum. It was recommenced recently as a co-operative project with individual members producing particular parts.

The model is expected to be completed early next year with the aim of it being presented to a museum where it be can displayed.

The Model Ship Expo, Mount Rogers Primary School, Alfred Hill Drive, Melba, 10am-5pm, Saturday, September 17 and 10am-3.30pm, on Sunday, September 18.