Queenston, Ontario
October 15 & 16, 2025
Since the early 2000s, master ship modeler, and mentor to many, David Antscherl has presented informative, hands-on workshops for ship modelers in partnership with his American colleague, Greg Herbert. This year’s event in Antscherl’s hometown of Niagara-On-The-Lake (NOTL), Canada, focused on “Admiralty” Style & Prototype Framing.
Twenty modelers, myself included, from both the U.S. and Canada attended the two-day experience, bringing a small collection of tools. While Greg Herbert, based in Annapolis, Maryland, could not attend, the workshop was still guided by Antscherl and Chuck Passaro, an entrepreneur (he owns Syren Ship Model Company), and well-regarded figure in the ship model community.
Passaro provided all participants with laser-cut hardwood framing forms. Attendees used these forms to assemble a representative model of the midsection hull framing of a typical, late 18th-century 20-gun British Navy war sloop.
David also presented a slide show of his latest commission model, the early American Navy’s U.S.S. South Carolina heavy frigate. He also spoke about his recent visit to the U.K. with Philip Reed, the extraordinary ship model miniaturist. On the first evening, the workshop principals, attendees, and accompanying spouses enjoyed a nice meal together at a local restaurant.
A Look Toward the Future
This October’s Admiralty Models event was the last one David Antscherl and Greg Herbert had planned to present together. Antscherl announced to the attendees that, following his retirement, the workshops will continue under a new partnership. Greg Herbert and Chuck Passaro will present future events.
Look for future Admiralty Workshops to be announced online at modelshipworld.com and in Ships In Scale magazine.