Royal Navy battleship 'gift' delights captain of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

Delighted Captain Angus Essenhigh, commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, has been stunned by the creation of a model of former battleship Queen Elizabeth.

The detailed replica was lovingly crafted by RAF veteran Richard Stewart as a gift for the crew of the 65,000-tonne leviathan that now bears the name HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The model, which was painstakingly pieced together over six months, now sits pride of place in the future flagships captain’s cabin – and is expected to be shown off to dignitaries and VIPs who are given a tour of the aircraft carrier.

Speaking to The News, Capt Essenhigh said: ‘Richard’s model of the battleship Queen Elizabeth is quite exquisite and we are delighted to have it on board. It is a fantastic way of connecting our sailors and visitors to Queen Elizabeth’s history, and the generations of sailors that went before us.’

Richard, who has been piecing together models since the age of eight, was approached by a member of the ship’s company before lockdown to create a tribute to the previous Queen Elizabeth battleship.

The 55-year-old spent about 10 hours a week meticulously piecing together the model before presenting the finished product to Capt Essenhigh earlier this month.

Richard, who grew up in Havant but now lives in Romsey, said: ‘It was a great honour. Captain Angus was a fantastic fellow. He knew a lot about the history of the previous Queen Elizabeth.

‘I feel honoured to know that my model will be on board HMS Queen Elizabeth all the time she goes around the world.’

The previous Queen Elizabeth was commissioned in December 1914 and entered service during the First World War as one of the most powerful warships ever made.

Boasting four twin 15-inch gun and 16 6-inch guns, the mighty battleship served with distinction through the conflict and was put to use during the Second World War.

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Richard, who is a member of the Romsey Modellers, added: ‘I’ve added a lot of extra detail to this model kit. I put in a real wooden deck and glazed portholes it has brass gun barrels and brass railings and the exact paint job the ship would have had. I’m very proud of it.’

HMS Queen Elizabeth left her home in Portsmouth earlier this week to carry out training at sea.

Yesterday 14 F-35B stealth jets touched down on her four-acre flight deck in the largest number of aircraft to embark on a British warship in almost 40 years.

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