Report this comment
  • "Hopefully this can be displayed at the new museum, which some people have objected to, including someone not too far from here."
  • This field is mandatory
  • This field is mandatory

  • Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.


  • Enter the above word in the box below

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.

Dave Reynolds completes his matchstick replica of Titanic

11:40am Friday 20th January 2012 in Heritage News Photograph of the Author By Patrick Knox , Senior Reporter

Dave Reynolds' matchstick model of Titanic Dave Reynolds' matchstick model of Titanic

HE is already in the Guinness Book of Records for his matchstick modelling marvels.

Retired seafarer David Reynolds has once again taken to his matches to create the ultimate tribute to the world’s most famous liner on the centenary of her sinking.

Model Factfile

• It took 6,050 hours to build

• Eight pots of glue and five scalpel blades were used

• 120,000 matchsticks were used – that’s three miles if each were laid end to end, which is the length of Southampton Water

• It cost £50 to build using headless matches – yet if boxed matches were used it would have cost £1,200

The finishing touches have now been put to his latest fiddly creation, Titanic, which he hopes will be berthed in Southampton’s Sea City being opened in March and could become the showpiece for the Titanic exhibition.

Made up of 120,000 painstakingly cut, glued and slotted matchsticks, his five foot model of RMS Titanic has been finished in time to commemorate the centenary of the doomed ocean liner’s maiden voyage from Southampton.

Retired merchant navy sailor David, 53, from Swaythling, said: “I have done a smaller one but for the anniversary I decided to go large to show off more detail.”

Related links

Related links

The plans he created for his model follow the original designs and mirrors the construction of the Titanic at Haarland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast.

He said: “I built the keel all out of matches, then I put on the ribs and frame and then built the ship from there. Each funnel has about 100 matches.

“I would have built it bigger but I might not be able to fit it in my car.”

Although the model is impressive it is dwarfed in size by David’s gigantic scale model of an oil rig with which he broke the record for the world’s biggest matchstick model.

At 21ft long, 12ft wide and 7ft high it was so large it took David 15 years to finish and used some 4.1million matchsticks.

Find out more about Titanic

You can find out more about Titanic and the disaster's impact on Southampton with the Daily Echo.

Throughout the coming months ahead of the centenary in April, we will be showcasing unique content in our Titanic mini-site.

In the meantime, you can discover key sites across the city relating to the tragedy, the latest news relating to the ship or even find out some of the key facts behind the vessel, her demise and the people who perished and survived.

Local Businesses

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree