Model of the HMS Norfolk in World Record Attempt

Ships have been big headline stories just lately since Henry VIIIs flagship the Marie Rose was restored and is being displayed alongside a stunning new museum in Portsmouth. Now a Norfolk man hopes to cause a few ripples in the News headlines with his own creation and making a world record attempt

It has taken almost a decade to build, and cost him the best part of £7000, but Graham Davis is hoping its all worthwhile when he tries to set a World Record with his lovingly crafted 9ft long model ship.
Graham, 66, has been building model ships for almost 30 years, but later this month he hopes to sail into the record books with his latest creation.

His model of HMS Norfolk, a Duke Class Frigate, weighs in at 110lbs, is roughly 9ft 3ins long and has a maximum speed of 10mph.
Graham Davis is planning to sail the HMS Norfolk from Waveney River Centre  down to Boaters Hill Quay at Beccles Suffolk and back for a period of 24 hours from midday on Friday June 21st until midday on Saturday 22nd June. He estimates that, all going well, he would see his ship travel 144 miles and land him an independent world record.

Mr Davies said he suspected the speed during his record-breaking attempt would likely be 6mph, due to ''traffic on the river and the weather'' Mr Davies, who is originally from Surrey but moved to Norfolk 40 years ago, will be attempting the feat with fellow model boat enthusiasts Peter Dorsett, David Houseago, Richard Thurston, Richard Flatt and David Tedstone.

Graham says he attributes a lot of his success to his wife, Mary, who even helped free up some room in the garage where he works on his model ships. He said: ''I must say if it was not for my lovely wife I would not have had the room to do this. She kindly asked if I would like her to remove her brand new car from the garage - I said "yes, please!"

Mr Davies and Mr Dorsett attempted the record 22 years ago, when on that occasion, they equalled the record but were denied the chance to beat it because both engines on their boat blew up.
This year, with the help of sponsors Waveney River Centre, Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club, Stanton Training Services and Multicell Battery Specialists, they have higher hopes.

The team will be fundraising for Help for Heroes, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Magpas Helimedix.
Read more and make donations by visiting www.challengers2.co.uk