Fisherman catches attention for model warship building

By Li Jingrong: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, July 12, 2016

Guo Changhai concentrates on building a model warship in Xiaojia Village in Rizhao City of Shandong Province on July 4, 2016. A row of model warships is displayed on the balcony of his house. [Photo by Liu Mingzhao/China.com.cn]

Guo Changhai, a 59-year-old fisherman from east China's Shandong Province, has developed a unique skill for building model warships that has made him widely known.

Guo, who lives in Xiaojia Village of Rizhao City, has a deep interest in military affairs, particularly warship development. He sold his fishing boat in 2005 after serving as its captain for 27 years to devote himself to his new interest.

The fisherman only has a middle school education. However, through diligent study and painstaking practice, he has become a skillful craftsman proficient in the interior structures and exterior designs of all kinds of model warships.

The materials Guo uses are basically waste, such as wooden boards, beverage cans, iron wires and pipes, so his works can really be called "junk art."

In the past 10 years, Guo has spent more than 60,000 yuan (nearly US$9,000) building seven model warships - four cruisers, two guided missile destroyers and one guided missile cruiser - each consisting of more than 1,000 spare parts, including electronic devices, radar models, propellers, etc. These models can turn in various directions through wireless remote control and even accomplish amphibious operations and simulated firing.

The highlight of Guo's model warship building career so far was a land-based test of his missile escort destroyer in his village on Dec. 13, 2014. During the test, the destroyer, which was 3.70 meters long, 1.2 meters high and 0.8 meters wide, successfully made a succession of turns and fired its guns. This was followed by another successful test in the Rizhao Olympic Water Park on Aug. 13, 2015, during which the model warship sailed on water for the first time.

Life is not always plain sailing for Guo. For a period of time, his hobby wasn’t understood by his fellow villagers; even his family taunted him for not doing a proper job. He was also faced with shortage of funds and had to frequently go out to work as a migrant worker to save money.

However, as the old Chinese saying goes, those who work hard will be rewarded. With Guo's works now being recognized and known far and wide, his unremitting efforts have finally won understanding and support from the people around him.

Guo’s dream is to have his own factory so that his works can be manufactured in bulk.

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