Incredible Large Scale Model of The Famous Drayton Manor Carousel
From Design to Reality: The Power Functional Scale Models
Drayton Manor Hotel Carousel
Malcolm Nicholls Ltd: Bringing the Iconic Large Scale Functional Model of the Drayton Manor Carousel to Life with a blend of 3D Printing, Vacuum Casting and Traditional Model Making.
As a Model Making company we want to showcase how we combined traditional and modern model-making techniques to create stunning and functional large scale functional model for a theme park. The project? A 2-meter diameter carousel for the Drayton Manor Hotel reception, marking a special 40th-year anniversary collaboration.
A Blend of Old and New
The carousel’s theme perfectly embodies our approach. It blends classic charm with cutting-edge 3D printing technology, much like the processes used in its creation. As a model making company we wanted to create traditionally hand-carved horses, named after the grandchildren of Malcolm Nicholls and Drayton Manor owner Colin Bryan, were replicated using our advanced soft tooling (silicone tooling) and vacuum casting. This ensured high-quality, detailed reproductions at scale.
Modern Techniques for Classic Elements
The carousel’s elegant, curved roof sections were no afterthought. Designed in 3D CAD software, these intricate pieces were brought to life using a large-frame Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. MNL then employed vacuum casting once again, this time with a durable polyurethane material, to create sturdy and aesthetically pleasing roof sections.
A Collaboration Built to Last
This project exemplifies our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and enduring client relationships. It’s a testament to the power of combining traditional skills with cutting-edge technologies like 3D printed scale models and vacuum casting.
See it for Yourself!
If you’re ever near the Drayton Manor Hotel, be sure to stop by and experience the magic of this meticulously crafted carousel firsthand and send us a picture we would love to see it!