Tipton man launches model Titanic in West Bromwich park

A remote-control model of the Titanic was launched into the water at a Sandwell park to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.

It took Marcus Wheal, of Brideway Road, Tipton, three months to create the 7ft 6in model. The Sandwell Model Boat Club member took it to Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich yesterday.

A crowd gathered to watch it make its maiden voyage.

"It floated beautifully and didn't sink," said the 43-year-old.

"A lot of the club members, family and friends came over to watch.

"I am very pleased with how it went.

The model ship was made out of plywood and weighs 50lb.

Mr Wheal was able to create it by copying pictures he collected from books and online over the past five years.

"Everyone who's seen it has been very impressed," he added.

"They think it's pretty accurate to the great ship."

Mr Wheal now plans to keep the boat to take out on the water once a month.

Mr Wheal has previously made a 3ft 6in model of the Titanic but damaged it when it was knocked off a shelf just before Christmas.