Amazing Oil Rig Model Built From 4m Matchsticks (15 Photos)

Published by djmick on July 21st, 2009

Matchstick Oil Rig Pictures

A former oil rig worker spent 15 years building an exact replica of a North Sea platform – out of more than four million matchsticks.

David Reynolds, 51, spent up to 10 hours each day painstakingly crafting the half a ton model of the Brent Bravo rig in his living room.

Each matchstick was individually polished and then glued in place to create the 21ft long, 12ft high masterpiece.

The completed model comprises 14 sections and is so big it had to be moved by two lorries to the Bursledon Brickworks and Industrial Museum, in Southampton, Hants.

David has dubbed it the Cathedrals of the Sea. Everything is built to the finest detail, including the accommodation block for the rig workers, the flotilla of ships moored to the rig, the platforms and towers.