about: The Legacy of Charles Jones
Unparalleled WWII Naval Collection with Over 40 Years in the Making
Charles Jones’ fascination with military history began as a young boy in the 1950s. With a modest $1.50 weekly allowance and strict savings rules from his parents, his early efforts to build a collection were slow. Limited to only 10% of his earnings for personal use, Charles quickly learned the value of patience and prioritization. The few ship models available at the time were more like toys than accurate replicas, and Charles chose to wait rather than invest in low-quality models. Consequently, his collection remained small and unremarkable for years.
By the 1980s, Charles became a serious collector, driven by a growing passion for naval history and inspired by the realization that he was living through the “golden age” of 1:1250 scale models. This was a pivotal moment: high-quality, hand-crafted replicas of WWII warships and merchantmen were being produced by skilled European artisans. The models ranged from simple identification pieces to intricately detailed replicas. Despite the high cost of top-tier models, Charles prioritized acquiring these premium replicas, with encouragement from his wife, who noted that this pursuit was certainly more economical than a flashy sports car.
A Vision and a Plan: Crafting a Comprehensive WWII Naval Collection
Unlike casual collectors, Charles set out to create a curated and purposeful collection. He developed a clear plan: the focus would be exclusively on WWII warships and their auxiliary vessels from 18 different countries. Additionally, he included ships that were designed and laid down but never completed, as these designs had significant impacts on naval strategies during the war.
Charles’ ultimate goal was to represent every major class of warship from each country’s navy during WWII. For instance, the United States Navy developed 13 distinct classes of destroyers during the war. If a specific model was unavailable, Charles would either modify an existing model or build one from scratch to fill the gap. He even accounted for sub-types within classes, such as Germany’s Type VII submarines, which included A, B, C, and D variants. Over the years, Charles expanded his collection by adding replicas of key ships, such as all four Iowa-class battleships and the complete range of cruisers from the Imperial Japanese Navy, ensuring that his collection could accurately depict pivotal WWII battles.
Collaborating with Master Artisans
Charles attended 12 of the biennial Kassel Meetings in Germany over a span of 24 years. These gatherings brought together collectors and artisans from around the world, providing Charles with invaluable opportunities to acquire rare models, both new and out-of-production. His relationships with the model makers deepened over time, leading to exclusive invitations to visit their workshops. On several occasions, Charles persuaded artisans to create entirely new models based on rare photographs and deck plans he provided. As a result, his collection includes unique pieces that cannot be found elsewhere.
To further enhance the authenticity of his WWII models, Charles learned advanced techniques from master artisans, including how to craft intricate details from plastic and brass. He upgraded masts, radars, anti-aircraft guns, ship’s boats, and camouflage patterns to ensure each replica was as accurate as possible.
A One-of-a-Kind WWII Naval Collection
Charles’ dedication over four decades has resulted in a collection that stands alone in the United States. It cannot be replicated, as most of the artisans who crafted these models have passed away, and the level of craftsmanship is exceedingly rare. This collection is more than a personal achievement—it is a historical treasure that deserves to be shared with the world.
Fleet of Freedom: An Educational Tool and Documentary Film
Recognizing the educational value of his collection, Charles partnered with Fleet of Freedom to create an engaging platform that brings WWII naval history to life. The collection now serves as the foundation for the Fleet of Freedom documentary film and educational series, which aim to educate both naval personnel and the public about the strategic importance of naval warfare during WWII. Today, visual learning is paramount, especially for younger generations who consume information primarily through media. Fleet of Freedom leverages Charles’ meticulously curated collection to deliver immersive, visually engaging lessons on WWII naval history. By presenting the models as part of fleets or task forces in realistic battle scenarios, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the naval strategies and decisions that shaped the war.
Innovative Museum Presentation and Interactive Learning
The Fleet of Freedom collection is designed to be both space-efficient and visually striking. Stored in custom cabinets along walls, subsets of the collection can be displayed on surfaces painted to resemble ocean swells, ports, or beaches. When combined with video presentations and voice-over storytelling, these displays offer a powerful, multi-sensory learning experience that captivates all ages.
About Charles Jones: A Lifelong Passion for Maritime History
Charles’ interest in maritime history began during his elementary school years. After completing his homework, he would eagerly search the school library for books on famous naval battles, from Actium to Midway. This early fascination with naval warfare evolved into a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. As he grew older, Charles realized that maritime battles were often decided by two key factors: superior leadership and advanced technology.
During his final year of college, while pursuing a degree in engineering, Charles took two elective history courses that profoundly influenced his worldview. One course, taught by the History Department, emphasized the role of great leaders in shaping history. The other, offered by the Engineering Department, argued that technological superiority often determined the outcome of conflicts. These competing perspectives deeply resonated with Charles and shaped his approach to understanding maritime history.
Charles’ focus on WWII naval history stems from the war’s decisive impact on the modern world. He believes that altering the outcome of just a few key naval battles could have dramatically changed history. His collection of replica warships allows him to recreate these battles and imagine alternative scenarios, fueling his passion for historical analysis and storytelling.
Preserving History, Inspiring the Future
Through Fleet of Freedom, Charles Jones’ extraordinary collection finds new life as a powerful educational tool. By combining meticulously crafted models with engaging multimedia content, Fleet of Freedom ensures that the legacy of WWII naval history is preserved for future generations. Explore the collection, watch the documentary, and immerse yourself in the stories of the brave men and women who served at sea during one of the most pivotal conflicts in human history.
Explore the Fleet of Freedom today, and discover the history that shaped our modern world.