ROANOKE RAPIDS — For Lake Gaston resident, Bob Workman, Capt. U.S. Coast Guard (ret.), a model life is something he builds everyday. Workman has a novel approach to the “model” part which stems from a childhood hobby. He builds model planes.

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His latest endeavor took more than 600 hours to build, and not only is the replica of a Curtiss N.C.-4 sea plane a thing of beauty, but also it’s something Workman holds dear to his heart. “It was used in the first Transatlantic flight in 1919,” said Workman as he described what was then referred to as the “flying boat.”

Workman said he started building models when he was a kid, but put his hobby aside to work as a captain in Coast Guard Aviation.  When he retired in 1997, he took up his old pastime.

Workman’s sea plane is one of many other models, memorabilia and displays to be included in an exhibit at the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, at the end of September. “It’s an extensive exhibit,” said Workman. “They’ve even got a cross section of an H-60 helicopter. They’ve got stuff in there people have never seen.” Workman sounded a little excited as he described the exhibit. One might have detected he couldn’t wait until the exhibit opened.

The Curtiss was manufactured in 1918 as an anti-submarine warfare patrol plane. The U.S. also wanted a plane capable of flying across the Atlantic under its own power. Prototypes were built with only the NC-4 making the grade. It flew across the Atlantic May 8, via Newfoundland and the Azores. It’s maximum speed was 90 mph.

Workman built his model from scratch using only photos and the Glen Curtiss original 1919 engineering drawings. It has about an 8-foot wing span, compared to the 68-foot of the original. “This was a labor of love,” he said. “I built it for the Coast Guard Aviation Association, and we’re providing support for the aviation exhibit.

Workman said he’s excited about the exhibit, not only because his models are included, but also because it will be held in conjunction with a meeting of the Aviation Society. He and fellow members plan to be there for the opening of the exhibit as part of their ceremony. He said you have to be active or retired Coast Guard aviation/air crew to be a member of the association.

Workman has also written a book, “Float Planes, Flying Boats and the First Aircraft Carriers — An Era of Extraordinary Collaboration between Navy and Coast Guard Aviators.” Workman explained, “It’s a history of Coast Guard aviation.

Workman has and is building other models to be included in the exhibit. If you’d like to learn more about aviation history in the United States, contact Museum of the Albemarle at (252) 335-1453 or e-mail moa@ncdcr.gov.