About TMA
Welcome to The Modeler's Art
A World of Three-Dimensional Moments In Time Created by Master Model Maker, Richard J. Melillo
Richard Melillo
Richard J. Melillo shows how a lifetime passion can grow into a distinctive artistic career. Through his business, The Modelers Art, he transforms traditional scale model building into detailed three-dimensional scenes that capture real moments from history.
Melillo’s specialty is scale model construction, but his approach goes well beyond what many model builders create. He designs what he calls “Moments in Time,” placing each replica within a meaningful historical setting. Instead of simply presenting a model as a standalone object, he shows how it connects to the people, places, and events that shaped it. The result is something like a three-dimensional snapshot, allowing viewers to experience history in a vivid and engaging way.
Every project is truly a labor of love. Melillo builds replicas for museums, collectors, and exhibitions that want to share rare or fragile artifacts with the public. “Many historical objects must remain protected in vaults or archives. Accurate scale replicas allow museums to display these important items while preserving the originals”, says Melillo.
Richard has spent more than fifty years working in the world of miniature craftsmanship. What began as a childhood fascination with model building later developed into professional work with movie studios, model manufacturers, and model paint companies. Over the decades he has explored nearly every aspect of replica creation, from research and design to construction and finishing.
His artistic vision centers on the unique story behind every object. By carefully studying historical details and human context, he transforms scaled-down objects into convincing three-dimensional replicas of authentic moments in time. For Melillo, capturing these moments means interpreting how an object might truly have existed in history, in memory, or even in the imagination of the viewer.
Through The Modelers Art, Richard continues to bring history to life in miniature form, preserving the stories behind important events and artifacts while presenting them in a way that audiences can see, understand, and experience first hand.
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) I-401
The IJN I-401, built in the same scale as the I-21 model, was also created using original archive photographs and historical plans. This detailed replica now resides at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where it helps visitors better understand the engineering and history of one of the most remarkable submarines of the Second World War.
Every aspect of the model was carefully researched and constructed to reflect the design and unique features of the original vessel. Using archival reference material allowed builder, Rich Melillo, to accurately recreate the submarine’s distinctive structure and scale, giving museum visitors a clear visual representation of this historic naval craft.
The original IJN I-401 was once the largest submarine in the world. When it entered service during World War II, its size and capabilities were far ahead of its time. It remained the largest submarine ever built until 1969, when it was finally surpassed in size by more modern submarines.
Today, the scale model displayed at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park serves as an educational and historical exhibit, helping visitors visualize the extraordinary design and technological ambition behind this famous Japanese submarine.
