In 2007 plans were laid by the Maritime Museum of San Diego (MMSD) to build and launch a full-size replica of the SAN SALVADOR, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's flagship that entered San Diego Bay in 1542.

Anticipating funding needs for such a large effort, Guild Members considered ways to help the Museum and settled on the idea of building at least three models of the SAN SALVADOR to be gifts for large donors supporting the effort.  This scale ship modeling initiative became "The SAN SALVADOR Project".

Led by Guild Member Bob McPhail, the SAN SALVADOR Project took a year and a half to produce three 1/8" scale models, and four half-hulls, all of the project's namesake.

Three teams were formed: two working on plank-on-bulkhead models and one on a plank-on-frame version.  Other Guild Members joined the effort with work on capstans, pendants, and display bases.

The SAN SALVADOR Project's finished models were handed off to the MMSD which in turn gifted them to major donors.

The keel of the Museum's full-scale replica was subsequently laid down in 2011 and launched in 2015.

Read more about the SAN SALVADOR Project in the Guild's April 2007, May 2007, July 2007, August 2007, September 2007, December 2007, February 2008, June 2008, July 2008, August 2008, October 2008, and November 2008 Newsletters.