Description

MS QUEEN ELIZABETH II (QE2) - LIGHTED

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY MUSEUM QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension Approx.: 39.5″L x 4.5″W x 12″H
SCALE 1:300
LIGHTED - LED LIGHTS pre-installed (power supply not included)
Open die cut side hull windows, NOT painted like those built by most other companies.
The model is already built, NOT a model ship kit

When the Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched on the River Clyde in 1967, she represented a bold new direction for Cunard. Built by John Brown & Company, the same yard that produced the Queen Mary and the original Queen Elizabeth, the QE2 was designed not as a traditional superliner but as a hybrid — a ship capable of crossing the North Atlantic at high speed yet flexible enough to operate as a cruise ship in warmer waters. At 963 feet long and 70,327 tons, she was smaller than her predecessor, but far more modern, with sleek lines, aluminum superstructure, and interiors that reflected the design sensibilities of the late 1960s.

She entered service in 1969, sailing from Southampton to New York on her maiden voyage and immediately becoming Cunard’s new flagship. With a top speed of 32.5 knots, she was one of the fastest passenger ships ever built, able to maintain reliable transatlantic schedules even in rough seas. Her décor blended contemporary style with subtle nods to Cunard tradition, and she quickly earned a reputation for comfort, elegance, and a cosmopolitan onboard atmosphere.

The QE2’s long career was marked by versatility. She spent summers on the Atlantic run and winters cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond. But her most dramatic chapter came in 1982, when she was requisitioned by the British government during the Falklands War. Stripped of luxury fittings and painted grey, she carried more than 3,000 troops to the South Atlantic — a reminder that even in the jet age, great liners could still serve as instruments of national purpose.

In 1986–87, the QE2 underwent a major transformation: her original steam turbines were replaced with a modern diesel‑electric powerplant, improving efficiency and extending her service life. She continued to sail as Cunard’s flagship until 2004, when the Queen Mary 2 took over the role. Even then, the QE2 remained beloved — a ship with a loyal following and a personality all her own.

After nearly 40 years at sea, she retired on 27 November 2008 and sailed to Dubai, where she was intended to become a luxury hotel at Palm Jumeirah. Financial setbacks delayed the project, and for years she sat quietly at her berth, awaiting a new purpose. Finally, after extensive restoration, she opened to visitors on 18 April 2018 as a floating hotel. Since 2024, she has been operated by the French hotel group Accor, welcoming guests aboard once more — not for voyages, but for the experience of staying aboard one of the most famous ships ever built.

The QE2 occupies a unique place in maritime history. She was the last great transatlantic liner built for regular service, yet also one of the first modern cruise ships. She carried royalty, celebrities, soldiers, and millions of ordinary travelers. She survived war, refits, storms, and shifting travel trends, remaining relevant for nearly four decades.

Today, as a hotel in Dubai, she continues to embody the spirit of ocean travel — a living monument to the age when crossing the Atlantic by ship was still an event, and when the name Queen Elizabeth 2 stood for speed, style, and the enduring romance of the sea.