Build Your Own Titanic

Few people, besides scientists and James Cameron, have ever explored the wreck of the Titanic. And even if we were capable of withstanding the pressure at 12,460ft below, simple maths tells us we'd need to spend the rest of our natural lives in decompression. Thus, we recommend exploring its cursed beauty via the medium of this 1:200-scale cardboard model. Taschen's Build Your Own Titanic, released to mark the 100th anniversary of the doomed voyage, comes with pre-cut pieces and reassuringly adroit instructions. Once finished, it measures 1.35m long. The real thing took just under three years to assemble; we suspect this would take about the same.    

£9 | www.taschen.com 

Riva Aquarama model boat

As luxury speedboats go, this Riva Aquarama is about as affordable as it gets. But to be fair it's only 2ft long - and would almost certainly sink if one stepped aboard clutching a bottle of Dom Perignon '53. The ultimate hand-crafted model, it recreates Pietro Riva's famous design in fascinating - not to mention mind-boggling - detail. It comes complete with authentic gauges and a leather interior - and is certainly a lot easier to berth than the real thing.    

£795 | www.fortnumandmason.com