SAILING enthusiasts were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief as an identical mini-version of the Coniston Gondola slid gracefully through the waters of the lake.
Retired civil engineer David Affleck, from Wiltshire, launched the four-feet version of the famous Victorian steamer on her maiden voyage and the realistic replica sparked great interest in visitors to Coniston.
Mr Affleck began work on the model, which is made from fibreglass and is powered by a gas- operated steam engine, seven months ago.
He is also a big fan of the original Gondola that was first launched in 1859 and embodied the grandeur of the Victorian period.
"I got the idea from a ruby wedding celebration that I attended in Coniston in 1987 and the next day the whole party took a cruise on the Gondola," he said.
Mr Affleck is a member of several model sailing clubs in the south of England and he continues to visit the Lake District once a year.
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