Gene Conlon,   a NAFTS member and good friend of mine served aboard the USS Nipmuc ATF 157 from 1947 to 1951.  Gene is a multi-talented individual and after a storied career working with ships after Nipmuc he retired to his native Malden, Massachusetts where he continues his hobbies of stained glass, model ship building, and annoying his neighbors.  Gene made a few "Nipmuc ships in a bottle" and when I professed my admiration he astonished me by building a "Lipan in a bottle".    Below are some photos of his incredible handiwok.

	Photo showing the very small scale of Gene's work.
	Another overall view.  Note the acid etching on the glass denoting "USS Lipan ATF 85".
	Close-up showing the ship and an island with a shack & a lighthouse.  Remember, all this fine work was done within the bottle.
	Detail of the stopper with a nice turk's head knot.
	The port side showing the details.
	Nice overall view.  Note the acid etching into the bottle.  This a standard solid bottle and all the work was done through the narrow neck of the bottle.
	Very close-up detail of the forward section of the hull.  The entire ship itself is just about three inches long.  Speaking of three inches, check-out that 3" 50caliber gunmount!
	Very close-up detail of the stern section.  Note the 40mm guntubs on the 01 level and the detail in stringing the lines for the ten-ton boom.  Cute H-bitts too.
	Detail of the toggle holding the stopper in place.  It can't be moved.  Its screwed tight.  Yet the stopper somehow was secured in place.
	Detail of the island with the lighthouse and shack.
	Nice overall view with the glass etching.
	Port side profile.
	The island.
	Not a bad Turk's Head for a snipe.
	Looks like rain.
	The model as it sits on my window.