At a workshop in downtown Dawson Creek, Nick Proach has just completed a meticulously crafted scale model of Skylab, the initial U.S. space station. This miniature version features intricate details such as tiny solar arrays, a command module, and a telescope mount, all scaled down to 30 inches (76 centimeters). Proach’s workspace is filled with dozens of other miniature spaceships, each built with precise millimeter accuracy.
Expressing his passion for space exploration, Proach describes orbiting the Earth and journeying to the moon as the most thrilling adventures. With over 50 years of experience, he has been recreating significant milestones in human spaceflight and creating specialized models for clients worldwide.
Growing up in Toronto during the Space Race era of the 1960s, Proach was captivated by the first astronauts’ missions and started building models at a young age using materials like cardboard, plastic scraps, and toy tires. His enthusiasm was sparked by a photo of the lunar rover planned for the Apollo 15 mission, inspiring him to create his own model.
Having relocated to British Columbia in the late 1970s, Proach balanced his real estate work with his passion for building models. By the mid-1980s, he gained recognition for his craftsmanship, receiving significant commissions for projects like Vancouver’s Expo 86, where he constructed models like a 15-foot U.S. space station Freedom and a 28-foot version of Canada’s MSAT satellite.
In 1994, a small advertisement in a U.S. magazine propelled Proach into the spotlight, attracting attention from collectors, museums, and aerospace contractors globally. This led him to transition to full-time model making, expanding his team and establishing a company that caters to prestigious clients like NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and SpaceX.
Each model meticulously crafted by Proach is based on original blueprints to mirror the actual spacecraft, ensuring precision down to the smallest details. Designs are developed in Virginia, manufactured in the Netherlands, and then shipped to Canada for assembly.
Renowned space historian Robert Pearlman, based in Houston, Texas, commends Proach’s craftsmanship, highlighting the uniqueness of his models like the eight-foot-tall Saturn V rocket replica. Pearlman, the founder of collectSPACE, values the authenticity and detail that Proach’s models bring to his collection.
Proach’s museum showcases various models, including a signed Apollo 11 lunar module by Buzz Aldrin and a detailed representation of NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission. He aims to incorporate more Canadian aerospace history into his exhibits to raise awareness of the country’s contributions to space exploration.
Among his prized possessions is a mission patch that traveled aboard the space shuttle Atlantis in 2002, flown with one of his astronaut training models. Proach reflects on the unexpected delivery of the patch and the certificate confirming its space journey.
In 2020, Proach and his wife relocated to Dawson Creek to be nearer to their family. He hopes that youngsters visiting his museum will be inspired by his models to engage in hands-on creative activities, emphasizing the importance of stepping away from digital devices and embracing traditional hobbies.
Ultimately, Proach’s dedication to meticulously crafting space models has not only garnered international acclaim but also serves as a source of inspiration for future generations interested in space exploration.
