This book provides a wealth of practical guidance on building and painting realistic model naval ships aimed at those who are new to this hobby through to the experienced modeller. An in-depth look at the creation of four models is included: the Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring (Dragon), the pre-war aircraft carrier USS Wasp (Aoshima), the River-class frigate HMS Nadder (Starling Models) and the 'pocket battleship' Admiral Graf Spee (Academy). With a focus on the popular kit scales of 1/700 and 1/350 in the waterline style, this book demonstrates the techniques used in building model ships, from the basic to the more complex, larger-scale models requiring many differing skills. There are chapters on the fundamentals such as building resin kits, painting and weathering, rigging and creating a water effect. It provides guidance on more advanced techniques such as the use of photo-etched parts and creating rough-water effects. Finally, it is packed with helpful tips and finishing touches, such as making flags and how to take professional-standard photographs of your completed model.

In the past thirty years the world of model kits has undergone a veritable revolution. New techniques in injection moulding have improved the scale accuracy and surface detail of the humble plastic kit, while many specialist companies now produce top-quality resin models, vastly broadening the range of subjects on the market. However, the really radical change has been the advent of photo-etched brass fret, which allows the finest detail to be reproduced to scale. In ship modelling, this has resulted in a new form of the hobby, mid-way between traditional build-from-the-box simplicity and the time-consuming demands of fabricating everything from scratch. These new materials have prompted innovative techniques, which are comprehensively demonstrated in this new manual. Designed for those wishing to achieve the best results from their ship kits in the 1:700 to 1:350 range of scales, it uses step by step photographs to take the reader through the building of two models, one in plastic and one in resin, from basic construction, fittings and detailing, to painting, finishing and display. Written by a highly experienced, award-winning ship modeller, the book is a showcase for the contemporary approach to the hobby.

This book is the first comprehensive history of how the 1:1200 scale and its 1:1250 continental equivalent became accepted as the modern standard for miniature ship models. The origins can be traced back to the first years of the twentieth century and their use as identification aids by the military during the First World War, but when peace came the manufacturers aimed their increasingly sophisticated products at collectors, and acquiring, modifying or scratch-building miniature ship models has been an avidly pursued hobby ever since. This book charts the commercial rise and fall of the manufacturers, and the advancing technology that produces ever more detailed and accurate replicas. The author - himself a lifetime collector and builder of models - looks at the products of each manufacturer, past and present, rating their quality and suggesting why some are regarded as more collectible than others. But the book deals with more than off-the-shelf models, covering subsidiary issues like painting, modifying and diorama settings, and is illustrated throughout with many of the finest examples of the genre. The combination of fascinating background information with stunning visual presentation will make this book irresistible to any collector or enthusiast.

The expert model maker takes readers through every stage of building a miniature navy board model in this fully illustrated step-by-step guide. In this clear and detailed volume, Phil Reed tackles the ultimate expression of the ship model maker's art: The Navy Board model. These early eighteenth-century works of art are well represented in major maritime museums and private collections. Here, Reed takes on the construction of a miniature 1/192 scale model of the Royal George of 1715, covering all the conventions of Navy Board framing and planking. With nearly 400 photographs, each accompanied by explanatory text, Building a Miniature Navy Board Model takes readers through every step of the process. Methods of hull and deck framing, internal and external planking, and the construction of the complex stern are all covered. The rendering of the multitude of decorative carvings on the figurehead, stern and broadside is also demonstrated. At the end of the book there is a short section showing his model of The Syren, which demonstrates how the techniques used to frame Royal George could be adapted for ships of a later date, using single and double frames closer to full-size practice

This book is about the art of displaying waterline models. By their very nature, ship models that do not show the full hull and are not mounted on an artificial stand cry out for a realistic setting. At its most basic this can be just a representation of the sea itself, but to give the model a context – even to tell some sort of story – is far more challenging. This is the province of the diorama, which at its most effective is a depiction of a scene or an event in which the ship model takes centre stage. As with a painting, the composition is a vital element and this book devotes much of its space to what works and what does not, and illustrates with photographic examples why the best maritime dioramas have visual power and how to achieve that impact. Individual chapters explore themes like having small craft in attendance on the main subject, multiple-model scenarios, dockyards and naval bases, and the difficulties of replicating naval combat realistically. It also looks at both extremes of modelmaking ambition: the small single-ship exposition and the largest, most ambitions projects of the kind meant for museum display. The book concludes with some of the most advanced concepts – how to create drama and the illusion of movement, and how to manipulate perspective. Illustrated throughout with colour photos, the more abstract discussion is backed with practical 'how to' sections, so anyone who builds waterline ship model will benefit from reading this book. As featured in 'Glasgow Now'.

Shows how to turn an average ship model into a highly detailed masterpiece. Provides hundreds of simple techniques for building, detailing, scratchbuilding, and modifying scale model ships. Includes hundreds of close-up photographs and tips on scratchbuilding detailed parts, seam removal, weathering, and much more. By Mike Ashey. 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 112 pgs.; 240 bandw and 32 color photos; softcover.

Includes bibliographical references (page 27).