What are model ships made from?

Historically, ship modeling is as valuable as shipbuilding itself and astonishingly it dates back to the dawn of water transportation. Ship models have grave importance to archeologists. The ancient ship models provide them with helpful information about seafaring technology and the sociological and economic significance of seafaring of that time.

On the other hand, modern-era ship model kits are more focused on hobbyists and collectors that add glamour to their collection.

Model ships are usually made from wood, plastic, and metal. Wood is the oldest material used in ship models which have been around for thousands of years. Plastic ship models gave more fine details making them appear realistic. Lastly, metal model ships added sturdiness which plastic models don’t.

For a little bit of explanation here are what model ships are made from?

Types of ship models

These are the most commonly used materials for ship models:

1. Wood: typically solid wood, two pieces of wood with a vertical seam, or slabs of wood stacked one on top of the other.
2. Plastic: Models made of plastic, including injected styrene and cast resin. Fiberglass is frequently used for hull shells in larger scales (1/192 and larger).
3. Metal: most commonly cast lead or other alloys. Steel, sheet tin, and aluminum brass are less widely used for hull construction but are extensively used for adding details.

Wooden Model Ships

Wooden model ships are scale representations of ships made primarily of wood. The wooden model has been around for over two thousand years.

Wooden ship model hulls can be built in a variety of ways. The most basic is a solid wood hull sawn and carved from a single block of wood. To achieve accurate results, this method usually requires the highest level of skill.

Another variant of this technique is Bread and Butter technique, where the wood is the “bread,” and the glue is “butter.” The bread-and-butter technique refers to a hull constructed from thin blocks of wood that have been glued together either vertically or horizontally.

This decreases the amount of carving required but achieving an accurate hull form. The technique still requires skill and the use of templates.

A hollow hull can be used to achieve modeling precision and lightweight design. The plank on bulkhead technique involves inserting a series of shaped bulkheads along the keel to create a shaped stage covered with planks to form the model’s hull.

In the Plank on Frame technique, the model is built using plank on frame designs, just like a full-size wooden ship. The keel is laid down in such a way that it remains straight and true.

The sternpost and stem are installed, deadwood and strengthening pieces are inserted, and a series of shaped frames are built and installed along the keel to form the model’s internal framework.

The planks are then laid over the frame to create the external covering.

Many model shipwrights use the original vessel’s blueprints rather than plans designed specifically for models.

Drawings for the original ship can be taken to a blueprint service and blown up or reduced to fit the new scale. You can work directly from the original drawings by changing the scale each time you take a measurement.

Plastic Model Ships

Plastic injection-molded model ships have become increasingly popular in the decades following World War II. In contrast to traditional wooden models, these models are constructed from preformed plastic parts bonded with plastic cement.

Early on, the kits were designed for post-war children, who could glue them together in one afternoon and produce decent replicas

It is possible to purchase plastic model boats in both full hull and waterline versions. However, the quality of plastic model ships is not the same for all.

So, what distinguishes the best kits from others? Good research and attention to detail lead to historical accuracy.

The significance of historical accuracy has evolved over the years. The bar has been raised considerably. Some kits are out of scale but otherwise are of high quality. The larger the scale, the more noticeable this is.

The level of detail isn’t only the inclusion of details but also their proper placement. Many details are difficult to reproduce at a small scale and should be avoided.

This is one of those things that is difficult to pinpoint but becomes a nuisance when done incorrectly. What should be shiny, and what should be matte?

Should deck planks be demonstrated on a battleship on a 1:700 scale? When it comes to texture, it’s easy to tell when done incorrectly.

Airfix, Revell, Frog, and Pyro were among the early plastic model kit manufacturers. They have since been joined by Imai, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Skywave/Pit-Road, Trumpeter, Dragon Models Limited, and many others in producing a diverse range of model subjects.

Over the years, the focus of the plastic model kit market has shifted to adult hobbyists willing to pay for more elaborate, higher-quality kits.  Specialized paints, decals, and turned metal replacement gun barrels are also available in newer models to make plastic models more accurate.

Metal Model Ships

Metal model ship production was a challenging task. In contrast to wood, which can be filed gradually to form an object, metal only allows for precise action.

Metal also necessitates the use of costly machinery. The ability to work with metal is essential when creating museum-quality model ships. 

The tiny parts must be made of metal. The propellers should also be made of real brass for a museum-quality model. A model may appear good, but it is far from museum-quality due to inferior or fake materials and a lack of details.

But, everything is changed with the introduction of flat photo-etched metal sets, typically made of stainless steel or brass.

It allows for much more realistic lifelines, cranes, and other details than injection-molded plastic kits. These photos etch sets have pioneered the hobby, allowing fine-scale modelers to reproduce excellent details with far less effort.

Furthermore, metal model ships are more sturdy compared to plastic models. Which is ideal fro preserving a model.

Conclusion

Regardless of how useful ancient wooden ship models are to archaeologists, they are not always easily or correctly interpreted due to artists’ errors, ambiguity in model design, and wear and tear over time.

Still, those have their grandeur intact. On the other hand, metal model ships provide museum-quality precision with expensive equipment.

Metal model ships are mainly intended for ardent collectors, seasoned buyers, and museum curators. But, the real jackpot is Plastic model ships.

It was designed for post-war children, who could glue them together in one afternoon and produce decent replicas. It still works for today’s younger generation and adult collectors alike.

You can also buy both full hand and water-lined versions for a wide range of models at a reasonable price.

So, if you are a beginner collector or looking for some jaw-dropping present for your kids, plastic ship models are the best buy.

Source

• Ship Model. Wikipedia
• Plastic Model Ships. Building Model Boats
• Metal Ship Models