A First Look at the New Ships in Scale

After many months of planning, design, and conversation with modelers across the community, we’re pleased to share a preview of the relaunched Ships in Scale magazine.

This six-page preview offers a glimpse of what’s ahead: a refreshed design, a clear editorial point of view, and a renewed commitment to serving ship modelers of all experience levels. Our goal is a publication with lasting value—one that informs, inspires, and earns a place on your workbench and bookshelf.

Ships in Scale will feature in-depth build articles, thoughtful how-to guidance, historical context, and regular contributions from modelers and historians who know the craft firsthand. While kits will be a natural starting point for many stories, the magazine will also make room for advanced techniques, scratch building, and the artistry that defines the hobby at its highest levels.

This preview represents the opening pages of our first issue and the beginning of a new chapter for a magazine with a long and respected history. We hope it gives you a sense of where we’re headed—and invites you to be part of it.

Thank you for reading, and welcome aboard.

—
Michael Ellison
Publisher, Ships in Scale

Old Ironsides Gunner

With the powers of AI, I created a little video game. Step inside Old Ironsides and fire one of her cannons at enemy ships.

Play in full screen by clicking:

Launch Game

The AGO: Another Mecca For Ship Modelers

Ron Neilson

I took the opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on my recent October trip to Canada for the Admiralty Models Workshop. Although the purpose of my trip was to learn new model making skills and meet with colleagues, I couldn’t pass up visiting one of the world’s finest collections of historic ship models in nearby Toronto. The photos here are just a small sample I took in the museum’s dedicated Thompson Ship Collection gallery. A large format, 184 page full color book (pictured below) showing many of the models in the collection is also available from the gallery’s gift shop for the amazingly low price of $15 Canadian.

Continue reading →

Admiralty Models Workshop Marks a Milestone Transition

Ron Neilson

Queenston, Ontario
October 15 & 16, 2025

Since the early 2000s, master ship modeler, and mentor to many, David Antscherl has presented informative, hands-on workshops for ship modelers in partnership with his American colleague, Greg Herbert. This year’s event in Antscherl’s hometown of Niagara-On-The-Lake (NOTL), Canada, focused on “Admiralty” Style & Prototype Framing.

Continue reading →

From Teacher to Master Modeler: The Life and Work of Ab Hoving

Few names in the ship modeling world carry the weight of respect that Ab Hoving does. For decades, he has been at the center of Dutch maritime history—building, researching, teaching, and preserving models that connect us to a golden age of seafaring. In a recent conversation with Ships in Scale, Ab and his son Emiel reflected on a remarkable journey that spans classrooms, museums, workshops, and even the digital realm.

Continue reading →

The Annual Ambassador Michael B. Smith Memorial Lecture: John Glover’s Marblehead Schooner Hannah

Six years ago, vessel biographer Randy Biddle decided to investigate the origin story and likely appearance of a small, schooner named Hannah, owned in Marblehead by John Glover.

On October 10, 1775. she became famous for her harrowing engagement with, and narrow escape from the much larger British naval vessel, Nautilus, near the entrance to Beverly Harbor.

This FREE illustrated lecture will challenge the conventional wisdom about Hannah.

The “Rum” Line: From Angostura Executive to Master Ship Modeler – Kevin Kenny’s Story

Some ship modelers ease into the hobby through a lifelong interest in the sea. Others arrive by way of a childhood kit that sparks a passion. For Kevin Kenny, the path was neither so gentle nor so predictable. His journey began in a Trinidad boardroom, during an argument over a museum budget.

Kevin, then a marketing executive for Angostura — best known for its rum and bitters — was overseeing the creation of a small company museum. A hired historian insisted on commissioning a model of the Dr. Seegert, a German ship with historical ties to Trinidad. The lowest bid came in at $15,000 — far beyond the budget. Frustrated, Kevin blurted out that he could build it himself for less.

Continue reading →

A Visit to the Mariner’s Museum: Ironclads and Master Models

On my recent trip to the IPMS conference in Hampton, Virginia, one recommendation kept coming up: “You have to visit the Mariner’s Museum.” With a few hours to spare on my final day, I took that advice—and I’m very glad I did.

Located just a short drive away in Newport News, the Mariners’ Museum is one of those rare places that feels both expansive and personal. Founded in 1930 by Archer Huntington, owner of Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, the museum was more than a philanthropic gesture—it was a bold response to the Great Depression. With ship orders drying up, Huntington kept his workforce employed by commissioning what he envisioned as “a museum and library dedicated to promoting all things nautical and maritime.” That vision still echoes today, nearly a century later.

Continue reading →

A Wooden Ship Guy at the IPMS National Convention

I recently attended the 2025 International Plastic Modelers Society (IPMS) National Convention in Hampton, VA. As someone firmly rooted in the “wooden sticks and strings” side of the hobby, this was my first IPMS event — and I even took the plunge and booked a vendor booth for SeaWatch Books. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I came away impressed by the scale of the show and the enthusiasm of the community.

The convention filled the Hampton Convention Center for four full days. With more than 100 vendors, several hundred contest models, and well over 1,000 attendees, it was easily one of the largest modeling events I’ve attended — certainly bigger than our annual Northeast Joint Clubs Conference.

Continue reading →

Help Us Shape the Relaunch of Ships in Scale Magazine!

As we continue preparing for the return of Ships in Scale next year, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes — lining up talented authors, developing fresh content, and connecting with advertisers who share our passion for ship modeling. There’s a lot happening, and we’re excited to bring you along on this journey.

To help us make Ships in Scale the best it can be, we’ve put together a short survey to gather input from ship modelers and readers like you. Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the magazine and ensuring it reflects the interests of our community.

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts with us:

👉 Take the Ships in Scale Survey

Thank you for your support and for helping us bring Ships in Scale back to life. We can’t wait to share more with you in the coming months!

Fair winds,
Mike Ellison
Publisher, Ships in Scale and SeaWatch Books