Good Kits. Bad Kits. We Want the Truth.

The 2026 Ships in Scale Kit Manufacturer Survey is here — and we need your help.

You’ve been there. You open a new kit, spread the parts across the workbench, and unfold the plans. Sometimes what you find is a thing of beauty — crisp laser-cut frames, quality timber, fittings that actually fit, and instructions that walk you through every step. Other times… not so much. Warped planking stock. Plans that raise more questions than they answer. Parts that belong in a different kit entirely.

Every modeler has opinions about the manufacturers behind the kits we build. Strong opinions. We want to hear yours.

Continue reading “Good Kits. Bad Kits. We Want the Truth.” →

SIS March/April Issue is Out!

The latest issue Ships in Scale is here! This issue takes you from a Viking burial ship to a WWII sub chaser — and everywhere in between. Roger Marshall continues his HMS Ontario build, Thomas Koehl scratch-builds a Harbor Defense Motor Launch in styrene, and James Norton tells the remarkable story behind a Cornish fishing lugger that sailed 12,000 miles to Australia. Ron Neilson goes deeper into 3D printing with two hands-on interviews, Ian McLaughlan returns with Part 2 of his Minor Warships series, and Bob Hunt shares hard-won lessons on spotting kit design flaws before they ruin a build.

We’re also launching the 2026 Kit Manufacturer Survey — tell us which manufacturers deliver and which need to do better.

Accessing Your Account & Downloading the Digital Issue

The first issue of Ships in Scale was sent to subscribers who signed up by December 31, 2025, on January 1. The email included a link to view the issue, and several readers have asked whether it can be downloaded.

Yes — it can.
The process isn’t immediately obvious, so follow the steps below.

Continue reading “Accessing Your Account & Downloading the Digital Issue” →

Scale Conversion Worksheet

Maintaining accurate scale is one of the most important—and sometimes frustrating—parts of ship modeling. As my own modeling progressed, I found myself constantly converting full-size dimensions into precise scale measurements, often bouncing between reference books, calculators, and handwritten notes.

To simplify that process, I built this Scale Conversion Spreadsheet in Excel.

You simply enter the scale you’re working in, and the spreadsheet automatically converts common full-size fractional measurements into scale-correct decimal dimensions, covering values from 1/8 inch through 12 inches. The result is a quick, reliable reference you can use right at the bench.

I personally print the chart, laminate it, and keep it within arm’s reach while building. For example, if a reference shows deck planks that were 6 inches wide full-size, the chart tells me instantly that they should be 0.063 inches wide in 1:96 scale—no math required.

This spreadsheet is provided as a free download for the Ships in Scale community and is suitable for both kit builders and scratch builders who want to improve dimensional accuracy and consistency in their work.

Download it, customize it if you like, and make it part of your modeling toolkit.

Excel spreadsheet displaying a 1:96 scale conversion chart for ship modeling, showing full-size fractional measurements and their corresponding scale-correct decimal dimensions.
Scale Conversion ChartDownload

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

By

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 “The AGO: Another Mecca For Ship Modelers” →

Admiralty Models Workshop Marks a Milestone Transition

By

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 “Admiralty Models Workshop Marks a Milestone Transition” →

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