Remember the days when building handcrafted wooden model ships was a thing of awe and wonder?
Well, now just about anybody could do it. Those looking to build model boats will find that starting a hobby modeling just got easier thanks to brands like Tamiya scale models, Hasegawa models and Aoshima models.
Starting at prices as low as $30 USD for a 400-piece battleship, these companies offer plastic scale model kits that include step-by-step instruction on how to construct ships from the USS New Jersey of the famous Iowa class of battleships to the former-British flagship HMS Hood, referred to by some enthusiasts as "the mighty Hood."
Thanks to globalization, many manufacturers have collaborated over the years to produce an internationally recognized scale size: the 1/700 scale. At this scale, the largest battleship, IJN Yamato, only measures about a foot. The small size of the models allow enthusiasts to build large collections while using very little space.
Sentimental Objects
The ships are perfect for people who like to collect sentimental objects with meaning and value. The fact that it’s so easy even a child could do it is an added bonus. Indeed, many kits are recommended for children as young as 10 years old. Some kits, especially the smaller destroyers and cruisers, use significantly less small parts in their construction and are targeted toward beginners and young children.
However, that does not mean the kits are just for kids. In fact, most ship-modeling communities today are comprised primarily of older men. Many of these communities can be found online with a simple search and provide detailed information and pictures to aid beginners.
The great thing about building models is that the amount of effort put into each ship is entirely in the hands of the modeler. Although previous modeling experience helps, many prefer to build ships straight from the box with no additions.
Attention to Detail
But that doesn’t mean that their ships will look ugly; on the contrary; modelers will often realize how great the ship looks after it’s complete and add additional detail. Many actually make it a point to complete fitting the parts together before starting to spruce up the ship’s looks. So don’t worry if a current project lacks detail, the ship’s small size make even the most minute adjustments impactful.
This results in a large variety of quality, as intricate detail can be put into each ship. Therefore, usually the longer a ship is worked on, the better it will ultimately turn out.
This can take a lot of time and effort for those who are serious about the hobby. The kits can be painted, usually with acrylics, and aftermarket details can be attached onto the plastic. Companies such as Gold Medal Models sell “photo-etch” kits, which are brass detailing parts such as railings, ladders, radars, and even 1/700 sailors.
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