BOOKS (English Language)
Bassett-Lowke Waterline Ship Models
Derek Head
The nostalgia for the great passenger ship of the first half of this century is recalled in this book on the famous model making firm of Bassett-Lowke, with their production of small scale waterline ship models manufactured between 1920 and 1950. Also recorded is the huge range of warship models of all nations, produced between 1938 and 1952 for the Royal Navy and RAF for recognition and training purposes. These 1200:1 and 600:1 models are featured in full colour, illustrating over 500 ships, from small cross-Channel vessels to the ocean giants, from destroyers to battle ships and aircraft carriers.
New Cavendish Books, 1999 . Out of Print
Derek Head
The nostalgia for the great passenger ship of the first half of this century is recalled in this book on the famous model making firm of Bassett-Lowke, with their production of small scale waterline ship models manufactured between 1920 and 1950. Also recorded is the huge range of warship models of all nations, produced between 1938 and 1952 for the Royal Navy and RAF for recognition and training purposes. These 1200:1 and 600:1 models are featured in full colour, illustrating over 500 ships, from small cross-Channel vessels to the ocean giants, from destroyers to battle ships and aircraft carriers.
New Cavendish Books, 1999 . Out of Print
California and 1250 Models: the First Five Years 2004-2009
Chris Daley
California and 1250 Models: The First Five Years 2004 to 2009 is a rare behind the scenes look at the business of producing waterline ship models. The book features
Daley Publishing, 2010. Cover price: $40.00
Chris Daley
California and 1250 Models: The First Five Years 2004 to 2009 is a rare behind the scenes look at the business of producing waterline ship models. The book features
- Full color inside and out.
- Over 100 photos and drawings including many images of masters, prototypes, renderings, and research material never before published.
- Coverage of all of the California and 1250 Models releases including models that were planned but canceled.
- An 8.5x8.5 inch paperback format with 65 pages.
Daley Publishing, 2010. Cover price: $40.00
Eaglewall's Table Top Navy
A Collector's Guide to the Eagle 1:1200 Scale Model Warships of Eaglewall Plastics, LTD.
Donald D. Hood
Eaglewall's Table Top Navy is a study of 1:1200 kits produced by Eaglewall Plastics, LTD in the United Kingdom. Eaglewall was a trend setting company that had an outsized influence on the world of ship models.
The book features:
A Collector's Guide to the Eagle 1:1200 Scale Model Warships of Eaglewall Plastics, LTD.
Donald D. Hood
Eaglewall's Table Top Navy is a study of 1:1200 kits produced by Eaglewall Plastics, LTD in the United Kingdom. Eaglewall was a trend setting company that had an outsized influence on the world of ship models.
The book features:
- 136 pages in a hard back 8.5x11 inch format with full color cover and full color interior.
- Over 100 photos and drawings.
- The full history of Eaglewall from birth to death.
- The mysterious fate of the Eagle molds.
- The relationship with the Eagle magazine.
- Details on related model companies such as Pyro and SITAP.
- A full listing with photographs of every Eagle ship model kit.
- Images of all Eagle ship model box covers.
- Listings of all known Eagle kit variations.
- Information on planned but never issued kits.
- Collecting tips and advice.
- ISBN 978-0-9841267-3-6
Miniature Ship Models
Paul Jacobs
Miniature Ship Models 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.
Naval Institute Press, 2008. Cover price: $69.95
Paul Jacobs
Miniature Ship Models 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.
Naval Institute Press, 2008. Cover price: $69.95
Ship Models for the Military
Fred Dorris
Ship Models For The Military covers the complete history of recognition models produced for the United States military during the Second World War. The book is the first time a detailed description and history of models in all scales has been available in one place. The book features:
Daley Publishing, 2010. Cover price: $29.95
Fred Dorris
Ship Models For The Military covers the complete history of recognition models produced for the United States military during the Second World War. The book is the first time a detailed description and history of models in all scales has been available in one place. The book features:
- 150 pages in a paper back A4 sized format (8.3x11.7 inches) with full color cover and a black and white interior.
- Over 100 photos and drawings.
- Coverage of all scales of models with emphasis on the 1:500, 1:600, and 1:1200 scale models.
- Histories of all the major manufacturers including Bessarabis, Comet, Van Ryper, South Salem, Cruver, and Framburg with a summary of post-war developments including Authenticast and Superior.
- Extensive listings of all models known to have been produced in each scale.
- Recent auction prices for models and sets.
- A full index of all ships mentioned in the text.
Daley Publishing, 2010. Cover price: $29.95
Ship Models from Kits
David Griffith
The world of model kits has undergone a revolution, with new techniques in injection molding vastly improving the scale accuracy and surface detail of the standard plastic kit and new material producing top-quality resin models. In ship modeling, this has resulted in a new form of the hobby midway between traditional build-from-the-box simplicity and the time-consuming demands of fabricating everything from scratch. This new manual comprehensively demonstrates these new innovative techniques. Designed for modelers wishing to achieve the best results from their ship kits in the 1:700 to 1:350 range of scales, it uses 200 step-by-step color 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. This book is an essential guide to a contemporary approach to model making.
USNI, 2009. Cover price: $44.95
David Griffith
The world of model kits has undergone a revolution, with new techniques in injection molding vastly improving the scale accuracy and surface detail of the standard plastic kit and new material producing top-quality resin models. In ship modeling, this has resulted in a new form of the hobby midway between traditional build-from-the-box simplicity and the time-consuming demands of fabricating everything from scratch. This new manual comprehensively demonstrates these new innovative techniques. Designed for modelers wishing to achieve the best results from their ship kits in the 1:700 to 1:350 range of scales, it uses 200 step-by-step color 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. This book is an essential guide to a contemporary approach to model making.
USNI, 2009. Cover price: $44.95
Waterline Model Ships
Kelvin Holmes
This is a detailed collector's guide to small 1/1200 and 1/1250 scale models of warships and merchantmen, mainly covering the period 1880 until the present day. Featuring numerous illustrations of typical models, this guide covers everything from early ironclad battleships to the missile destroyers of today.
Traplet Publications, 2010. Cover price: GBP12.95
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Kelvin Holmes
This is a detailed collector's guide to small 1/1200 and 1/1250 scale models of warships and merchantmen, mainly covering the period 1880 until the present day. Featuring numerous illustrations of typical models, this guide covers everything from early ironclad battleships to the missile destroyers of today.
Traplet Publications, 2010. Cover price: GBP12.95
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BOOKS (German Language)
Die Welt der Schiffart en Miniature
Horst Kronke, ed.
This is the first of two books by the author, on 1:1250 scale ship models, mainly commercially cast models by companies like Neptun, Hansa, Mercator, etc. A lot of good photos, but suffers from two flaws; first, the book talks very little about the models themselves, but rather focuses upon the history of ships and naval battles, and second the models featured lack identification as to who manufactured them. Kronke’s second book, published a couple of years later, is an improvement, focusing instead upon the models and manufacturers, rather than general naval history.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1992. Out of Print.
Horst Kronke, ed.
This is the first of two books by the author, on 1:1250 scale ship models, mainly commercially cast models by companies like Neptun, Hansa, Mercator, etc. A lot of good photos, but suffers from two flaws; first, the book talks very little about the models themselves, but rather focuses upon the history of ships and naval battles, and second the models featured lack identification as to who manufactured them. Kronke’s second book, published a couple of years later, is an improvement, focusing instead upon the models and manufacturers, rather than general naval history.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1992. Out of Print.
Aus der Welt der Kleinen Schiffen
Horst Kronke, ed.
This is the second of two books by the author, on 1:1250 scale ship models. Like the first, a lot of good photos, but suffers from two flaws; first, the book talks very little about the models themselves, but rather focuses upon the history of ships and naval battles, and second the models featured lack identification as to who manufactured them. Kronke’s second book, published a couple of years later, is an improvement, focusing instead upon the models and manufacturers, rather than general naval history.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1996. Out of Print.
Horst Kronke, ed.
This is the second of two books by the author, on 1:1250 scale ship models. Like the first, a lot of good photos, but suffers from two flaws; first, the book talks very little about the models themselves, but rather focuses upon the history of ships and naval battles, and second the models featured lack identification as to who manufactured them. Kronke’s second book, published a couple of years later, is an improvement, focusing instead upon the models and manufacturers, rather than general naval history.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1996. Out of Print.
Wiking-Modelle
Peter Schoenfeldt
A photo essay covering the classic German producer of 1/1250 scale ship models. Great photos of warship and liner models, advertisements, catalogs, etc.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1998. Out of Print.
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Peter Schoenfeldt
A photo essay covering the classic German producer of 1/1250 scale ship models. Great photos of warship and liner models, advertisements, catalogs, etc.
Koehlers Verlagsgesells, 1998. Out of Print.
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PUBLISHERS
AJ Press: http://www.aj-press.com
Publisher of softbound photo monographs of WWII naval, air and armor subjects.
Classic Warships Publishing: www.classicwarships.com
Publishes Steve Wiper's series of softbound photo monographs covering various warship classes, mainly WWII.
Editions Ancre: www.ancre.fr
Publisher of high quality monographs of French naval vessels from the Age of Sail. Mainly French language, though a few have been translated to English.
Kohlers Verlagsgesellschaft: http://www.koehler-books.de/index.html
Longtime publisher of German language naval books.
Maruzen Company, Ltd. http://www.maruzen.co.jp/corp/en/services/publishing.html
Japanese language publisher of the well-known "Maru Specials" covering various ships of the Japanese Navy in great detail. Publications are available through Amazon outside Japan.
Profile Morskie: http://profilemorskie.home.pl/Profile_1a.htm
Polish language (with English captions) publisher of well-researched technical monographs of individual warships illustrated with both plans and photos
Seaforth Publishing: http://www.seaforthpublishing.com/
The UK's foremost current publisher of naval books, successor to the now defunct Chatham and Conway
Squadron Signal Publications: www.squadronsignalpublications.com
Publisher of softbound photo monographs of ships, aircraft and armor with limited technical content.
U.S. Naval Institute Press: www.usni.org
The dominant publisher of naval books in the U.S.
Wunderwaffe's "Combat Ships of the World": www.wunderwaffe.narod.ru
Russian language publisher of high quality photo/technical monographs of warship classes from 19th century through WWII.
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Publisher of softbound photo monographs of WWII naval, air and armor subjects.
Classic Warships Publishing: www.classicwarships.com
Publishes Steve Wiper's series of softbound photo monographs covering various warship classes, mainly WWII.
Editions Ancre: www.ancre.fr
Publisher of high quality monographs of French naval vessels from the Age of Sail. Mainly French language, though a few have been translated to English.
Kohlers Verlagsgesellschaft: http://www.koehler-books.de/index.html
Longtime publisher of German language naval books.
Maruzen Company, Ltd. http://www.maruzen.co.jp/corp/en/services/publishing.html
Japanese language publisher of the well-known "Maru Specials" covering various ships of the Japanese Navy in great detail. Publications are available through Amazon outside Japan.
Profile Morskie: http://profilemorskie.home.pl/Profile_1a.htm
Polish language (with English captions) publisher of well-researched technical monographs of individual warships illustrated with both plans and photos
Seaforth Publishing: http://www.seaforthpublishing.com/
The UK's foremost current publisher of naval books, successor to the now defunct Chatham and Conway
Squadron Signal Publications: www.squadronsignalpublications.com
Publisher of softbound photo monographs of ships, aircraft and armor with limited technical content.
U.S. Naval Institute Press: www.usni.org
The dominant publisher of naval books in the U.S.
Wunderwaffe's "Combat Ships of the World": www.wunderwaffe.narod.ru
Russian language publisher of high quality photo/technical monographs of warship classes from 19th century through WWII.
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BOOK SOURCES
abebooks: www.abebooks.com
amazon: www.amazon.com
BookFinder: www.BookFinder.com
La Libreria Militare: www.libreriamilitare.com
U.S. Naval Institute Press: www.usni.org
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amazon: www.amazon.com
BookFinder: www.BookFinder.com
La Libreria Militare: www.libreriamilitare.com
U.S. Naval Institute Press: www.usni.org
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MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS
Naval History Magazine usni.org/magazines/navalhistory
Naval Institute Proceedings www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings
Sea Classics www.challengeweb. com/sea-classics.html
Seaways Ships in Scale Magazine www.seaways.com
Warship International (International Naval Research Organization/INRO) www.warship.org
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Naval Institute Proceedings www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings
Sea Classics www.challengeweb. com/sea-classics.html
Seaways Ships in Scale Magazine www.seaways.com
Warship International (International Naval Research Organization/INRO) www.warship.org
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MODEL LISTS
GALERIE MARITIM: The Downloads page on the Galerie Maritim website contains GM's complete model list as of 2015. (Link: www.galerie-maritim.de/cgi-bin/WebAdaptor/www.galerie-maritim.de/70002/)
L. WIEDLING: Peter Wiedling may still have some back issues of his well known Register available on disc, though it has nor been updated recently: www.wiedling.de
SAMMELHAFEN.DE is a new website devoted to all things 1250. Founded and maintained by Oliver and Charles Wichers, the site is building a comprehensive list of 1200/1250 scale models including photos. (Link: sammelhafen.de/index.php?p=uebersicht)
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L. WIEDLING: Peter Wiedling may still have some back issues of his well known Register available on disc, though it has nor been updated recently: www.wiedling.de
SAMMELHAFEN.DE is a new website devoted to all things 1250. Founded and maintained by Oliver and Charles Wichers, the site is building a comprehensive list of 1200/1250 scale models including photos. (Link: sammelhafen.de/index.php?p=uebersicht)
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MODEL CATALOGS
ALNAVCO 1970-71
70cat_a_.jpg 70cat_b_.jpg 70cat_c_.jpg 70cat_d_.jpg 70cat_e_.jpg 70cat_f_.jpg 70cat_g_.jpg 70cat_h_.jpg 70cat_i_.jpg 70cat_j_.jpg 70cat_k_.jpg 70cat_l_.jpg 70cat_m_.jpg 70cat_n_.jpg
DELPHIN c.1970
delphin_cover.pdf Delphin1_and_end.pdf Delphin2.pdf Delphin3.pdf Delphin4.pdf Delphin5.pdf Delphin6.pdf Delphin7.pdf Delphin8.pdf Delphin9.pdf Delphin10.pdf Delphin11.pdf Delphin12.pdf Delphin13.pdf Delphin14.pdf Delphin15.pdf Delphin16.pdf Delphin17.pdf Delphin18.pdf Delphin19.pdf Delphin20.pdf Delphin21.pdf Delphin22.pdf Delphin23.pdf Delphin24.pdf Delphin25.pdf Delphin26.pdf Delphin27.pdf
ENSIGN c.1960
Ensign_cover.pdf Ensign1.pdf Ensign2.pdf Ensign3.pdf Ensign4.pdf Ensign5.pdf
HANSA 1964
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/HANSASCATALOG1964#
HANSA 1974
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/Hansa197402#
HANSA 1979
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/HANSACATALOG1979#
MERCATOR 1965
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/MercatorCatalog#
NATHAN R. PRESTON (NRP) 1970 (April)
NRP70-cover.jpg NRP70-1.jpg NRP70-2.jpg NRP70-3.jpg NRP70-4.jpg NRP70-5.jpg NRP70-6.jpg NRP70-7.jpg NRP70-8.jpg NRP70-9.jpg NRP70-10.jpg NRP70-11.jpg NRP70-12.jpg NRP70-13.jpg NRP70-14.jpg NRP70-15.jpg NRP70-16.jpg NRP70-17.jpg NRP70-18.jpg NRP70-19.jpg
NATHAN R. PRESTON (NRP) 1973
NRP-cover.jpg nrp-1.jpg nrp-3.jpg nrp-5.jpg nrp-7.jpg nrp-9.jpg nrp-11.jpg nrp-13.jpg nrp-15.jpg nrp-17.jpg nrp-19.jpg nrp-21.jpg nrp-23.jpg nrp-25.jpg nrp-27.jpg nrp-29.jpg nrp-31.jpg nrp-33.jpg nrp-35.jpg nrp-37.jpg
PILOT 1934
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/ProspektPilot#
TRIDENT 1977
Trident_1977_-_cover.pdf Trident_1977_-_1.pdf Trident_1977_-_2.pdf Trident_1977_-_3.pdf Trident_1977_-_4.pdf Trident_1977_-_5.pdf Trident_1977_-_6.pdf Trident_1977_-_7.pdf Trident_1977_-_8.pdf Trident_1977_-_9.pdf Trident_1977_-_10.pdf Trident_1977_-_11.pdf
WIKING 1939-40
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/WIKINGCATALOGS193940#
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70cat_a_.jpg 70cat_b_.jpg 70cat_c_.jpg 70cat_d_.jpg 70cat_e_.jpg 70cat_f_.jpg 70cat_g_.jpg 70cat_h_.jpg 70cat_i_.jpg 70cat_j_.jpg 70cat_k_.jpg 70cat_l_.jpg 70cat_m_.jpg 70cat_n_.jpg
DELPHIN c.1970
delphin_cover.pdf Delphin1_and_end.pdf Delphin2.pdf Delphin3.pdf Delphin4.pdf Delphin5.pdf Delphin6.pdf Delphin7.pdf Delphin8.pdf Delphin9.pdf Delphin10.pdf Delphin11.pdf Delphin12.pdf Delphin13.pdf Delphin14.pdf Delphin15.pdf Delphin16.pdf Delphin17.pdf Delphin18.pdf Delphin19.pdf Delphin20.pdf Delphin21.pdf Delphin22.pdf Delphin23.pdf Delphin24.pdf Delphin25.pdf Delphin26.pdf Delphin27.pdf
ENSIGN c.1960
Ensign_cover.pdf Ensign1.pdf Ensign2.pdf Ensign3.pdf Ensign4.pdf Ensign5.pdf
HANSA 1964
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/HANSASCATALOG1964#
HANSA 1974
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/Hansa197402#
HANSA 1979
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/HANSACATALOG1979#
MERCATOR 1965
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/MercatorCatalog#
NATHAN R. PRESTON (NRP) 1970 (April)
NRP70-cover.jpg NRP70-1.jpg NRP70-2.jpg NRP70-3.jpg NRP70-4.jpg NRP70-5.jpg NRP70-6.jpg NRP70-7.jpg NRP70-8.jpg NRP70-9.jpg NRP70-10.jpg NRP70-11.jpg NRP70-12.jpg NRP70-13.jpg NRP70-14.jpg NRP70-15.jpg NRP70-16.jpg NRP70-17.jpg NRP70-18.jpg NRP70-19.jpg
NATHAN R. PRESTON (NRP) 1973
NRP-cover.jpg nrp-1.jpg nrp-3.jpg nrp-5.jpg nrp-7.jpg nrp-9.jpg nrp-11.jpg nrp-13.jpg nrp-15.jpg nrp-17.jpg nrp-19.jpg nrp-21.jpg nrp-23.jpg nrp-25.jpg nrp-27.jpg nrp-29.jpg nrp-31.jpg nrp-33.jpg nrp-35.jpg nrp-37.jpg
PILOT 1934
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/ProspektPilot#
TRIDENT 1977
Trident_1977_-_cover.pdf Trident_1977_-_1.pdf Trident_1977_-_2.pdf Trident_1977_-_3.pdf Trident_1977_-_4.pdf Trident_1977_-_5.pdf Trident_1977_-_6.pdf Trident_1977_-_7.pdf Trident_1977_-_8.pdf Trident_1977_-_9.pdf Trident_1977_-_10.pdf Trident_1977_-_11.pdf
WIKING 1939-40
http://picasaweb.google.com/urudofsky/WIKINGCATALOGS193940#
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RESEARCH LIBRARY
GENERAL NAVAL SUBJECTS
Camouflage (WWI)
Dazzle Camouflage: www.bobolinkbooks.com/
Camouflage (WWII)
The Ship Camouflage Website: www.shipcamouflage.com
Photos:
Battleship-Cruisers (and other ships): www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk
Old Ship Picture Galleries: www.photoship.co.uk
Research:
The Mother of All Maritime Links: www.boat-links.com
World Wide Web Virtual Library, Naval and Maritime: vlnavmar.usnaweb.org
Ships:
Historical Handbook of World Navies, (Oskar Myszor's site): www.hicon.pl/
History and Parts of the Submarine: www.partsgeek.com/
Naval Information Service Center/NISC (Dmitry Makov's site): www.battleships.ru
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PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS
Colors & Painting:
titanic-model.com/paint (Titanic/White Star Line colors)
Passenger Ships:
www.simplonpc.co.uk (Simplon Postcards: Liners and Cruise Ships)
www.theshipslist.com (Liner and Passenger Ship lists and Info)
Tall Ships:
www.timedesign.de (Tall Ship Replicas)
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HISTORICAL (before 1860)
Age of Sail (General):
www.threedecks.org
Sailing Warship Lists
British (Royal) Navy:
Index of 19th c. Vessels and Establishments
French Navy:
French Navy Ships, 1816-1859
La Flotte de Napoleon III, 1850-1870 (French language)
Spanish Navy:
List of Ships of the Line, 18th-19th c. (Spanish language)
Swedish Navy:
List of Ships, 1521-1721
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HISTORICAL (1860-1906)
Russo-Japanese War:
www.russojapanesewar.com
Spanish American War:
www.spanamwar.com (centennial web site)
U.S. Civil War:
www.walternelson.com/ironclads.pdf (colors & paints)
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HISTORICAL (1906-1922)
Naval Subjects, General:
www.dreadnoughtproject.org
wwi.lib.byu.edu/ (World War I Document Archive, click "the Maritime War")
Germany:
www.german-navy.de (High Seas Fleet)
german-navy.tripod.com (paint schemes)
UK:
www.davecov.net/ (Admiral class battlecruisers, 1919)
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HISTORICAL (1922-1945)
Camouflage (WWII):
www.shipcamouflage.com
General Naval (WWII):
www.world-war.co.uk (British and U.S. Cruisers and Battleships)
(Royal) Canadian Navy
www.cbrnp.com (Flower Class Corvettes)
Finnish Navy:
users.tkk.fi
German Kriegsmarine:
www.german-navy.dewww.admiral-hipper-class.dk (Hipper, Bluecher, Prinz Eugen)
www.bismarck-class.dk (Bismarck & Tirpitz)
www.deutschland-class.dk (Deutschland/Luetzow, Scheer, Graf Spee)
www.graf-zeppelin.dk (Graf Zeppelin)
www.scharnhorst-class.dk (Scharnhorst & Gneisenau)
Italian Regia Marina:
www.regiamarina.net (general info on Regia Marina)
Japanese Navy:
www.combinedfleet.com (info on Nihon Kaigun)
www.fischer.tropsch.org (Report, US Naval Technical Mission to Japan)
ultimatebattleshipyamatosite.tripod.com/ (everything on Yamato & Musashi)
Soviet (Russian) Navy:
www.allworldwars.com (Soviet Navy, 1943)
(UK) Royal Navy:
www.naval-history.net/ (Service histories of RN ships)
U.S. Navy:
www.usmm.org (U.S. flag & Maritime Commission ships)
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HISTORICAL (1945-present)
Chinese Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod/101/sys/ship/row/plan/index.html (current)
Russian Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/index.html (ships data)
flot.sevastopol.info (Black Sea Fleet)
Taiwan (ROC) Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rocn/index.html (current)
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NATIONAL NAVIES
CHINA
www.fas.org/man/dod/101/sys/ship/row/plan/index.html (ships, current)
FRANCE
www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr (Naval Archives)
francois.delboca.free.fr (Naval Postcards)
ITALY
RUSSIA
www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/agency/mf-links.htm (Navy Links)
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/index.htm (ships, current)
rusnavy.com (official web site)
TAIWAN
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rocn/index.html (ships, current)
UNITED KINGDOM
Royal Navy
www.naval-history.net (History, 20th century)
www.navyphotos.co.uk (photos)
www.royalnavy.mod.uk (official web site)
UNITED STATES
U.S. Navy
Camouflage:
www.usndazzle.com (WWII dazzle patterns)
1953 instructions (Historic Naval Ships Association)
History and Heritage Command Web Site (official):
www.history.naval.mil
Ship Histories (DANFS):
www.hazegray.org/danfs
Ship Types:
http://www.shipscribe.com/usnaux/frameset.html (auxiliaries, 1835-1945)
http://www.shipscribe.com/shiprefs/index.html (ship references, US Navy & merchant ships)
http://www.shipscribe.com/mckellar/index.html (U.S. Shipping Board construction, 1917-1921)
U.S. Navy Web Site (official):
www.navy.com
U.S. Coast Guard
Historian's Office (ships' histories)
uscg.mil/history (click "assets" link)
Modeling Reference:
www.coastguardmodeling.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
GOVERNMENT ARCHIVES
FRANCE
French Naval Archives: http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr
GERMANY
Bundesarchiv: http://www.bundesarchiv.de
UNITED KINGDOM
National Archives: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ (search engine Dept code ADM)
UNITED STATES
National Archives: http://www.archives.gov
........................................................................................................................................................................................
PHOTOS
Naval Ships, General
Battleships-Cruisers (and other ship types): www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk
Library of Congress Archives: www.loc.gov/pictures
U.S. Naval History Command Library of Selected Images: www.history.navy.mil/
(UK) Royal Navy
National Maritime Museum: www.nmm.ac.uk/
Navyphotos: www.navyphotos.co.uk
U.S. Navy
Haze Gray and Underway: www.hazegray.org
Naval Archive: www.historylink.com/
Navsource: www.navsource.orgSubmarines: www.Pigboats.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
PLANS
Naval Ships, General
The Never Were Catalog: xoomer.virgilio.it
(UK) Royal Navy
National Maritime Museum: www.nmm.ac.uk/
U.S. Navy
Camouflage Pattern Sheets: nautilusmodels.com/
Camouflage Ms31,32,33: www.history.navy.mil/
Floating Drydock: www.floatingdrydock.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
FILM CLIPS
Battle of Tsushima:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr5foWKctuI
Charles DeGaulle, French Carrier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLQwE1uoTXw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxtHBjUM2SU&feature=related
How to fire a 16in Gun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OmOQs0ziSU
Imperial Russian Navy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=535dqpLgqQ8&playnext_from=TL&videos=XWx4GpjN3lI
US Navy c.1915
http://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/u-s-navy-documentary-1915
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Camouflage (WWI)
Dazzle Camouflage: www.bobolinkbooks.com/
Camouflage (WWII)
The Ship Camouflage Website: www.shipcamouflage.com
Photos:
Battleship-Cruisers (and other ships): www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk
Old Ship Picture Galleries: www.photoship.co.uk
Research:
The Mother of All Maritime Links: www.boat-links.com
World Wide Web Virtual Library, Naval and Maritime: vlnavmar.usnaweb.org
Ships:
Historical Handbook of World Navies, (Oskar Myszor's site): www.hicon.pl/
History and Parts of the Submarine: www.partsgeek.com/
Naval Information Service Center/NISC (Dmitry Makov's site): www.battleships.ru
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS
Colors & Painting:
titanic-model.com/paint (Titanic/White Star Line colors)
Passenger Ships:
www.simplonpc.co.uk (Simplon Postcards: Liners and Cruise Ships)
www.theshipslist.com (Liner and Passenger Ship lists and Info)
Tall Ships:
www.timedesign.de (Tall Ship Replicas)
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
HISTORICAL (before 1860)
Age of Sail (General):
www.threedecks.org
Sailing Warship Lists
British (Royal) Navy:
Index of 19th c. Vessels and Establishments
French Navy:
French Navy Ships, 1816-1859
La Flotte de Napoleon III, 1850-1870 (French language)
Spanish Navy:
List of Ships of the Line, 18th-19th c. (Spanish language)
Swedish Navy:
List of Ships, 1521-1721
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
HISTORICAL (1860-1906)
Russo-Japanese War:
www.russojapanesewar.com
Spanish American War:
www.spanamwar.com (centennial web site)
U.S. Civil War:
www.walternelson.com/ironclads.pdf (colors & paints)
........................................................................................................................................................................................
HISTORICAL (1906-1922)
Naval Subjects, General:
www.dreadnoughtproject.org
wwi.lib.byu.edu/ (World War I Document Archive, click "the Maritime War")
Germany:
www.german-navy.de (High Seas Fleet)
german-navy.tripod.com (paint schemes)
UK:
www.davecov.net/ (Admiral class battlecruisers, 1919)
........................................................................................................................................................................................
HISTORICAL (1922-1945)
Camouflage (WWII):
www.shipcamouflage.com
General Naval (WWII):
www.world-war.co.uk (British and U.S. Cruisers and Battleships)
(Royal) Canadian Navy
www.cbrnp.com (Flower Class Corvettes)
Finnish Navy:
users.tkk.fi
German Kriegsmarine:
www.german-navy.dewww.admiral-hipper-class.dk (Hipper, Bluecher, Prinz Eugen)
www.bismarck-class.dk (Bismarck & Tirpitz)
www.deutschland-class.dk (Deutschland/Luetzow, Scheer, Graf Spee)
www.graf-zeppelin.dk (Graf Zeppelin)
www.scharnhorst-class.dk (Scharnhorst & Gneisenau)
Italian Regia Marina:
www.regiamarina.net (general info on Regia Marina)
Japanese Navy:
www.combinedfleet.com (info on Nihon Kaigun)
www.fischer.tropsch.org (Report, US Naval Technical Mission to Japan)
ultimatebattleshipyamatosite.tripod.com/ (everything on Yamato & Musashi)
Soviet (Russian) Navy:
www.allworldwars.com (Soviet Navy, 1943)
(UK) Royal Navy:
www.naval-history.net/ (Service histories of RN ships)
U.S. Navy:
www.usmm.org (U.S. flag & Maritime Commission ships)
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
HISTORICAL (1945-present)
Chinese Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod/101/sys/ship/row/plan/index.html (current)
Russian Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/index.html (ships data)
flot.sevastopol.info (Black Sea Fleet)
Taiwan (ROC) Navy:
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rocn/index.html (current)
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
NATIONAL NAVIES
CHINA
www.fas.org/man/dod/101/sys/ship/row/plan/index.html (ships, current)
FRANCE
www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr (Naval Archives)
francois.delboca.free.fr (Naval Postcards)
ITALY
RUSSIA
www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/agency/mf-links.htm (Navy Links)
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/index.htm (ships, current)
rusnavy.com (official web site)
TAIWAN
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rocn/index.html (ships, current)
UNITED KINGDOM
Royal Navy
www.naval-history.net (History, 20th century)
www.navyphotos.co.uk (photos)
www.royalnavy.mod.uk (official web site)
UNITED STATES
U.S. Navy
Camouflage:
www.usndazzle.com (WWII dazzle patterns)
1953 instructions (Historic Naval Ships Association)
History and Heritage Command Web Site (official):
www.history.naval.mil
Ship Histories (DANFS):
www.hazegray.org/danfs
Ship Types:
http://www.shipscribe.com/usnaux/frameset.html (auxiliaries, 1835-1945)
http://www.shipscribe.com/shiprefs/index.html (ship references, US Navy & merchant ships)
http://www.shipscribe.com/mckellar/index.html (U.S. Shipping Board construction, 1917-1921)
U.S. Navy Web Site (official):
www.navy.com
U.S. Coast Guard
Historian's Office (ships' histories)
uscg.mil/history (click "assets" link)
Modeling Reference:
www.coastguardmodeling.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
GOVERNMENT ARCHIVES
FRANCE
French Naval Archives: http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr
GERMANY
Bundesarchiv: http://www.bundesarchiv.de
UNITED KINGDOM
National Archives: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ (search engine Dept code ADM)
UNITED STATES
National Archives: http://www.archives.gov
........................................................................................................................................................................................
PHOTOS
Naval Ships, General
Battleships-Cruisers (and other ship types): www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk
Library of Congress Archives: www.loc.gov/pictures
U.S. Naval History Command Library of Selected Images: www.history.navy.mil/
(UK) Royal Navy
National Maritime Museum: www.nmm.ac.uk/
Navyphotos: www.navyphotos.co.uk
U.S. Navy
Haze Gray and Underway: www.hazegray.org
Naval Archive: www.historylink.com/
Navsource: www.navsource.orgSubmarines: www.Pigboats.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
PLANS
Naval Ships, General
The Never Were Catalog: xoomer.virgilio.it
(UK) Royal Navy
National Maritime Museum: www.nmm.ac.uk/
U.S. Navy
Camouflage Pattern Sheets: nautilusmodels.com/
Camouflage Ms31,32,33: www.history.navy.mil/
Floating Drydock: www.floatingdrydock.com
........................................................................................................................................................................................
FILM CLIPS
Battle of Tsushima:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr5foWKctuI
Charles DeGaulle, French Carrier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLQwE1uoTXw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxtHBjUM2SU&feature=related
How to fire a 16in Gun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OmOQs0ziSU
Imperial Russian Navy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=535dqpLgqQ8&playnext_from=TL&videos=XWx4GpjN3lI
US Navy c.1915
http://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/u-s-navy-documentary-1915
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARTICLES
Japanese WWII Naval Recognition Models at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
by Robert K. Liu
Naval ship models used for recognition are one of the historical bases for scale ship models and are certainly of interest to any ship modeler/collector due to their use in World War I and II (Dorris 2010, Liu 1999, van der Porten 1996). However, very little has been written about such recognition models, especially those used by Axis navies, with the possible exception of those made by Wiking of Germany prior to and during WWII. About 2001, I chanced upon a collection of Japanese 1/500 models on permanent display in a case in the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is converted from a former passenger ferry boat docked on the Embarcadero of downtown San Diego. These nineteen are the only such models that I am aware of in the holdings of an American museum.
Shown in a glass and wood case, in an area of the museum displaying numerous other naval models, the upper shelf holds 11 American naval ships [3 CV (Lexington, Enterprise, Wasp), 3 BB (Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania), 1 CA (Augusta), 3 CL (Brooklyn, Astoria, Omaha) and 1 DD (Moffett)], while the lower shelf has 8 Japanese models [ 2 CV (Kaga, Ryuho), 3 BB (Haruna, Yamashiro, Ise), 3 CA (Tone, Takao, Aoba)]. Painted in two shades of naval greys, the BBs and CVs have tan decks, while the CA, CL and DD have dark brown decks. These were supposedly made pre-WWII for the Imperial Japanese Navy, to be used for ship recognition training of Japanese naval personnel. They appear to be primarily wood, with metal main and secondary guns, masts and cranes, although two of the data sheets given me by Bob Crawford, the former Curator of Models, list “grey plastic hull & superstructure” for Washington and “grey plastic” for the Wasp. According to the label, they were acquired from the Kure Naval Base by the donor, Lt. (JG) J.T. Bryon, USN, Ret., when U.S. naval forces occupied that base after the Japanese surrendered in September, 1945.
Given the dominance of the contemporary Japanese plastic model industry and how well-made are current Japanese large-scale ship models, including those in 1/500 (Konishi, possibly Sato), these recognition models are not impressive, although one has to bear in mind that they were made prior to WWII and accurate data must have been difficult for the Japanese modelmakers to access. Again, through the gracious help of Mr. Crawford, I had dimensions for four of the American models; when these were checked against Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944-45, the Lexington and Enterprise scaled out to 1/511, the Washington to 1/528 and the Idaho to 1/599. The overall configurations look good, especially for their own vessels but all secondary armament is very generalized, there is almost no AA (which may not be that inaccurate at that early date). Where there is supposed to be a quad one inch gun, it is shown as an enclosed turret (see closeup photograph of BB Washington). If one compares these to American 1/500 recognition models of WWII or the 1/300 models used as photographic subjects by the David Taylor Model Basin staff for the U.S. Navy’s recognition/intelligence publications ONI-54 or ONI-41-421, 41-42 or 220J, 225J, the differences in accuracy of the respective models are striking. The 1/600 (1/300 for subs) German recognition models made by the Japanese-American internees at the Gila River Internment Camp in Arizona were also much more accurate, but they were built to ONI plans (Dorris 2010).
Even with these limitations, the Japanese recognition models give us some idea of what was used by an Axis navy for this important task. Hopefully, there are other similar models to be discovered or other ship enthusiasts who can provide more information on this fascinating topic. Ironically, today’s U.S. Navy no longer uses recognition models, relying instead on computer images (Bob Crawford, personal communication, 8/2001), although some individual US Navy ships still order small scale (1/1250) models (Bill Werner, personal communication, 10/2011).
by Robert K. Liu
Naval ship models used for recognition are one of the historical bases for scale ship models and are certainly of interest to any ship modeler/collector due to their use in World War I and II (Dorris 2010, Liu 1999, van der Porten 1996). However, very little has been written about such recognition models, especially those used by Axis navies, with the possible exception of those made by Wiking of Germany prior to and during WWII. About 2001, I chanced upon a collection of Japanese 1/500 models on permanent display in a case in the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is converted from a former passenger ferry boat docked on the Embarcadero of downtown San Diego. These nineteen are the only such models that I am aware of in the holdings of an American museum.
Shown in a glass and wood case, in an area of the museum displaying numerous other naval models, the upper shelf holds 11 American naval ships [3 CV (Lexington, Enterprise, Wasp), 3 BB (Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania), 1 CA (Augusta), 3 CL (Brooklyn, Astoria, Omaha) and 1 DD (Moffett)], while the lower shelf has 8 Japanese models [ 2 CV (Kaga, Ryuho), 3 BB (Haruna, Yamashiro, Ise), 3 CA (Tone, Takao, Aoba)]. Painted in two shades of naval greys, the BBs and CVs have tan decks, while the CA, CL and DD have dark brown decks. These were supposedly made pre-WWII for the Imperial Japanese Navy, to be used for ship recognition training of Japanese naval personnel. They appear to be primarily wood, with metal main and secondary guns, masts and cranes, although two of the data sheets given me by Bob Crawford, the former Curator of Models, list “grey plastic hull & superstructure” for Washington and “grey plastic” for the Wasp. According to the label, they were acquired from the Kure Naval Base by the donor, Lt. (JG) J.T. Bryon, USN, Ret., when U.S. naval forces occupied that base after the Japanese surrendered in September, 1945.
Given the dominance of the contemporary Japanese plastic model industry and how well-made are current Japanese large-scale ship models, including those in 1/500 (Konishi, possibly Sato), these recognition models are not impressive, although one has to bear in mind that they were made prior to WWII and accurate data must have been difficult for the Japanese modelmakers to access. Again, through the gracious help of Mr. Crawford, I had dimensions for four of the American models; when these were checked against Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944-45, the Lexington and Enterprise scaled out to 1/511, the Washington to 1/528 and the Idaho to 1/599. The overall configurations look good, especially for their own vessels but all secondary armament is very generalized, there is almost no AA (which may not be that inaccurate at that early date). Where there is supposed to be a quad one inch gun, it is shown as an enclosed turret (see closeup photograph of BB Washington). If one compares these to American 1/500 recognition models of WWII or the 1/300 models used as photographic subjects by the David Taylor Model Basin staff for the U.S. Navy’s recognition/intelligence publications ONI-54 or ONI-41-421, 41-42 or 220J, 225J, the differences in accuracy of the respective models are striking. The 1/600 (1/300 for subs) German recognition models made by the Japanese-American internees at the Gila River Internment Camp in Arizona were also much more accurate, but they were built to ONI plans (Dorris 2010).
Even with these limitations, the Japanese recognition models give us some idea of what was used by an Axis navy for this important task. Hopefully, there are other similar models to be discovered or other ship enthusiasts who can provide more information on this fascinating topic. Ironically, today’s U.S. Navy no longer uses recognition models, relying instead on computer images (Bob Crawford, personal communication, 8/2001), although some individual US Navy ships still order small scale (1/1250) models (Bill Werner, personal communication, 10/2011).
References:
Dorris, F. 2010 Ship models for the military. US manufacturers of ship models during the World Wars. Claremont, Chris Daley Publishing: 148 p.
Liu, R. K. 1999 The historical basis of naval ship model scales. Waterline International IV(13): 36-38.
van der Porten, Edward P. 1996 Ship models go to war. Nautical Research Journal 41(1):32-44.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dorris, F. 2010 Ship models for the military. US manufacturers of ship models during the World Wars. Claremont, Chris Daley Publishing: 148 p.
Liu, R. K. 1999 The historical basis of naval ship model scales. Waterline International IV(13): 36-38.
van der Porten, Edward P. 1996 Ship models go to war. Nautical Research Journal 41(1):32-44.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________