Model Ships

The hobby of building scale models of ships is as old as the shipbuilding industry itself. In modern times, model shipbuilders often use prefabricated kits to build ships which they may or may not intend to float.

Fast Facts

1. Many early model ships were built by crew members
2. Common materials: Wood, plastic, metal and paper
3. Larger models are often used in museums as examples of historical ships
4. Professional shipbuilders may use models to plan and illustrate proposed projects
5. The oldest European model ships date to the 12th century
6. Model shipbuilding kits became commercially available in the early 20th century
7. Model yachting is the hobby of building operating model ships

Early Model Builders

The Ancient Egyptians are believed to be the first to carve and paint detailed model ships. Remarkably preserved sycamore wood models up to 5,000 years old have been recovered from various tombs and provide evidence of how ancient ships were built and steered. The ships were included in the tombs as part of ritualistic funeral practice and were intended to act as vessels to ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife.

Categories