Ships in Scale Sails Again!

I’m thrilled to share something I’ve been working on behind the scenes for months: Ships in Scale magazine is returning.

Thanks to a new agreement between SeaWatch Books and the Nautical Research Guild (NRG), we’ve acquired the rights to the Ships in Scale name—and we’re officially bringing the magazine back to life, with a relaunch planned for 2026.

For longtime readers, I hope this comes as welcome news. For those new to the hobby, I hope Ships in Scale becomes what it once was for me: a trusted companion, a teacher, and a gateway into the world of ship modeling.

Why This Matters

I came to ship modeling in my late 30s, after years of building plastic kits as a kid. Like many, I had always admired the intricate ship models on display in museums but never imagined making one myself. Then one day, I saw a wooden kit advertised in a catalog—Lee Valley, I think—and thought, “That could be fun.”

What followed was both frustrating and fascinating. I was used to models with simple instructions and parts that snapped into place. This was… different. But I stuck with it. And in the course of researching techniques and trying to make sense of what I was doing, I discovered Ships in Scale. I subscribed immediately—and I was hooked.

Even as my skills improved, I remained a loyal reader. That magazine kept me grounded in the hobby, inspired me with each issue, and introduced me to a community of builders who cared about craftsmanship and history. When Ships in Scale ceased publication in 2018, I felt its absence—and I know many others did too.

The Vision for the Relaunch

In the years since, I’ve become more involved in the community. I joined the Ship Model Society of New Jersey. I became a member of the NRG. I took over SeaWatch Books and started learning the ins and outs of publishing. Eventually, an idea began to form: what if Ships in Scale came back?

Over the 2024 holidays, I put together a plan. After some thoughtful and collaborative conversations with the NRG, we finalized an agreement. And now, here we are.

The new Ships in Scale will build on the magazine’s legacy but widen its lens. We’ll continue to feature detailed build logs, but we’ll also expand coverage to include plastic kits, radio-controlled ships, steel navy subjects, and content that highlights the full range of skills that ship modeling demands—from painting and metalworking to detailing and finishing.

Just as importantly, we’re committed to making the hobby approachable. I want Ships in Scale to serve newcomers just as much as it supports seasoned experts. That means practical advice, tutorials, reviews, and a tone that welcomes anyone curious about the craft.

A New Digital Home

You’re reading this on our new digital home: shipsinscale.com. During most of Ships in Scale’s original run, the internet was still in its infancy—or didn’t exist at all. Even in its later years, the magazine operated in a very different digital landscape. Today, we have the opportunity to do more.

This site marks a major step forward: not just a place to learn about the magazine, but a growing platform for content, community, and connection. Through articles, updates, and eventually digital features and subscriber resources, we aim to make ship modeling more accessible to readers across the globe.

Shaping the Future Together

Right now, we’re in the early planning stages for the first issue. I hope to include a beginner-friendly build log, reviews of newly released kits, and contributions from modelers across disciplines. But more than anything, I want to hear from you.

What did you love most about Ships in Scale? What would you like to see in its new form? We’ll be launching a reader survey soon—and your feedback will help shape the direction of the magazine from the ground up. In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment below or Contact Us with your ideas.

At its core, this relaunch is about preserving and evolving something special. Ship modeling is a beautiful, hands-on craft with a rich heritage. Together, I believe we can ensure it has an even richer future.

Thanks for being part of the journey. More to come soon.

—
Michael Ellison
Publisher, SeaWatch Books & Ships in Scale