The Northeast Ship Model Conference is one of the longest-running regional gatherings for ship modelers in the country, bringing together builders of all skill levels for a day of models, demonstrations, and camaraderie. This year’s 43rd edition returned to its longtime home at the Port ‘n Starboard in New London on April 25, with the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild serving as host club. (The host club rotates annually, but the venue remains the same — and for good reason.)
The turnout was strong: over 100 registered attendees plus walk-in visitors, with nearly 100 models on display spanning sail, power, and everything in between.
Tabletop Demonstrations
The morning featured four scheduled tabletop demonstrations. Rick Abramson presented on the history and tragic 1898 sinking of the S.S. Portland. Alex Bellinger explored advanced ship-in-bottle techniques, moving beyond traditional methods to show how modelers can create models in a variety of glass containers. Bob Baart demonstrated gilding with 23K gold leaf and other metal leaf materials, with an eye toward ship modeling applications. And Mason Loggie closed out the demos with a session on decal application.
Keynote: Dr. Kroum N. Batchvarov on the Vasa
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kroum N. Batchvarov, Associate Professor of Maritime Archeology at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Batchvarov spoke on the construction of the 17th-century Swedish warship Vasa, drawing on more than two years he spent aboard the vessel documenting its construction at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. A major component of his work involved developing a non-destructive recording methodology for the framing of the ship — which survives approximately 98% intact — enabling structural and design analysis with direct relevance to anyone interested in period ship construction.
Vendors
Vendors at this year’s conference included SeaWatch Books and SeaFever Books, offering titles for the ship modeling and maritime history communities.
The Ronnberg Trove
One of the most memorable moments of the day was the distribution of “The Ronnberg Trove.” When master modeler Erik A. R. Ronnberg, Jr. closed his studio-workshop in 2021, he donated an enormous collection of modeling tools, materials, wood, rigging line, parts, and other items to the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild. The Guild inventoried approximately 30,000 individual items from Ronnberg’s studio. This year, the Guild’s ad hoc Ronnberg Trove Committee packed items randomly into tote bags and distributed them to conference attendees — with the encouragement to compare and swap with neighbors. It was a generous gesture and a fitting way to see Erik’s tools and materials find their way into the hands of modelers who will put them to use.
People’s Choice Awards
The conference wrapped up with the People’s Choice Awards, selected by vote of the attendees:
Sail 1st — Spence Delin, HMS Truelove 2nd — Dennis LaPlante, HMS Speedy 3rd — Alex Bellinger, Flying Cloud
Power 1st — Joseph McDowell, Clyde Huffer 2nd — Fred Hutchins, USS New York 3rd — Leonard Xuereb, USS Kearsarge
Other 1st — Paul Goldberg, Duchess of Kingston 2nd — Paul Schmidt, Khufu Solar Ship 3rd — Paul Schmidt, New Bedford Whaleboat Nantasket
Photo Gallery
Below is a selection of photos from the models on display at this year’s conference. (Photos couresy of Tom Ruggiero of the Ship Model Society of New Jersey unless otherwise noted).
