Links

This page, like the rest of the site, is a "work in progress" and more links will be added in future.

First, every ship modeller should have this page saved on their PC:

"Rajen's List" An incredibly comprehensive list of virtually every ship, boat and submarine kit produced, in both plastic and resin. Includes "mini-reviews" for many kits. An invaluable reference!

Modelling

Model Warships A very useful site for all warship modellers. Includes reviews, model gallery, and an excellent message board forum.

Steel Navy Another very good warship modelling site. Has a very good selection of reviews of both kits and aftermarket detail parts.

Model Ship World Mainly focused on sailing ship modelling (both wood and plastic, kit and scratch) with a lot of useful information and a good discussion forum.

Dry Dock Models Entirely focused on sailing ship modelling in wood (kit or scratch) but much useful information and reference for the plastic modeller can be found here.

Finescale.com Ship Forums The ship section of Finescale Modeller magazine's message forums.

Modelling Madness Reviews, previews and online builds of hundreds of kits, mostly aircraft but a fair few ships as well.

Cybermodeler Online A good selection of kit previews including many 1/350 and 1/700 ships. Mainly covers newer releases.

General Reference

(this section is currently very incomplete)

Battleships and Cruisers Archive photos and information on a vast range of warships from the 19th century to the present day. Focuses on the Royal Navy but includes material on all world navies.

Navsource.org One of the best reference websites for US Navy warships, particularly those from WW2 to the present day.

History.navy.mil Another excellent reference site for US ships of all services.

Specialised Reference

(this section is currently very incomplete)

The Ship Camouflage Website Comprehensive database of US Navy World War 2 camouflage paint measures, with photos and drawings.

HMS Hood Association History of HMS Hood including many contemporary photos, also reviews of Hood model kits.

Combined Fleet Excellent reference site on the WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy, with histories of most of its ships, from battleships to patrol craft.

Schnellboot - An Illustrated Technical History Much useful information (including drawings) on the German WW2 Schnellboots or "E-Boats".

Alabordache Information and photographs for modern and historic French warships.

The Dreadnought Project Freely downloadable scans of various original plans (mostly German subjects) of warships from the early 20th century.

French Warship Plans Official site with a huge database of freely downloadable plans, mostly French warships from the late 19th to mid 20th century.

Commercial

(Note that these links are NOT sponsors or advertising of any kind. They are simply sites I've found useful for purchasing kits, accessories and other modelling items.
Also note that these links are UK oriented, so if you live in the USA or elsewhere you may have problems with shipping costs)

Manufacturers

White Ensign Models Produce a huge range of photo-etched brass detail sets for warship models in all scales. They also manufacture an extensive range of resin ship kits, in both 1/350 and 1/700 (mostly Royal Navy subjects) and stock etched and resin parts, plastic kits, books and other items from many other manufacturers.

John R. Haynes Fine Ship Models Etched brass and cast metal details + fittings for 1/200, 1/192, 1/128, 1/96 and 1/72 WW2-era ship models.

Paper Shipwrights Producer of a range of 1/250 card ship models, including a freely downloadable model of HMVS Cerberus which I used as the plan for my 1/96 scratchbuild.

Caldercraft A large range of accurate and detailed wooden kits of 18th century Royal Navy vessels, their photos + downloadable manuals are useful reference for detailing plastic kits.

Retailers

eBay.co.uk Ship Model Kits section One of the best places to find out-of-production kits or those not usually available at retail in the UK. Also try the US site ebay.com.

Hannants One of the UK's best retailers of kits and modelling accessories, all subjects and scales.

Modelsforsale.com Carry a large range of ship kits at good prices and often have unusual or hard-to-find kits in stock.

Kingkit Another very good source for finding out-of-production kits (all subjects) though prices are sometimes high.