This illistrated manual is a comprehensive guide to the building and sailing of working scale model merchant ships. Covering the great spectrum of ship types - from tankers to trawlers to paddle-steamers - every stage of construction is covered in full detail, from the building of the hull to painting and finishing, and not least the propulsion, balasting and sailing of the completed model. All building methods and materials are described, including plank-on-frame construction, GRP moulding and the casting of deck fittings. Chapters are devoted to the installation of electric motors and steam engins, and the fitting and operation of radio control equipment - and the emphasis throughout is on practical advice.

Full details are given on both the choice and use of all the tools and abhesives needed for working with the wide range of materials such as plywood, styrene sheet and white metal; and the sections on model ship clubs and the extensive lists of organisations and materials suppliers given in the appendices make this book a complete introduction both to the actual construction of working ship models and the whole hobby of model ship sailing.

Written by a distinguished professional shipmodeller, this book is the product of a lifetime's modelling experience, and is indespensable reading for all shipmodellers of whatever level of skill.