Ship Modelers DatabaseModel Shipways is America's oldest wooden ship model kit manufacturer, founded in 1948 (some sources say 1946). In 1987 it was acquired by Model Expo, a Miami, Florida-based company that had been importing historic European ship model kits since 1976; today the combined company designs and manufactures its kits in Miami, Florida under the Model Shipways, Model Airways, Model Trailways, and Guns of History brand names. Model Shipways is known for historically accurate wood and metal ship model kits built using plank-on-bulkhead and plank-on-frame construction methods, and the company states it was the first in the industry to introduce laser-cutting technology, converting many older solid-hull kit designs to the more advanced plank-on-bulkhead/plank-on-frame style. Notable subjects include iconic American vessels such as the USS Constitution, along with schooners, lobster smacks, longboats, and other historic sailing ships, offered across a range of skill levels including the beginner-friendly "Shipwright Series." Kits typically include finely crafted wood and cast-metal components, rigging line, sailcloth, and detailed multilingual plans and instruction manuals, with the company promoting features like machined brass fittings, extensive laser-cut parts, and free replacement parts for lost or broken pieces. Model Shipways is frequently cited alongside Bluejacket Shipcrafters as one of the two principal American manufacturers still producing wooden sailing ship model kits domestically.
Kits
| 21ft English Pinnace Model Ship Kit | Pinnace (Generic) | 1:24 | Available | |
| Dapper Tom Baltimore Clipper | Baltimore Clipper (Generic) | 1:76 (OO) | Available | |
| Fair American | Fair American | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
| Yacht America Schooner 1851 (MS2029) | America | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Katy of Norfolk | Virginia Built Vessel (Generic) | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
| Pride of Baltimore | Baltimore Clipper (Generic) | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Phantom NY Pilot Boat | Phantom NY Pilot Boat | 1:96 (1/8 in=1 ft) | Available | |
| Benjmain Latham 1:48 SCALE | Benjamin W. Latham | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
| Niagra | Niagra | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Slutana | Sultana | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Taurus | Tugboat (Generic) | 1:96 (1/8 in=1 ft) | Available | |
| Bluenose Canadian Schooner (MS2130) | Bluenose | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Willie Bennett Skipjack | Willie Bennett | 1:32 | Available | |
| 18th Century Longboat | — | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
No image | Emma C. Berry Lobster Smack (MS2150) | Emma C. Berry | 1:32 | Available |
| Charles Morgan Whale Bark (MS2140) | Charles W. Morgan | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| CHAPERON Sternwheel Steamer 1884 (MS2190) | Chaperon | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
| Mayflower | Mayflower | 1:76 (OO) | Available | |
| Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack | — | 1:24 | Available | |
| Elsie, American Fishing Schooner 1910 | Elsie | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Armed Virginia Sloop | — | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Available | |
| Harriet Steam Paddle Cutter | Harriet Lane | 1:144 | Available | |
| Gunboat Philadelphia | Philadelphia | 1:24 | Available | |
| Kate Cory Whaling Brig | Kate Cory | — | Available | |
| Norwegian Sailing Pram 1:12 | — | 1:12 | Available | |
No image | Prince de Neufchatel | Prince de Neufchatel | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available |
| USN Picket Boat #1 | USN Picket Boat #1 | 1:24 | Available | |
No image | USCG Harriet Lane Steam Paddle Cutter & Gunboat 1857 | Harriet Lane | 1:96 (1/8 in=1 ft) | Available |
| HMS Bounty Launch | HMS Bounty | — | Available | |
| Emma C. Berry | Emma C. Berry | 1:32 | Available | |
| Glad Tidings Pinky Schooner | Maine Pinky (Generic) | — | Available | |
| Lowell Grand Banks Dory | — | 1:24 | Available | |
| USF Confederacy | Confederacy | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| USS Constitution | USS Constitution | 1:76 (OO) | Available | |
| Syren US Brig 1803 | USS Syren | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| Flying Fish | Flying Fish | 1:96 (1/8 in=1 ft) | Available | |
| Ratttlesnake US Privateer | Rattlesnake | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| USS Essex | USS Essex | 1:76 (OO) | Available | |
| New Bedford Whaleboat | Whaleboat (Generic) | — | Available |