Scientific Models

Scientific Models, Inc. (SMI) is an American model kit maker founded in 1928 in Newark, New Jersey. It began by selling rubber-band-powered wooden airplane kits before expanding into wooden ship model kits, dollhouse furniture, and other hobby structures. The company traces its origin to the Scientific Model Airplane Company, whose founder set up shop as a teenager to manufacture and sell model airplane kits. Scientific is best known for a long-running line of wooden sailing ship kits aimed at both beginner and experienced modelers, typically molded around historically famous vessels. Notable subjects include the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), the clipper ships Cutty Sark, Flying Cloud and Thermopylae, the yacht America, HMS Bounty, the schooner Bluenose, the Spanish galleon of 1550, Sovereign of the Seas, and the USCG training ship Eagle, generally produced in scales ranging around 1:60 to 1:180. Designers associated with the ship line over the years included noted maritime historians Harold Underhill and Walter Musciano. In 1983 the company launched Micro-Mark as a tool and distribution offshoot, and Micro-Mark eventually became the parent/owner of the Scientific brand, restarting Scientific-branded manufacturing (including wooden ship kits and, from 2018, laser-cut and 3D-printed model railroad structure kits) at a New Jersey facility to mark the brand's 90th anniversary. Today Scientific Models kits are sold through Micro-Mark's website and other hobby retailers as "Scientific by Micro-Mark."