The Ship Model Forum

I have bought on of their 1/700 battleships in full hull. My feeling is its pretty good, but the exaggerated hull plating is a b.tch to fix and makes the kit build quite labours. But doable, you know. And some other bits that bother - like lack of PE - thats bad, but they dont have railings from resin and thats good. Also, things like cages for funnels - they have them, along with funnel railings - both of which Id ditch if I could and replace with PE. The turrets dont seem to always have holes for guns or blast bags, sort of lacks that idea entirely. The full hull though is good, in one piece, straight. The prop assemblies are super delicate and require fiddling. Worst part is removing suports, this if you dont know can be tough if you by mistake snip off parts that are meant to be there (ask me how I know). Overall it isnt a simple 1-2-3 building process, it takes patience and care just like with any other resin model, it requires clean up, prep etc. Masts are all too fragile and you are likely to fully rebuild them, I mean platforms and everything. If thats ok, youre rewarded with very good armament in terms of detial, good superstructures, probably pretty great scale sizing and so on. The deck planking is an issue, hull plating is an issue but can be puttied up carefully. Generic PE and railings can be used and if you install some kind of digital game with the asset you will see a 1-1 guide where what goes and how to paint. So you know, lots of pros.

And the price. For 50-60 dollars, I really struggle to not find a reason to just buy one even if you want to use its parts for another build. The turrets from something like Bunker Studio would run you 50 bucks (secondaries and main) and they will be awesome - no doubt - but these that come with the kit (aside from blast bag issue) are very close. So buying a whole thing just to get a fantastic 3D detail set or whatever, its not a bad idea. Mind you if the 3D asset is wrong on certain things, so will this be. Thats up to you to research.

I like the SS Models kits (at 1/350 only, I do not build kits at 1/700). But I must say I prefer the "orange" kits you find also on ebay, as their printing quality is higher. They are unfortunately more expensive. I do not know the name of the brand, if any, and this is why I speak about "orange'" kits. They are released by different suppliers, with a very good quality of service for what I have experienced up to now. I was even able to suggest these suppliers some kits they have released since, which means they are very flexible.
Highly recommended both SS Model and "orange", especially as they provide kits of ships you do not find elsewhere.

Just ordered a project 1331M class to try to make an Indonesian one. Thx for the info.

Just ordered a project 1331M to try to make an Indonesian one

I think that many SSModel kits have very impressive parts, e.g. the superstructures.

But also many have issues with hulls, earlier often warping, but still e.g. there are prominent protruding portholes, sometimes exaggerated plates on the hull sides and decks...

If you buy a kit and there are printing issues - complain at the dealer to get replacement parts. That usually works. Do not accept low quality parts.

We have a few inbox reviews on the main site:

HMS Alliance: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... iance.html

USS Portland: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... rtland.htm

Courbet: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... ourbet.htm

And some build-ups with written commentary in the gallery:

1/350 Bretagne: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... /index.htm
1/350 Helgoland: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... /index.htm
And more via search results for "SSModel": https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8& ... allery.com

which ones?

Anybody bought some ss-model 3d-Prints? How are these?

New from Starling Models in 1/700 scale:

British frigate HMS Euraylus (1976 Ikara version of the Leander class)
https://starlingmodels.co.uk/collections/new/products/hms-euryalus-ikara-leander-class-frigate-1976

New from Gaga in 1/700:

Spanish light cruiser Navarra
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277232826428

and from ?? in 1/700:

British Type 21 frigate
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157174662520

New from Brown Water Navy Miniatures in 1/700 and 1/1200 scale (as stl-file or 3D-printed, contact):

Kalamazoo-class US monitor
Puritan-class US monitor
Canonicus-class US monitor
Frigate USS Niagara (1855)
Armoured ship USS Roanoke
Paddle wheel frigate USS Mississippi
Armoured ship CSS Selma (two variants)
Swedish freighter Tanja (during the search for Italia- Expedition 1928)
Italian cable carrier Città di Milano (base ship of the Italia Expedition 1928)

Announcements from Starling Models in 1/700 scale:

Dutch destroyer Hr Ms Piet Hein (British S-Class)

British destroyer HMS Zambesi (Z-class)

British frigate HMS Euryalus (Leander class, Ikara conversion)

British freighter MV Foylebank

Numerous other British destroyers from the O-class to the Daring-class in planning
https://starlingmodels.co.uk/collections/new/products/newsletter-june-2025

New from YGF Model (SWS Model?) in 1/700 scale:

Chinese steamship Huanghu (first steamship built in China)
https://www.ebay.de/itm/197480238420

Japanese envoy ship (envoy to the Chinese Tang Dynasty)
https://www.ebay.de/itm/197480233257

Newest release via 3D-Wild's website: 1/350 HMS Renown post reconstruction.
1942 version:
https://3d-wild.com/collections/model-f ... -model-kit

1944 version:
https://3d-wild.com/collections/model-f ... -model-kit

New from yacarescalemodels in 1/700 scale:

Israeli/Chilean Sa'ar 4 class fast attack craft (was/is also in service in South Africa and Sri Lanka)
https://www.ebay.de/itm/127155344478

More 1/700 kits to come soon

New by Tiny-Model-World (?) in 1/700:

Vietnamese Gepard 3.9 frigate
https://www.ebay.com/itm/396737902924

I've bought some as well. They're very good.

From what I have seen, Brown Water Navy Miniatures uses a resin printer, which produces better results than Shapeways. I have only bought files myself. The quality of the designs has also improved, as the designer is no longer restricted by Shapeways.

Guy is very easy to deal with.. The models arrive undamaged, which is BIG difference from Shaoeways. Prices are lower Great shopping experience all around.

What are they like to work with compared with Shapeways prints?

Thanks,

Rob