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The Best Warship Model Kits: Battleships, Carriers and Destroyers
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Ship models are a world of their own. They demand more patience than a tank or a fighter, with fine railings, anti-aircraft guns and rigging, but nothing beats a finished battleship on a sea base. Here is how to choose your first one.
1/350 or 1/700?
1/700 kits are compact and often "waterline" models that sit flat. A battleship is around 35 cm long, and you can build a whole task force for the space of one large model. 1/350 kits are twice as long and far more detailed, which makes them more impressive and more demanding. For a first ship, a 1/700 kit or a 1/350 destroyer is the gentlest start. More detail in our scale guide.
Battleships
Tamiya Battleship Bismarck
Tamiya's 1/350 Bismarck is a long-standing favorite. It builds into a large, imposing model of one of the most famous ships of the war, and Tamiya's engineering keeps it manageable for a big ship.
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Tamiya USS New Jersey BB-62
Tamiya Battleship Yamato
Trumpeter USS Texas Battleship
Revell Battleship Bismarck
Tamiya HMS Prince of Wales
Aircraft carriers
Carriers combine ship modeling with tiny aircraft, which makes them some of the most interesting kits to build.
Tamiya USS Enterprise CV-6
USS Enterprise CV-6, the most decorated US ship of WWII, in 1/350. A large model with a flight deck you can populate with aircraft.
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Academy USS Enterprise CV-6, Battle of Midway
Tamiya USS Yorktown CV-5
Hasegawa IJN Aircraft Carrier Akagi
Tamiya USS Hornet CV-8
Destroyers and smaller ships
Smaller ships make the best first builds: fewer parts, quicker painting, and still plenty of detail.
Tamiya Fletcher Class Destroyer
A 1/350 Fletcher-class destroyer. The Fletchers were the backbone of the US destroyer force, and this kit is a great size to learn ship techniques before tackling a battleship.
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Academy USS Indianapolis CA-35 Heavy Cruiser
Tamiya Submarine I-400
Revell U-Boat Type VIIC/41, Premium Edition
Revell HMCS Snowberry Flower-Class Corvette
Build a fleet in 1/700
Tamiya Battleship Yamato
Tamiya HMS King George V
Revell Battleship Bismarck
Revell USS Wasp-Class Assault Carrier
Brick-built warships
Large brick-built battleships have become hugely popular. No glue, no painting, and a very big model at the end.
MISINI Battleship Yamato, 2569 Pieces
MISINI USS Missouri Battleship, 2228 Pieces
COBI USS Arizona (BB-39)
COBI Battleship Tirpitz
Tips for ship models
- Paint before assembly. Decks, hull and superstructure are much easier to paint separately.
- Use a fine brush and good tweezers for the small guns and boats.
- Consider photo-etch later. Etched metal railings and radar add a lot of realism but are an advanced technique; build one ship without them first.
- Plan the base. A simple painted sea base makes a waterline ship look finished.
Tamiya HG Angled Tweezers
Golden Maple Detail Paint Brush Set, 10 Brushes
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, 40 ml
Tamiya Fine Surface Primer Spray, Light Gray
Painting warships
Navies used standard grey and camouflage schemes, and paint sets are available for most of them. US Navy ships of WWII used measure schemes in blues and greys; Royal Navy ships often wore disruptive patterns of greys and blues; German ships used light and dark greys, and some, like Bismarck in early 1941, wore striking black-and-white "Baltic" stripes. Wooden decks are usually painted a tan or wood color, and a light dark wash brings out the planking.
Kits often include several options. Read the painting guide first and choose the scheme that matches the date you want to represent.
Which ship should you build first?
- A 1/350 destroyer, or any 1/700 kit, to learn the basics.
- A cruiser or a 1/700 carrier with its aircraft.
- A 1/350 battleship as your centerpiece.
Submarines are another good first ship: simple hull shapes, few small parts, and dramatic subjects like the Type VII U-boat or the giant Japanese I-400.
Go deeper:
Quick answers
What does "waterline" mean?
A waterline model shows only the part of the ship above the water, with a flat bottom so it sits on a table or sea base. Full-hull models include the whole hull and usually come with a stand.
How long does a 1/350 battleship take?
Many weeks of evenings for most builders, more if you add photo-etched detail. Start smaller if you want to finish quickly.
Do ship kits need glue and paint?
Yes, plastic ship kits need cement and paint, sold separately. Brick-built ships do not.
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