Ship Modelers Association

Paper (or card) modeling is one of the oldest forms of model making, especially if one includes the art of origami sculptures. The ancestors of modern paper models date back to the days of the Guttenberg printing press. This hobby has long been popular in Europe (the German firm of JF Schreiber has published paper models since 1831), though plastic models predominate in the United States. With the collapse of the Iron Curtain, excellent models from Poland and the Czech Republic are now available in the West.

Paper models span a wide range of subjects, including famous buildings, castles, cathedrals, airplanes, dirigibles, rockets, satellites, railroad locomotives, automobiles, life-size bird sculptures, and military vehicles. There are many detailed ship models available, usually in 1:250 or 1:400 scales. Most are waterline steamships and naval craft, though full-hulled sailing vessels are also available.

One of the most exciting recent developments in this centuries-old hobby is linked to personal computers and the Internet. In the old days, a designer would painstakingly draft the parts by hand, and then supervise color separations. There was always the risk that something could go wrong at the print shop—off-register prints or wrong ink shades, for instance. In any event, the final cost per unit would be high unless there was a large print run. There were also the expenses connected in warehousing, marketing, and distributing the models. These considerations have stymied many small publishers and independent designers in the past.

Nowadays, inexpensive computer-aided design (CAD) programs are available. An experienced designer can produce excellent results on his home computer and printer. One can then distribute the model on CD-ROM or from an Internet website, bypassing the print shop entirely. The Internet also provides an inexpensive means to advertise one’s product to an international audience. For these reasons, many individuals are presently marketing their own creations on the World Wide Web.

For the paper model builder, the Internet has other resources. Besides the commercial websites, there are many personal hobby pages where people exhibit their completed models and offer kit reviews. Mailing lists, discussion groups and FAQ (frequently asked questions) postings also provide valuable references and tips. There are even free models ready to download and print.