If you are starting out read our Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section. We have assigned to all our kits a Skill Level. For modellers starting out we would suggest any kit identified at Skill Level 1 or 2.

In relation to Tools it is possible to build a satisfactory model with the minimum of tools and equipment, however we do suggest the following as being essential:

• Knife - Snap Blade
• Pin Vice—hand held chuck for drilling
• Drills—0.7mm, 0.8mm & 1.0mm (and a 0.5mm if your model is small)
• Planking Screws—packet of 12 ( 2 packets is preferable)
• Razor Saw Set— essential for cutting masts and other wooden pieces to length. Comes with a handle and one fine and one medium blade.
• Needle File set—handy for shaping small parts, enlarging round and square holes and openings
• Sandpaper—Grades Fine(100), Medium(180) and Coarse (240)
• Glue—PVA and Super
• Plank Bender—Hand held light duty—very helpful to bend planks—Strongly Recommended.
• Mini Plane, plus spare blades—helpful when shaping planks

In addition to the tools above we consider the following Tools as desirable which can be purchased as you progress on to other kits.

• Modeller’s Hammer
• Fast Clamp Set
• Mini Forceps—very useful when it comes to rigging
• Mini Mitre Box
• Hobby Vice—attaches to any table/bench with its own removable clamp.
• Hobby knives and scalpels—individual or in sets—add these as you feel the need.
• Contour Sander—ideal for sanding into difficult corners.
• Electric Plank Bender
• Awl—used like a centre punch to locate correct position for drilling.
• Master Cutter—a small guillotine for cutting mitres in light timber.
• Gripper Vice—a small versatile bench designed to hold really awkward objects.
• Assembly Vice—Used to hold any model in any position or angle
• Dial Vernier Callipers—ideal for measuring accurately the size of timbers and other items.

In relation to Books you don’t need any books to build a model kit. However what you’ll find is that the instructions that come with a kit will tell you “what” to do while a good book will tell you “how” to do it.

If you’re starting out on model building we strongly suggest the following books:

• “Authentic Planking for Ship Models” by Tyler
• “Ship Modelling Simplified”  by Mastini
• “Period Model Boat Manual” by Conte

These three books will provide you with a good range of information on model ship building.