info@mpmhobbies.com
Call: 1-(904) 507-3327
9297 Ford Rd.
Bryceville, Fl 32009
Build precision naval vessels from Academy Models, Heller, Hobby Boss, and I Love Kit in versatile 1/200 scale featuring battleships, destroyers, tugboats, whaling vessels, and historic sailing ships. This specialized collection delivers exceptional detail in manageable formats perfect for comprehensive fleet displays, competitive modeling, or enthusiasts seeking the ideal balance between size and authenticity.
Gallery Models IJN Yamato represents the pinnacle of battleship design and the largest battleship ever constructed, displacing 72,800 tons at full load and mounting nine 46cm (18.1-inch) guns in three triple turrets—the largest naval artillery ever deployed on a warship. The 1/200 scale kit captures this legendary vessel in remarkable detail, with the completed model measuring approximately 52 inches in length, accurately representing the massive proportions that made Yamato a symbol of Japanese naval power during World War II. The kit features detailed representation of the distinctive pagoda-style superstructure, massive main battery turrets with accurate elevation mechanisms, secondary armament including 15.5cm triple turrets and numerous 12.7cm dual-purpose guns, and the characteristic bulbous bow that improved hydrodynamic efficiency.
I Love Kit's USS Hornet CV-8 represents the legendary Yorktown-class aircraft carrier that participated in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and fought at the Battle of Midway before being sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942. The 1/200 scale format allows comprehensive representation of the flight deck with accurate deck markings, arresting gear, and aircraft elevator positions, island superstructure with characteristic funnel arrangement and fire control directors, and hangar deck details visible through open elevator wells. The kit provides an excellent platform for displaying period-correct aircraft including F4F Wildcats, SBD Dauntlesses, and TBD Devastators in authentic carrier deck arrangements, creating dynamic dioramas that capture the operational tempo of Pacific War carrier operations.
I Love Kit specializes in modern U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, representing the backbone of American surface combatant forces since the 1990s. The USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54 and USS Donald Cook DDG-75 kits capture these sophisticated warships with accurate representation of the distinctive SPY-1D phased array radar panels integrated into the superstructure, Mk 41 Vertical Launch System cells for Standard missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, 5-inch Mk 45 gun mount, Phalanx CIWS for close-in defense, and helicopter facilities for SH-60 Seahawk operations. The 1/200 scale provides sufficient size to capture the complex sensor arrays, weapons systems, and superstructure details that characterize modern warship design while remaining manageable for display in standard cases.
These destroyer kits showcase the evolution from World War II-era gun-armed destroyers to modern multi-mission platforms capable of anti-air warfare with Standard missiles, anti-submarine warfare with helicopter-deployed torpedoes and ASROC missiles, anti-surface warfare with Harpoon missiles, and land attack with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The detailed superstructure allows modelers to appreciate the integration of radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, and communications arrays that give these vessels their multi-mission capability. Accurate representation of the stealthy hull form with minimal radar cross-section demonstrates the design philosophy that prioritizes survivability through reduced detectability rather than heavy armor protection.
Hobby Boss provides unique coverage of the USS Pegasus PHM-1 class hydrofoil patrol craft, representing an experimental program that explored high-speed coastal patrol using hydrofoil technology. These revolutionary vessels featured retractable foils that lifted the hull clear of the water at speed, reducing drag and allowing sustained speeds exceeding 40 knots while armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and a 76mm gun. The kits accurately represent both the foil-borne and hull-borne configurations, allowing modelers to display these unique vessels in either operational mode. The Pegasus class served from 1977 through 1993, demonstrating hydrofoil technology but ultimately proving too specialized and maintenance-intensive for widespread adoption.
The distinctive design features captured in these kits include the fully submerged foil system with automatic control surfaces for stability, retractable foil mechanism allowing conventional hull-borne operation in port or rough seas, compact superstructure housing fire control radar and weapons systems, and characteristic angular hull form optimized for high-speed operation. These kits represent a fascinating chapter in naval technology development, showcasing the experimental approaches explored during the Cold War era as navies sought advantages through technological innovation rather than traditional displacement and firepower increases.
Heller's comprehensive tugboat collection provides essential working vessels that supported commercial and military maritime operations throughout the 20th century. The Smit Rotterdam and Smit London represent powerful ocean-going tugs operated by the Dutch Smit International company, featuring robust construction for deep-sea towing, salvage operations, and offshore support missions. These vessels showcase the characteristic high bow for seakeeping, powerful diesel engines providing exceptional bollard pull for towing operations, and deck equipment including towing winches, fairleads, and fender systems for alongside operations.
The twin-set offerings provide exceptional value by pairing complementary vessels in single packages. The Jean Bart and Utrecht set combines French and Dutch tugs representing different operational philosophies and design approaches, the Roc Amadour and Bordasteinur set pairs French and Icelandic vessels showcasing regional variations in tug design, and the Volontaire and Marie Jeanne set features classic French harbor tugs with traditional lines and robust construction. These sets allow modelers to create harbor scenes with multiple vessels, demonstrate comparative naval architecture, or build comprehensive working vessel collections representing the unsung heroes of maritime commerce.
Academy's New Bedford Whaler represents the classic American whaling ship design that dominated the global whaling industry during the 19th century, with New Bedford, Massachusetts serving as the world's premier whaling port. These sturdy vessels featured reinforced hulls for ice navigation in Arctic and Antarctic waters, extensive deck space for trying out whale blubber in brick tryworks, whaleboats carried on davits for pursuit and harpooning operations, and capacious holds for storing barrels of whale oil. The kit captures the characteristic bluff bow, substantial rigging plan with square sails on fore and main masts, and working deck arrangements that allowed crews to process whales alongside the vessel.
Heller's Galion represents classic sailing ship design from earlier maritime eras, featuring the characteristic high sterncastle, elaborate decorative elements, and square-rigged sail plan that characterized merchant and naval vessels from the Age of Sail. These kits provide comprehensive rigging diagrams, detailed deck fittings, and authentic hull planking patterns that allow modelers to create historically accurate representations of vessels that connected continents and enabled global trade before steam propulsion. The 1/200 scale provides manageable rigging complexity compared to larger formats while maintaining sufficient detail to capture the essential character of these revolutionary ships.
Heller's Le Suroit represents the French research vessel that participated in the 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic wreck site, equipped with sophisticated sonar systems, remotely operated vehicles, and scientific laboratories for oceanographic research. The kit captures the distinctive research vessel configuration with deck-mounted cranes for deploying scientific equipment, laboratory spaces visible through detailed superstructure, specialized navigation and positioning systems for precise station-keeping, and accommodations for scientific personnel beyond the normal crew complement. This vessel represents the evolution of oceanographic research from simple depth soundings to sophisticated deep-ocean exploration using advanced technology.
The Avenir represents another specialized French vessel, showcasing the diversity of maritime architecture beyond traditional warships and merchant vessels. These working ships demonstrate the specialized designs developed for specific maritime missions including cable laying, lighthouse supply, fisheries protection, and hydrographic survey. Heller's attention to these overlooked vessel types provides modelers with unique subjects that expand collections beyond the typical battleship and carrier focus, representing the full spectrum of maritime activity that sustains global commerce and scientific understanding.
Heller's Starter Kit offerings provide complete building solutions for newcomers to ship modeling or experienced modelers seeking convenient all-in-one packages. These sets include the plastic model kit with all necessary parts, appropriate paints in the correct colors for the specific vessel, brushes for paint application, and poly cement for assembly. The starter kit format eliminates the research and shopping required to gather compatible materials, ensuring modelers have everything needed to complete their project successfully. This approach particularly benefits beginners who may be uncertain about paint selection, adhesive types, or tool requirements for ship modeling.
Available starter kits span the collection including the Avenir research vessel, Smit Rotterdam/Smit London tugboat twin set, Le Suroit Titanic searcher, and all three tugboat twin sets, providing entry points across different vessel types and complexity levels. The included paints are specifically formulated for the subject vessel, eliminating color-matching challenges and ensuring authentic results. This comprehensive approach reduces barriers to entry for new modelers while providing experienced builders with convenient project packages that include all consumables in a single purchase.
The 1/200 scale offers unique advantages for ship modelers compared to other popular formats. Compared to 1/350 scale ships, the 1/200 format provides approximately 75% larger linear dimensions, allowing enhanced detail representation and more impressive display presence while remaining manageable for standard display cases and shelving. A typical destroyer measures 24-30 inches in length at 1/200 scale compared to 14-18 inches at 1/350, providing substantially more surface area for weathering, detailing, and rigging work without reaching the massive proportions of 1/144 or larger scales.
Compared to 1/700 scale ships, the 1/200 format offers nearly three times the linear dimensions, transforming tiny 1/700 destroyers measuring 8-10 inches into substantial 24-30 inch models with dramatically enhanced detail potential. This larger size allows practical installation of aftermarket photo-etched railings, turned metal gun barrels, and rigging that would be impossibly delicate at 1/700 scale. The increased surface area makes weathering techniques more forgiving and visible, allowing modelers to create realistic rust streaking, paint chipping, and sea spray effects that remain clearly visible from normal viewing distances.
Working in 1/200 scale requires adapted techniques that leverage the larger size while managing the increased part count and assembly complexity. Hull construction typically involves multiple parts requiring careful alignment and seam work along waterlines and deck edges, with liquid cement applied from the interior creating strong bonds without visible exterior seam lines. Superstructure assembly benefits from sub-assembly approaches where major components are painted and detailed before final installation, allowing access to interior details and reducing masking complexity during painting operations.
Rigging sailing ships at 1/200 scale demands proper materials and techniques, with appropriately sized thread or specialized rigging line providing scale-accurate thickness for standing and running rigging. Pre-drilling mast and hull attachment points ensures accurate rigging geometry and prevents damage to delicate components during line installation. Sails can be shaped using diluted white glue or specialized sail-setting solutions to create realistic billowing effects, with careful attention to wind direction ensuring all sails appear to catch the same breeze. Deck details including anchor chains, railings, and boat davits benefit from aftermarket photo-etched brass sets that provide scale-accurate thickness and crisp detail impossible to achieve with injection-molded plastic.
The larger surface area of 1/200 scale ships provides excellent opportunities for realistic weathering that captures the harsh marine environment's effects on painted steel and wooden decks. Rust streaking from deck fittings, anchor chains, and scuppers can be created using diluted rust-colored paints or specialized weathering products, applied vertically to simulate water runoff patterns. Salt spray effects on superstructure surfaces are achieved through light dry-brushing with white or light gray paints, concentrated on forward-facing surfaces and areas exposed to breaking waves. Paint chipping around high-traffic areas, hatches, and equipment reveals underlying red oxide primer or bare metal, adding visual interest and historical authenticity.
Wooden deck weathering requires different approaches, with washes settling into plank lines to enhance surface texture, dry-brushing highlighting raised plank edges and worn traffic patterns, and subtle color variation representing weathering, water staining, and holystoning effects. Modern warships benefit from subtle panel line washes that enhance surface detail without creating unrealistic contrast, light weathering around exhaust stacks and vents, and careful representation of non-skid deck surfaces using specialized paints or decals. The key to effective weathering at any scale is restraint and observation of reference photographs showing actual vessels in operational service.
Modelers working in 1/200 scale will find natural connections to our broader naval modeling catalog. Those seeking even larger versions of similar subjects can explore 1/144 scale offerings for truly massive battleship and carrier models, while enthusiasts interested in comprehensive fleet displays can browse smaller scales allowing entire task forces to be displayed together. The 1/200 scale provides the sweet spot for serious ship modelers seeking substantial display presence, enhanced detail potential, and manageable project scope without the overwhelming size and complexity of the very largest scales.
Whether you're building a World War II Pacific fleet with battleships and carriers, creating a modern destroyer squadron representing contemporary naval power, assembling a working vessel collection showcasing tugboats and research ships, or exploring historic whaling and sailing ship subjects, these precision 1/200 scale models deliver exceptional detail and impressive display presence in formats that balance ambition with practicality for dedicated naval modelers.