Boats & Ships

Welcome to Our Giant Selection of Nautical Themed Model Kits

Nearly everyone at some stage has built and painted a model Spitfire and with the huge offering of model kits we have, it’s easy to catch the bug and want to construct many more.  Model kit building is an incredibly satisfying hobby and offers outstanding value for money when you look at the cost of the kit and the time you spend enjoying the build.  It’s an activity that all the (older) members of the family can enjoy and one that teaches you a wide range of useful skills.

Model kits are usually supplied boxed without paints or glue but ‘starter sets’ or ‘gift sets’ include everything you need to get going aside from the hand tools you will need.  Inside the box, you get a number of sprues.  On each sprue there is a selection of numbered parts.  You carefully remove the parts from the sprue using a hobby knife or cutters, prepare the edges and then, carefully following the provided instructions, glue the parts together using a specialist adhesive.  Eventually you will create an incredibly realistic scale version of the real thing which is then ready for painting.  Traditionally, enamel paints were used (supplied in small tinlets) but these days, acrylic (water based) paints are just as popular.  These are all numbered and are colour matched for prototypical shades.  Your paint job can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose and although most people use conventional paintbrushes, some will use an airbrush.  Don’t forget your modelling masking tape which is definitely your friend, especially when painting camouflage.  The kit is then finished using decals and stickers which you can seal with a varnish.

We offer a huge range of boats and ships from the British market leader Airfix alongside the number 1 brand in Europe (Revell) and the top choice in Japan (Tamiya).  We also stock the market leading brand in France (Heller) and one of the top choices in Italy (ItalerI) alongside the Belgian brand Belkits and the eclectic AIP range from the UK so you can be assured we have all bases covered.  Almost every available subject and every scale is catered for here, as are the full supporting ranges of paints, glues and tools.

With everything from Historic Galleons, Warships, Battleships, Passenger Liners and Small Boats - we’re confident that you’ll find something to excite you.  With iconic subjects such as the Titanic, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, there’s no excuse not to get building.

We are one of the largest suppliers of Model Kits in the UK and our experienced expert team (some of whom are Model Kit builders themselves) are on hand to guide you with any advice or suggestions you might need. Get building Model Kits by buying top brands such as Airfix, Revell, Tamiya, Heller, Belkits and AIP directly from Gaugemaster – the model shop for BIG imaginations.