Model Boat Books
A list of model boat books that will help you complete model boats from scratch or kits
A lot of model boat books have been published over the years. I've read, and own, quite a few of them. Down below are some the books I have in my current library, and a brief review about them. Many are out of print, but mentioned for a couple of reasons. First, many can be picked up used for cheap, and secondly, by giving a brief review I'll share what the essence of the book is, so you can hopefully assess if there is another source for the information online or in print elsewhere.
Not all are geared toward model builders or building, but have what I consider valuable information for those getting into this hobby.
The books on this page can be divided into the following categories:
Scratch Building:
- Historic Models
- Working Models, including RC
- Subject matter, such as RC sailing, Live Steam, RC Tug Boats etc.
Kit Building:
- Specific kits
- General building and finishing techniques
Reference Books:
- Special model construction methods
- Real life references, methods and practices
- Historical Subjects
Books for Working Models
Books by Vic Smeed
Even if they are a little dated today, these books are classics on the subject. Based in the UK, from the 1950s, Vic Smeed was a very prolific author of books on various model building subjects, creator of construction drawings, and contributor and even editor of model building magazines.
Despite the look and different titles, Boat Modelling and Scale Model Ships by Vic Smeed contain about 3/4 the same information. Scale Model Ships has a few more pages.
The subject matter is pretty wide and the books are small and thin (128-158 pages) so most of the subjects are described very briefly, but give a good overview of the hobby.
Boat Modelling was first published in the 1950s, and Scale Model Ships in the 1980s, so a lot of modern technology is absent, such as modern batteries, RC other than 27MHz FM briefly, brushless motors etc.
There are no plans in either of these books that you can build a model from.
If you want to pick up a copy they're both available on Amazon at the moment. You can follow these links:
Scale Model Ships by Vic Smeed
Scale Model Tugs
First published in 2009, this book is a good resource if you're thinking of building a radio controlled tug.
There are lots of pictures in black & white and it is a relatively large format, so in that respect you get a lot for your money.
First six out of 15 chapters discuss different types of tugs from pusher and river tugs to ocean going and everything in-between.
It continues through chapters on material and tools before getting into the building. These chapters, and those that follow on power source, control, details and finishing are universal for most model boats for RC.
As with the Vic Smeed books, because of the time it was published it is not up to date on some technological advances in brushless motors, ESCs and controls, but does a comprehensive job in covering all aspects of building a tug. In essence, you could complete a model with a set of plans and this book as your only resource.
Curiously, it is one of a few books that also has a chapter on live steam as a power source. If that's your think, this could be a good resource.
To purchase this book from Amazon, use the link below:
Scale Model Tugs by Tom Gorman
