Model Monkey 3D-printed Scale Models

Model Monkey 3D-printed Scale Models More than 3000 3D-printed products scale modelers. Our designs are developed from:

1. Subjects are selected without regard to political or cultural ideologies.
(1)

Our gray resin scale models are 3D-printed on our own 3D printers in our workshop in North Carolina, USA using state-of-the-art resin 3D printers. We design our models using sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software from the most authoritative references available. high-resolution scans of original manufacturers' blueprints, builders' and shipyard blueprints, and technical publications pu

blished or held by:

- Bundesmuseum (Germany)
- Bureau d'études de l'Atelier d'Issy-les-MoulineauX "AMX" (France)
- Imperial War Museum (United Kingdom)
- National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom)
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy
- US Air Force
- US Army
- US Army Air Forces
- US Coast Guard
- US Marine Corps
- US National Archives
- US Navy

2. measurements taken directly from surviving artifacts and museum aircraft, tanks and ships. Many of our designs benefit from the gracious assistance and advice of subject-matter experts, museum staff, researchers and noted historians.

​We gladly accept requests for custom text on nameplates. We do not accept requests for new products, alterations to existing designs, free research, or free products. We are not sufficiently resourced to be able to offer custom research and design services for individual modelers.

​Disclaimer: Model Monkey produces a wide variety of scale models representing historically significant subjects for hobbyists, educational institutions and museums. Model Monkey rejects and condemns any political or cultural ideology that promotes harm or hatred to, or exploitation of, anyone, anywhere.

US Navy aircraft carrier fans! A valued customer in Washington state is building a 1/350 scale Trumpeter kit of the Lex...
09/08/2026

US Navy aircraft carrier fans! A valued customer in Washington state is building a 1/350 scale Trumpeter kit of the Lexington-class aircraft carrier USS Saratoga CV-3 as she appeared circa 1936. He chose to replace his kit's island, funnel, boat pockets and 8"/55 cal. turrets with much more accurate Model Monkey products. Here are some photos of the newly updated 8" turrets we are sending to him.

Our Lexington-class 8" turrets were recently updated to include cannon barrels. Previously, the turrets included slotted trunnions so the modeler could use his or her own brass barrels. Since Lexington-class brass barrels appear to becoming harder to obtain from other sources, our turrets now include 3D-printed barrels.

The models feature extensive, accurate rivet detail. The set of 4 turrets includes 2 superfiring turrets with rangefinders at the rear, and 2 flight deck-sited turrets without rangefinders.

USS Lexington CV-2 and USS USS Saratoga CV-3 were originally constructed with these large 8" turrets as a protection against enemy cruisers. Guns were mounted in a turret sleeve and were elevated together. By 1942, the 8" turrets of both ships had been removed. In that year, Saratoga received more useful 5"/38 cal. Mk.32 twin-gun, dual-purpose mounts in their place. Lexington's 8" turrets were also removed but she was lost at the Battle of the Coral Sea before she could be fitted with 5" mounts.

The models are also available in other popular scales including 1/700 and 1/200. Models is these scales will include barrels, too, although catalog photos may not be updated yet.

And, of course, we offer spiffy nameplates for both ships of the class.

See these turrets and many others at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

US Navy heavy cruiser fans! A valued customer in Rhode Island is building a model of the Pensacola-class heavy cruiser ...
09/07/2026

US Navy heavy cruiser fans! A valued customer in Rhode Island is building a model of the Pensacola-class heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City CA-25 in 1/200 scale, perhaps from the Wydawnictwo WAK card model. He chose to equip his model with a newly updated set of Model Monkey turrets. Here are some photos of the turrets we sent to him.

The update includes barrels and refined exterior bolthead detail on Turrets 1 and 4. Previously, the set included slotted trunnions rather than barrels. Modelers could use their own brass barrels. But brass barrels for Pensacola-class ships may becoming difficult to obtain so we now include 3D-printed resin barrels with Pensacola-class sets in all available scales.

USS Pensacola CA-24 and USS Salt Lake City CA-25, the two members of the class, were handsome and fast ships, both surviving World War Two and both providing sterling service.

Compared to other US Navy heavy cruisers, the Pensacola-class ships featured an unusual 2-3-3-2 turret configuration. Turrets 1 and 4 were twin-gun turrets, dictated by the fine lines of the hull, too narrow for triple-gun turrets in those positions. Guns were mounted in a turret sleeve and were elevated together.

The models are also available in other popular scales including 1/700, 1/350 and 1/192. Models is these scales will include barrels although catalog photos may not be updated yet.

And, of course, we offer spiffy nameplates for both ships of the class.

See these turrets and many others at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

An example of how plastic kits are designed using 3D software: the Revell Harrier project.Disclaimer up front: we have n...
09/07/2026

An example of how plastic kits are designed using 3D software: the Revell Harrier project.

Disclaimer up front: we have no professional association with Revell other than as admirers and as a long-time customer.
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Many modern models are designed using 3D technology to achieve accuracy. Revell is presently working on a new tool 1/32 scale Harrier kit and is showing how the design work is being done through a series of wonderful YouTube videos.

In their latest video (August, 2026), Revell designers show how 3D scanning is used to help design the cockpit and other features.

For those not familiar with scanning technology tools like photogrammetry, you can clearly see how scanning tech creates a very crude 3D model that must be further refined manually in order to be usable. Scanning does not produce a ready-to-print or ready-to-mold model.

Scanning does, however, produce a 3D form from which a very accurate model can be designed through a technique some call "3D tracing".

See Revell 3D designers explain how it's done:

Уважаемые клиенты в России! С сожалением сообщаем, что мы по-прежнему не имеем возможности отправлять модели в Россию. Н...
07/29/2026

Уважаемые клиенты в России! С сожалением сообщаем, что мы по-прежнему не имеем возможности отправлять модели в Россию. Несмотря на то, что Почтовая служба США (USPS) возобновила отправку международных посылок класса First-Class International Package в Россию с 15 мая 2026 года, масштабные модели не соответствуют действующим правилам экспортного и таможенного контроля США в отношении России. Масштабные модели (код ТН ВЭД 9503) классифицируются как предметы роскоши и, следовательно, подпадают под торговые санкции, введенные Бюро промышленности и безопасности (BIS) при Министерстве торговли США.

При попытке отправить модели в Россию таможенная система США автоматически пометит такое отправление, что приведет к его отклонению, перехвату или конфискации еще до момента фактического вывоза из страны.

Мы искренне сожалеем о возникших неудобствах.

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Valued customers in Russia! We regret to report that we remain unable to ship models to Russia. Although the US Postal Service resumed First-Class International Package service to Russia effective 15 May 2026, scale models do not comply with current U.S. export and customs rules for Russia. Scale models, HS customs code 9503, are considered luxury items and are therefore restricted by trade sanctions enforced by the US Government Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

If we attempt to ship models to Russia, US customs software will automatically flag the package destined for Russia, resulting in the package being rejected, intercepted, or seized prior to domestic export.

We sincerely regret any disappointment.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

Iowa-class battleship fans! A valued customer in Saskatchewan, Canada is building the classic Hasegawa or Frog USS Miss...
07/23/2026

Iowa-class battleship fans! A valued customer in Saskatchewan, Canada is building the classic Hasegawa or Frog USS Missouri BB-63 kit in 1/450 scale. He chose to replace his kit's 5"/38 cal. Mk. 28 twin-gun mounts (turrets) with a highly detailed Model Monkey set.

Here are some photos of the newly updated mounts we sent to him. The update includes the addition of hand and foot rungs.

US Navy 5"/38 cal. twin-gun mounts are available in most popular scales in 3 different configurations:
- Mark 28 heavyweight mounts for fast battleships.
- Mark 32 mediumweight mounts for aircraft carriers, cruisers, post-Pearl Harbor reconstructed battleships, and some auxiliaries such as Wind-class icebreakers.
- Mark 38 lightweight mounts for Allen M. Sumner-class and Gearing-class destroyers, and other ships where weight was an important consideration.

See more Model Monkey products for battleships and many more subjects at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

And, of course, we offer nameplates in your choice of font for all ships of the Iowa class, including the never-finished USS Illinois BB-65 and USS Kentucky BB-66.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

Thank you for your patience!
07/16/2026

Thank you for your patience!

US Navy heavy cruiser fans! Avid ship modeler James Bird recently completed a beautiful model of the Northampton-class ...
07/11/2026

US Navy heavy cruiser fans! Avid ship modeler James Bird recently completed a beautiful model of the Northampton-class heavy cruiser USS Louisville CA-28 from the resin Blue Water Navy/Yankee Model Works kit in 1/350 scale. Jim chose to outfit his kit with Model Monkey 8" turrets and anchors. Here are some photos Jim shared with us.

USS Louisville was very active in the Pacific during World War Two, participating in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, bombardments of several Japanese-held islands including Eniwetok and Okinawa, and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She was repeatedly struck by Kamikazes on several occasions, suffering many crewmember losses including Rear Admiral Theodore E. Chandler, commander of Cruiser Division 4 and the badly burning of her captain, Rex LeGrande Hicks. Louisville survived the war and was scrapped about 1960. Louisville was awarded 13 battle stars for her service during World War II.

Wonderfully done, Jim!

See more Model Monkey products for US Navy cruisers and many more subjects at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

Lexington-class aircraft carrier fans! Valued customer Donald Grasmick recently completed an excellent model of USS Sar...
07/08/2026

Lexington-class aircraft carrier fans! Valued customer Donald Grasmick recently completed an excellent model of USS Saratoga CV-3 as she appeared circa 1936-1937 from the Trumpeter kit in 1/700 scale. He chose to replace his kit's island, funnel and 8" turrets with Model Monkey products. Here's a link to his inspiring "Sara" model on ModelWarships.com:
https://modelshipgallery.com/gallery/cv/cv-03/Saratoga-700-dwg/index.html

Beautifully done, Don!

See more Model Monkey products for aircraft carriers and many more subjects at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

USS Arizona BB-39 fans! We recently had a chance to update our USS Arizona December 7th, 1941 funnel model based on new...
07/05/2026

USS Arizona BB-39 fans! We recently had a chance to update our USS Arizona December 7th, 1941 funnel model based on new research. The model was originally designed more than 10 years ago. The update includes extensive, accurate exterior rivet and reinforcing strap detail as well as interior and exterior structural bracing for the boxy searchlight control stations on the funnel's sides.

Two valued customers, one in Tennessee and the other in Texas, chose to replace their 1/350 scale Banner/Hobby Boss/Eduard Arizona kit's funnel with our newly updated model. Below are some photos and renderings of the newly updated model in 1/350 scale we are sending to them. The model will shortly be made available in other popular scales as well.

Our funnel model is designed from the real funnel's actual construction drawings for maximum accuracy. Aftermarket Arizona funnel models offered by some other vendors appear to have a mix of features from different times. Or the funnel itself is inaccurately shaped, having more of an oval cross-section rather than an accurate ellipse. Some other models depict the funnel with it's original, short 1930 height, before its height was increased by 6 feet during a 1936 refit. The increase in height was intended to help better direct boiler exhaust gasses away from the superstructure. The other vendors' 1930 funnel model height is noticeably too short for 1941. Other models have fictional details that may look good on the model but were not present on the real funnel.

For these reasons, we think our model is superior.

See our newly updated funnel and many more fine models at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

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Fuquay-Varina, NC
27526

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