Model Expo - Model Shipways

08/20/2026

While searching for new products and irresistible deals, we discovered a large assortment of Dumas kits sitting in someone else’s warehouse.

We did what any sensible hobby store with limited warehouse space would do.

We bought them all.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Dumas was one of America’s oldest model kit manufacturers. Founded in 1946, the company produced model boats, airplanes, and running hardware for 80 years before closing its doors a few months ago.

It means these kits are not being manufactured anymore.

The assortment has now arrived at Model Expo, where we have somehow found room for it.

There are many different models, but only a few of each.

Variety, yes.
Depth of inventory, not particularly.

You can save 25% on the entire shipment:

⚓ Dumas boat models
✈️ Dumas airplane models
🔩 Dumas Running Hardware

So please, take a look at the final Dumas inventory while it's still inventory and not a collection of sold-out product pages.

07/20/2026

⚓ HUGE SHIPMENT SPECIAL: Billing Boats U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Boat — $129.99 → $44.99

We bought big. You save big.

This is the rugged Coast Guard rescue boat based on the famous 44-foot Motor Lifeboat — the kind of vessel built for the days when the weather report says "maybe stay inside."

Surf. Wind. Breaking seas. Bad visibility.
This was the boat the Coast Guard sent anyway.

As a 1:40 scale kit, it hits a great sweet spot for builders:
✅ Pre-molded plastic hull — no planking from scratch
✅ Wood parts, fittings & rigging for a real boat-building feel
✅ Full-size plans + upgraded photo manual
✅ Great for first-timers stepping up from plastic kits, and a satisfying build for experienced modelers too

We brought in a large shipment (not an infinite one).
At this price, inventory won't last. We hope...

🔥 Was $129.99. Now $44.99.
📦 While stocks last.
👉 Shop Now

01/20/2026

Five decades of sawdust, rigging thread, tiny brass cannons, and the occasional heroic attempt at properly fitting a bow plank.

To celebrate, we’re throwing a party Model Expo style

Two days only.
Everything is 50% off.
(Except Proxxon)

Ship kits. Aircraft kits. Trailways. Guns of History. Tools. Paint. Plans. Fittings.
That thing you’ve been meaning to buy since 2014.

This is not a “grab a little something” sale.
This is a “make a list, check it twice, feed the stash for winter, spring, summer, and whatever comes after that” sale.

Backorders welcome — if it’s not in stock, we’ll reserve it for you

Huge shipments already on the way from Europe (Billing Boats, Mantua, Mamoli, Corel, Dusek, and friends)

Stock your shelves.
Prepare for winter.
Prepare for spring.
Feed your Stash.

Thank you for 50 extraordinary years of building with us.

Valid until 1/21/26

P.S. If you’ve ever said, “I’ll buy that later,”
this is later.

08/11/2025

Mr. Daryl Rosenblatt has been a loyal Model Expo customer for a long, long time. Now, he’s taking things to the next level — he’s been invited to teach a class on Wooden Model Ship Building at the prestigious Marc Adams School of Woodworking.

And if that wasn’t enough to make us beam with pride — because, let’s face it, we’ll take any excuse to get more people hooked on wooden model building — he picked our 18th Century Longboat Model Ship Kit in 1:48 scale as the star of his course. That’s like sending your kid to school and having them win “Best in Show” on the first day.

If you happen to be near Franklin, IN — or you’re willing to make the pilgrimage — you’re in for an awesome experience (and maybe a few new callouses).

More info here:
https://www.marcadams.com/workshop/intro-wood-model-ship-building-rosenblatt/

06/17/2025

From our new customer, Jimmy Eckman

"I saw this advertisement. I'd been looking for another hobby for a diversion from my real art and hobbies. I researched and shopped and came back to the Jenny and pulled the trigger.
It showed up in just a couple days and I opened the box. And oh my goodness- what have I got myself into. Daunting. No matter. I started building balsa wood airplanes right around 1960 and have memories of T pins and glue . Dope was done on the dining room table.
I can do this. Magnification and patience will see me through. When you open the $250 box, it doesn't look like a lot of stuff. Pretty good plans and instructions it seems. I have a plan how to get started and see it through.
I'll turn 70 next week and I have a Stearman biplane ride scheduled and a model to build. It's all pretty exciting"

Looking forward to see the Jenny, built, Mr. Eckman!

05/21/2025

https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxgFDXFqocCroUAaHwFlfFotLtvETmq0wK

33 seconds · Clipped by Modelexpo Marketing · Original video "Ep.02 - GROUP BUILD - Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack - Midwest KIT - SKELETON" by Olha Batchvarov

04/29/2025

Message from the new ship builder, James Vance:

"About 14 years ago I ran across a book called "Building Model Ships from Scratch" by Kent Porter. I immediately started gaining interest in model ship building, but was very intimidated by the seemingly complicated process of constructing model ships from scratch.

As I began to discover some websites offering model ship kits, I was drawn back in, but then intimated yet again by the cost and complexity of the larger models (no one wants to spend a bunch of money on something they could mess up).

It wasn't until recently, when my father mentioned to me that he had considered gifting me a model ship for my birthday, that I thought to myself "Oh yeah! I've been wanting to do that for a long time!". After the desire to get into model ship building was re-ignited, I once again started perusing the model ship sites, looking at all the complex models and those old, intimidating feelings started to come back.

But then I realized: nobody said I had to start off with some massive Galleon model. That's when I ran across the Lowell Grand Banks Dory kit, which I used as my introduction to model ship building. I'm really glad I started with that since it allowed me to learn about the process while still building a super fun model, and is fueled my desire to move on the the next model.

I may not be ready to build "Queen Anne's Revenge" just yet, but I know with enough practice I just might get there!"

01/21/2025

Be the First Kid on the Block to Have it!

The brand new Italeri Lancia stratos HF Gr.4 Monte Carlo 1977 - Scale 1:12 is available only at Model Expo, ready to be shipped.

And on sale!

11/13/2024

"When I first saw the Dory promotion and the pictures associated with it I noticed the older group of people, like myself.
Aiden is 8 years old and enjoyed watching me build Model Shipway’s USS Constitution. I thought the Dory promotion would be an excellent way to get Aiden involved in his first ship.
The ship was a surprise present which he was extremely excited about.
The instructions were simple and Aiden was able to read them ( and with a little help) understand them.
At eight years old, his attention span was a bit lacking. The best part of the instructions (which I kept repeating over and over) was that ship building takes patience, it’s not a race. As Aiden and I built the Dory, I decided to do a scratch build myself while Aiden did the kit.
During the project we found Aiden didn’t care much for sanding (wooden ships need sanding!) He told me that when he’s 12 he’ll like to sand 😄.
Aiden and I thank Model Expo for this opportunity. I’m sure he’ll do more in the future. "

Jim