Disturbing posts. Naysayers abound in any community. Let me try to balance the conversation. My name is Marc Mosko, owner of Model Shipways dba Model Expo. In 1988 I acquired Model Shipways from John Shedd and Sam Malone and moved their manufacturing facility from Bogota, N.J. to Mt. Pocono, PA. In 1997 we moved from PA. to Florida where we are today at 1155 NW 159th Drive, Miami Gardens, FL.
In 1988 I was concerned about the declining sales of Model Shipways under original management so I engaged Jim Roberts and Ben Lankford to assist me in improving kit quality and converting solid hull model kits to plank-on-bulkhead, which the market dictated was the preferred method of construction.
We were the first in our industry in the U.S. to acquire laser cutting machines, which improved the fit and quality of wood parts. Today, we operate 12 high powered laser machines.
Then we threw out all of the lead castings and moved to Britannia Metal (pewter) thus avoiding the risk of cancer for our customers and employees. Note that Pewter costs 6 times as much as lead. European kits use Zamac, which is Zinc based and nearly impossible to file or shape. We will not use Zamac even though the cost is 1/4th of Pewter.
We then looked closely at fittings and found that many were crude and often times unusable, example: belaying pins cast in metal. We chose to re-design and have them made in machined brass in scale .... we did not have to go to Europe to include the clunky out of scale belaying pins now found in European kits. Yes, they cost more ... much more. Model Shipways used to cast their own blocks; then they invented a small machine to make their own wood blocks. Quality was acceptable but production so limited there was no way to make enough without building more machines and hiring additional people. Cost was outrageous. We turned to the only manufacturer of blocks in Europe who makes cheap blocks that one has to round and work the grooves. They are included in our kits. However, we offer more costly alternative blocks than more than satisfy. They are called, "Beautiful Blocks". They cost extra. If included in our kits the average kit price would soar to over 50% more.
Wood ... we use basswood grown and milled in the USA. Plywood is aircraft quality spruce. We use walnut for some parts and we do not use MDF.
Rigging ... After years of pursuing sources for Irish linen, which seemed to be the best possible rigging line we gave up due to lack of dimensions and reliable supply sources. Contrary to many European kit manufacturers who offer but one or two diameters of bland colored rigging in their kit, Model Shipways includes up to four diameters and colors (brown for running and black for standing) in our kits. As important is the quality. Ours is not Chinese hemp but Made in Germany by Griffin ... threads used for fine pearl stringing. The advantages are 1) does not stretch even after years of being strung tightly and 2) knots easily. We have found no better rigging line at any price. We could easily save money but don't.
We understand that modelers improve with age and experience. Eventually, the best become scratch builders as their creative needs are satisfied and their final product better. I'm a business man who loves our hobby and wants to make it grow, I am investing in the future. We need more ship model builders and the best way to find them is to create them. For that reason over a million families saw our 2-page ad, ($30,000 cost) in Smithsonian Magazine - April-May edition, 2024 titled, "Discover the World's Oldest Hobby" offering a Lowell Banks Dory with tools, paint and glue for the beginner model builder. The same ad appears in Facebook and Instagram. Again, in the July-August Smithsonian magazine a similar ad will appear. We are selling hundreds of small boats with tools, paint and glue each month; all the while growing the community of ship model builders in the U.S.A. Find us on social media, printed magazines,
I could go on. However, in my office I have a collection of the old Model Shipways kits, many of which have been converted to present Model Shipways kits. I invite all to visit our factory, showroom and compare the new with the old with the European. We are open Mon-Thurs 8-6, Fri 8-12.
We welcome you.
P.S. I forgot to mention that we have increasing sales in Europe through more than 10 importing European distributors who sell to stores and web merchants from the UK to Poland and mostly in Italy and Germany. We might be doing something right. Also, for those of you who know and appreciate Midwest Products boat kits. Two years ago we signed a long term agreement with Midwest. We are now the manufacturers and distributors world-wide. Model Shipways in 1988 employed 3 people and kit production was less than one thousand per year. And in 1988 Model Shipways was being driven out of business by European kits. Today, Model Shipways produces over 1500 kits per month and is America's leading producer of wood model ship kits. Made in USA is a certification we are proud of.
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