Naval Sea Systems Command

5. Where are display sites?

Listed locations have been loaned one or more U.S. Navy Department ship models. Precedence has been given here to sites with relatively easy public access and those with a larger quantity of Navy models. Many states have more than one site, but only one has been given here. The quality of models varies and locations are subject to change.

6. What are the major model materials?

Official Navy models are mostly "scratch-built" from wood and metal. Big portions of the model, like the hull and superstructure, are usually made from large pieces of pine, mahogany, or basswood. Smaller parts are made from aircraft plywood, brass, and copper. Plastic is rarely used. Parts are silver-soldered or attached together using screws, metal pins, and epoxy, white, or hide glues. Materials that last a long time and resist decay and corrosion are preferred. More information is available about model-building materials.

7. What are model builders?

Today, Navy models are made under contract by professional model building firms. The Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair made all of its models in-house until about 1910. From about 1910 until 1980 exhibition models were made for the Navy in naval and commercial ship yard model shops. With the general disappearance of ship yard model shops, almost all Navy models are now made by contract model builders. Our staff is able to make exhibition models under special circumstances.

8. Where are models of old ships made?

We occasionally make models of ships pre-dating 1883 for research, to fill in gaps in the collection, or to experiment with model conservation techniques. Navy museums sometimes independently commission models of older ships in order to enhance a particular exhibit. For a related answer, see also "Range of the Collection".

9. What models are made by the Gibbs and Cox Company?

The Gibbs & Cox Company, a ship design firm, maintained an extensive model workshop adjacent to their offices in New York City. Between about 1939 and 1962 their model shop made a limited number of models, primarily of ships. The U.S. Navy commissioned about 20 major models of its latest warships. Most of the models were ordered during World War II, but were not completed until after the war.

Some model builders and curators believe that Gibbs & Cox models are, arguably, the very finest examples of the steel ship modelers art ever to be seen. The United States Navy is very proud to own most of the exhibition ship models made by Gibbs & Cox.

This alphabetical listing includes only the first-class Gibbs & Cox models in the Navy collection. The collection also has many Gibbs & Cox half-hull plating models, machinery space models, demonstration models, and drawing room models.

Drawing room models usually depicted the ship from the waterline upward and represented only major elements on the exterior of the ship. Drawing room models were used as tools during the ship design process. They were usually not painted in colors and were subject to alterations as the design progressed.

Display locations are subject to change.

U.S. Navy Ship Models built by Gibbs & Cox Company

10. How do you buy, sell, donate and dispose of a model?

Buying models: Our office commissions models to be built of modern U.S. Navy ships. These models must be built to our specifications. Price quotes and schedules are asked of several qualified model building firms and our purchasing department usually awards the purchase order to qualified vendor offering the lowest price and the best delivery schedule. If you are a professional model builder and wish to be contacted regarding Navy ship model building commissions, please contact our office.

Selling models: As a component of the federal government, the U.S. Navy does not sell or repair models for the public. Official models are never sold, auctioned, or given away.

Donating models: Occasionally our office accepts models donated by the public to the collection from the public. The model must fill a need within the collection, conform to the general scope of the collection, and be of reasonable quality and durability. Donations must be without restriction. Therefore, the Curator may chose to display the donation, place the item in storage, trade the item, or dispose of the donation at any time. The Office of the Curator of Ship Models does not provide monetary appraisals of ship models and cannot advise anyone regarding the tax implications of charitable donations. Monetary appraisals of ships models is referenced elsewhere in our web site. If you are interested in donating a model to the collection, please contact us.

Some galleries which advertise that they sell finished ship models are:

Lannan Ship Models 540 Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02110 (617) 451-2650	David Air 8 Beach Street New York, NY 10013 212-925-7867
Arrangements Inc. P.O. Box 126 Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914-238-1300	Oceanart 4330 San Michell Court Kelowna, BC Canada V1W 2J3 604-764-40177
American Marine Model Gallery 12-SS Derby Street Salem, MA 01970 508-745-5777	Seacraft Classics 7850 Evans Road Suite 109 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 800-356-1987
Dockyard P.O. Box 303 Hamilton, NY 13346 315-824-2462	Wooden Ship Models 427-3 Amherst Street Suite 132 Nashua, NH 03064 603-882-8711

 

11. How do you loan models?

Available Navy ship models may be temporarily loaned to federal agencies; state and local governmental activities; and qualifying, established, non-profit and public educational institutions under special agreements. Models cannot be loaned to individuals, profit-making enterprises, or to ship reunions.

If you are a qualifying institution and are interested in learning more about the ship model loan process and requirements, please contact:

Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
Naval Sea Systems Command
2531 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22242-5160 (703) 602-1575

12. How do I learn about a particular model?

To find out if the Navy collection has a model of a particular ship, please write to us:

Office of the Curator of Ship Models, Code 301
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
9500 MacArthur Boulevard
West Bethesda, Maryland 20817-5700 USA

13.  How do I get a copy of: Fouled Anchors: The 'Constellation' Question Answered?  

In 1991 our office wrote a technical report finding that the ship Constellation displayed in Baltimore was not a frigate of 1797, but a sloop-of-war built in 1853. Copies of our 200 page report, Fouled Anchors: The Constellation Question Answered (1991) can be obtained for a fee through the Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, 5825 Port Royal Road, Springfield VA 94942; (703)487-4650. Ask for report AD A241-916. A PDF version of the report and some related articles can be downloaded from the following links: 

• Fouled Anchors: The Constellation Question Answered[24MB]
• “An Apple and an Orange: Two Constellations at Gosport, 1853-1855,” The American Neptune 52, #2 (Spring, 1992) [2MB]
• Query and Response, The American Neptune 52, #4 (Fall, 1992) [240KB]
• “The Frigate Strikes Her Colors,” The American Neptune 55, #3 (Summer, 1995) [2.6MB]
• Dana Wegner, Exhuming the Constellation, Naval History 17, #3 (June 2003): 24-30. Courtesy of Naval History magazine. [Links to article on U.S. Naval Institue web site - requires registration to access]
• Geoffrey Footner's Book, USS Constellation: From Frigate to Sloop: A Critical Review. Illustrated presentation delivered by Dana Wegner at the USS Constellation Symposium, Baltimore MD, April 30, 2003.
• Time Line and Annotated Bibliography of "The Constellation Question", 1848-2003[118KB]
• Detailed Commentary on Geoffrey Footner's book, USS Constellation: From Frigate to Sloop

14. Can I visit the curator of Navy ship models?

The David Taylor Model Basin is part of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division Headquarters, located in West Bethesda, Maryland. Because security classified tests of modern naval ship designs are frequently performed, the Center is not accessible for casual, general visiting.

Those wishing to tour the Center should schedule an appointment with the Public Affairs Office at 301-227-4465, Email: CRDIVCPAO@navy.mil. Those wishing to visit only the exhibition ship model unit should schedule an appointment with the Curator at 301-227-1140. Visitors are welcome, workload permitting.

There is no all-day public transportation to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in West Bethesda, MD. Private automobile is the best way to reach the location and travel within the multi-acre Center.

All visitors must be U.S. citizens, be at least fourteen years old, and must have picture identification. No cameras or recording devices are allowed.

15. What if I am a ship model building hobbyist?

There are a number of American and foreign periodicals available about ship model building and your local library can help you find them. There are many local ship model building clubs and several regional groups of specialized ship model associations.

For more information about clubs contact the Secretary, Nautical Research Guild.

16.  How do you repair ship models?

To avoid shipping problems, you will probably want to have your model repaired locally. Check with a local hobby shop for ship model builders in your area or contact the Secretary, Nautical Research Guild.

17. How do you appraise ship models?

As an agency of the federal government, our office does not provide for the public monetary appraisals of ship models. There are several commercial enterprises that offer this service. Some of them are: 

18. What does "museum quality" mean?

The term "museum quality" is sometimes used to describe a model which, in the speaker's opinion, is an example of superior work. "Museum quality" is a subjective appraisal with no official definition within the museum community.

19. About plastic model kits

Regardless of the materials from which they are made, model kits are a good way to learn about maritime history, ships, ship construction, to develop skills, and to have fun. Every member of our staff built model kits in his youth. We encourage you to contact a local hobby shop or surf the web to find out more about model kits of all types.

Some sites of interest related to plastic model ship model building include:

International Plastic Modelers' Society (IPMS)
Nautical Research Guild
Seaways' Ships in Scale Magazine