Ships in Scale magazine called our best-selling manual for the first-time kit-builder, Ship Modeling Simplified, a "Bible for the novice modeler." Model Ship Builder said "the only problem with this book is that it should have come out years ago." Now comes the next logical step, a book on building ship models without kits, form Edwin Leaf, past president and resident guru of the prestigious Philadephia Ship Model Society. Following the proven format of Ship Modeling Simplified, here is the first complete, step-by-step course in building model ships from scratch--everything from schooners and clipper ships to modern ocean-going freighters and steel warships. This book covers in detail everything the first-time scratch-builder needs to know: choosing the right subject, building from plans, drawing scaled plans from photographs, and buying tools and materials. It also covers building half models, planked hulls, lapstrake hulls, plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, lift models, modern ships, ancient ships, masting and rigging, sails and flags. Sources and an illustrated glossary are included.