Model Boats

First published over 50 years ago, this great old magazine will be perfect for you if you like building model boats or just enjoy soaking up all of the elements of this huge hobby. Covering every type of model boat including, warships, tugs, lifeboats, historical ships, ferries, submarines and yachts to name a few. Both ‘seaworthy’ remoted controlled vessels through to static display models are featured as well as conversions, modifications, hints and tips and general ‘brain-storming’ ideas to get your juices flowing! Each issue features kit and model reviews, show and club reports and news from the boat modelling world. Model Boats magazine publishes 12 great issues a year.

Model Boats

WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 2026 ISSUE OF MODEL BOATS

Compass 360 • If you have a news story for these pages, please contact the Editor, Lindsey Amrani, via e-mail at editor@modelboats.co.uk

Understanding hull fundamentals • Antonio Alcaraz covers the most important considerations

CUX 87 • Is Billing Boats latest incarnation of this 1:33 scale kit worth netting? vTomasz Klyszynski provides a hands-on working boat build review

The King of Hearts Part 1 • Neil Witt turns his hand to the restoration of a 1:12 scale Norfolk Broads’ cruiser

A lot of punch for a little wooden box! • Nick Brown recounts how three generations of his family came together to work on a breathtakingly fast 1:12 scale World War II Coastal Motor Boat

Sil (M-27) • Antonio Alcaraz presents Gonzalo del Busto’s magnificent 1:40 scale model of this Spanish minesweeper

Photo etch basics • Richard Simpson provides a beginner’s guide

HMS Warspite, 1944 • Chenghao Jiang shares details of the modifications and enhancements he’s made to Trumpeter’s 1:700 scale kit for this legendary Royal Navy battleship, with some handy tips and tricks thrown in along the way…

The Not Much • Looking for a project that offers a bit of a challenge but isn’t going to cost the Earth? Then Eric Belshaw’s fun, budget-friendly, ‘spares box’ airboat design may provide some inspiration…

The carrier that was put on ice • John Parker reflects on a ‘truth can be stranger than fiction’ World War II experiment, and the cold, hard facts it presents as a modelling project

Servo mounting and linkages • Glynn Guest provides a quick tutiorial

BOILER ROOM • Richard Simpson reviews an innovative new valve that may just prove disaster averting

Your Models • Whether you’re highly skilled and experienced or completely new to the hobby, you’re definitely invited to this launch party! So please keep the contributions coming by emailing your stories and photos to editor@modelboats.co.uk

Next month in model Boats • In the November 2026 issue, on sale from Friday, October 16, don’t miss…