Book List compiled by robert952
Explanation of BOAR:
Beginners: Good book for beginning modelers.
Overview: Not directly related to model building. Naval history, general stories, etc.
Advanced: Advanced modelers. Mainly those who scratch build.
Rivet counters: I term that I picked up from a friend into G-scale railroads. It came from the fact that a magazine he subscribes to actually had a review of a locomotive model. In the review the reviewer pointed out that the number of rivet heads on the boiler front plate was incorrect. I have found the term popping up in other groups (rec.models.scale for example) so it must be more common then I thought.  
#
BOAR
Title
Author
ISBN
Comments
1
A
Modeling a Tudor Ship
Batson, R K
NONE
A briefing on how to build a period ship with some details for a 16th century ship. No plans included though there is mention of a plan for a galleon in the text.
2
A
Period Ship Modeling
Batson, R K
NONE
Covers the details of and Elizabethan galleon such as the deck furnishings and fittings.
3
O,R
The Art of Rigging
Biddlecombe, George
0-486-26343-6
A book that reads like a dictionary because that's what it is (at least the first few parts. Covers every line, rope, block and tackle used to rig a real ship. Includes the sequence used to rig a ship.
4
B
The Neophyte Ship Modeler's Jackstay
Campbell, George F
NONE
Produced by Model Shipways, the book summarizes the steps of model building for the beginner. Various methods of construction of the details is fully covered.
5
O,R
The History of the American Sailing Navy, the Ships and their Development
Chapelle, Howard I
1-56852-2223
The title says it all. From Colonial America thought 1855, sailing ships only (no ironclads or steam ships). Many hull line drawings throughout the book.
6
O
The Baltimore Clipper, Its Origin and Development
Chapelle, Howard I
0-486-25765-7
History this specific type of ship and its role in history. This ship type was very prevalent during the War of 1812 and it use in the slave trade.
7
A
Building a Galleon
Coleman, H S
NONE
A book that covers the construction of a model of the Golden Hind and includes plans for building the model.
8
O
The Book of Old Ships form Egyptian Galley to Clipper Ships
Culver, Henry B
0-486-27332-6
Very brief overview of the evolution of ships. A few paragraphs about each type and how the name ship came to be.
9
A
The Ship Model Builder's Assistant
Davis, Charles
0-48625-584-0
A good book for more advanced modelers covering some history along with construction techniques for modeling. Tables covering details such as ratios of mast sizes and similar topics.
10
B
The Built-up Ship Model
Davis, Charles
0-486-26174-3
Good beginners book if you want to tackle a scratch built ship using plank on frame construction. In addition to covering methods and techniques, he relates the bits and pieces of the model to the real ships they represent.
11
B
Ship Models - How to Build Them
Davis, Charles
0-486-257170-5
A beginners book for scratch building a solid hull model. Covers the basics and includes a 2 sheet plan of a sailing boat to get you started.
12
O,R
Museum Quality Ship Models
Dept of Ship Model Sales and Service
0-93510-006
Produced at Mystic Seaport. The epitome of model making is making one so highly detailed and accurate as to pass the scrutiny of experts. This "pamphlet" (it is only 8 pages) covers the details and rules for a true scale model. It also includes a checklist and method for rating model ships.
13
A
Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders
Dresser, Donald
0-8306-2868-1
While there is useful information for beginners, this is a more advanced look at an important part of ship modeling. The book provides an explanation of how a hull is constructed then explains how to duplicate the methods in a model. All aspects of hull and deck planking are covered.
14
O
Handbook of Knots and Splices
Gibson, Charles
1-56619-771-6
From the construction to the care of ropes and all its uses. Tells how to tie simple knots to complex plaits that can be used for decoration. Every aspect of ropes and knots covered.
15
B
Ship Models Illustrated
Harman, F Ward
NONE
A good collection of sketches on the details of a ship model. A lot of these drawings from this book (published in 1945) show up in other publications such as the Neophyte's Jackstay.
16
A
How to Make a Clipper Ship Model
Hobbs, Edward W
NONE
A book that covers a solid hull (lift method) construction of a clipper ship (Lock Torrens). Includes several sheets in the books of plans.
17
B
Ships in Bottles - A Step by Step Guide to a Venerable Nautical Craft
Hubbard, Donald, Commander, USN, Retired
0-9436-6500-0
A great beginner's book. From preparation of the bottle to shipping a model you sold, every aspect is covered. (In case you wonder, you build the ship first then slide into the bottle. How, you ask. Read the book.)
18
A
Model Ship Building
Johnson, Gene
0-87033-369-0
General look at modeling with details on deck furnishings. Includes material on ships with sails as well as World War I and World War II ships.
19
R
Lusci's Ship Model Builder's Handbook
Lusci, Vincenzo
None
Another vintage book (1920) that is a very detailed set of instructions for assembling a kit of the Revenge (Mantua Models). But this is not the instruction sheets of the kit. Following the instructions are some looks at other notable ships
20
R
A Modeler's Guide to Hull Construction
Mansir, A Richard
NONE
After a brief lesson in naval architecture (no not belly buttons), there are detailed looks at plank on frame construction for models which closely match prototypes. Quoting one of the blurbs, it is a "timber by timber breakdown".
21
O
A modeler's Guide to Ancient and Medieval Ships to 1650
Mansir, A Richard
0-9406-2005-7
An overview of ships and their history. No information on modeling techniques. It does contain many pictures of models that show details of constructed models
22
B
Ship Modeling Simplified
Mastini, Frank
0-87742-272-9
Probably the best beginner's book as it looks at assembling a model from a kit (no specific kit though the book assumes that one of the Italian kits will be used). Clear and concise illustrations. Covers all stages of construction. Includes Italian-English glossary.
23
B
Ship Model Making, How to Make Worthwhile Models of Decorative Ships
McCann, E, Armitage, Capt.
None
Written in 1926, this covers the general steps to creating a couple of models. The book covers many details of the hobby.
24
A
Modeling the Revenge
Millward, C N
NONE
This book covers the rigging details of an Elizabethan galleon.
25
R
Historic Ship Models
Mondfeld, Wolfran Zu
0-806-95733-6
If you want details and history of model ships and superb examples of workmanship, this is the book. Any aspect you can think of is covered, many in side by side historic comparison. Even items such as ships bells and gun port shutters are looked at in detail.
26
O,R
Treatise of Artillery, 1780
Muller, John
0-9193-671-9
Originally written in 1780, this is a highly detailed book that includes all measurements, ratios, and drawings of period guns. The beauty of this is that it was written as a treatise on the subject at the time the weapons were in use.
27
O
The Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower
Parkinson, C Northcote
0-7607-0944
A biography of (guess who). Recounts the various stories and events around Hornblower's career.
28
A
The Dory Model Book
Payton, Howard "Dynamite" Payton
0-9378-2245-0
Step by step instructions for building 3 different types of dorys using a plug method (a piece of wood in the general shape of the boat). You create the plug, plank outside the plug, remove the plug and detail the boat. The author states the plans in the book can be enlarged and used for construction. Or you can buy sets from the author directly.
29
B
Boat Modeling the Easy Way - A Scratch Builder's Guide
Payton, Howard "Dynamite" Payton
1-8772-2203-0
Using the drawings in the book (enlarged to the percentage indicated), this easy to follow step by step guide leads you through the construction of 10 different models. It covers many details such as working in plastic (for windshields) and resin (for dories on the sailing boat).
30
B
Building Model Ships from Scratch
Porter, Ken
0-8306-7907-3
Using the lift method (solid hull) and plank on frame it is a very straight forward book with step by step instructions.
31
B
How to Build a Better Sailing Ship Model
Revel Modeling Handbook
NONE
Though the book covers plastic kits, there are details that are useful, particularly covering detailing and rigging.
32
B
Ship Modeling From Stem to Stern
Roth, Milton
0-8306-2844-4
Excellent book that covers methods of planking and detailing a model. Includes instructions for making many tools useful to the ship modeler.
33
O
Wooden Boats - In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard
Ruhlman, Michael
0-965-01978-8
A chronicle of people who build and restore wooden working boats.
34
O,A
Lines and Lofting and Half Models
Simmons, Walter J
0-9249-4706-3
(Oh my!) The book is really written for people interested in building prototype boats and not models, per se. However, the first part is creating a half hull model of a boat. Then, the lessons and explanations cover all the lines you see on plans and views of boats and ships. The book goes over methods to measure models and boats how to use that data.
35
O
The Confederate Navy
Stern, Philip Van Doren
0-306-80488-3
History of the Confederate Navy from 1861 Nov 1865. Photos and period line drawings. Good overview if you are interested in the evolution that led to the ironclads and modern battleships.
36
A
Build This Model of the Flying Cloud
Tate, James
NONE
Using a ser of plans (not included) it goes through the building of a model using the lift method.
37
B
Secrets of Ships in Bottles
Thorne, Peter
0-85344-0638
Step by step beginners book of this more artful side of the hobby. (In case you wonder, you build the ship first then slide into the bottle. How, you ask. That's the secret.)
38
A
Modeling the Golden Hinde
Tucker, Arthur L, editor
0-85177-078-9
From the Model Shipwright out of Greenwich, London, the book covers general instructions (and includes plans) on building a "representative" model. Includes a set of modeler's plans and a history of Sir Francis Drake's world wind tour.
39
O
Ships in bottles of the World
Unknown
NONE
Members of the Ships in Bottles Association contributed to this book. It is a picture book of ships in bottles. The book includes 20 pages of tips on building these models and lists all the modelers whose work appeared in the book. Another interesting aspect is that the book is in Japanese and English.
40
O
The Golden Hinde
Unknown
NONE
Chronicles the building of the replica Golden Hinde in 1971-73. It looks like either a fund raiser or museum store booklet.