Building 1/1200 scale ship models is a branch of ship modelling with, among other things, the advantage that a varied collection of models demonstrating, for example, changes and progress in ship design and construction can be displayed in a comparatively small space. In the first part of this book, after discussing research, where to obtain data and plans, tools and materials, the author describes in detail the construction of these models, illustrating the text with photographs and diagrams, many of which related to deck and other fittings.

The second part contains 30 sets of plans reproduced full size for 1/1200 models, each accompanied by one or more photographs of the ship, a brief life history, notes on aspects of building the model, and details of the colour scheme. The ships range from the Cunard line "Campania" (1893) to the Great Lakes bulk carrier "Selkirk Settler" (1893), "Aquitania", "Titanic", the troopship "Devonshire" (1939), "Arundel Castle" (1921), "Minnesota" (1904), of the Great Northern Steamship Company (USA), "Nieuw Amsterdam" (1938), "Royal George" (1910), "Orcades" (1937) and several types of cargo ship. John Bowen is the author of "Waterline Ship Models" and "A Ship Modelmaker's Manual", and editor of "Scale Model Sailing Ships" and "Scale Model Warships".