Sheet Metal

Metal and sheet metal for model shipbuilding

Sheet metal for model shipbuilding is used for numerous structural and decorative details on historical and modern model ships. Thin sheets and metal strips can be cut, bent, embossed and soldered, making them ideal for the bespoke construction of fittings, panelling and other scale-accurate components.

In our range, you will find brass sheet, copper sheet, brass strips, copper tape and copper plates for the hull planking of historical model ships. A variety of material thicknesses and dimensions allow for both very fine detail work and more robust constructions.

Copper plates for the hull planking of historical ships

Copper plays a particularly significant role in historical ship modelling. From the late 18th century onwards, the underwater hulls of numerous sailing ships were clad with copper plates. This copper cladding protected the wooden hull against fouling and shipworms, amongst other things.

In a detailed historical model, this characteristic copper plating of the underwater hull can be reproduced to scale. To this end, we offer ready-made copper plates in various dimensions and for different model scales.

The individual plates are attached to the hull either in an overlapping pattern or in regular rows, in keeping with the historical model. This creates the typical structure of a copper-plated ship’s hull.

Copper sheet and copper strip for bespoke work

Copper sheet is ideal for crafting customised panels, fittings or cladding. Thin copper is easy to cut, shape and emboss, and can be used, for example, for hull details, fittings or custom-cut copper panels.

Self-adhesive copper tape enables particularly fine metalwork and, depending on the model, can be used, for example, for narrow cladding, edging or other details.

Brass sheet for fittings and technical details

Brass sheet in ship model making is a versatile material for making small metal parts yourself. It is suitable, for example, for fittings, hinges, tabs, brackets, reinforcements and numerous other details on the deck, hull and superstructure.

Thanks to its good workability, brass can be sawn, cut, drilled, filed and soldered. Thin brass sheet is particularly suitable for delicate components, whilst thicker sheets can be used for sturdier constructions.

Brass strips are also useful for building narrow fittings, reinforcements and custom metal parts.

Realistically depicting rivets and plate joints

When it comes to the metal cladding of historic ships, it is not only the plates themselves but also the way they are fastened that plays an important role. Using a riveting roller, you can emboss regularly spaced rows of rivets or nails into thin metal sheets.

This allows copper plates, metal cladding and other components to be rendered much more realistically. Particularly at larger scales, a neatly rendered rivet pattern contributes significantly to the model’s authentic appearance.

Brass and copper for scratch-building and restoration

Metal sheets are also ideal for scratch-building in ship modelling. Missing or damaged fittings can be custom-made, and existing kits can be enhanced with additional details.

Discover our selection of brass sheet, copper sheet, copper strip and copper plates for ship modelling – for hull planking, fittings, metal cladding and custom detailing on your model ship.