Model Monkey 3D-printed Scale Models

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Model Monkey 3D-printed Scale Models

More than 3000 3D-printed products scale modelers. Our designs are developed from:

1. Subjects are selected without regard to political or cultural ideologies.
(1)

Our gray resin scale models are 3D-printed on our own 3D printers in our workshop in North Carolina, USA using state-of-the-art resin 3D printers. We design our models using sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software from the most authoritative references available. high-resolution scans of original manufacturers' blueprints, builders' and shipyard blueprints, and technical publications pu

blished or held by:

- Bundesmuseum (Germany)
- Bureau d'études de l'Atelier d'Issy-les-MoulineauX "AMX" (France)
- Imperial War Museum (United Kingdom)
- National Maritime Museum (United Kingdom)
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy
- US Air Force
- US Army
- US Army Air Forces
- US Coast Guard
- US Marine Corps
- US National Archives
- US Navy

2. measurements taken directly from surviving artifacts and museum aircraft, tanks and ships. Many of our designs benefit from the gracious assistance and advice of subject-matter experts, museum staff, researchers and noted historians.

We gladly accept requests for custom text on nameplates. We do not accept requests for new products, alterations to existing designs, free research, or free products. We are not sufficiently resourced to be able to offer custom research and design services for individual modelers.

Disclaimer: Model Monkey produces a wide variety of scale models representing historically significant subjects for hobbyists, educational institutions and museums. Model Monkey rejects and condemns any political or cultural ideology that promotes harm or hatred to, or exploitation of, anyone, anywhere.

05/21/2026

US Navy battleship fans! Happy to announce that a USS Pennsylvania BB-38 Boat Deck, Casemate and Cranes model, as the ship appeared at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, is now available in 1/350 scale. Link:
https://www.model-monkey.com/product-page/1-350-uss-pennsylvania-bb-38-boat-deck-and-casemate

The model will be available in 1/700 scale and 1/429 scale (for Revell) shortly.

The model is intended to help build USS Pennsylvania BB-38 from your 1/350 scale USS Arizona BB-39 model kit.

Although Pennsylvania and Arizona were sisterships, they were not identical twins. This model captures the many conspicuous differences between Pennsylvania's boat deck, casemate, and cranes, and Arizona's.

Features:
- Overall dimensions and features scaled from official US Navy construction drawings of the actual ship obtained from the US National Archives.
- Accurately shaped deck, vents, and splinter shields.
- Accurate asymmetric splinter shielding configuration. Splinter shields on the real ship were not mirrored port and starboard.
- Forward 1.1-inch "Chicago Piano" circular splinter shield tubs correctly positioned for Pennsylvania (Arizona's tubs were positioned slightly further aft).
- Incinerator exhaust pipe (Pennsylvania's incinerator was located below the boat deck within the casemate and therefore not visible. - Arizona's incinerator was positioned on the boat deck.)
- Subtle plank detail.
- Deck edge waterways.
- Subtle recesses for forward superstructure and funnel, available separately.
- Recess for funnel is an accurate ellipse, not an incorrect oval with slab sides, and matches the footprint of the Model Monkey-designed Pennsylvania funnel available separately.
- Doors of the correct 3-bar type.
- Skylights, hatches, doors, ready service ammunition lockers and ammunition hoists accurately sized and located on the boat deck and within the casemate, in positions and configuration unique to Pennsylvania (Arizona's were different).
- Accurate portholes (properly called "airports") of the correct size (standard US Navy 11-1/4" diameter), properly positioned, with rigols (eyebrows). (Arizona's portholes did not have rigols.)
- Accurate vegetable locker bulkhead ventilation louvers (Arizona's louvers were different).
- Subtle, raised bases for 5"/25 cal. anti-aircraft guns (guns not included).
- Accurate and detailed fresh water tanks properly positioned on the starboard side of the funnel (Arizona did not have fresh water tanks on the boat deck).
- Accurate antenna trunks (Arizona's trunks were positioned differently.)
- Accurate fire hose configuration.
- Motion picture camera projection room partially surrounding the port side boat crane kingpost.
- Accurately located interior bulkheads surrounding the 5"/51 cal. anti-ship cannon stations (guns not included). Interior bulkheads include ammunition hoist and door detail.
- Integrated barbette for 14"/45 cal. triple-gun Turret No. 2 (turrets available separately). Barbette includes accurate footrail and handrail detail.
- Boat handling cranes (Arizona's cranes were different).

A superstructure model is also available. Link:
https://www.model-monkey.com/product-page/1-350-uss-pennsylvania-bb-38-superstructure-december-7-1941

And, of course, we offer nameplates for both ships of the class, USS Pennsylvania BB-38 and USS Arizona BB-39.

See this model and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

05/14/2026

US Navy submarine fans! A valued customer in California is converting his 1/72 scale Revell Gato-class submarine kit into the Balao-class boat USS Tang SS-306. To help complete the conversion, he chose to replace his kit's fairwater (sail/conning tower) with a Model Monkey USS Tang fairwater. Here are some photos of the model we sent to him.

USS Tang sank 33 ships for a total of 116,454 tons. Her captain, Commander Richard O'Kane, received the Medal of Honor for her last two engagements (23 and 24 October 1944).

"An improvement on the earlier Gato class, the [Balao-class] boats had slight internal differences. The most significant improvement was the use of thicker, higher yield-strength steel in the pressure hull skins and frames, which increased their test depth to 400 feet (120 m). A Balao-class submarine, the USS Tang, actually exceeded her depth gauge's maximum reading of 612 ft (187 m) in 1944, when taking on water in the forward torpedo room while evading a destroyer." - Wikipedia.

Compared to a Gato-class fairwater, the Balao-class fairwater was more compact and better shaped thus hydrodynamically superior.

Balao-class fairwaters are also available in other popular scales including 1/144, 1/180 (for Revell), 1/200, and 1/350.

And, of course, we can print nameplates for any Balao-class and Gato-class submarine.

See these models and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

05/07/2026

US Navy heavy cruiser fans! Avid ship modeler James Bird is converting his 1/350 scale USS Indianapolis CA-35 model kit to sistership USS Portland CA-33 as she appeared during the desperate Pacific Ocean naval battles of 1942. To help complete the conversion, he chose to replace his kit's parts with a set of Monkey Monkey Portland parts. Here are a couple of in-progress photos he sent to us of his inspirational Portland conversion model and some photos of some the Model Monkey parts he used.

USS Portland CA-33 was one of the most highly decorated US Navy warships of World War Two. She fought in ever major Pacific action including Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf. She survived the war earning 16 battle stars for her service.

In one of her most remarkable engagements, she fought the Japanese battleship Hiei in a brutal nighttime action during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. Despite being badly damaged from a torpedo hit, Portland was able to start serious fires aboard Hiei and she sank the Japanese destroyer Yudachi, all by gunfire in what some historians called a "barroom brawl".

Indianapolis and Portland were sisterships but not identical twins. Indianapolis was completed as a flagship with additional accommodation for the admiral and his staff. USS Portland was not. Thus, Indianapolis had a longer forward superstructure that extended aft alongside the forward funnel and into the aircraft handling deck. Portland, having a shorter forward superstructure, has a longer aircraft handling deck. Her aft superstructure is also somewhat different.

Converting an Indianapolis kit to Portland is a big project, recommended only for very advanced modelers. To build an accurate Portland, the conversion project requires replacing the entire Indianapolis kit's superstructure and turrets. Our Model Monkey parts include the major superstructure components needed and we offer a set of turrets with details unique to USS Portland.

And, of course, we can print nameplates for both ships of the Portland-class: USS Portland CA-33 and USS Indianapolis CA-35.

See these models and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

04/22/2026

Fletcher-class destroyer fans! A valued customer in Texas is converting his 1/144 scale Revell "Round-bridge" Fletcher into a "Square-bridge" ship. To help complete the conversion, he chose to install a Model Monkey square bridge pilot house, a recently updated square bridge deck and combat information center, and a quintuple torpedo mount. Here are some photos of the models we sent to him.

The update to the bridge deck model includes the addition of a helm with ship's wheel, compass, and engine order telegraph. These details can be seen through the open pilot house doors and portholes (more properly called "airports").

The models are available in other popular scales including 1/350, 1/200, 1/125 and 1/96.

We offer two different Fletcher square bridge pilot house versions. The difference between them is the door configuration. To honor two major Fletcher-class builders, we call one pilot house type the "Bath Iron Works" version, and the other we call the "Bethlehem Steel" version. The real pilot houses were not named. The model you see here is a "Bethlehem Steel" version with door on the aft bulkhead. The "Bath Iron Works" version has a door on the starboard side, aft. To help identify which pilot house is correct for your model, we list ships known to have one version or the other in our catalog on the pilot house product webpages.

We also offer a "Round Bridge" in most popular larger scales.

The 2,050-ton Fletcher-class was one of the most successful wartime and post-war destroyer classes of the US Navy and arguably the most significant class in the Pacific war. 175 ships of the class were produced over a 32-month period during World War II. They were produced in two groups: 58 were built with a high, "Round Bridge" and 117 (two-thirds of the class) were completed with a low, "Square Bridge" which afforded better visibility for anti-aircraft defense.

Several Fletchers served in foreign navies. The last in service was Mexico's Cuitláhuac, the former USS John Rodgers DD-574, retired in 2001.

And, of course, we can print nameplates for any ship of the class in US or foreign service.

See these models and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

03/19/2026

Yorktown-class aircraft carrier fans! An avid ship modeler in Virginia is building a 1/350 scale model of USS Yorktown CV-5 as she appeared pre-war in 1940. He chose to equip his ship with a Model Monkey island. Here are some photos of the model we sent to him.

In 1940, Yorktown was painted in a light gray called "Standard Navy Gray #5". She sported a large, black "Y" painted on both sides of her funnel. Her flight deck was treated with a stain called "mahogany" which was a rich reddish-brown or "maroon" tone that stained the wood while allowing the wood grain to remain visible, though often appearing quite dark in black and white photographs.

Building Yorktown as she appeared in 1940 presents the modeler with an opportunity for a very colorful "Yellow Wings" air group. In 1940, the "Yorktown Air Group", which was later designated as "Air Group Five" (CVG-5), included the following core squadrons:

- Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5): Grumman F3F-2 and F3F-3 biplane fighters.
- Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5): Curtiss SBC-3 Helldivers and Northrop BT-1s.
- Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5): Curtiss SBC-3 Helldiver and later the Vought SB2U Vindicator.
- Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5): Douglas TBD-1 Devastators, some of which were used to test experimental camouflage during Fleet Problem XXI in 1940.

Yorktown Air Group Aircraft Identification Colors and Markings in 1940:

- Tail Surfaces: entire fin and rudder painted in "Insignia Red" to signify the aircraft belonged to the USS Yorktown Air Group.

- Wings: The upper surfaces of the top wings were painted "Orange-Yellow" (often called "Chrome Yellow") for high visibility if an aircraft went down at sea. "Orange-Yellow" was a rich, golden-yellow color with a slight orange tint, often matched to modern FS 13538.

- Fuselage: Generally left in Natural Metal (aluminum) or painted with Light Gray or Aluminum Lacquer.

- Squadron Section Markings: individual squadrons and sections were further differentiated by colored bands and cowlings:

Section 1: Insignia Red (Full cowling)
Section 2: White (Full cowling)
Section 3: True Blue (Full cowling)
Section 4: Black (Full cowling)
Section 5: Willow Green (Full cowling)
Section 6: Lemon Yellow (Full cowling)

- Section leaders had a chevron painted on the top of the upper wing in the color of their section.

- Identifying Letters and Numbers on Fuselage and Wings: black.

And, of course, we offer a spiffy nameplate for all three ships of the Yorktown-class, USS Yorktown CV-5, USS Enterprise CV-6 and USS Hornet CV-8.

See this model and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

03/03/2026

Lexington-class aircraft carrier fans! Here are some comparison photos of our 3D-printed 8"/55 cal. Turrets in 1/350 scale and the corresponding parts found in a popular injection-molded plastic kit of USS Saratoga CV-3 by Trumpeter. Our Model Monkey parts appear in blueish-gray.

The Trumpeter Saratoga kit's turrets' gunhouses have shape and fit issues and lack detail. Our Model Monkey turrets avoid fit problems because they are 3D-printed in just 2 parts: the gunhouse and the trunnion. Separate trunnions allow you to position the guns at any realistic elevation, unlike the Trumpeter turrets.

Our Model Monkey turrets also feature extensive and accurate rivet detail and rangefinder ports and covers astride the guns. The Trumpeter turrets have no rivet detail nor do they have the ports or covers.

The Model Monkey turrets come in two different configurations just like the real turrets. The two superfiring turrets have rangefinders on the sides of the rear of the gunhouse with distinctive hoods ("ears"). The turrets on the flight deck did not have large rangefinders. Although Trumpeter got this right, the "ears" on the Trumpeter kit's superfiring turrets are incorrectly shaped and poorly detailed.

Our turret models for Lexington-class kits are also available in other popular scales including 1/700.

And, of course, we offer nameplates for both ships of the Lexington-class: USS Lexington CV-2 and USS Saratoga CV-3.

See these models and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™

03/01/2026

Scharnhorst-class battleship fans! A valued customer in County Wicklow, Ireland is building models of both ships of the Scharnhorst-class from 1/400 scale Heller kits. He is modeling Scharnhorst as she appeared during the Battle of the North Cape, sistership Gneisenau as she appeared in 1941 during Operation Berlin, and another model of Gneisenau as she appeared in 1942 during the "Channel Dash". To improve the accuracy of his kits, he is replacing his kits' forward command towers with Model Monkey towers with enclosed admiral's bridge. Here are some photos of the models we sent to him.

The most conspicuous differences between the three models is the shape of the uppermost platforms and Admiral's Bridge Decks. The models feature subtle planking and anti-skid deck plate where appropriate.

The models are also available in other popular scales including 1/700, 1/570, 1/350 and 1/200.

The two Scharnhorst-class battleships preceded the Bismarck-class into service and acted predominantly as commerce raiders, a role in which they were terrifyingly effective. Together, they sank the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious by gunfire.

And, of course, we offer attractive nameplates for both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, available in your choice of font, including traditional German "Fraktur".

See these models and many more at www.model-monkey.com

03/01/2026

Essex-class aircraft carrier fans! A valued customer in Texas is building USS Oriskany CVA-34 as she appeared during the Vietnam War from a classic Revell kit in 1/530 scale. To improve the accuracy of his model, he is replacing his kit's island with a Model Monkey Oriskany island. Here are some photos of the 1/530 scale island model we recently sent to him.

The model is also available in 1/350 scale (for Gallery Models and Trumpeter) and 1/700 scale (for Trumpeter, etc.).

The ship was named for the "Battle of Oriskany", a major engagement of the Saratoga campaign in New York during the American Revolutionary War.

Affectionately nicknamed "The Mighty O" and "The O-boat", USS Oriskany was the final Essex-class aircraft carrier completed, being commissioned in 1950. She was awarded 2 Battle Stars for her Korean War service and 10 Battle Stars for her Vietnam War service.
She continues to serve, sunk as an artificial reef off Pensacola, Florida. She rests upright at a depth accessible to recreational divers.

During her Vietnam War-era years, Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19), tail code "NM", was embarked aboard ship. During those years, CVW-19 was composed of the following units and aircraft:

- Fighter Squadron VF-191 "Satan's Kittens" - Vought F-8E/J Crusader
- Fighter Squadron VF-194 "Red Lightnings" - Vought F-8E/J Crusader
- Attack Squadron VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" - Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
- Attack Squadron VA-155 "Uninvited" - Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
- Attack Squadron VA-215 "Barn Owls" - Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
- Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-63, Detachment 4 "Eyes of the Fleet" - Vought RF-8G Crusader
- Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-130, Detachment 3 "Zappers" - Douglas EA-1F Skyraider
- Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-111, Detachment 1 "Early Elevens" - Grumman E-1B Tracer
- Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HC-1, Detachment 5 "Pacific Fleet Angels" - Kaman UH-2C Seasprite

See this model and many more at https://www.model-monkey.com/

And, of course, we offer spiffy nameplates for all Essex-class ships.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

02/11/2026

Star Trek fans! Teaser alert! We've been working on a few goodies for your 1/350 scale USS Enterprise NCC-1701 Refit kits by Polar Lights for release later this year. Here are some renderings of our Hangar Bay and Cargo Hold design at about 50% complete. Much work yet to be done and some of the features you see here will change as the design matures.

The design is based on matte paintings and images seen in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan".

Ignore the color; that's just a color that is easy on the eyes for long hours of design work.

And, of course, we offer nameplates for all starships named Enterprise.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

02/10/2026

Essex-class aircraft carrier fans! Here are some photos of our new USS Yorktown CVS-10 island model as the ship appeared circa 1968-1970 during the Vietnam War. The model depicts the island's final in-service configuration.

The model shown here is in 1/530 scale intended for Revell kits. The model is also available in 1/700, 1/500 and 1/350 scales.

And, of course, we offer nameplates for all ships of the Essex-class.

The real USS Yorktown CVS-10 is preserved as a museum ship at Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston. She has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

02/04/2026

Essex-class aircraft carrier fans! Coming this weekend, models of the island of USS Yorktown CVS-10 as it appeared in its final operational 1968-1970 configuration will be released in 1/350, 1/530 and 1/700 scales. Here are some renderings of the design.

We're happy to report that we've largely recovered from a couple of weeks of crazy weather badly impacting our operations. Test prints that had been delayed are now proceeding normally between printing orders.

Thank you to all those who have been patiently waiting for this model.

Other Yorktown island models are available now as the island appeared during the following time periods:

- December 1942 - April 1944 (raids on Marcus Island, Wake Island, The Gilbert Islands, Tarawa, Makin Island and Kwajalein)

- September 1944 - 1945 (sinking of Yamato (Battle of Okinawa), Philippines campaign, attacks on the Japanese home islands)

- 1953-1954 (Korean War-era)

Following this 1968-1970 Yorktown island, we will be releasing a boat deck and casemate for the battleship USS Pennsylvania BB-38, sistership of US Arizona BB-39. Although the ships were sisters, they were not identical twins. Our design captures many of the differences. The model depicts the deck's 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack appearance.

Have fun. Monkey around.™

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