About Us
Whether it is a naval warship, a commercial vessel, an ocean liner, or tall ship, or your own pride and joy- be it a sailboat or powerboat, the SD Model Makers craftsmen can make them all, with incredible attention to detail and workmanship.
And when we say “Museum Quality” we mean it!
Here's just a partial list of where you’ll find our models on display.
- Naval War College Museum - Rhode Island
- Museum of Science and Industry - Illinois
- Maritime Museum of San Diego - California
- National Maritime Historical Society - New York
- New York Historical Society - New York
- National Atomic Testing Museum - Nevada
- Heritage Flight Museum - Washington
- Anchorage Museum - Alaska
- Old Depot Museum - Mississippi
- Palm Springs Air Museum - California
- Calvert Marine Museum - Maryland
- Museum of Transportation - Puerto Rico
- Oregon Coast Military Museum - Oregon
- Storis Museum - Alaska
Plus the Pentagon, the White House, the United States Park Service, and numerous US Navy and US Coast Guard stations and ship wardrooms. We are also the ship model supplier for US Navy NEX stores worldwide network.
Check out our 5-Star reviews on Google and the hundreds of Customer Testimonials.
SD Model Makers is a San Diego California based company, founded in 2008. Although I entered the “professional” side of model making when the company was founded, I’ve been a recreational model builder most of my life. My first ship model, at age 12, was a 17-inch plastic Revell USS Arizona. A classic model kit, still sold in hobby stores today! Through the years I progressed to wooden kits, then on to plank-on-frame models, and ultimately into scratch build projects. At the same time I was building my own personal collection of half hull and full ship models.
My love of ship models extends to the real world of the sea and ships. I have owned, and raced, a 19-foot Lightning and a 1989 Catalina 36 sailboat, and am "commuter cruising" our 2005 Lagoon 410 – a cruising catamaran in the Bahamas. Over many races and victories, my proudest moment is having won my class in the 2008 Newport to Ensenada race (then known as the largest international yacht race in the world), as well as winning the fleet championship in my home port yacht club – twice. I hold an active 100 ton U.S Coast Guard Merchant Marine license, am a former American Sailing Association certified instructor, and a PADI Open Water Diver. I also hold a BS in Marketing and Finance and an MBA in International Business.
With my love of the sea and model ships, coupled with a 20+ year career in marketing and sales, getting into the ship modeling business seemed like a natural progression. I’ve assembled a global team of master model makers and craftsmen, some with over 20 years in the business, to produce true museum quality replica ship models.Our production process uses a team work segmentation flow approach – each stage of the model building process is handled by specialist teams – boat plan and template creators, hull carvers, superstructure and deck detail modelers, rigging specialists, painters and quality control inspectors. Production managers oversee the entire process flow to ensure quality, continuity and efficiency. Very similar to actual boat building in the real world.
Every model is entirely handmade - truly a custom made-to-order product. The build process can take a bit of time but your patience will be rewarded with a true museum quality model that you’ll be proud to own and display for a long time to come.
Every day, we are working hard to live up to our claim – “Quite Simply - Makers of the World's Finest Replica Ship Models!”
Smooth Sailing,
Captain Brad
