For a long time, a great way to get introduced to wooden ship modeling for both young people and adults has been by building the simple modeling subjects produced by Midwest Products. In fact, many members at Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights have recommended these kits for their relatively easy construction, excellent plans and classic all-American subjects. So, it’s sad to announce that Midwest has discontinued production of its wooden boat kits.
These kits are still available in stores and online, but they are increasingly difficult to find as they sell out and can’t be restocked. So, if you’ve been thinking about building one, you might want to go and and buy it if you can find it. Fortunately, these have been in production for a long time and there are many of the kits still widely available on Amazon.com and probably in many hobby stores.
With luck, kit production will be picked up by another manufacturer, but you never know. Certainly according to Midwest, they’re getting a lot of phone calls about the boat kits, so maybe they’ll change their minds. One can only hope. But, the best way to make sure these are back in production is to build them, buy them, ask for them at your local dealer, or contact Midwest at 800-348-3497 or info@midwestproducts.com.
Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights 
You might be interested to know that Model Shipways Inc. dba Model Expo has released the first of 3 small craft designed to introduce the modeler to wood ship modeling. David Antscherl, of Canada, reputed to be one of the finest historic ship model builder and designers has completed a series of kits labeled Skill Levels 1, 2 and 3. They are the Lowell Grand Banks Dory, Norwegian Pram and Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack. You can find all 3 of these kits available at modelexpo-on-line.com and on Amazon. We like to believe that we have improved on what were once excellent Midwest kits. Also look for our 18th Century Armed Longboat and the launch of the HMS Bounty.
Marc Mosko, President, Model Shipways Inc.
Hi Marc, thanks for your comments! In fact, we reblogged a couple posts over the past several months about the new Lowell Grand Banks Dory and the Norwegian Pram kits – they look awesome and agree that they are improvements over these great Midwest line of kits. Haven’t seen the Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack kit yet. But, Judging from the other kits designed by David Antscherl, it’s likely an excellect kit too. Thanks for bringing these to market for the ship modeling community!