Zack's Model Shipyard

06/16/2026

More details on Sirocco! Mk38 Mod 2 cannons, RSLs, hatches, bridge wings, catwalks, lookout station, ladders, vent louvers. No rhyme or reason to the order, just jumping at whatever suits my fancy at the time.

I'm procrastinating on the mast, which is always my least favorite part, but luckily this one is relatively simple compared to some of the other ships I've done.

06/15/2026

More progress on the 1/96 Sirocco! She's coming along.

06/13/2026

Work in progress. A huge shout out to Homeport ModelShips to helping me make my dream a reality. My goal is to design, print, and build an RC version of each ship I served on in the US Navy. The OHP FFG is designed (building is on hold), and now I can make the USS Sirocco (PC-6), a Cyclone class PC.

At 1/96 scale, this is going to be a challenging design because it's small (56cm long.) I could make it bigger to make it easier, but I want to be able to bring this to fleet run so I'm giving this a shot. More updates to come!

06/10/2026

New model alert!

This model is the second in a series of 1/245th scale waterline static tugboat models I am making for a customer.

The JRT Moran is a 93 ft tug boat built by Washburn and Doughty Associates Inc., and employed by the Moran Towing Corporation. The same construction is used on the James D Moran, and several other tugs that operate in various ports on the US coast. Based on photos, a few of the tugs have different handrail/ladder configurations, so I have included the two version I saw in this kit.

The files are up on my page and I'll include the link in the comments!

06/05/2026

Printed out the waterline tug for fit testing. Came out nicely with the .2mm nozzle!

06/04/2026

New Model Alert!!

This model is the first of a series of 1/245th scale waterline static tugboat models I am making for a customer. As it is so small, the details are not as robust as my larger models. But these models look the part and make great desk decorations!

This particular model is based on photos of the Mark E. Kuebler Z-Tech 30-80 tug designed by Robert Allan Ltd., built by Gulf Island Shipyards LLC., and used by the Bay-Houston Towing Co.

05/13/2026

Just finished designing and printing something different from my usual RC models: a static model of the fishing rowboat called the Grand Banks Dory. It was requested by my friend Bill, a native of the New England area of the US. He said that the Dory history was a big part of his childhood growing up, and I'm glad I was able to help the memory come to life through 3D printing! At 1/24 scale, it's 217mm long.

05/11/2026

Just put the finishing design touches on a requested project! This is the Swedish Visby class stealth corvette.

It was a fun design, and gave me a chance to challenge my design abilities, as the requestor wanted the look of water jet propulsion but done with a traditional shaft and prop setup. So I designed what I'm calling a "jet pack." The idea is that it will slip over the prop and shaft (going through the hull), and the water will be pushed through the nozzles and steered like a standard water jet. The holes in the bottom allow water to flow it, and also provide an outlet when the propulsion is reversed. (I estimate it will slow/stop in reverse, and maybe move slowly backwards. But test printing to try it out is in progress.) If version one doesn't work well, I'll modify the jet pack with a bigger, singular intake hole rather than the 4 separate ones. The jet pack is also secured to the hull using M3 screws. (I got to play with the Fusion 360 screw thread-making ability, so we'll see how it prints.)

I hope you like it, and once test printing is complete it'll be up on my page!

05/04/2026

The Orca is up! I got the go ahead from Pat. :-)

Model available for download in Stereolithography format. Visit CGTrader and browse more than 1 million 3D models, including 3D print and real-time assets

05/04/2026

Alright, the Orca is completed and ready for printing! Completed it in 1/14 scale and 1/24 scale. (With an extra file splitting up the 1/14 scale parts that are too big for 250mm printers.) Since I used Pat Tritle's plans to help in this design, I'm waiting on permission from him to put it up for sale on my CG Trader page. Once I get confirmation, it'll be up!