The Ancient Origins and Rise of Naval Wargaming
Model ships date back to the earliest forms of war games. These early replicas served as tools for planning and reenacting naval engagements. It wasn’t until the early 1900s, however, that complex rule systems appeared. These new frameworks breathed life into naval battles on large tabletops, turning ship models into miniature war machines.
These small-scale models, often built in 1:1200 or 1:1250 scales, became common. Players maneuvered them across expansive playing fields to stage historical battles. The ships were simplified enough to distinguish different types but still offered enough details to remain identifiable during play.
In England, companies like Bassett-Lowke began marketing these naval models to hobbyists. They offered basic versions for gameplay as well as more detailed kits designed for collectors seeking higher fidelity.
Pre-World War II Developments
In the years before World War II, the German firm Wiking gained a leading reputation in naval model production. Their precise manufacturing and model variety set a high standard. However, the outbreak of war disrupted Wiking’s operations and ended their dominance in the field.
Naval Modeling and Wargaming During WWII
When the United States entered World War II, naval modeling took on a strategic role. Charles King Van Riper was tasked with creating identification models at an unusual scale - 1 foot of model to 64 feet of real ship. These were used for education and recognition training.
Meanwhile, Van Riper also produced 1:1200 scale replicas of freighters. These models were used by the U.S. Navy at the Submarine Attack Teacher facility in Groton, Connecticut. The models served both as teaching aids and as practical tools in tactical simulation.
Postwar Expansion and Global Manufacturers
After the war, several new manufacturers emerged, especially in Germany. Today, Germany remains a significant center for naval modeling. Meanwhile, Britain and the United States saw new companies actively creating models. Initially, these firms aimed their products at wargamers. Over time, as model quality improved and costs rose, the market shifted toward collectors.
Manufacturers also introduced a range of scales. Plastic kits in 1:600 and 1:700 became widely available. In the UK, companies like Skytrex and Navwar launched “micro scale” series in 1:3000, spanning from early ironclads to contemporary vessels.
In the U.S., CinC and GHQ focused on slightly larger scales, notably 1:2400, balancing detail with tabletop practicality. More recently, Hallmark took scale miniaturization further, producing models in the tiny 1:6000 scale.
The Modern Age: Radio-Controlled Naval Wargaming
Naval wargaming has evolved beyond static models. A modern branch uses radio-controlled vessels equipped with CO₂-powered cannons that fire BB ammunition. These cannons are designed to breach the lightly built, often balsa‑wood hulls of opponent ships. Players control their boats in real time, aiming to sink rivals in dynamic, miniature naval battles.
Evolution of Naval Wargaming Rules
Naval wargaming rules vary in detail and complexity, just like in other wargaming genres. Commercial rulebooks exist for every naval era: ancient galleys, medieval vessels, the Age of Sail, ironclads, battleships, and modern fleets. Standard ship models are widely available. But for niche periods or uncommon scales, wargamers often build or convert their own miniatures by scratch.
The First Naval Wargames: Roman Naumachiae
The Romans likely created the first naval wargames by flooding the Colosseum and staging mock sea battles, known as Naumachiae. These dramatic spectacles inspired modern rule sets like Rod Langton’s ancient naval game, demonstrating how far naval gaming has evolved.
Jane’s Fighting Ships: The Foundation of Modern Rules
Naval wargaming gained mainstream structure with Fred T. Jane’s early editions of Jane’s Fighting Ships. Jane classified ships by armor and armament, directly using that data in his rule systems. These frameworks shaped rules still used today, bridging historical accuracy and game mechanics.
Fletcher Pratt and Ballroom Naval Battles
American author Fletcher Pratt brought naval wargaming to public attention. He published widely adopted rules and hosted large-scale games in ballrooms and convention halls. These events were as social as they were strategic, and many modern wargamers still use variations of Pratt’s rule set.
Detailed Mechanics: “Don’t Give Up the Ship” (1972)
The 1972 rule set Don’t Give Up the Ship offers a detailed, immersive experience. Designed for 1:1200 scale models, it uses pencils, paper, six-sided dice, rulers, and protractors to simulate naval combat. While single-ship duels can fit on a table, fleet engagements need larger spaces.
This rulebook covers every aspect of naval warfare: morale, sinking, fires, broken masts, and boarding actions. Players roll dice to determine wind speed and direction, then use a protractor to measure wind-ship angles and calculate ship speed. The same tool helps decide which cannon can fire, damage levels, and hit probability, whether at close range (4") or long range (16"). The rulebook also includes historical stats for reenacting real battles from the War of 1812. In its second edition, it added four pages of streamlined rules for larger fleet engagements.
Popular Rules Today
Naval wargaming with model ships goes back to ancient times, but it didn’t really take off until the early 20th century. That’s when a set of detailed rules made the hobby more popular. Players used small miniature ships, typically in scales like 1:1200 or 1:1250, on big tables. The setup let them recreate famous sea battles from history, or even let governments map out future navy engagements. These miniatures weren’t elaborate replicas, but they showed enough detail that you could easily tell one ship type from another.
In England, Bassett‑Lowke was one of the first companies to sell these ship models to the public. They also offered more intricate versions that collectors loved. Before World War II, a German firm called Wiking rose to prominence in the naval wargaming world. Their lead ended when the war broke out, interrupting production and distribution.
When the United States entered World War II, Charles King Van Riper got a commission to build large ship identification models. He worked in a scale where one foot on the model equaled 64 feet of a real ship. In Connecticut at the Submarine Attack Teacher center, he also created 1:1200 scale freighter models for the U.S. Navy.
From that point on, naval wargaming fell under the broader miniature wargame hobby. It never matched the popularity of land-based wargames, but it still drew a global fan base. Many people enjoy historical rule sets based on real events, while others use fantasy or fictional rules.
After World War II, Germany saw the rise of several new model‑ship manufacturers. Today, Germany remains a key location for production. Britain and the United States also saw new companies emerge, initially selling to hobby wargamers. As those models gained more detail and cost more, makers shifted their marketing toward collectors.
Over time, scale variety expanded. Plastic model kits in 1:600 and 1:700 scales became common. In the UK, companies like Skytrex and Navwar introduced “micro scale” ships in 1:3000, covering everything from ironclads to modern vessels. In the US, CinC and GHQ offered slightly bigger and more detailed 1:2400 scale models. More recently, the company Hallmark has moved even smaller, producing ships in a 1:6000 scale.
A different form of naval wargaming emerged with radio-controlled ships. These mini ships are powered by CO₂ cannons that fire BBs and aim to sink enemy vessels. These battle crafts use thin balsa wood hulls, so hits actually cause damage. It’s a full-blown tabletop sea battle, complete with physical sinking.
Today, naval wargaming offers something for everyone. Whether you want historical reenactments with classic scales like 1:1200 or 1:1250, hyper‑small micro scales, or the thrill of live RC combat, the hobby is rich and varied. From early 20th‑century rules and government models to modern collector pieces and live action, naval model‑ship wargaming remains alive and evolving.
Understanding Naval Wargaming Scales
Naval wargaming differs from land wargaming by using ratio scales to define the size of ships and forces. The scale ratio shows the model’s size relative to the real vessel. Popular scales range from tiny miniatures to more hands‑on models, each matching different historical periods and gaming styles.
1:6000 to 1:2400 - Fleet Engagements in the Pre-Dreadnought Era and Beyond
The smallest ratios, 1:6000, 1:4800, 1:3000, and 1:2400, are widely used for large-scale naval combat games. These scales allow entire fleets to fit on tabletop battlefields. They’re especially popular for pre‑Dreadnought and late 19th‑century naval actions, though you can find models for earlier eras too. These compact ratios let players maneuver multiple capital ships in grand battle scenarios.
1:1800 - The Trading Card Style for Casual Naval Combat
The 1:1800 scale has risen in popularity thanks to games like Axis and Allies: War at Sea. It’s a mid‑size scale ideal for casual or introductory play. Models are easy to handle, and the ratio brings a simpler, more accessible dynamic. Though less common than the smallest or largest scales, 1:1800 is becoming more mainstream among newer naval wargamers.
1:1200 and 1:1250 - The Collector Scale
Often called the “collector’s scale,” 1:1200 and 1:1250 ratios attract hobbyists looking for detail and variety. These models are available for most ships and naval eras, making them a go‑to choice for serious collectors and modellers who want accuracy without overwhelming tabletop presence.
1:900 - A Niche Scale for Ancient Naval Battles
The 1:900 scale is rare but favored by enthusiasts of ancient naval warfare. It bridges between larger and smaller scales. Due to its scarcity, ships and resources for this scale can be harder to find, but it’s a perfect fit for recreating actions of triremes and other early warships.
1:600 and 1:700 - Coastal Warfare and Ironclad River Actions
The 1:600 and 1:700 ratios fill a distinct niche in naval gaming. Hobbyists often use plastic kits in these sizes to simulate World War I, World War II, or Cold War coastal engagements. The models are large enough for detail but small enough to use real‑world measurements like yards instead of feet. These scales are also very popular for American Civil War scenarios involving river and ironclad combat.
1:450 - Small Age-of-Sail Skirmishes
One less common ratio, 1:450, is typically used for intimate pirate actions or small Age‑of‑Sail engagements. Peter Pig’s Pieces of Eight range, for example, caters to these smaller pirate ship battles. It’s a scale built for personal, close‑quarters naval fights of the 17th and 18th centuries.
1:400, 1:300, 1:285 - Coastal and Riverine Operations
These scales overlap with coastal and riverine gaming involving supporting land forces. Models in 1:400, 1:300, and 1:285 ratios work well for scenarios where shore and water units must interact closely. The larger size allows greater detail while still keeping a manageable footprint on the battlefield.
10 mm / 1:160 - American Civil War Riverine Focus
The 10 mm ratio, equivalent to about 1:160, is relatively new and gaining traction among American Civil War naval gamers. It’s especially suited for river combat where land forces and shore batteries need to coordinate with naval units. This scale brings a cohesive visual feel when both infantry and ships are part of the same tabletop scene.
Boarding-Centric 15 mm-25 mm Figure Scales
Some naval games ignore ship scales and use 15 mm to 25 mm figure scales instead. These games emphasize boarding actions, with each figure representing a crew member. Mechanically, the exact ship size matters less than the boarding rules and figure placement. These figure-heavy games treat boarding skirmishes more like role‑play or skirmish wargames than fleet maneuvers.
Radio-Controlled Model Warship Combat
Radio-controlled model warship combat takes traditional modeling further. Instead of using static ships on a board, hobbyists build RC vessels, usually for pond use, that fire BB cannons capable of sinking opponents. These ships are engineered to be realistically destroyed. Clubs set strict rules to ensure safety and fairness. Hulls must be light enough - often built from balsa wood of specified thickness - and guns fire at limited pressure. Officials test everything: if a hull is too strong or cannon gas too powerful, the ship gets disqualified.
Scale and Realism: Speed and Size Matters
Most of these combat ships are built at 1:144 scale, though other sizes are permitted. During historical re-enactments, ships must adhere to scaled speed limits. A model going too fast risks disqualification or being ordered to slow down. This rule keeps events fair and prevents unrealistic advantages.
Battle Types: History Revisited or Creative Scenarios
Combat events vary widely. Some re-stage historical naval clashes, while others create imaginative scenarios: defending ports, escorting merchant fleets, or all-out warfare. Even in historical reenactments, outcomes aren’t scripted. Winners and losers depend entirely on how well the operators steer, fire, and respond - plus a good chunk of luck - rather than strict adherence to history.
Surrender, Repair, and Reuse
Rules often let a ship surrender. In that case, it can return safely to shore and exit the fight. Alternatively, opposing vessels can keep firing until the ship sinks. These models are built to tolerate some damage, with bilge pumps capped at club-specified capacities. After sinking, ships are retrieved, repaired, given fresh batteries, and relaunched for new battles. This process keeps the fleet alive round after round.
Scoring Systems: Victory by Destruction or Points
Competitions decide winners in two main ways. One method counts surviving ships per side: the team with more vessels left, or that survives the longest, wins. Another system uses points: hits and sinkings are each worth different values, and total points determine the victor. Either system keeps things competitive and engaging.
