Thanks to War Dog Modeling (WDM) for the Ship Stand to review, and the IPMS staff for their courageous work! WDM stands are available on their website, also reachable via Facebook.

There are 4 stands available:

1. Model Airplane Stand ($35.00)
2. Model Armor Stand ($38.00)
3. Model Car Stand ($30.00)
4. Model Ship Stand ($35.00)

I have never used jigs or stands for building 1/700 scale ships models, but after one look at War Dog Model Ship Stand, I had a Where-Have-You-Been-All-My-Life moment. I'm not letting this one go anywhere! Here's why...

The stand arrived in a small box with all the parts mixed together. No instructions, which is not a problem. The contents make one stand with a light gray color. Looking at the finished stands on War Dog' online page made assembly easy.

The components have anti-slip finish. The largest piece is the flat base with engraved WAR DOG on each of the two "legs". Two sets of three arms, a bag with six sets of screws (appear to be 1/4X1 Hex Bolts) and orange turn knobs that fit into the grooves in the arms. This makes two arms with bases that are attached to vertical rounded-top bars that fit into the slide on the base itself. See photos for actual images.

The tilt makes the Stand. I showed several photos why this makes taping, brush/spot painting and assembling model ships much easier. Probably do not want to airbrush on the stand, unless you have pinpoint control with your airbrush - or do not care about the stand's finish.

The long base is 8 inches (203mm) long and the two legs are 5.25 inches (137mm) long. Two 3.5 inch slots are in the base, which gives 3.75 to 9 inches between the black rubber O-rings for length. The two Saguaro-like cactus arms sticking up have 2 O-rings on opposing sides to hold the model's width (beam for ships) that are 1.25-5.6 inches - big enough for some 1/72 scale boats, but too big to firmly hold anything less beamy that a 1/700 scale battleship/cruiser. But never fear - small 1/700 scale hulls 4 or more inches will lay flat, even if not gripped tightly. Long enough for destroyer escorts. The continuity of length, width and tilt gives 3-D, hands-free access for most models under construction.

Even full-hull models can be easily accommodated. Completely upside-down is practical but take care to know where the upperworks/masts are. Sanding and sawing are possible, and if the grooves get clogged, they can easily be taken apart and washed, then reassembled. I would not do this because of the stress on the O-rings touching the model. The O-rings are a standard size (#8), and readily available at hardware stores.

If you want to work on something smaller, simply insert a cardboard, paper, plastic or wood board more than 4 inches long and bent to a L shape 1.25 inches wide to hold small ships or subassemblies - 2-sided tape or tacky material prevent the smaller items from moving around. Even single turrets for 1/700 ships can be tilted for all-around access. More imaginative modelers can cook up other ways to utilize this Stand. See photo for holding tiny ships and planes.

But the Super Power for War Dogs Ship Stand is the tilt. Why contort your hands, wrist, neck and torso trying to get the right angle of attack for gluing or painting? I found the tilt feature much easier for adding tiny parts and painting tight areas - see photos of the 1/700 HMS Glorious under construction. Perfect for brush painting. Even better is your comfort. Very much better. Even a detailed ship with antennas, railings and prop guards can be accommodated without destroying your handiwork with careful placement. Both Saguaro-arms tilt from a flat horizontal to 45 degree slope, giving a wide range of tilt to access difficult painting jobs, or nest a large number of smaller pieces. And by pulling up the arms to clear the base, the tilt can be near vertical, giving a 90 degree tilt.

Drawbacks? Nothing is obvious with routine use. The jig is light, and the O-rings on the feet keep it stable. Theoretically the jig could tilt on its long axis if you apply a lot of weight/pressure on one end, but the subject would still stay inside the jig. Be careful where the O-rings touch the model.

Overall, this stand works for any size ship model (even wood or metal) over 4 inches long for hands-off holding at satisfactory tilt angles. Smaller hulls and subassemblies and even small pieces can be handled with inserting a flat piece between the Saguaro arms. See attached photos of a tiny ship (IJN river boat Hozu) and even individual planes (1/700 Jake floatplane). If needed, they can be held by tape or tack for brush painting.

I highly recommend War Dogs Ship Stands for model ship builders, and I'm sure other household uses will become evident. Simple, effective and useful.

Phillip Larson is the owner and manufacturer of War Dog model stands. His phone number is (406) 579-1264, and he welcomes calls.