The end of 2025 is already here and once again it is time for our Winter newsletter. Here’s a summary of the year, and news of what’s to come in 2026.
It has been a year of surprises and sadness, with the cancer diagnosis early in the year of our designer Dave Love and his subsequent death in July. He is missed by many; you can read our tribute to him on the website.
In 2024 the masters for a variety of E-Flexer ferries were commissioned and made. In the early part of 2025 casting was begun and so on. Alas, Dave’s illness progressed with speed and our plans went on hold and then cast adrift.
Before that, there were new production runs of our best sellers – the Type 26s, Type 31, and Zumwalts. And thankfully we received our fourth and final set of International Stealth Ships to bring the collection to a total of 12 models.
We attended several mini ship shows and our local Collectors Fair in Aldridge. Lincoln show was one that Dave and his wife Mary usually visited, and so this year the sadness felt by the modelling community was shared and good stories told. We were pleased that many signed a sympathy card for the family.
We celebrated the 9th birthday of the website with an extensive Birthday Sale of mostly overstock items.
This leads on to mentioning understocked and sold-out items, which are the result of limited production runs in the past. This isn’t a sales technique but the truth that many ships and docks we have had made in the last few years are unlikely to be made again.
Our range of International Stealth Ships came out during 2024 in four sets of three ships each. In response to customer requests, we will offer individual ships for sale in the New Year, alongside the sets.
More information for new readers:
We produced from scratch twelve different modern Stealth Ships from navies around the world. We hope this radical concept provides interest to old collectors as well as attracting new and younger collectors to this wonderful model world.
Each set has three different models, you’ll find the ships get longer as the sets progress. Check out the links below for limited discounts!
Set One has the Visbey Class, 022 Missile Boat, and Hamina Class.
Set Two has the Skjold Class, Kri Klewang, and Sea Shadow.
Set Three has the ADA Class, the TUO Chiang, and Project 20386.
Set Four has the Shivalik, Type 055, and Admiral Gorshov.
PLANS for 2026
We intend to press on with the E-Flexer ferries in small quantities and different liveries. These will be announced when ready and we have no dates to work to at present. We will continue to be present in-person at shows and keep the website and eBay shop stocked.
WINTER BREAK
We are going to have our Winter break from Tuesday 6th January to Monday 9th February 2026.
The eBay and Web shops will be closed so we can have some down time, listen to some live folk music, complete our accounts, do some thinking, and generally have a good sort out of new and interesting items for sale. There are a load of catalogues, music, model railways and toys to add to the site.
When we close, we don’t disappear so we will always answer your emails in good time.
Mini Ship Shows 2026
Watch this space in the next Newsletter for dates and locations of mini ship shows in 2026! We plan to be at Wellow, Theale, Liverpool, and Lincoln, and at the NEC Model Fair on 25th & 26th of April. We also hope to attend the various events at the Aldridge Transport Museum in the West Midlands.
It is always so rewarding to meet customers and colleagues in person, provide an order collection service, and of course discuss future plans.
We put latest known information on upcoming Ship Shows on the website and in newsletters.
Happy wintering,
Yours in ships, hobbies, and good companionship,
Clive and Dave Newman
who are CN Collectables. (CNC Models)
