This year saw the completion of Alan Raven's series on the development of naval camouflage with coverage of British camouflage in WW2, USN between the wars, USN in WW2 and a concluding chapter. This series brought a new dimension to the discussion of naval colours in the modelling field which was long overdue.

As well as this series there were articles on Austro-Hungarian colours, paint formulas and USN Tennessee colours, rounding out a great year for colour enthusiasts.

Modelling articles through out the year consisted of the following: HMS Cossack in 1/700, USN Fletcher class funnel markings, detailing aircraft carrier decks, HMS Penelope in 1/700, USS Sterett in 1/700, Ray Bean's "Keepers of the Seas" diorama, USS Charles Ausburne in 1/350, USN Sumner in 1/700.

Merchant navy articles included Great Lakes long ships, Blue funnel steamers, War Emergency tanker fleet, merchant ship details as well as a great article on the Cunarder RMS Mauretania with WW1 "dazzle" schemes.

The new photo feature covered the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, Sovremenny class destrotyer, the cruiser USS Quincey and USN Forrest Sherman classs destroyers.

While 1997 saw the first colour cover appear, this was a one-off event, Dan obviously preferring to increase pages, improve photo quality to accompany the excellent articles for which Plastic Ship Modeller is by now becoming famous.