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Clearly the bases for this model was from Classic Warships. But there is more to it than that. Steve Wiper sold all his resin kits, including his masters, to Chris Decker who had already started Midships by producing plastic models.

I was one of Decker’s “Admirals Club” the members of which provided some of the cash that enabled Decker to pay for the injection molds for his then much needed plastic kits. For a while I had the original CW USS Tennessee circa 1944 and the Midships USS New Mexico 1941. There was, if my memory is correct, an obvious quality difference between the two kits. I am fairly certain Decker did not have the ability to create or upgrade resin masters. Chris is an engineer but creating masters is an entirely different skill set.

I think at some point Decker had someone spruce up some of the former CW kits by adding the Midships weapons set and added decals and perhaps improved the resin hull masters for some of these kits. The white metal parts still remained.

Ebay has 15 of Midships resin kits listed. Also listed are a number the plastic kits and weapons set. The Midships resin kits on Ebay go for $79 to $129 and all from the same seller.

So if I am correct, then how can one say it’s derivation was the CW kit? Basis for sure but I believe the kits were changed. $20 is for sure a fine price.

Tangentially, eventually Decker sold Midships to Freetime/Pacific Front.

Brandon Lowe than had Mike Czibovic (Corsair Armada) make new masters of everything for the rebuilt BB’s (such as the Tennessee) and labeling them as Blue Ridge models. They are still great kits.

It is possible Decker had Mike Czibovic spruce up some of the former CW kits by improving the resin hull masters for some of these kits.

All this (including my memory) could be best addressed by contacting Chris Decker.