If this request is not allowed by the forums just let me know and I’ll delete it. I will be visiting Norfolk VA for several days in August and am interested in knowing if there are any good hobby shops that have a good selection of scale ship models. Because of where I live all of my supplies and kits have to come from the internet but I sometimes would like to see something before I buy it… Also besides the USS Wisconsin, any sites/places that you would recommend would be welcomed.
If you don’t mind driving half an hour or so to Newport News, don’t miss the Mariners’ Museum. It has one of the best ship model collections in the world.
There’s also a good hobby shop, Denbigh Hobbies, in Newport News. The owner, Dan DePiero, is an old friend of mine. Ships aren’t exactly his specialty, he carries a good assortment of kits and modeling supplies.
You also might want to check out Ft. Monroe, in Hampton. Tidewater Virginia is a fascinating place. The downside is that you find yourself driving around a lot in order to see it. And Tidewater drivers are insane.
On the southside (South of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on I-64) about the only hobby shop that doesn’t do mainly RC is Hobbytown USA on Virginia Beach Blvd (between the VB Blvd.-Independence and VB Blvd.-Rosemont intersections). They have an OK ship selection, but have pretty solid stocks on everything else (paint, glue, tools, airplanes, trains, cars, and RC).
The Mariner’s Museum is fantastic, only teeny issue is it’s more than you can take in in a one day trip!
If you like aircraft at all check out the Fighter Factory. They have a beautiful collection of restored and reproductions of aircraft of which many are flyable.
Gosh I need to get out there. Many many years ago I spent a summer in NN. Moms college roommate was married to a guy who was a boomer skipper and we liked him and their family a lot. He was my godfather.