Hello All,
I've been modeling on and off for over 20 years now, but never made a serious attempt to build a ship. What would be a good 1/700 kit for a first timer like me? I'm planning on installing some PE railings and some rigging, but otherwise would like to build something that had ok detail OOB. A simple paint scheme would be nice too.
thanks
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Looking for a good 1st time ship
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 07:46 AM UTC
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Model Shipwrights: 3,509 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 08:02 AM UTC
Now that is a challenging question. You have gone with 700 scale. So you need to decide what type of ship do you want Battleship, Destroyer, Submarine, Aircraft Carrier. Do you want to do world war 2 or modern. Seriously there are probably close to 500 (when you include the special resin only versions)or so different kits out there of all types of ships . Some are full hull, most are waterline and some give you the option.
There ae some really good kits out there and some even include the pe, or at least some PE. You should go to the Great Models website and look up 700 scale ships, that way you can pick out a ship you are interested in like the Bismarck or maybe a Batimore class heavy cruiser. Then we can give you a better recommendation.
There ae some really good kits out there and some even include the pe, or at least some PE. You should go to the Great Models website and look up 700 scale ships, that way you can pick out a ship you are interested in like the Bismarck or maybe a Batimore class heavy cruiser. Then we can give you a better recommendation.
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 08:09 AM UTC
Hi Steve,
Right now my primary concern is simplicity as I don't want to go in over my head.
That said, I'd be more interested in a ww II vessel than something modern. A battleship or heavy cruiser would probably be too big of a project to start out with. Maybe a destroyer or other small escort vessel?
Right now my primary concern is simplicity as I don't want to go in over my head.
That said, I'd be more interested in a ww II vessel than something modern. A battleship or heavy cruiser would probably be too big of a project to start out with. Maybe a destroyer or other small escort vessel?
skipper
Joined: February 28, 2002
KitMaker: 5,182 posts
Model Shipwrights: 4,070 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:58 AM UTC
Hi Ralph
First of all Welcome to Modelshipwrights
As for your question, I would suggest DML/Dragon USS Arizona (or other of your pic) Premium edition. For a "starter" in the small scale ship world they are good to practise a little and also include PE sets for the major delicate parts and raillings
Hope this help
Skipper
First of all Welcome to Modelshipwrights
As for your question, I would suggest DML/Dragon USS Arizona (or other of your pic) Premium edition. For a "starter" in the small scale ship world they are good to practise a little and also include PE sets for the major delicate parts and raillings
Hope this help
Skipper
Gunny
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
Model Shipwrights: 4,704 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 11:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Ralph
First of all Welcome to Modelshipwrights
As for your question, I would suggest DML/Dragon USS Arizona (or other of your pic) Premium edition. For a "starter" in the small scale ship world they are good to practise a little and also include PE sets for the major delicate parts and raillings
Hope this helps
Skipper
Ahoy, Ralph,
Welcome aboard, mate!
I have to agree with the Skipper here 100%, any of DML's "Premie's" would make for a good starter kit, and like Rui stated, the PE is included with the kit (as well as a beatutiful Cartograf decal)...just pick one that strikes yer fancy and get busy!
Here is a listing from the DML USA site of the available "Premium Edition" kits:
HERE!
Whichever yo do decide on, keep us posted and included in your build, ask lots of questions, and above all HAVE FUN!!
Keep Modeling,
~Gunny
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 02:17 PM UTC
Thank you gentlemen.
I'll make my way to the hobby shop tomorrow and see if they have any of the kits mentioned.
Expect to see a lot of questions from me along the way
I'll make my way to the hobby shop tomorrow and see if they have any of the kits mentioned.
Expect to see a lot of questions from me along the way
RKernaghan
Joined: June 11, 2007
KitMaker: 21 posts
Model Shipwrights: 19 posts
KitMaker: 21 posts
Model Shipwrights: 19 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:21 PM UTC
Hi Ralph,
You are best starting with something in plastic, maybe something like Tamiya's HMS Rodney which you can paint in overall light grey, plu it has a dedicated PE fret from WEM.
If you do intend to rig, then I strongly recommend you reaplce he masts with brass rod or tube.
This is easy enought to do with this kit, use the plastic masts as a template. If you rig a plastic mast then you will bend it.
Cheers,
Rob Kernaghan
You are best starting with something in plastic, maybe something like Tamiya's HMS Rodney which you can paint in overall light grey, plu it has a dedicated PE fret from WEM.
If you do intend to rig, then I strongly recommend you reaplce he masts with brass rod or tube.
This is easy enought to do with this kit, use the plastic masts as a template. If you rig a plastic mast then you will bend it.
Cheers,
Rob Kernaghan
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 10:23 AM UTC
I've taken the plunge and purchased DML's 1/700 USS Juneau today.
My first observation/question is that the vessel on the boxtop is not the same as that provided in the kit. Is the kit described in the instructions the Juneau in her 1942 post-refit configuration, while the painting is the early configuration?
Does anybody know what I might need to do to build this kit up as the USS Atlanta in her 1941 fittings. The simpler paint scheme would be a bonus for my first go around.
My first observation/question is that the vessel on the boxtop is not the same as that provided in the kit. Is the kit described in the instructions the Juneau in her 1942 post-refit configuration, while the painting is the early configuration?
Does anybody know what I might need to do to build this kit up as the USS Atlanta in her 1941 fittings. The simpler paint scheme would be a bonus for my first go around.
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Model Shipwrights: 3,509 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 03:08 PM UTC
One source which has lots of photographs is Navsurce.org. The guys over on modelwarships site also have a real good database and can cite you chapter and verse about what you would need to do. The early 1942 scheme for the Juneau isn't that bad and Gator probably has a set of masks that you could use to make it look like a million bucks.
Gunny
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
Model Shipwrights: 4,704 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 11:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I've taken the plunge and purchased DML's 1/700 USS Juneau today.
Nice kit, good choice IMHO, but with a challenging paint scheme...
Quoted Text
My first observation/question is that the vessel on the boxtop is not the same as that provided in the kit. Is the kit described in the instructions the Juneau in her 1942 post-refit configuration, while the painting is the early configuration?
Interesting...I, like most of us, love box art, but I don't put much faith to accuracy depicted, most of the time, only because this is box art, 99.9% of the time for marketing purposes...but, I don't see the differences that you're speaking of, mate...the two paint schemes provided are for the only two patterns that she had in her very short career,
This one, early career:
And this one, in her later career, taken in June of 1942 (which appears to be the box-art depiction) :
Help me to see the differences, my friend...my eyes are definitely not what they used to be!
Quoted Text
Does anybody know what I might need to do to build this kit up as the USS Atlanta in her 1941 fittings. The simpler paint scheme would be a bonus for my first go around.
To be 100%, mate, I would get a good set of plans...try Taubman's, for instance...but for this kit's sake, most importantly the parts are on this sprue...They include the stepped, round bridge face and the middle deck, with all boat cradles.
Armament is slightly different as well (depth charge projectors vs torpedo tubes) but a simple reference manual should take care of most of the issues...
~Gunny
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 03:46 AM UTC
Hi Gunny,
The main differences I have noted is the presence of two AA gun tubs near the base of the rear (aft?) smokestack, by where the lifeboats are. After exploring some photos I think this feature was unique to the USS Atlanta. There are also a few more small AA guns to contend with as well. The area I'm most curious about is the aft deck where DML would have us leave it bare, the photos do show that some kind of structure is there. Question is, is it like Atlanta's AAA or something else alltogether. I've yet to see a good photo of the back of the Juneau.
As interesting as the USS Juneau's history is, I'm thinking I may build this kit up as the USS Atlanta, simply because I have better references for the latter.
The main differences I have noted is the presence of two AA gun tubs near the base of the rear (aft?) smokestack, by where the lifeboats are. After exploring some photos I think this feature was unique to the USS Atlanta. There are also a few more small AA guns to contend with as well. The area I'm most curious about is the aft deck where DML would have us leave it bare, the photos do show that some kind of structure is there. Question is, is it like Atlanta's AAA or something else alltogether. I've yet to see a good photo of the back of the Juneau.
As interesting as the USS Juneau's history is, I'm thinking I may build this kit up as the USS Atlanta, simply because I have better references for the latter.
Gunny
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
Model Shipwrights: 4,704 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 04:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Gunny,
The main differences I have noted is the presence of two AA gun tubs near the base of the rear (aft?) smokestack, by where the lifeboats are. After exploring some photos I think this feature was unique to the USS Atlanta. There are also a few more small AA guns to contend with as well. The area I'm most curious about is the aft deck where DML would have us leave it bare, the photos do show that some kind of structure is there. Question is, is it like Atlanta's AAA or something else alltogether. I've yet to see a good photo of the back of the Juneau.
As interesting as the USS Juneau's history is, I'm thinking I may build this kit up as the USS Atlanta, simply because I have better references for the latter.
Hmmm, very interesting, Ralph...at the office currently, or I'd be diggin out the kit to see what's what!
That's the tough part as well, there aren't many GOOD photos around...
And, there's nothing wrong with building her as the Atlanta, my friend!
Cheers,
~Gunny
gator
Vendor
#027
Joined: April 13, 2005
KitMaker: 5,422 posts
Model Shipwrights: 5,079 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 05:43 AM UTC
BornToDig
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
Model Shipwrights: 8 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 06:47 AM UTC
Wow Kenny! Great page.
Based on this photo
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4072/images2/juneau/jun-ob4.jpg
It appears that DML's instructions are off (nothing new here) and the Juneau should have the small gun tubs near the smokestack. Who knows what else I'll find
Excuse my lack of ship-speak. I'm new to all this
Gunny, Atlanta or Juneau, either way they're beatiful ships with interesting histories. Its a real shame what happened to them and their crews.
Based on this photo
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4072/images2/juneau/jun-ob4.jpg
It appears that DML's instructions are off (nothing new here) and the Juneau should have the small gun tubs near the smokestack. Who knows what else I'll find
Excuse my lack of ship-speak. I'm new to all this
Gunny, Atlanta or Juneau, either way they're beatiful ships with interesting histories. Its a real shame what happened to them and their crews.
Gunny
Joined: July 13, 2004
KitMaker: 6,705 posts
Model Shipwrights: 4,704 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 08:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Wow Kenny! Great page.
Based on this photo
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4072/images2/juneau/jun-ob4.jpg
It appears that DML's instructions are off (nothing new here) and the Juneau should have the small gun tubs near the smokestack. Who knows what else I'll find
Excuse my lack of ship-speak. I'm new to all this
Gunny, Atlanta or Juneau, either way they're beatiful ships with interesting histories. Its a real shame what happened to them and their crews.
Ok, mate...home now, and rummaging through my kit and review research...Ralph, I do see what you mean... These appear to be the 20mm guns...they're definitely in these pic's, dated 1942...back to the research!
Cheers,
~G
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