Hey folks!

I'm looking for your input, suggestions, and recomendations on a kit. I'd like to build, down the road, either a battleship or cruiser (WWII or Korean era; not modern). I'd prefer US or perhaps German...it doesn't have to be a "famous" one per se ("odd-ball" or "different" is quite okay), just a nice one. I'd prefer the full-hull version over a waterline version (I realize there are a bunch that offer both in the same box) and I'm thinking 1/350th scale (unless it's four feet long!) or maybe a step down in scale.

As a lot of you know, I'm more into the Armor side of the house, and I'm slow building (FYI: I finally have everything now to build my Dad's boat, the USS Hawkbill from WWII!!), but I'd like a nice ship to do; one that would, if necessary, only need a little "modification" to make a nice representation. If there's just a little AM needed, such as a PE set or maybe some resin accessories or turned barrels, that's fine....I have no problem getting those items or working with that type of media (kit needs to be plastic though).

I'm asking as I've found that building a different genre of model increases my skill level and broaden's my horizon, if you will. That and I'm starting to get burned out on Armor... So, if you happen to pop over to ModelGeek, check out the Dodge Deora I'm doing....hehehe, goin' "shiney!!" The Deora is a nice change of pace and I think a ship will do the same.

Any suggestions?

Mike

Hi Mike!

Depending on what you wanna spend, mate, Hasegawa's new Nagato is the bomb, aside from some minor hull plate innacuracies...beautiful kit, and in 1/350 as well!

Hasegawa

Mark,

Appreciate the response and yeah, that get's a "WOW-factor" boost....but, looking for a US or pushing it, a German ship. Anything of this caliber that flew the "Stars and Stripes?" I'd really like (at least) one very nice ship to put on the list....that is of course some Squid bites this here Grunt!

Kinda funny....my Dad and all but one Uncle were Navy. Should've heard the chit fly when I joined the Army!! double-

Hey Mike.
Welcome to the wetter side of the hobby.
But watch out. These things can be addictive. Trust me I know.

Can’t really give you any advice as most of what I’ve built is 1/700. And the really good ones I’ve worked on are destroyers and probably a bit small for what you want.
But I’ve heard a lot of good things about Trumpeters 1/350 line. You may want to check out there line and see if there’s anything that interests you.

Hi,

My Favorite is the IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao.

Hey Jacob, I think you (and others) know me; mud, guts, dirt, and whatnot. The sojourn into the Deora has been "a trip" to say the least....so many options....so many different things involved. A battleship (BIG and beefy) or a Cruiser or a Destroyer would be the same for me...something different...something that'll "refine" my skills? Heck, scale wise, a 1/350 (let alone a 1/700) is tiny compared to what I normally immerse myself in: 1/35th. And! Ya got different colors! (so say the color-blind foo)

Anyhow, I'm "gathering" the same; the Trumpy line is a potentially good place to start...if nothing more than to narrow my "waves" down and try to focus on a class of ship.

Mike

Edit: Harry, where in Colorado are you??? I'm in the 'Springs.

Hi Mike,

Aurora

Mike I can honestly say that after spending some time on these tiny ships my fine detail painting skills have gotten much better. I can even paint a good camo job on the 1/35 figures now.
Also helped me get better at fighting off the carpet monster.....

Of course if you decide to go 1/700 I’ve hear a lot of good things about the kits from sky wave and must say the one kit I have from them (butter class DE) is fantastic in both detail and ease of putting it together.
Really don’t need much aftermarket on them except possibly a set of rails.

But just remember I to was once an Armor builder who sometimes did aircraft......
Now there’s 4 competed ships and 2 in progress.

350 scale US battleships. OK there are 4 out there. Tamiya makes the Missouri which is still a wonderful kit. Pick up a Tom's PE set for it and you have a real nice displslay item. I found one at my local Hobby Lobby for $100 and there is a 40% discount going on this week. I also saw the North Carolina by Trumpeter. The kit has a few issues, but read my construction artilce and if you get the lower hull spaced and a good PE set it will turn out fne. Trumpeter also has released both the Mass, and the Alabama. I plan to pick up the "Bama within the next week. There are a couiple of nice PE sets available for this one.Ohyea. Trumpeter also did the Arizonza, but last I hear it was OOP. Tamiya also does the Yamato series, Bismarck, and KIng George V series in 350. All are really nice kits. The Nagato as let loose by Haswgawa and is unbelieveable but at $200 , well I'll have to pass on this one with much regret

Thanks for the replys!

I went looking at GM to see what they had in 1/350...I was going to ask about the Tamiya's, but Steve, I think you answered that question for me.

The Trumpy MA and AL are sounding pretty darn good...as I'm in no hurry, I may hang tight and see what pops for a review (or go looking for a review if it's already been done).

I am figuring $100 to $150ish for the kit and maybe half that for AM if necessary. I should add that (having just looked at the box art for the Trumpy AL) I like the idea of a camo scheme over "gray." But, I can go either way on this.

Anyhow, hope a review hits soon.

Thanks again!

Mike

Mike, I did the Tamiya Missouri a couple of years ago, and it's really a great kit, especially when you add some aftermarket sets.

I went way beyond what most people would do to include PE, resin replacements for a lot of OOB kit parts as well as some scratch building modifications to configure the ship to be the way she was at the surrender and add some details which weren't included. And as cool looking as the dazzle paint schemes are, I don't believe any of the battleships every entered the Pacific painted that way, so I went for a Measure 22 (which is a whole lot less work as well!)

But most of the things I did would not be noticed by most people looking at the kit. (I have a ton of in progress photos in my gallery to show what I did), so unless you're a real stickler for accuracy, you really don't need to do too much to this kit, but you CAN really spruce it up if you choose.

For my money, the lines of a WW II Iowa class are about the prettiest of any warship, and since the Missouri was the last battleship which will likely ever be commisioned, it was a natural.

Tom

Mike:

A guy is selling the new Alabama on line for $99 with $8 shipping. You can pick up a Tom's PE set for around $33-35. So It isn't quite as expensive as you were planning on....go ebay

Tom, thanks for the input on the Tamiya kit....you did an awesome job on it! Very nice!

Steve, I'll usually use GM or Squadron to "see what's out there" then go the eBay route if it's available. I still have plenty of time to hang loose to see what's said about the Trumpy's.

Again, thanks all for the input.

Mike

Hi Mike

What about the Tamiya USS Fletcher in 1/350th scale?

Either OTTB or with the GMM etch set.

I am thinking of getting it a practice/confidence builder for 1/350 kitsets and ship building in general.

I have heard its great for exactly this scenario you are talking about.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers


Sean

Mike,

Glad to see you over on the ship side. I’ve been spending about as much time over here as I spend on the armor side. The Alabama would be a nice kit to build. There are also, as other mentioned, the Fletcher and Missouri.

For the German side of course there is the Bismark/Tirpitz ships to build. Also as mentioned by other is that great kit of the Nagato. Of course those are all in plastic. The options go up a good deal if you look at resin, so does the price tag.

These guys will help you out a good deal and won’t steer you wrong.


Jim

Sean, hmmmm.....that may be a good way to go....just took a look at it on Squadron's site....may be wise to "cut the teeth" on something a little smaller.....a definite consideration.

And, wow! Just looked at GMM's PE set (just what are some of those "things"?!) and a build by Hague of the Tamy Fletcher.....some seriously small parts there!

Thanks!

Mike

Mike,
If your thinking of doing a camo scheme on a US battleship try and have a word with Gator (Kenny Loup) about his paint mask systems.
I'm also thinking of a US battleship build in the future. Trumpy's USS North Carolina with PE finances permitting of course.
I hope you enjoy your battleship build.
Tom

I thnk that the Fletcher (DD) and the Missouri (BB) hae pretty much the same level of diffculty in building. If you have been building some of these recent Dragon releases you will find these absolute delights to build. PE is much smaller on ships and takes a lot of being aware of where you are at in the build. A lot goes on in your suba=assembly builds. It is not difficult at all once you get rolling onit. I have built 6 Tamiya BB's all with PE and 2 Trumpy bb's (3 AC's) I have had a ball building each and every one of them. I built my first one 15 years ago so I would say that whtevr you go with you will more than likely fined worth your effort

As soon as I can get a copy of the instructions for the new 1/350 Alabama, I get the paint masks made for it.

Gator

Kenny, question for you: I checked out your masks for the Fletcher (1/350th)....there's a bunch there. Is there an easy way to determine which goes to which? I may wind up going the route of the Tamiya Fletcher and GMM PE....I like the idea of the camo and saw a couple in there that were pretty darn sharp. But which? Sorry to sound like a noob, but...hehehe, that's me! They were all for the DD 445 class, but just different Measures and Camouflage Designs.

Mike

Mike, what I've discovered about doing a ship, is that not only is each one in a class likely to have differences in the build and appearance with sister ships in a class, but an individual ship is like a person, and changes over time as well. What you have to do is pick out a ship AND a specific time period for that ship that both interest you and for which you can find good photographic documentation. That way you can build the appropriate features (numbers and arrangements of guns, radars etc) as well as the appropriate camo scheme for that period.

As far as the camouflage of a particular US warship during WW II matched to a time frame, you can't beat this link. http://www.shipcamouflage.com/camouflage_database.htm

I have it bookmarked!!!

Tom

Mike,

Check your pm.

Gator

Tom and Kenny, thanks for the links! I think I'll start small for my first ship in (literally) decades by getting the Fletcher, a set of approprate masks, and some PE. I'm also going to start looking around for some proper reference material for the Fletcher-class.

Mike

Folks, it's been decided...USS Fletcher (DD-445). I've spent the last half hour looking through the Fletcher's home page, and much like the home page to my Dad's boat, the USS Hawkbill, it's "moving." I think what hooked me is my liking the number 13. Don't ask why, I don't know.

Anyhow, because these articles are copyrighted, I can't/won't post the most striking paragraph I've read so far...It really is full of "13." If you select this page, please read the article, but more importantly, and to show what made my mind up for me, focus on the second to last paragraph. Luck? I'm thinking so!! More to it? You bet!

Mike

This is the camo I'll do it up in....MS12 (modified?):


Didn't see a copyright on the photo, so I'm hoping I'm "safe."

Hi Mike

I am glad I may have pointed you in the right direction. Well I hope so.

I am hoping to also invest in the Tamiya USS Fletcher and add ons.

Cheers



Sean