Ahoy Mates!

Gary Kato (GaryKato) sends us his views and opinions of Seals Models, 1/700 scale, two ships-in-one kit, Hashidate/Itsukushima, in this MSW "Inbox" review!

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
~Gunny

Thanks for the review Gary,

Seals Models continue to release these great Japanese turn of the century ships at affordable prices. It would be nice if they released some of the adversarial Russian fleet as well!

Frank

Hi Gary

Nice review on a "strange" ship! Sealsmodels kits are top quality and this is another one of them!
Fortunately you have the box painting to serve as rigging guide
Thanks


Rui

Gary, thanks for the review. Those are nice looking ships. Gives me more to write on my list.

Frank you are right, some Russian counter parts would be nice as well.

(taking cover)

Although not in plastic, but in resin, the counterparts can be found here:

Kombrig

and here:

Russian Ships 1870~1945 at Pacific Front

Looking at the prices of the Sealsmodels (expensive everywhere except in Japan!) against some of the counterpart models in resin, it's not that different


Rui

I've had this "2 for 1" since it came out and had considered building them for the Pre-dread campaign (my AIM name is "Hashidate"). I like the Matsuhima the best though, because I love how utterly bizarre it is even compared to its sisters. The Matsushima's large cannon s mounted facing rearward and so the bow looks more like a floating fortress.

My quest for the Matsushima was one fraught with defeat. Seals Models had originally released it separately as a resin piece. Missed my chance getting that one. Then they re-released this set with the resin Matsushima included. It can be seen here:

http://www.hlj.com/product/INTSML-08

I just couldn't bring myself to order the set for the price when it included two ships I already had, so that one slipped though my fingers.

But there is some quasi-hope on the horizon. Foresight is apparently releasing a plastic kit- although for the price it may still be resin (you heard it here first!). However, it was supposed to be out in August, so who knows?

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10062335

hi Dade

Matsushima is still listed in the Foresight website:


Sealsmodels/Foresight website

If you have connections in Japan, try to get it through them - not all the models available in Japan are accessible to us (foreigners) via HLJ, 1999 or RainbowTen
Give it a try


Rui

Rui,

I have a few Combrig ships so far. Thanks for that new list of them from Modelships.

Hi Rui,

Even though it's listed, it doesn't seem to actually be available. Maybe this is more for completion's sake in the listing... I've had my contacts try to buy it from them before, but that's a whole other story. The quest continues.

And actually when it comes to much of the stuff available, 1999 is dependable as they are in many ways the Japanese equivalent of Stevens. As it goes, If it's even remotely mass market and 1999 doesn't have it, then nobody does (there are lots of things on 1999 that HLJ or HWJapan doesn't have for example). Of course, there's always the aftermarket, but who knows how much money will come into play then...

Oh well, I've waited 2 years already, I'm in no rush.

(taking cover)

Although not in plastic, but in resin, the counterparts can be found here:

Kombrig

and here:

Russian Ships 1870~1945 at Pacific Front



Hi Rui,

I've recently placed an order with Bill at Pacificfront for Combrig's Imperator Alexander III. (amongst many others!) not exactly a simple build but it does look great!

Frank

I'm glad you guys liked the review. I've been working on it, off and on, for a very long time. I too balked at ordering the triple kit with its triple price.