I was talking with a guy yesterday and during it I rememebered hearing that someone was doing the Queen Eliz. I think she was a sister to the Warspite. I also think it was Trumpeter that announced it. Is this going to be another Academy/Trumpeter Graf Spee thing or are they going to be different?

Trumpeter is doing the QE.

I am hoping that Trumpeter will actually improve on the Academy Warspite kit. I will admit I am no RN expert, but the Warspite was a good solid kit. To me it was almost a dare I say perfect balance between price, detail, and engineering.

I do not know what time frame the QE will be, but it will probably be similar to the Academy/Trumpeter Graf Spee kits.

It will be very interesting to see.

It's a pity the two companies didn't split the difference and have a kit covering the modified (QE & Warspite) and unmodified (Barham & Malaya) variants, but the modified ones had the more colorful histories, so they were probably a better sales bet.

However, backdating just requires a little more work from the modeler.

--Karl

? QE in 1/700 will be the as-built version. Many (myself included) prefer the sleek lines of as built QE class.

Now question is what do I do with the couple of WEM kits I've got?

More about Trumpeter's forthcoming 1/350 QE kit, including test shot pics can be found here -

http://www.ipmsphilippines.com/site/thread/trumpeter-1-350-hms-queen-elizabeth/117

I am awaiting the release of this one before committing to Academy's Warspite, although further news of this kit seems to have drifted off into the ether!

A bit off topic here, but I don't understand the "Trumeter/Academy" Graf Spee part. I bought both kits and they are very different - in my opinion the Trumpeter (including it's faults) being the better of the two.
I was all prepared to go and pre-order the Academy Warspite, but, now with Trumpeter's announcement, it's a whole new ball game. Judging from the test shots does anyone have an opinion on which kit is the better? Academy seems to come with more PE, and White Ensign already has a set for it. From past experience a PE set designed for one manufacturer's kit will not neccessarily fit a similar kit from a different manufacturer. So now we will have to wait for another PE set designed for Trumpeter...and wood deck...etc.

Do we have any word on what the suggested retail of the Academy and Trumpy offerings are?

If the price break difference is not huge, I'd probably use the better kit for a straight out-of-the-box build and the lesser for backdating into the two unmodified sisters.



--Karl

The Academy seems to be in the US$ 60 - 70 price range. Trumpeter will probably be more expensive.

To remove anti-torpedo bulges for backdating will be problematic. N'est pas?

Do it waterline?

If only like that. It would be my first waterline.

Mais bien sur, producing a WWI Warspite from either kit would likely involve scratchbuilding the hull as well as the entire superstructure. I was actually referring to making a Barham, c.1941.

Good catch, though.



--Karl

There's significant differences between the two ships and models as it is (unlike the two Graf Spee kits) so you could even do one of each, if the wallet supports it.

I will be getting the 1/700 Trumpy QE 1918 version but, I sure do hope that they do the 1/700 1941 version as well!


Bob Pink.

I would like to see the 1918 version upscaled to 1/350th, but like Renown, I fear it will not happen.

Pity as it would be a good base for between the wars conversions, would love to do an early 30's Valiant with the Cat on the Quarterdeck.

Si

price wise it looks like Trump will be around 2x. Have to look at in box reviews on this one. Might just go with the academy

All i can say is this:I am finishing my first 1/350 Academy Warspite and i have only used generic etch plus the etch cranes supplied by the kit, and some improvements with plastic strips .No specific sets were bought as i was to impatient to wait for them.
Even though the kit has a few easily fixed problems, for its price its a must have in my opinion.And you can easily have it made as 43 with that blocky camo.
So far one of the most enjoyable 1/350 kits i made , and partly because i didnt have to use those huge etch sets this time.

For what it's worth, I just received one of the Pontos sets for the Academy kit and it looks Niiiiiiiiice. It'll definitely ad to the work load, but there are some good replacements.

Looking at the pics of the test shots of the QE, it appears no waterline option is given, or easy way to waterline, like Warspite. A bit dissapointing.

The construction of the Hull looks akin to the Hassagawa Mikasa, Ruined one of those trying to waterline it, and don't fancy trying it on a bigger hull.

Pity, not so keen on this now.

Si

Sounds good...i think my emphasis will be on teh retooled Yamato...need to see what all was done before I decide whether to pick it up or just get the LionRoar on the old kit

It seems that not only will there be a 1/350 QE from Trumpeter, but there'll soon be a Warspite too!

Academy have stolen the march, but will Trumpeter win the race in terms of final quality?

http://www.hobby-show.info/tokyo2011/0806.html