When it comes to model kits of a certain type of warship, Cruisers, specially US and UK light and heavy cruisers of WW-2 have realy been left out of the picture! And this in all scales.
I'm only talking about injected plastic kits here. In 1/700 scale, we have the Tamiya USS Indianapolis. Skywaves and Dragon sell the Oakland class Light Cruisers, and thats it! In 1/600 scale Airfix has a few of the British light and heavy Cruisers. As far as larger scales go, they got left out! None in 1/350 scale, the most popular scale for large models. The thing is , is that the Light and Heavy cruisers were the work horses of these two navies. And far out numbered Battleships and Aircraft carriers.
The interest is there for modelers to build models of these kits. Just take a look at the Tamiya 1/700 USS Indianapolis when it was first brought out. Everybody wanted one. It was hot! But Tamiya stopped right there, leaving us modelers with an appetite for more. Oh and I would love to see some 1/350 US and UK Cruisers! But who knows why the manufactures will not produce these historical warships. Revell monogram had several kits back in the 60's and early 70's, but none since.
Who else feels that we need more kits of the forgotten Cruisers? I think it is sad realy to leave these out.

Garry

Hi Garry!

I couldn't agree more with you, but...

I must say that when it comes to naval subjects, the big companyes tend to overlook this subject a lot!
Even reissues should be more active...

But they should know better - just look at Trumpeter that in the last years have put in the market a lot of big and hot (selling) naval models! Revell of Germany hit the pot with their 1/72 U-boot typ VII-C! Perhaps the top selling naval model in the last years...
Meaning: naval subjects do sell if they are good models! So investment is needed (reissues or new molds) because there is a market for it

Merchant, Civil, Cruisers, Frigates, Destroyers, Small modern Craft, and so on and so on!!!
The naval area is full of subjects asking to be made in model form, and not everyone of us, modelers, can afford a US$500 resin model - because it's the only way that you can have the model you "need"

Down from the soap box

Skipper

I also totally agree. Except for the Japanese, who should be applauded for making their own ships at least. Except for every Japanese cruiser made you can just about count the number of cruisers of any navy,in any scale, on the fingers on one hand. 1/700 Indianapolis, 1/700 Prince Eugen. In 1/600 HMS Suffolk, Ajax, and Belfast. That's if you don't count the three German armored ships, the so called Pocket Battleships. That's all I've seen since the 1960s anyway. It's really a shame. I guess as far as the plastic ship makers you can have any ship you want, in just about any scale, as long as its the Bismarck or Tirpitz.

Halfyank is correct in that tamiya is STARTING to look at other CA's. With the execption of the IJN, Most of the Ca's and CL are missing!! What an OPEN Market for a company wanting to get more of the share of the ship building people! And are there even any in 1/350? Heller makes some 1/400. What an opertunity!!

I have heard that future plans from Trumpeter (in 350 scale)include a crusier. Japaneese, AMerican British ? Who knows. I know they have announced the North Carolina for sure. Supposedly the Hood, Akagi, and Alabama are being worked on and an un-named crusier. But we're still a couple of years away

Gary,
I wholeheartedly agree. More cruisers please! Although not a great ship modeller (only 2 in my collection) I'd love to see the following in 1/350 plastic:
RN- Dido, Exeter, County, Leander, Sheffield and maybe a Ceres class (resin and PE to convert into an AA cruiser perhaps)
Kreigsmarine-Admiral Scheer (reclassified as a heavy cruiser mid-war), a Hipper and a light cruiser, Leipzig for example.
Then a few Trumpeter O'Brien kits, some escort vessles (destroyers, corvettes, Trawlers! and a resin sea the size of a football field and what a diorama someone could make!
Bring 'Em On
Tom

There is a kit of the H.M.S. Tiger by Eastern Express they have it listed as a battleship but its the cruiser.They also make a1:500 Royal Sovereign and two other 1:350 ww1 dreadnoughts the Knyaz Suvorov and the Borodino.Now I have no experiance at all with Eastern Express so could someone tell me wether to give them a wide berth or fork over my hard earned money?

I think most of Eastern Express kits are re box's. I know there Royal Sovereign is a re box of the older Revell kit. I have one, and if EE's molding is as good as Revells, then it would be a good buy.
I dont think any of these kits are expensive , and they may be the only game in town , as no other company makes these. So if you can get them cheep enough , they should be worth the effort.

HTH,

Garry

rough guess; the price of a mold for a 1/350th Cruiser in todays money and built in Japan or USA/Canada; about $3million
amortized over the first 100,000 shots is $30 per kit; not including the plastic used; artworks; boxing and warehousing
It's a big investment

Yes it is a big investment Steve. But the same can be said of any new kit a company brings out. Now if this were the case, is that why cruisers have never been offered by the modeling companies? I realy don't know myself. I do know there is a market for them. Us warship modelers would go nuts buying them up! Well I would! :-)

Cheers,

Garry