Littorio,
My friend you are wrong there is no need for more 1/700 kits. Gunny and yourself must have eyes of an egale to enjoy kits so small(just haveing fun...lol). I will have to look up that book and see about getting it.

For a while I dabbled a bit in the mini scale of 1:1200. Pcked up a bunch real cheap on ebay $4 each....then someone else discovered my source and the prices skyrocketed to the $20+ range. But I too am awaiting with bated breath the release of a crusier in 350 scale. The rumors of a Takao class fueled us last year, but so far no mention of production. I think the only thing I've heard in 350 is Trumpeter doing an Alabama and Massachetsettes. DML did a survey last year and the top two picks were Heavy Cruisers and I think Hasegawa was considering entering the fray. They did do some WW1 stuff and the Yukikaze...so if anythng at least we got a Japanese destroyer to go with the two varieties of Fletchers.

I want to try Hasegawa's new full hull 1/700 IJN HAGURO. Awesome kit.

IJN Haguro

Gator,
That is a nice one, but couldn't they make it bigger? It's a conspiracy against me I know it.

Sorry Frank.

Sometimes I think that those of us who build 1/700 are in the minority.

That looks nice Kenny any idea when its out?

I do think there is an Axis thing here, if its armour it has to be grey or yellow with a cross while if it's 1/700 ships (with some exceptions) it has to have the raising sun on the yard arm.

Ciao
Luciano

Line 'em up! The U.S. cruisers from the war construction programs are out there, ready to build several sister ships in different camouflage schemes - Baltimore/Pittsburgh heavy cruisers from Trumpeter and Cleveland/Miami light cruisers from Midship Models now (formerly Skywave) and San Diego class antiaircraft cruisers from DML/Dragon (formerly Skywave) in injection molded plastic.

Big huge postwar Des Moines class CA in resin from a couple of companies! More pre-war cruisers in resin every month, if you care to work with resin (I don't)

And White Ensign and Gold Medal Models make photo-etch sheets tailored for these ships, and Tom's Modelworks makes some sheets that are really close.

We're in hog heaven for U.S. cruisers in 1/700 scale. Japanese cruisers have been good and getting better all the time. I only wish that British cruisers were available in injection molded plastic to the same extent.

Rick

Hey all,

As soon as I finish some builds I'll try a cruiser out just don't know which one yet. here are 2 in 1/350.The bluewater one is real expensive.

Dragon- USS Vincennes
Blue water navy-USS Houston (CA30) Northampton class Cruiser

This is probably going to be a stupid question but... Would there be much difference in size between 1/700 and 1/600? It's a long time (35 years) since I last built something that small and I'm starting to get interested in them again.

Especially the DML 1/700 HMS Liverpool.

I might begin a new fleet! Hence the size difference question.

Murdo,

There will be some noticable diferences between the different scales but the 1/700 will still be some nice aditions to your growing fleet.

Hi Murdo,

As Frank (wildspear) has pointed out you will notice the difference between the two scales.
1/700 has become the more supported of the two while 1/600 was a Airfix/Frog scale, very nice that they were back in the day.

Ciao
Luciano

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm afraid I cracked and ordered the DML premium edition 1/700 HMS Liverpool.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Oops, I hope this isn't considered a thread hijack.

How about the U.S.S. Alaska ?????????????? She was a beautiful ship,,,,that would great in 1/350.

Luciano,
My LHS has 2 in stock right now.

Thanks Kenny I keep a look out this side of the pond

Ciao
Luciano

I think that Dragon Vincennes kit may not be what you think. It is a modern day Aegis class Cruiser. Which is a cruiser, but when I think of the Vincennes I think of the WW2 version.

Keep your head up................we supposed to be getting from Aoshima 1/350 Takao and Chokai in the next two months,and from the pictures last month they look spectacular.

Hey Anthony,

Yep, I'm waiting for more info on these kits. Aoshima only has a listing on their website, no info. As soon as I get some details, I'll let you guys know.

~Gator

That one (Aoshima) has been on the rumor...future announcements for a long time. I vividly remember Trumpeter's announcement of the 350 scale Nimitz and it was well over a year before that actually got released. The same goes for the Mass/ Alabama release. Though they did show pictures finally of the sprues. We'll probably see both of them (the HC and BB) in August or so. I am excited this year about what is going on in this field. I think it is inevitable we will get the Akagi and probably a Baltimore.

Blaster,

All I can say is I want the inside line that you and some others have to info.....man some of you just come out with great early info that has me sitting at the edge of my seat. Keep it up and if you get a chance tell me your secrets.......

Hey Frank,

With as competitive as the Ship market is becoming, manufacturers are pretty tight lipped on the subject. I've been checking out the recent show reports from Japan and all there is is speculation.

With as competitive as the Ship market is becoming, manufacturers are pretty tight lipped on the subject. I've been checking out the recent show reports from Japan and all there is is speculation.[/


Speculation on what ?? Never throw a bone to dog, cause that wont satisfy...please tell us.

What I get are rumors and a few comments from gus who get querries from the manufacturers. The Akagi has been talked about for three years now as has the release of an American cruiser. So no, I don't have an inside track. I think the manufacturers throw out a little comment and sit back and watch the reaction. If they see folks jumping up and down and getting excited then they dig a little deeper. and so on.....and so on....until one day they have reference amterial , some molds made and then they announce. So no my friend, I am not someone in the know. I just ask a lot of questions, and sometimes get lucky when the right person gives me a nod and a wink about something

It's the Akagi rumors that I am refering to. As far as Aoshima 1/350 Takao and Chokai go, they were unvailed at the recent Japan show. There are photos of them on HLJ website.

But like Steve has said, this year will be interesting. I say this not because I have an inside track but because I feel that there is a lull in the aircraft and armor modeling community. The manufacturers are searching for subjects. Ship models are uncharted waters. There is a lot of subjects out there that have never been done or need to be updated. Ours is a growing hobby with endless possibilities. Just think, WWII Royal Navy subjects, with the exception of the battleships, have gone untouched as has American cruisers. And affordable WWI subjects are as rare as hen's teeth.

Yes friends, there is a lot to keep a model company busy now.

New Trumpeter Cruiser:

1/350 USS San Fransisco CA-38, 1942
Kit # 5309
SRP $64.95
Due October 2007