[weiwencheng]

I am also interested in finding a few good already built military ship models. What I have found so far kind of points to easy model or pit road, but I really don't see a good selection from anybody. I know they are all plastic, but am looking for at least a bit of detail. Since a lot are Japanese made models maybe I need to search Japanese websites? Anybody have a direction they can point me? Looking for both modern and WWII era ships.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by weiwencheng

I am also interested in finding a few good already built military ship models. What I have found so far kind of points to easy model or pit road, but I really don't see a good selection from anybody. I know they are all plastic, but am looking for at least a bit of detail. Since a lot are Japanese made models maybe I need to search Japanese websites? Anybody have a direction they can point me? Looking for both modern and WWII era ships.

What scale are you looking for?
our member here 1250ships has an incredible site with over 800 ship models listed.

1250Ships.com - 1250Ships.com

[1250ships]

In ships it comes down to scale and cost. The main scales for ship models are 1/350, 1/400, 1/700, and 1/1250 or 1200. To give you a feel for size the length of the Titanic (a ship everyone knows) would be:

30.2 inches in 1/350
25.4 inches in 1/400
15.1 inches in 1/700
8.4 inches in 1/1250

1/350 and 1/400 are almost exclusively kits. If you want a model that size it is possible to hire someone to build one though of course it won't be cheap. There are a few sites out there offering models in these sizes but in most cases they build to order so they are functionally order takers for model builders. Franklin Mint also did a few 1/350 finished models. They are in the over $1000 print range.

In 1/700 there are hundreds of kits, if not thousands. There are also a few diecast models most notably the ones by Gearbox. They are cheap but details and accuracy are suspect. Easy Model also makes a line of 1/700 submarines that are quite good for the price.

1/1250 and the sister scale of 1/1200 have a wide variety of choices, are mostly cast in metal and hand finished. They involve a lot of hand work and the prices are much higher than what you might be used to in the diecast world where models are mass produced. Here in the US we are also on the wrong side of an exchange rate because most of the models are made in Europe and are priced in Euros. Models in this scale are also mostly exclusively waterline rather than full hull. Full hull is much more common in the larger scales.

What you pay also depends on the quality of the model. You can buy a 1/1200 scale kit model of HMS Renown for under $25 from Alnavco in Virginia. Their castings are unfinished and based on WW2 recognition moulds so details are sometimes lacking. Plus you have to provide the painting.

A basic finished Renown from Neptun, one of the best German makers would cost $86:



An upgraded version of the same basic mould also from Neptun will set you back $195 but adds improved painting, rigging, flags, and is mounted in a display case:




Give us some idea of what scale you are looking for and we'll try to point you in the right direction.

[weiwencheng]

I was thinking 1/700 scale, I do like the Neptun with the added detail and base to the waterline. These would be something to sit on the shelf, so I was thinking maybe something full hull or if I went with a waterline something with the blue base.Kind of like what you see in the pic, but not so big. Please excuse all the bugs, maybe I collect too much

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by weiwencheng

I was thinking 1/700 scale, I do like the Neptun with the added detail and base to the waterline. These would be something to sit on the shelf, so I was thinking maybe something full hull or if I went with a waterline something with the blue base.Kind of like what you see in the pic, but not so big. Please excuse all the bugs, maybe I collect too much

Nice Lexington.

In 1/700 pre-built you have the Easy Model subs and the Gearbox ships. The Easy Models are well done and if you want subs they are the way to go. The Gearbox stuff if pretty toy like in my opinion but depends on what you are looking for. They have about six different models, all US Navy, for around $35. Just Google Gearbox 1/700 and you will find them.

Beyond that you are looking at built up kits in this scale. I just searched on Ebay and someone is selling a bunch of 1/700 built up kits right now. Stuff frequnetly pops up there- of course the problem is how it will be packed to avoid damage during shipping.

[weiwencheng]

So do most of the 1/1250 scale come with the waterline base?

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by weiwencheng

So do most of the 1/1250 scale come with the waterline base?

No- most come without the base. If you want to display them in a case or with a base it is fairly easy to add those. The majority of the collectors put the models in a display case without any sort of base.