[Paladin18]

Hi 1250ships

Just chanced upon your thread. Must say that you've an awesome website. Very impressive!

I'm not into collecting miniature combat vessels myself though I might just succumb to the temptation one day. I only have one ship - a Takara sectional Aegis warship in Japanese service - in my predominantly armour collection.

Anyway, I came across some soon-to-be-released 1/1250 Ticonderoga and Spruance class ships by Easy Model on the Motor Pool website. It's available on pre-order. Expected release is in June but no pictures of the models were shown. I could not find anything on the manufacturer's website as well.

Do you happen to have more information on Easy Model's new releases? I'd be curious to know like, for instance, how many models are they planning for release? I've been a fan of Easy Model's 1/72 armour collection and was particularly intrigued when they decided to take the plunge into miniature surface vessels.

Paladin18

[1250ships]

I will be stocking the Easy Model ships when they come out and I would expect to see them at many of the regular Easy Model dealers. I have no news of exactly when they will be released though. Their catalog lists the following ships:

• USS Ticonderoga (Ticonderoga class with missile launchers)
• USS Vincennes (as above but with Harpoon canisters aft)
• USS Princeton (Tico class with VLS system)
• USS Spruance (lead Spruance class destroyer)
• USS Arthur W Radford (Spruance with experimental main mast)
• USS Kidd (Kidd class missile destroyer)
• USS Chandler (another Kidd class ship)

These are based on kits by Hobby Boss. I was able to stock some of those which give you a good idea of what the finished products will look like. The models are pretty good. Some features such as lattice masts are rendered as solid instead of accurately reproduced as you see in the German made models. Of course the Easy Models will be like 1/3rd the price. They also will likely be full hull models, not waterlines though I believe you will be able to turn them into waterlines with a steady hand and an exacto type knife. Much will depend on the paintwork on the models. I expect many of my regular customers will end buying them and doing their own upgrades to them.

They also have an extensive 1/700 submarine range. Those are excellent models for the price.

[Paladin18]

Many thanks for the info and update 1/1250ships! I knew I knocked on the right door!

[Cardinal]

1250ships, do you have any detailed info on the Unimax/Forces of Valor 1/1000 Bismarck currently available for pre-order at The Flying Mule e.g. will it be diecast?

flyingmule.com/products/UM-86001

[Paladin18]

Yeah, that was what I wanted to ask as well. Expected date of release sometime in August. At $26.99, seems like a very attractive price. Do you know if Unimax is planning more releases besides the B'mark?

[Folgore]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

They also have an extensive 1/700 submarine range. Those are excellent models for the price.

Speaking of which, the MRC / Easy Models website has just been updated with the German Type VII U-boat. This means it's one step closer to release... Yes!

It's listed as 1:72, but I'm-a go ahead and say that's a typo, as all their other subs (including the Type IX) are 1:700, as 1250ships says. I have the Seawolf and the Akula and am pretty happy with 'em.

Edit: Hey! Pics are up now! I'm digging the 1941 Type VIIC. Too bad there's no saucy emblem on the sail.

[theodore]

Easy Model surface ships and submarines will be a nice complement to my vast armor and aircraft collection!!

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

1250ships, do you have any detailed info on the Unimax/Forces of Valor 1/1000 Bismarck currently available for pre-order at The Flying Mule e.g. will it be diecast?

flyingmule.com/products/UM-86001

The original thought was that this would be 1/700. If it is 1/1000 that is too bad- it is more of a fit the box scale. There are three standard ship model scales, 1/350, 1/700, and 1/1200 or 1/1250. 1/1000 put them in 1/35 GMP territory.

Beyond that I know nothing. Price is pretty cheap so my guess is that there will be a bunch of plastic on it. Hopefully it will look better than the Gearbox models. If so perhaps some folks around here will pick one up to go with their Swordfish. If they paint the Baltic camo scheme on it it won't be entirely correct though because that scheme was painted over before she went into the Atlantic. Also there should be prominent swasis on the bow and stern like this:

[Paladin18]

Thanks again 1250ships. Funny that established diecast airplane/armour manufacturers such as Easy Model and FoV are foraying into miniature ships more or less around the same time. However, as an miniature enthusiast, this is something that I look forward to.

[1250ships]

The big boys seem to discover ship models every couple of years. They produce 3-5 models then realize the market is too small and then drop their lines. You have to understand that most of the 1/1250 models produced are done in runs of 100-200 pieces total. A model like the Bismarck pictured above has used the basic Bismarck mould to produce 4 variations and over the 10 or 12 years that model has been available a total of about 4,000 have been made.

I don't think FOV or Easy Model are interested in selling only 4,000 copies over 10 years!

Dragon found this out with thier cruise ship models. Out for years and still available from the manufacturer.