Building 1/700 - 1/350 ships

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Alright, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm in need of an Atlanta-class CL in 1/700 scale, but refuse to pay $40 for one, which is the lowest price I've found on Amazon or eBay. Any recommendations for other places to look?

Oh, I also need a 1/700 Brooklyn/St Louis class. I think that about rounds what my needs for my project.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Alright, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm in need of an Atlanta-class CL in 1/700 scale, but refuse to pay $40 for one, which is the lowest price I've found on Amazon or eBay. Any recommendations for other places to look?

Oh, I also need a 1/700 Brooklyn/St Louis class. I think that about rounds what my needs for my project.

Ebay has a bunch ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-700-Dragon-7052-U-S-S-San-Diego-CL-53-/122032860820?hash=item1c69b9ae94:g:kEEAAOSwa81XSg1D

And these look great ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trumpeter-05724-1-700-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-1943-/120965137367?hash=item1c2a1583d7mLN9eGkNumPcXc3-ORrka0w

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1-700-Trumpeter-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-Heavy-Cruiser-circa-1944-/172255613130?hash=item281b3c10ca:g:2FMAAOSw0QFXCeSi

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Alright, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm in need of an Atlanta-class CL in 1/700 scale, but refuse to pay $40 for one, which is the lowest price I've found on Amazon or eBay. Any recommendations for other places to look?

Oh, I also need a 1/700 Brooklyn/St Louis class. I think that about rounds what my needs for my project.

Ebay has a bunch ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-700-Dragon-7052-U-S-S-San-Diego-CL-53-/122032860820?hash=item1c69b9ae94:g:kEEAAOSwa81XSg1D

And these look great ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trumpeter-05724-1-700-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-1943-/120965137367?hash=item1c2a1583d7mLN9eGkNumPcXc3-ORrka0w

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1-700-Trumpeter-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-Heavy-Cruiser-circa-1944-/172255613130?hash=item281b3c10ca:g:2FMAAOSw0QFXCeSi

Huh. I swear that San Diego was not there when I looked the other day. EDIT - rather, it was, but it still comes to $40 including shipping. That's quite a bit to pay for a model that's about 6 inches long.

And those are Baltimores, you goof! I did some googling for a Brooklyn... looks like it's going to be nigh on impossible to find one, which is rather surprising to me. I figured between Boise and Helena there'd be a model of them for sure. I guess the Helena might get excluded from my plans; oh well.

[wdolson]

If you can be patient, the Atlanta class will come up cheaper eventually. It is an old mold dating back to Matchbox, but Dragon has included a number of updated goodies in the later reboxings.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna




Oh, I also need a 1/700 Brooklyn/St Louis class. I think that about rounds what my needs for my project.

Ebay has a bunch ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-700-Dragon-7052-U-S-S-San-Diego-CL-53-/122032860820?hash=item1c69b9ae94:g:kEEAAOSwa81XSg1D

And these look great ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trumpeter-05724-1-700-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-1943-/120965137367?hash=item1c2a1583d7mLN9eGkNumPcXc3-ORrka0w

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1-700-Trumpeter-USS-BALTIMORE-CA-68-Heavy-Cruiser-circa-1944-/172255613130?hash=item281b3c10ca:g:2FMAAOSw0QFXCeSi

Huh. I swear that San Diego was not there when I looked the other day. EDIT - rather, it was, but it still comes to $40 including shipping. That's quite a bit to pay for a model that's about 6 inches long.

And those are Baltimores, you goof! I did some googling for a Brooklyn... looks like it's going to be nigh on impossible to find one, which is rather surprising to me. I figured between Boise and Helena there'd be a model of them for sure. I guess the Helena might get excluded from my plans; oh well.

Baltimore, Brooklyn, come on, they're cheap!![:D]

Yeah, it was a late night.

I find ebay gives me a lot I wouldn't find for the price, but there are a lot of good big online vendors, some out of Asia with decent prices too.

The thing that gets me is how much it costs for he photo etch and additions. You end up with a $50 DD that's 4 inches long! But it does look sweet.

[Lokasenna]

Yeah, I have to be careful looking at some of the auctions because it'll be for a set of brass etchings, not a model. I did put a bid in on a USS San Diego last night, but my upper limit on these things is about $25 per ship for the cruisers. I'm hoping to get the remaining 2 DDs that I need (2 Fubukis, late model if possible) for $10 or maybe $15 at most.


Another question. My fun little project is diorama-esque. Has anyone modeled water? I know of (and have some, somewhere) the clear resin stuff that's used for model train sets and the like, but was curious if anybody has done or seen something really cool. Particularly for ship wakes or the waves at the bow...


Wish I could find a Brooklyn. Have liked those ships since I got into the Pacific war with PTO2 back in the late 90s. I thought they were the best cruisers the USN built, and they looked pretty in the game. Almost as good as the ship models in this game! [:'(]
http://199.101.98.242/media/images/3484 ... 823167.png

[HansBolter]

Don't have time to search for a specific article on creating water for a diorama, but I know I have seen one in the past on this site:

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/

[SqzMyLemon]

Hans mentions a great site of which I'm a member. Look for Kostas Kaseas, he does some pretty good water effects. Also models by Chris Flodberg. He's got some great dramatic water scenes and he explains his water making process on in a few areas, and has a facebook page which may offer insight as well.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Don't have time to search for a specific article on creating water for a diorama, but I know I have seen one in the past on this site:

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/

What a great site! His Nagato is amazing...

[Lokasenna]

Awesome, thank you.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Yeah, I have to be careful looking at some of the auctions because it'll be for a set of brass etchings, not a model. I did put a bid in on a USS San Diego last night, but my upper limit on these things is about $25 per ship for the cruisers. I'm hoping to get the remaining 2 DDs that I need (2 Fubukis, late model if possible) for $10 or maybe $15 at most.


Another question. My fun little project is diorama-esque. Has anyone modeled water? I know of (and have some, somewhere) the clear resin stuff that's used for model train sets and the like, but was curious if anybody has done or seen something really cool. Particularly for ship wakes or the waves at the bow...


Wish I could find a Brooklyn. Have liked those ships since I got into the Pacific war with PTO2 back in the late 90s. I thought they were the best cruisers the USN built, and they looked pretty in the game. Almost as good as the ship models in this game! [:'(]
http://199.101.98.242/media/images/3484 ... 823167.png

Here is a page on Brooklyn class 1/700 kits with some indications of past kits by Naval Works and Corsair Armada.
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=33508

So here is a Boise, but out of stock and expensive. Niko makes the kit though, which could help.

http://freetimehobbies.com/pre-order-1-700-niko-uss-boise-cl-47-july-1942/

Another Niko from a Japanese site.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10186871


Here are some tips on water construction. Katseas is there, but I've seen a better step by step visual somewhere of how he does it. Some of it is building the base with foam cut to wave forms, then painted, then adding casting resin and blowing it with a dryer. I've used the stuff and it can be tricky, but I've never tried water for ship kits with it. One of the keys I remember him using is extra catalyst so it hardens more quickly.

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=37923

[Lokasenna]

I'm quite experienced with casting resin, as well as 2-part epoxy and even plasters. My go-to first attempt would've been with epoxy - I can even make press molds with them and duplicate some stuff. I haven't had much luck with foam in my modeling career, sadly. It tends to not like adhesives or paints, or heat (which resin likes to create).

I just can't stomach spending $100 on a 1-foot piece of resin/plastic, so I guess I won't be getting a Brooklyn for this project [:'(]. I may still need to acquire 2 Fubukis, but will need to lay out the ones I have first to see if there will be space.

[Dili]

A bit different take but 3D printers are getting less expensive. Of course one also needs to learn to work on 3D

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Dili

A bit different take but 3D prnters are getting less expensive. Of course one also needs to learn to work on 3D

I'm a bit familiar with them also as one of my buddies has one. There is absolutely no way I would ever CAD and then print a 1/700 ship. It would take me easily 1000+ hours. I could go work a second job to pay for a ridiculously priced model instead!

[Dili]

But you can sell your model and make any copies as you want.

[wdolson]

I can see a day down the line where you buy a CAD file for your 3D printer and print up all the parts for your models, or print up aftermarket accessories. There will need to be some standards and 3D printers will have to become more common, but I can see that happening. Ultimately it will probably make models cheaper, it eliminates a lot of the risk for kit makers as well as the costs of running a factory, packaging and everything else.

Bill

[AW1Steve]

Or you can buy from these people who'll print it for you till you get a 3-d printer. Which by the way Amazons selling for $400.00 http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=1%2F700&type=

[TOMLABEL]

Here is the 1/350 scale CV5 Yorktown 1942 version that I purchased from Model Monkey (Steve Larsen) at Shapeways. CAD made directly from plans with 1942 updates obtained from photos that I and other Yorktown enthusiast sent to him. I also have his CV6 Enterprise and CV8 Hornet islands. These are offered in scales from 1/700 - 1/350 and the detail is great in each scale.

I now have accurate islands for all 3 of my 1/487 Battle of Midway Yorktown class carriers that have been languishing on the shelf waiting for proper upgrades!

Model Monkey also offers CV2/3 Lexington/Saratoga's in the 38-44 timeframes as well as a slew of Essex class islands for individual ships of the class covering the 1950s - 1960s time period.

Check Steve's work out here: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/model_monkey

[wdolson]

I know the Trumpeter 1/350 Hornet isn't completely accurate, but I wonder why they didn't release a Yorktown and an Enterprise. Trumpeter often releases a lot of variations to get the most out of all their molds.

Bill

[TOMLABEL]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

I know the Trumpeter 1/350 Hornet isn't completely accurate, but I wonder why they didn't release a Yorktown and an Enterprise. Trumpeter often releases a lot of variations to get the most out of all their molds.

Bill

The Trumpeter 1/350 Hornet's hull was so bad and the blow-back was so hard and intense that I think that they decided not to touch that again. The hull was really awful, resembling that of an Esso tanker.

Thanks to Model Monkey's designs, you can now create a very, very accurate 1/350 model of Hornet using Steve's island and Merit's Yorktown or Enterprise's kits with the correct hull shape. The forward end of the flight deck would have to be modified, but I think there may be a 3D kit replacement part in the works. I do not think Merit will do a Hornet as it will sort of be like stepping on Trumpy's toes.

The Trumpeter Hornet island is not accurate either, but Steve used USN blueprints to create an accurate design.

See this thread for info on his latest releases including the Yorktown and Lexington classes: http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/vi ... 6&t=161238

Here is one of his CADs he posted on the completed Yorktown class ships:





TOMLABEL