Matrix Games Forums

I'm planning on getting back into warship model building. Can anyone recommend some good plastic model companies? I know Revell is still out there, but I'm looking for alternatives with good kits for larger scale models, especially ones of battleships, heavy cruisers, and carriers. Thanks!

Eric Maietta

Hi AMP,

I think Tamiya is one of the best out there. I completed their 1/350 scale Yamato (nearly 3ft long) a while back and it was one of the most enjoyable modeling experiences I have had. Their kits are superb, all parts fit nicely, and very little "flash" (excess plastic). They also offer the same scale Bismarck, Prince of Wales (got it, haven't built it yet), Musashi, King Georg V, and Tirpitz among others. You can get all of the above at the site below for less than $50 each.

The best modeling site I have found (for price and selection) is www.hobbylinc.com

They also have planes, cars, etc in addition to over 100 military ships of various sizes.

I'm currently working on the Akagi (1/450 scale..Hasegawa) and it's pretty nice too.

I will second Tamiya. I know there are plenty of good companies out there.

Might suggest you check out the Models forum at Wargamer too.

But I have the 1/350th Tamiya ships, and they are so well made, they almost assemble themselves. No really I mean that truthfully.

I have bought ships from the trendier companies like Revell.
Not sure where they stand today, but in my younger years Revell was poster child for crappy models any genre. i have no fond memories of their kits when I encountered the very few I made.

Tamiya has a small assortment of 1/350 items that are not quite so large if you want an appetizer. I might suggest the Destroyer they brought out, Fletcher I think.

Their 1/700th scale ships are equally good, but they are also knee deep in major league small parts complexity scale assembly (might be more work than you feel like entertaining.

Avoid Revell if possible.

I am presently building the USS Arizona 1:426 scale.

The kit is missing,one 50mm canon,a prop shaft and prop.

Not to mention the Grand Canyon size gash were the hull doesnt fit right.I love my green goo modeling puddy.

I only paid 14 bucks for it but still.

Tamiya or Dragoon all the way.

Italierri?Sp?....mite do some good stuff.

Hmm how interesting, with me it was a model of a tugboat where the deck was a full 1/4 inch to wide for the hull.

Needless to say, I was neither happy nor forgiving.

That's why I never councel people to buy economical kits. Always buy from the admittedly expensive comapnies like Tamiya, at least you get a kit worth building.

I've had bad experiences in the distant past with Revell also. (Including some kits that seemed to have almost as much flash as parts. ) If only they put as much work into QC as they do into their box art.:rolleyes:

I've seen some 1/350 scale models in hobby stores for over $80.00! I'd be very happy just paying $50.00 for one! Now my only problem is deciding which one to do first. (I wish they had a kit for the U.S.S. Pennsylvania in 1/350 scale. Oh, well. You can't have everything.):)

Thanks for the reccomendations!

Eric Maietta

Do they sell metal models?

I can only sing the praises of this great model constructors. I have made several models from them but the detail they provide is excellent.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I always really enjoyed building the old frigates and ships-of-the-line from the age of sail period. Just something very satisfying to get all that rigging right. Tedious, yes. But the finished product is something to be proud of.

It takes SKILL with a friggin big capital S to build a good sailing ship in my opinion

I watched a friend build one once eeeeewwwww that's a lot of work hehe.

A person can be a genius with plastic kits, and not be worth squat building fine wooden ship kits.

Anyone that can make a good sailing ship is definitely a unique modeller.