Suggestions for my first ship build...

[Fridgy]

Hi all

After suggestions for my first ship build....

Have been browsing the online lhs and have decided to try something other than armour or aircraft.

I did come across the Italeri 1/720 USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier for a reasonable price

Has anyone build this kit? Would they recommend it as a kit for some one who hasn't done a ship build before?

Are there better recommendations?

The only stipulation I have is I don't want to build ww2 era

Thanks in advance

Mick

[digger303]

I haven't done a ship build since I was 10 so might not be the best to answer you or to be believed. However I have had my head turned towards the Italeri torpedo boats in 1/35 and the merit (trumpeter ) Soviet Navy -5 Class Motor Torpedo Boat 63503. They are hovering around in the back of my mind....not quiet on the wish list yet, but I wouldn't need much persuading.
All ww2 though so scrub that lot..... How about a dreadnought from the ww1 period...really cool subject in my mind...
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/224511- ... -chen-yuen
They don't have all that streamlining of the modern era and look very distinctive.




ps... ww1 dreadnought is very complex from what I read...so don't listen to me.

[chief5437]

A carrier, and Italeri might not be the best starter. Check for reviews on that kit, they don't have the best record!

I would suggest a trumpeter kit to start, I recently built the 1/350 uss freedom class LCS.

1/350 as it's bigger than 1/700, so easier to handle, but it doesn't take up a whole room like a 1/350 battleship!

Trumpeter rather than Tamiya just because they include PE railings and such with the kit.

That's me twopence worth anyway, good hunting!

[Fridgy]

Thanks for your replies,

I will have a look at what I can find trumpeter wise at my lhs and see if something catches my eye

[Fridgy]

A carrier, and Italeri

Chief, would you suggest that a carrier no matter the brand might not be the best for a novice builder to try their hand at a first foray into ship building?

[chief5437]

A carrier, and Italeri

Chief, would you suggest that a carrier no matter the brand might not be the best for a novice builder to try their hand at a first foray into ship building?

Not necessarily, obviously it'll be a lot bigger than most other ships, but that just means it'll take longer to build. Having said that, most of it is just flat deck, and there's less superstructure. So it might not be too bad. For me, the hardest thing would be the air wing.
You'll get some aircraft in the kit, but not in the numbers you see on the real thing. That means buying extra aircraft. You can get sets quite cheap though. My problem would be getting all those tiny planes to look good! Also, it would be very repetitive work, which can sap the mojo.

IMO, I've seen a lot of great carrier builds that have been let down by the aircraft looking naff! I struggled with just a couple of Seahawks on my LCS build, lol!

Long story short, if you've got the space, time, and patience for a carrier, go for it!

You can get PE sets for 1/350 aircraft as well, adds some nice variation, but a pain to work with!

HTH buddy, looking forward to seeing your build!

[chief5437]

This is my LCS build. See what I mean about the aircraft? That's as good as I could do, and there's only two of them! (And one in the hangar) I can't imagine how long it'd take to do a full carrier air wing! Not saying that you couldn't of course, just not with my patience, lol!

[Fridgy]

Thanks for the advice chief. I might steer clear of a carrier for now.

Your LCS looks awesome and I hope I can manage a result that look half as good as that

The boss has I formed me that I must complete my phantom BEFORE I invest in another model

[chief5437]

The boss has I formed me that I must complete my phantom BEFORE I invest in another model

Ha ha!

[Fridgy]

The boss has I formed me that I must complete my phantom BEFORE I invest in another model

Ha ha!

I know right.... how uncivilized.....

[digger303]

Thanks for the advice chief. I might steer clear of a carrier for now.

Your LCS looks awesome and I hope I can manage a result that look half as good as that

The boss has I formed me that I must complete my phantom BEFORE I invest in another model

You might retort with.... No more shoes , handbags or new tops until you wear the old ones out.....mind you might not live long.

[Fridgy]

You might retort with.... No more shoes , handbags or new tops until you wear the old ones out.....mind you might not live long.

Ummm. .....

Yeah maybe not.... I do like my testicles right where they are....

[digger303]

You might retort with.... No more shoes , handbags or new tops until you wear the old ones out.....mind you might not live long.

Ummm. .....

Yeah maybe not.... I do like my testicles right where they are....

well tell her how much happiness you get from a new kit......Don't you want me to be a happy little vegie mite....

[TheTroyster]

I went on this very journey last year - didn't want to spend a lot of money - wanted an out of box build in case I screwed up, etc...

So I did a a Russian Battleship Borodino from 1904 - a nice kit In 1/350 scale by Zvezda - think it cost me under $25 and aside from some issues was a great build (you can see my build thread in the maritime build thread).

[Fridgy]

Pulled the trigger on this kit today

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/115197- ... dependence

Bonus... even had the blessing of SWMBO

[digger303]

I went on this very journey last year - didn't want to spend a lot of money - wanted an out of box build in case I screwed up, etc...

So I did a a Russian Battleship Borodino from 1904 - a nice kit In 1/350 scale by Zvezda - think it cost me under $25 and aside from some issues was a great build (you can see my build thread in the maritime build thread).

I remember that kit and your build made me think differently about ships. I have avoided them so far, but I do like the old timers now.

[chief5437]

Pulled the trigger on this kit today

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/115197- ... dependence

Bonus... even had the blessing of SWMBO

Nice! I think there's a build of this in the 'if it floats ' gb section? I may be mistaken though!

[Fridgy]

Pulled the trigger on this kit today

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/115197- ... dependence

Bonus... even had the blessing of SWMBO

Nice! I think there's a build of this in the 'if it floats ' gb section? I may be mistaken though!

I couldn't find it chief, I did find your build though and you have posted a real pic of her that I have stolen for when I get to that stage

[chief5437]

Ah, sorry bud. My mind playing tricks again! Good luck with the build!

[Fridgy]

Just testing out photobucket... this is new to me


Edit:
Hey that worked.... Sweet