I have just received two Connecticut Class battleships from Pacific Front Hobbies and at first look they appear to be truly superb. Niko Models of Poland has produced in 1/700 scale two beautiful models of the USS Louisiana BB-19 in 1906 fit with military masts and USS Vermont BB-20 in 1909 fit with cage masts. Each kit is crisply molded resin with frets of photo etch that are quite extensive. I have been making models for over 50 years and I thought that I would never see kits of ships like these on the market. What's even more incredible is that these resin kits aren't all that much more expensive than the newer injection molded Japanese models.
I can only say that for ship modelers the last few years have been fantastic. The variety of kits that have been produced in 1/700 scale is truly astonishing. 1/350 has also seen a plethora of kits become available.
For those of you interested in the early steel navy of the US Niko also makes the old predreadnought Texas 1895, the Iowa BB-4 1898 fit and the 1929 fit of the USS Florida. More and more of the old navy is being added by manufacturers like Niko. See also Combrig for the USS Maine 1898 fit and YS Masterpieces for an incredible USS Oregon. Get 'em while you can guys, 'cause who knows what will happen to these companies with the economy. WS