USS Nautilus--What to do if I want a good build?

You've gotten some good replies here.  I've always found it interesting that this boat is not more widely available or that what is available is not better cast/designed/detailed. USN 571 deserves better.

There are options in all of the typical naval scales:

1:700 - Pit Road makes a plastic kit in this scale - just a few parts (two hull pieces, sail, props, vertical fin, and periscopes)  Hobby Link Japan has had these kits in stock recently.  There's at least one other Japanese company that made/makes the Nautilus in 1:600 - 1:700 scale range, but I suspect the PR kit is the more accurate.  PR kit is full hull, many subs in 1:700 scale come waterline version only.

1:350 - Pit Road/Combat Subs kit, referenced above.  I don't own this kit, but every other resin sub I have in the PR/CS series has been flawlessly cast. 

1:192 is another "common" scale for display submarines.  I don't collect or build in that scale, but if you want to build up a collection in a consistent scale, 1:192 offers some choices.

1:350 scale probably offers the greatest range for accurate detailing, etc.  1:700 probably offers the most varied range across technological eras and navies.

Lindberg and Revell made and continue to reissue their box-sale kits of this submarine.  Aurora also made a kit.  Re-pops and originals are frequently available on Ebay, but not worth buying but for nostalgia and the box art of the orginal releases.  No consistency with other sub models out there, and of limited accuracy re hull shape and dimensions.

Scientific Model Airplane Co of NJ made a Nautilus kit from wood in the 1960s, but my recollection is that it was not scaled well enough to serve as a base for scratchbuilding. 

 

No, the model I purchased from Masterpiece is pretty clearly the USS Nautilus. Masterpiece does produce some US riverine craft but in 1/35 scale. As with the Nautilus, they appear to be good basic kits. I have the PACV but haven't built it yet. A link to the submarine kits on the Masterpiece Models internet site: (http://www.masterpiecemodels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=32). A link to the FX Models internet site: (http://www.fxmodels.com/submodels.shtml#Anchor192Nautilus). FX has a pretty impressive client list for their custom work on their site.

Jeff537

Masterpiece Models offers a Nautilus kit (and two other submarines) in 1/192 scale. I believe the master came from FX Models. At the moment they have a holiday promotoin of 20% off their kts. I purchased one of the Nautilus kits a while back and it's currently "in progress". It appears to be a good basic kit. The hull is a solid casting and mine is straight on the long axis. The only down side is the hull came with the pour plug removed which left a rather nasty gash along most of the lower hull. But filler has corrected this - that's the in progress part. I'm curious if anyone has built or reviewed this kit and has suggestions for additional details to add. A recommendation for brass propellers would be of particular interest.

Are you confusing the USS Nautilus with the Jules Verne  Nautilus (a'la Disney)?

I've attempted several of the Dan Joplin/FX/Viking models kits including the Verne Nautilus, in and I would say that them being "craftsman" kits is a compliment.   The Verne Nauilus was shot through with bubbles.   Every one of the raker teeth needed to be replaced.   Granted the rivits on the Disney version were large and obvious but they were a case of measles on this kit.    And once you glued and puttied the parts  the rivits disappeared in the sanding. 

The Joplin Vietnam-era riverine boats in 1:72 scale were also full of bubbles.   They came incomplete with instructions to add ROCO minitank machine guns (1:87 scale?).    The quality [sic] of the Viking Texas is legendary.    Hogged hull,   bubbles,  short casting,  ...

As the suit salesman Sy Symms used to say,  an educated consumer knows the value of a brand name.  They've tried at least three.    Caveat Emptor

Masterpiece Models offers a Nautilus kit (and two other submarines) in 1/192 scale. I believe the master came from FX Models. At the moment they have a holiday promotoin of 20% off their kts. I purchased one of the Nautilus kits a while back and it's currently "in progress". It appears to be a good basic kit. The hull is a solid casting and mine is straight on the long axis. The only down side is the hull came with the pour plug removed which left a rather nasty gash along most of the lower hull. But filler has corrected this - that's the in progress part. I'm curious if anyone has built or reviewed this kit and has suggestions for additional details to add. A recommendation for brass propellers would be of particular interest.

Are you sure you are looking at the right version?  The Nuc power nautilus did not have deck guns.

Cool! Thanks, guys! Anyone else got input?

I don't know if this is available yet but, if it isn't too large you might give it a look Ray http://www.roguesubworks.com/kits.html

The only 1:350 model I'm aware of is the resin & brass kit by Combat Sub/Pit Road  out of Japan (not to be confused with Combat Models).

This is on the Pacific Front online catalog.  Check with Bill Gruner at PacFront regarding availability

http://www.pacificfront.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_55&products_id=3890

Combat Sub kits are generally pretty good and PitRoad is one of the leaders in 1:700 scale IP ship kits