1/350 first build suggestions

I'd recommend either the Tamiya DD-445 Fletcher or Trumpeter DE-635 England. Both are relatively inexpensive and testing things like photo-etch will not break the bank. The Tamiya kit is not perfect (gun turrets are a little undersized, for example), but the fit is better in my opinion than the Trumpeter kit.

With the number of these ships that were built you should probably even find a South Carolina tie in; perhaps a ship in the classes was named after a SC hero.

I will echo Tracy's recommendations on the Tam Fletcher or Trump England.    But before you say that  I've built a "learner "kit now I'll tackle a bigger "better" one,  let me suggest that you also try your hand at ship photoetch.  

The application of photoetched railings, radars and other details is almost de rigeuer in the finish of most larger ship models.   The photoetch for either of these subjects will cost about an additional 30 dollars.    While either of the recommended kits do not exactly 'fall together'  - they are also not really complex.    The application of railings and radars on either will give you a good grounding on what you will need to do for the next kit.

Even though some of the recent kits by Dragon come with some photoetch, the kits are nor recommended for a ship noob.   There are a lot of small parts which you will not recognize,  the instructions leave something to be desired,  and the photoetch supplied is not complete -- you will still need to augment it.

Once you have learned some of the techniques of ship photoetch in a larger scale - such as 1:350 then you will have the tools to move to other (smaller) scales or to other media such as resin.

If you wanna start really simple, start with a modern subamrine. Airfix's new Trafalgar Calss sub in 1/350 can be had for around $10-$12 and will introduce you to those ship things w/o PE for real cheap. Dragon has also reissued  a couple moderrn 1/350 ship sets in the orange box line, a boomer and an attack sub, or an Aegis cruiser and a Russian Alfa Class attack sub.

Tamiya's 1/350 Yamato is also good first build. You can always detail to your hearts content during build or at a later date...there's a reason this model is perennially one of the best sellers. TONS of aftermarket, reasonable price, legendary ship ... its worth a look anyway. 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check the LHS this wekend.  I think they have the Yamato and I know they have some smaller ships, so we'll see what we end up with. 

Chris

Firedeck

Tamiya's 1/350 Yamato is also good first build. You can always detail to your hearts content during build or at a later date...there's a reason this model is perennially one of the best sellers. TONS of aftermarket, reasonable price, legendary ship ... its worth a look anyway. 

Are you kidding TS with a suggestion of Yamato for his first build?

Anyway, its not that cheap either..

Harshman II

Firedeck:

Tamiya's 1/350 Yamato is also good first build. You can always detail to your hearts content during build or at a later date...there's a reason this model is perennially one of the best sellers. TONS of aftermarket, reasonable price, legendary ship ... its worth a look anyway. 

 

 

Are you kidding TS with a suggestion of Yamato for his first build?

Anyway, its not that cheap either..

Yeah, good point.  I was going to mention that too.  The OP wanted an affordable option.

The 1:350 Tam Yamato retails for 70 to 75 bucks (Your milage may vary - YMMV).    The Tam Fletcher is 25 to 30 and the Trump England is 30 to 35.  Again YMMV.    These prices are without addiitonal photoetch.  For  50 to 60 bucks he's out the door with the kit & PE for either the Fletcher or England.  (GMM lists the England PE at 22 and the Fletcher PE at 35.)    His out the door cost for the Yamato & PE will be about 120 (GMM lists at 45)

I  think the Yamato launched more model ship-builders than any other particular model, and that is why i suggested it. Really, it's a relatively easy build (instructions are clear, parts fit well, not intimidating) and it  will touch on almost all aspects of the genre.  You get ALOT of model for $75...and will probably be as good a harbinger for determining if you enjoy building ships as any other.

The TamFletch and TrumEng,  as noted above by the esteemed Mr. Grune et. al., ARE cheaper, smaller,  less parts...so if the extra $35 is a factor, CERTAINLY choose one of them over the Yam.

Revell's Buckley DE is an excellent and affordable choice, and larger in scale than even 350th...Trump's new German Destroyer is an excellent kit at under $30 as well...

Hasegawa's Yukikaze was a nice straightfoward build also.I would also recommend Trumpy's Jeremiah O'Brien

kg4kpg

Earlier I was asking abouot kits to do all of the ships names after South Carolina but I think I just need to build a ship for experience gain first since I've never built one yet.  Mainly do planes.  Can you suggest a nice but affordable 1/350 ship that I can cut my teeth on but not break the bank with decent detail so I don't have to go to the aftermarket.  If I can do a nice job I can then try a nicer kit.  

Regards,

Chris

I will suggest a1:350 scale Bismarck kit. There are many of them. Two of these kits will meet your purpose of being inexpensive and, yet, reasonable quality for you to gain valuable experience in this scale. They will be good for experienced modeler (in plane) sinking teeth for the first time in ships.

Trumpeter marketed their 1/350 Bismarck kit in the US by the Mini Hobby brand. It is an older mold and the lines are soft compared to the Tamiya kit of the same age. I used to see it at Hobby Lobby listed for $40. It is an excellent buy for your first kit using the 40% coupon. However, it may be out of production now. I still can find it at Megahobby web site.

The Academy 1/350 Bismarck kit can be easily found for under $40 from many sellers.

Both of them are part-for-part knock-offs of the Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck kit. But the features are not as crisp as the Tamiya. If so wish, you can use the Tom's Model Works PE set for them, at under $20. If you want to use the PE on the Minihobby or Academy kit, it is a good idea to get an instruction manual of the Tamiya kit because the PE only refers to the Tamiya parts number.

The Lingberg kit is a toy. Avoid it. The Revell 1:350 Bismarck is excellent value for the money, but too complex for first timer. The Tamiya is good except for the price. 

This thread is showing that we all have our favorite kits.  However, I would recommend that, if you like battleships instead of smaller ships, the easiest build would be the Banner/Hobby Boss USS Arizona.  It is a relatively easy build, it is inexpensive, it has several aftermarket detail sets, it builds into a reasonable model, it is not complex, and there are many quality references with which to detail the ship.

Granted, this kit does have  its problems, most of which are easily corrected. It is in no way my favorite kit, but  it is a good way to start with larger ships.

Bill Morrison

warshipguy

This thread is showing that we all have our favorite kits. 

Actually, neither of my suggestions is my favorite ship kit...I just think that the Buckley has enough of a challenge to keep a person interested, fits very well, is a great value and is large in scale to fit the guy's needs and to cut his teeth on...Most modern warships have the same basic sub-assemblies regardless of type to suit a newbie who wants to get a feel for shipbuilding.  I don't think it has to be a battleship kit in order for him to stretch his legs in this genre'...

Manstein's revenge

 

 I don't think it has to be a battleship kit in order for him to stretch his legs in this genre'...

There's a nice PE set for Buckley/ Ward as well- see Tracy White's review.

http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/pe/gm_etch/WardBuckleyPE/WardBuckleyPE.html

Manny,

Please note the "if" in my recommendation.  Many people prefer the mystique of battleships. It was only a recommendation.  You made yours; please allow me the courtesy of making mine. 

Bill Morrison

Ummmmmmm...I don't think anyone stopped you from making a recommendation, did they?  I simply expanded the conversation that was in play and made no negative remarks about anyone. I know you don't like me and that's fine, but this sniping has gotta stop---PM me if you have an issue you want to discuss...

Gents,

If you guys really want to be disagreeable in a thread asking about ship recommendations, then know that my finger is hovering over the button marked "Nuke." Removal of this thread won't help anyone, especially the OP.

Regards, Aaron

bondoman

Manstein's revenge:

 

 I don't think it has to be a battleship kit in order for him to stretch his legs in this genre'...

 

Yep, in fact, OP, why limit yourself to 1/350? A 1/350 battleship is a big project. I just finished one that took 4 months of work. There's a bunch of larger scale models of smaller ships that go together quickly and are frankly more fun, IMO. Revell's Burton Island, Campbeltown (USS Ward) and viking ship all come to mind.

There's a nice PE set for Buckley/ Ward as well- see Tracy White's review.

http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/pe/gm_etch/WardBuckleyPE/WardBuckleyPE.html

I've got a 1/350 Tamiya Fletcher in the works,, looks good ,, not alot of parts.. and if your not 100% stuck on 1/350, Manstien's sugesstions arnt to bad....

Manny,

With all sincere respect, I have no issue with you.  I am also not sniping.

Bill Morrison

Your aplology is accepted...

hmmm, I'm thinking battleship = all kinds of turrets & structures. I wouldn't want to hit that on my first time out. It may sound counter-intuitive, but how about a 1/700th carrier. (You said you usually build aircraft right! ) Small superstructure to deal with, a few large turrets, a few elevators. There wouldn't be a huge amount of detail required. And a tiny little squadron of planes to play with while waiting for the paint to dry.

I'm sure I picked up a Revell kit years ago, and I know I wouldn't have spent much on it.

Zuiho!

bondoman

Zuiho!

I figured that was coming... just not from you! I just went looking online, I think it was probably the Enterprise in 1/720 that I had built, stocked with A4s, F/A18s and a chopper or two?? It's been awhile!

No apology intended . . . just an explanation.

Bill Morrison

Explanation accepted...

Manstein's revenge

Explanation accepted...

See, ground forces and naval forces can get along. Good thing too, cuz I was about to call in an airstrike.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've made a list and will compare when i get to the LHS.  Turns out this is a drill weekend so I have to wait until next weekend.

Thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris,

as a former reservist, I recall a full 3 days of fun in the dirt got into the way of a build weekend.  Anyway, I wanted to throw my 2 cents in - I have never built a ship model before, but I picked up an ICM 1/350 SMS Konig, a German Battlewagon at a show for $20.  Super easy to build, great detail, and if you are so inclined, there are plenty of update PE to add to it.  Fun build and looks great once you are done.  Have fun deciding, you have quite a list to pick from