Seeking advice. Which 1/700 Yamato to get?????

That's an extremely broad range of criteria, something that will help a lot is specify your budget. 

Purely model wise currently 

Pitroad > Fujimi Next > Aoshima > Tamiya > Fujimi old tool > Tamiya old tool

Tamiya is middle of the road, but very available/affordable (20), fairly easy to build and fairly crisply molded for the price. Aoshima is fairly cheap (25) and decent but not that common. Fujimi Next is well detailed but somewhat pricy (45), but full hull. Pitroad is the best, full hull but pricy (60).

For PE I think some of the items are essential to bring about the 'intricate' aspect of a 1/700 ship, namely the Type 21 radars ontop main range finders, the rear crane tower and crane, and maybe the 2 catapults. That's about it really, don't think railing is essential.

Thanks Potchip.  As a starting point the above info for selection is quite helpful.  Sadly Living in New Zealand increases costs fairly dramatically once you include shipping.

Ill have a look locally and HLJ which is where I tend to shop internationally for cheaper shipping costs and put together a list of six kits factoring in total cost to me incl. shipping and within my budget constraints and re-post here to ask for further feedback on those and go from there.

Cheers

Cant copy and paste pictures for now but i hope this info will help

 The next part is What Pe Set to go with which ever of these I get.

Lion Roar / Pit Road = Serious overkill

Eduard has a PE Set for TAMIYA but doesnt specify which one.

Then there is this.   What Kit is one for, or is it generic and good enough.

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-700-toms-modelworks-photo-etch-ijn-yamato-musashi-detail-set/

Both within my budget.

Fujimi would appear to have a set as well but hard to find in stock or Im not looking in the right places. I can find the PE Set that goes with the Aoshima kit but that kit is not available locally.

NZAnglia

 

Cant copy and paste pictures for now but i hope this info will help

 

FUJIMI 1/700 Warship Next IJN Battleship Yamato 1944 Operation Sho-1 FUJ46080  NZD$90

 

FUJIMI 1/700 IJN Battleship Yamato 1945   FUJ43323 NZD$78

 

FUJIMI 1/700 IJN BB Yamato Battle of Leyte Sea Version FUJ42133  NZD$58

 

TAMIYA 1/700 IJN BB Yamato TAM31113   NZD$70

 

FUJIMI 1/700 IJN Battleship Yamato - Last Version FUJ421353  NZD$48

 

 The next part is What Pe Set to go with which ever of these I get.

Lion Roar / Pit Road = Serious overkill

Eduard has a PE Set for TAMIYA but doesnt specify which one.

Then there is this.   What Kit is one for, or is it generic and good enough.

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-700-toms-modelworks-photo-etch-ijn-yamato-musashi-detail-set/

Both within my budget.

Fujimi would appear to have a set as well but hard to find in stock or Im not looking in the right places. I can find the PE Set that goes with the Aoshima kit but that kit is not available locally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You missed one: Gold Medal Models.

Also for Tamiya but again, doesn't specify which kit; it may not matter. 

http://goldmm.com/ships/gms700-4.htm

Normally if they don't specify which kit they are for it's most likely generic.  The dimensions can't be that much different.  I have used generic P.E. many times and have had no problems.  Sometimes you just have to make a decision how much detail you want to add, a more detailed sheet may be more than you want to do.  iT'S YOU CHOICE.

Eduard, LionRoar, and GMM's PE is etched from a harder brass alloy.  Tom's products are etched from a softer alloy.  Toms tends to be less forgiving under an errant thumb.  

But being softer it is also somewhat easier to form.  

ikar01

Sometimes you just have to make a decision how much detail you want to add, a more detailed sheet may be more than you want to do.

That is where my head is leaning at the moment. I dont build for competition and I dont have the knowledge or the time to correct any kit flaws and inaccuracies, so if it captures the look and "feel" by building OOB and adding even half of what comes on one of those sheets and if it turns out half as well as it does in my head, then jobs a good 'un.

EdGrune

under an errant thumb.

...or ten. lol.

Check your message 

potchip

Check your message 

 

I did. And I would love to accept your Generous offer. Then all ill need to do is search for a Generic PE  IJN Hand Railing set on the cheap to complete the finsh im hoping for.

Probably this one

https://freetimehobbies.com/1-700-flyhawk-photo-etch-wwii-ijn-railing-w-1-fret/

bnamodelworld is my go-to if I want something local - Australia based online modelshop with very competitive prices.

Eg the FH PE you linked, is 6.95 in AUD and with lower shipping as well (freetime hobbies don't really offer half decent international shipping rates). 

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-ships-boats-detail-up-parts-flyhawk-fh700019