First ship build HMS POW 1/700

Honestly, unless you're airplanes are in 1/72 or smaller "squinty scale," I'd opt for something bigger unless space is a consideration - 1/700 ships, even battleships, are SMALL, with all the consequent construction and painting challenges.

That said, my first model in ... 40 years ... was a 1/700 resin Victory ship. If you take your time and don't get discouraged by your screw ups (and you WILL screw up)  then building "little ships" can be a very rewarding and fulfilling addition to your hobby.

My airplanes are mainly 1/48 scale. I did wonder about 1/700 scale being a bit small. I suppose I could go for the Tamiya 350 full hull POW!

thanks
Blighty

Hi Blighty,

The Prince Of Wales sure is a beautiful ship. I'm working on a 1/350 one myself. She's about 90% complete. Just need to add railings and the "water". I'm posting an in progress pic of her on the link below. This is not a Tamiya kit, it's a MiniHobby Models (Old Trumpeter mold) kit as I didn't have the heart to cut a 1/350 Tamiya hull in half.  I have the Tamiya 1/700 PoW kit. I haven't built it yet, but I hear it's every bit as good as the 1/350 version. As far as your first ship kit goes, I would suggest Tamiya's 1/350 Fletcher kit. It's great for getting your feet wet in ship building. Good luck !

Ted

http://members.cox.net/oz1998/PoW%20027.jpg

Hi Ya'll,

  I'm an armor and aircraft model builder from waaayy back and I've gotten the bug to start doing ships ( not really a bug more like an almost chronic addiction kinda thing). As the 1/700 ships are a bit small for my eyesight and the Tamiya stuff is a little pricey nowadays I saw where oz1998 had built the minihobby POW, is it a fair kit? I've always been enamored with the British battleships (could account for my unbuilt collection of Airfix 1/600 stuff) and I'm looking for that first kit too. I'm not afraid of doing some real modelling work if it needs to be done but I don't want to buy a dog to start with and try to create a masterpiece. The Battlecruisers really interest me also they are like really neat ships in their own right, how's about a 1/350th Agincourt? So many turrets, so little time! I know I'm prattling on but I'm just like soo stoked about ships right now it's revitalized the modelling bug in me.

Thanks,

Tracy

 Hi Tracy,

Is the MiniHobby 1/350 Prince Of Wales a fair kit ? Well, it's no Tamiya by any standard, but it's not too bad if you want to put some work into it. I chose that kit because I wanted a waterline version. I took off all the molded on features like the chains and ladders and replaced them with PE and real chains. I also drilled out all of the port holes. The fit with most pieces is fair, though you will use your putty and sanding skills on some seams. The fit of the deck and the hull will require some work to get the seams out, but it's not too terrible. All in all it makes up into a nice model with a moderate amount of work if you add a PE detail set to it. I used White Ensign Model's Ultimate King George V Class Battleships PE set. It's a very detailed set and takes a lot of work and patience to apply, but the results are well worth it. I wouldn't recommend it if this is a first ship model, but anyone with shipbuilding or moderate building experience should have no problem.

Ted

Oz,

 Thanks for the info! I'm not one to shy away from some work such as you described, so I'm going to have to pick one up maybe Santa can leave one???

Thanks,

Tracy

No problem, Tracy.

There ya go ! I'm sure Santa has room on his sleigh next to my Trumpeter 1/350 North Carolina.

Good luck on your project and be sure to post some pics for us.

Ted