I can’t get enough of this scale… yea they’re huge, expensive and complicated and their hulls tend to be the wrong shape below the waterline but I have a lot of fun building them!
Here are a couple of my 1/200 models:
USS Arizona:
DKM Bismarck:
current project, USS Iowa, heavily modified/accurized hull next to 1/350 Tamiya New Jersey:
It seems enthusiasm has waned (online at least) for these big Trumpeter kits…is anyone else working on one or even tempted to do so?
I would love to build in 1/200 scale. However, where do you put them?
Also, 1/200 and 1/250 is the preferred scale for paper ship modeling, and there are many outstanding kits in that medium, as well as photoetch sets and brass gun barrels. And, they are a fraction of the cost. The builder also has the ability to rescale these kits simply by reprinting them on their printer. I rescale mine down to 1/350.
Bill
Yup !
Got two .The Arizona and the Kronprinze looking for the version of the " Mo " that’s supposed to be 1945 fit and wandering out there in another dimension ?
I find 1:192 a better scale, as there are a lot of scratchbuilding supplies- fittings, PE, etc. For that scale. I have built several Great Lakes bulk carriers in that scale, and am thinking of maybe doing a USS Langley in that scale if I can figure a way to do all the girders. Actually I suppose some of those 1:192 accessories could work in 1:200, as that is less than a 5% difference.
I have built the Von der Tann, the Derfflinger, and the Baden by HMV, and the Goeben and Seydlitz by JSC. Although I would like to build them in 1/200, I have more room for 1/350. So, I rescaled them accordingly. In either scale, these are excellent models that enhance any collection in whatever scale.
Bill
just waiting for the money gods to smile upon me so I can afford one. I have the room and the skill , just need the money… just my opinion, but how many people if shown your newly completed 1/200 scale ( insert your favorite ship name here ) would be able to say " wow, nice ship but the lower hull is shaped wrong". yes , I know that we pay a lot for these kits and they should be correct in this respect , but are the inaccuracies that that bad or is this a case of rivet counting. Either way I still plan on getting one or two of these kits when money allows… Happy building everyone!
I would like them,but just nowhere to put them.Also I might loose interest because of the length of the project.Maybe one special ship after I retire and have more time on my hands.
Over in model ship hell we’ve had very long, drawn-out crapfests over the accuracy of Trumpeter hulls. You ARE right uspsjuan… nobody is gonna know except fanatics and naval engineers… and builders who take the time to research the real-life counterpart of their new model kit.
Still, they ARE wrong… and once you know, it eats at you like a flesh-eating virus, consuming your soul and leaving you a burnt-out husk of a modeler and your model dungeon turned into a sewing/scrap-booking room! MWUHAAAAA!
OK, maybe that’s little bit too dramatic, but still! If I’m gonna spend hundreds of dollars and hours on a model, I want it to be accurate.
I should have done “before and after” pics but this gives an idea of what’s wrong with the 1/200 Missouri/Iowa OOTB:
The good news is that accurizing ship hulls is doable and most everything above the waterline on these kits isn’t half bad.
Chango, You are correct. But, if we look close enough at any kit I’m sure we can find fault. but we still buy them. life is to short to stress over the little things. In this case, I can deal whit the hull. So when I can , I will buy one and enjoy myself building it…But that’s just me. For those out there who strive for complete accuracy , knock yourself out , feel proud that you corrected the issue and most of all have fun!
Aha ;
There you have it . Flaw , what flaw ? T.B.
Because of display space problem, I’d never looked at big scale ship like 1:200. But when I saw Trumpeter’s U.S.S.Arizona 1:200 BB-39 1941 on sale at 70% off by HLJ late last year, I just couldn’t resist the temptation. The upgrade set came earlier from HK, the ship arrived later from Japan. I’ll find a display space for it some way some how. I won’t have room for Bismarck or any other 1:200 scale battleships though.
I’ve got one 1:200 model; the old Nichimo Asagumo. Saw it back when it first came out, loved its looks but never got around to buying it till a year or two back. That one and the Yukikaze are the only 1:200 kits I’m interested in. Pretty much everything else in the stash is 1:350.
I just visited your personal website and can only say, “Holy cow”. You’re collection is really impressive!
My only criticism is that you should consider an HTML5 image gallery. It would make viewing your work much easier and enjoyable.
I built the Arizona a few years ago and have wanted to do another. A few days ago I ordered the HMS Nelson along with a Pontos detail up set. I picked that particular kit because of it’s interesting layout with the three main guns all in front of the main structure. I can only imagine how much paint I’ll need to cover the monster.
Oops, didn’t quote so my comment is a bit nebulous. Anyway, this was aimed at Model Maniac.
It’s friggin amazing to see ships built in this scale. I’ve been socking away for Trumpeter’s USS Hornet for my first 1:200. I may convert it to the Yorktown, but only time will tell. My hopes are to continue building namesake ships after that (namely dreadnoughts if possible) in this scale. Living near the USS Iowa museum makes it a certainty. Again, time will tell, but ‘yeah’ this scale rocks.
However, I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to numbers, and wish the scale was 1:192 instead of 200, but this wee-little obsession isn’t stopping me from jumping into this scale.
If I live long enough to get good, I’d pick the Arizona as my final build,flaws and all.
What about a modern carrier like the Regan or Bush. Now that would be impressive. Light up the hanger deck and detail the aircraft ! At least in this scale , the aircraft would be easier on these old eyes. lol