I’ve been thinking about picking up a model of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Salem in 1/350th. The problem is, who makes the best one, what about aftermarket parts, and then the price. This kit can be expensive. What would be a good average price?
[blns]I think that would be a great kit to build.
There’s only one kit, the one you mentioned. The few reviews i have seen are pretty favorable and the guys I know who have built their Missouri liked the kit.
Similar, VF makes what appears to be the only AM set, and I would go that way rather than try to piece together what you need.
$ 125 each boat and parts.
Paint scheme is easy.
Add a wood base and brass pedestals and away we go.
She is still afloat so there’s a lot of photos online.
Bill
Only open on Staurday and Sunday if one is planning on being in the Boston area.
Best day to see Constitution is probably Mondays–get an Uber/Lyft as parking at the Charlestown Navla Yard is horrible. And expensive.
The locals will think you are nuts, but Fall River is only 30-40 minutes’ drive to the west, and there’s a couple of days’ worth of things to see in Battleship Cove. (Note if wanting to stay nearby, try Taunton, RI as Fall River is not the best of neighborhoods.)
I’d love to see the Constitution and any other ships in the area. I have been on the Charles W, Morgan, but that was way back in the late 60s before high school.
I would have liked to see the New Jersey but these things are not goint to happen.
Fall River, when I first heard the name I thought it was something made up in thins song:
Spent some time at Battleship Cove a few years ago. Fantastic place. Spent most of it in the sub. Had an uncle who was in a Gato class sub in WWII and I was in awe at the conditions they worked in. Not up on the ratings in the subs but my uncle was the guy you see in all the movies when they call for a dive and he starts pulling and pushing all the levers to blow ballast. He’s the one that got me started building models back in 1946. It’s hard to describe the feelings when looking around that sub. So proud to be his nephew.
Jim [cptn]
Stay Safe.
In 1973 we took a C-5 from Dover A.F.B. to Burke Lakefront Airport for a show and got inside the U.S.S. Cod that was parked not far from the control tower. I was really surprised at how little room they really had in one of those things. I never could have gone out on one.
Great & Timely information - thanks! - Battleship Cove & USS Salem have been on my bucket list for a few years and the time has nearly come.
Edit: Time has come to actually go there, not the other thing 
This is the Cruiser that I would like to have. U.S.S. Roanoke CL-145
except that is a light cruiser not a heavy cruiser.
That’s probably going to be tough sledding.
Only kit I can find on Scalemates is this one:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/niko-model-7050-uss-roanoke-cl-145-1957-worcester-class--314947
It’s a resin kit at 1/700; Free Time Hobbies is claimed to have at least one, for a c-note.
Only aftermarket appears to be Mk 37 gun directors. However, the Mk 37 3"/50 twin mounts are made by several AM outfits. Might have to kitbash to get 6"/47 Mk 16 diubles out of Cleveland class 6"/47 Mk 18 triples.
could kitbash 1 using a Baltimore class heavy cruiser hull as both almost same size.
USS Roanoke (CL 145) https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/145/04145.htm
USS Baltimore (CA 68) https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/068/04068.htm
I’m not sure anyone said otherwise.
All things being open to discussion, the cruiser model I’ve built and liked the most was the New Orleans class from Trumpeter.
Thank you , but, 1/700 is too small for my old eyes. I figured this would be wishful thinking, but…
Nice work MM. I love the items you provide. Just forget to look sometimes.
I hope you do more IJN stuff at some date.
Thanks, Steve!
Yes, more IJN projects planned, and Italian ships too, starting with superstructure parts and turrets for Yamato class battleships and Zara class heavy cruiser kits. I did release three Fubuki class destroyer nameplates today, Fubuki, Ushio and Hibiki.
Covid very badly affected available design time but perhaps later this year, I hope to be able to spend more time on new projects.
Latest projects were sets of very detailed Titanic funnels in 1/350 and 1/200 scale based on scans of original Harland & Wolff drawings featuring extensive and accurate surface rivet detail, and upgraded Lexington CV-2 and Saratoga CV-3 turrets also with extensive exterior rivet detail.
I hope to release Des Moines class turrets soon, too.