"Tell me who to buy from" Topic

While I do a lot of research on the ACW I really do not play it. Okay I am a sinner. But what I do like about it (other than reenacting) is the naval end of it. I want to know who I can go to and buy the ships from and what scale is being used and why.

virginia soldier

Email me
john_the_OFM at msn dot com

I have a bunch of 1/600 Thoroughbred ironclads that I wil never get to.

My preference… 1/600th scale, which are available from Thoroughbred Models, Peter Pig and Bay Area Yards. Good selections of vessels from sail to ironclads and riverines to coastal – resin or metal.

Since you can get started with just a few ships, the initial out lay is reasonable.

Accessories include shore installations, so you can do "running the gauntlet" scenarios.

A good, workable set of rules is "Smoke on the Water" which should be available as a free download somewhere on the net.

I have 3 more 1/600 Thoroughbred models I will never use. You can also contact me at jevans1258 at yahoo dot com.

Yup, 1/600 Thoroughbreds are the premier models, while Bay Area Yards run a pretty close second (though I'm sure some will disagree – my opinion only). Haven't seen the Peter Pig, though I know PP makes 1/600 infantry also – good for combined arms. :o) Love my Thoroughbreds!

Edit: I don't find the 1/1200 as accurate or as attractive as the 1/600, though some people like them. They are about 1/2 to 1/3 the price, however.

I like Bay Area Yards rules – Under Both Flags, as they are fairly simple, though thorough, and easy to learn, but have also used some rules from online (check out freewargamesrules.co.uk) as well as the old Ironclads board game.

I'll echo the comments above. You'd be hard pressed to name a major combatant (or even a lot of minor combatants) in 1/600 that you cannot purchase from one of the big three manufacturers.

Dave Manley's Iron and Fire are good rules too.

Peter Pig's land units are useful. I have a lot of their ships, because they used to make a lot of wooden rams and such that Thoroughbred did not. Now BAY makes even nicer ones.

I think all three are fine product lines. PP is not quite as high quality, but is cheaper if you are buying a big fleet. If you were doing New Orleans, or a fantasy Chraleston scenario or such, you'd probably want some stuff from all three.

I decided to start with 1/1200 because of cost and space considerations. I got two complete navies from Stone Mountain. (Note they were not very quick because they had to cast up the order, but I did get answers to my e-mails and eventually got the order. That was last summer. I'd buy from them again.)

link

I'd like to get some from North Head Miniatures as well, and eventually get some 1/600 for smaller actions.