"Size comparison 1/600 vs. 1/1200 ACW Naval" Topic

Hey guys.

OK, OK … I know the 1/1200 will be half the size and this is probably a stupid request. But I'm just back from Historicon and saw my first 1/600 ironclads in person and was pretty shocked at how big they were.

As I'm just looking to get started in gaming this stuff, I figured 1/600 was most common and that 1/1200 would be so small they'd look like little blobs of lead. But now that I see how big the 1/600 are, I'm thinking that perhaps 1/1200 might be OK.

I'm still interested in 1/600 because they look great, as always the smaller scale has cost and storage advantages.

If someone would be able to post some comparison pics, I'd appreciate it. And of course any personal thoughts on the pluses and minuses of both scales would be helpful!

Thanks guys
brian
brianjenglish AT gmail DOT com

I have no comparisons to show you. I own a bunch of 1/1200 and have had them for at least 20 years. My friend George has 1/600. Given the small scale of action I would vote for the 1/600 just for the look. You've seen them so you know what I mean. If space is not a problem then yes, yes yes 1/600. If space is a problem or you want to do something REALLY big (or, like me, you've had them almost as long as your children) then 1/1200 is just fine

I've got a lot of 1/600 and – as Ferd says – with the exception of some of the really LARGE battles, 1/600 works just fine.

I have a good collection of 1/600 and I find that riverine and hypothetical actions fit very well on a 6 foot by 4 foot table. It's only my upcoming Charleston Bay game, based on the 7th April 1863 engagement, that requires a larger table. And that's only so that Fort Sumter can engage the Federals as they steam in.

And that scale looks so good when subjected to a good paint job.

Drat! I was hoping to be convinced to do 1/1200 so I could save the cash. But the fact that I'd not need dozens of ships is definitely a good argument for 1/600.

Thanks, guys!

b

Go with Thoroughbreds. You won't be disappointed.

I also did my first ironclad game at Historicon. 1/600 scale, and it looked great.

Shortly thereafter Thouroughbred got a nice piece of business from me, the guy was great and helped me put together two small starter fleets.

Sorta cheating, but I have photoshopped two 1/600 ships down to 1/1200 – hope this helps.

I would go with the 1/600 nice to paint, good size and cost wise you do not save much if you go with Langton ones. They are the best 1/1200 I have seen. I have over 40 of the Thoroughbreds models. Service from Toby is great. My wife will put in a order at the same time as I do. Toby will wrap them up so that I cannot see them with my wife's name on them. Then for special occasions she will bring one out from her stash and give me a present.

I have one 1/1200 scale ironclad. I bought it back in the late 80s and didn't really like the looks of it. So the result is that I didn't get into ACW naval until Thoroughbred came out with their 1/600 scale ships. I have since gone overboard with mostly Thoroughbred but with a few Bay Area Yard (to fill in gaps that Toby hasn't modeled yet).

Also Toby's service is amazing. I think he uses magic for deliveries.

Well, for my opening salvo, clearly, you are all wrong!

Just buy vessels in both scales. That way, you don't have to make those difficult decisions.

Just don't tell the wife.

1/600th for your favorite vessels, and for those smaller engagements. 1/1200th for the larger battles, when you want a lot of vessels, or need lots of maneuvering room.

Sorta cheating, but I have photoshopped two 1/600 ships down to 1/1200 – hope this helps.

Does get the message across.

Of course, the thing to remember is twice the length, four times the foot print (twice the length AND twice the width), eight times the volume (AND twice the height), or close enough as the ship is almost a rectangular solid.

Will Look HUGE.

Doug

I just went with Thoroughbred today bought 15 ships. They look great. Toby is also a great guy to buy from.

Seconded.

I own several models in both scales. I much prefer the look of the larger 1/600.