"Wanted: 1/1200 scale Japanese warships " Topic

The Hallmark 1/1200 scale Coastal Action range is really neat and inspiring, but the selection of Japanese warships is a bit odd. One of the DD classes (Mutsuki) actually fought against PT boats in the Solomons, but the other classes in the range seem mostly to have been retired to rear areas to patrol for submarines. I'd like to find other Japanese DDs in 1/1200 (or 1/1250) scale that were active in the Solomons.

For my immediate needs, I also would like to have the seaplane carriers Chitose and Nisshin. I'm building a scenario based on a Tokyo Express run in which these were used as fast transports, and it seems a shame to leave them out. However, I can only find them in 1/2400 and 1/700 scale.

I'm not very familiar with the market for WWII ships in this scale. Where should I be shopping to find more 1/1200 WW2 vessels?

- Ix

These aren't cheap of course: link

They don't sell direct, but there used to be a couple of vendors in the US for their models.

In the US, Alnavco carries the Superior 1200 scale line. On the plus side the line is pretty comprehensive, and the models are not so "fiddly" that you are likely to break them with frequent handling. On the minus side, Alnavco usually has only a pretty narrow portion of their line in stock at any given point. Their latest "on hand" list doesn't include the AVC'c, but it's from last November, so…

You can often find Superior's on ebay, esp. if you're willing to consider models from Europe. Be sure to search 1200 and 1250. Also search "Toys and Hobbies" and "Collectibles." I usually list a few Japanese models on ebay each month. (I'm downsizing to 2400) You kinda just missed my last wave.

For Japanese models, also consider some of old Hansa, Tridents and Delphins. They're long oop, but some crop up on ebay from time to time.

Clydeside never much made Japanese models. They're good and sturdy, but almost completely oop.

I personally consider the current European Navis/Neptun, Argonaut and Hai models to be gorgeous, but too fragile for gaming purposes.

A scratch built Chitose just sold on the UK ebay.

Alnavco is a US vendor for Navis/Neptun.

you can try Alnavco
alnavco.com/warship.htm
keep in mind many are out of stock…best to contact them first prior to ordering.
E-bay could be another source of 1/1200 naval.

Scratch building them yourself using bass wood and wire from scale drawings found in various naval books was something I did back in the '70s before I could afford buying the metal models.

I checked Alnavco's list and it looks like all the AVC's have been retired.

Check;

1250ships.com

They have recently posted hundreds of used shops on their site.

auction

link

Thanks for all the links!

I've never seen "Ships and More". I added that one to my shopping database. They even had a Chitose for an almost-reasonable price.

I'll have to make a very specific list for DDs I want and search carefully. This is clearly not a drive-by browse-and-buy scale.

I know there are some huge 1/1200 collections in the world, but I continue to be mystified how they grow. This scale seems to be a stunningly expensive hobby.

- Ix

Superiors are comparatively affordable. Collections grow like anything, one purchase at a time.

True, but scale warships should be less expensive than the real ones.

- Ix

I was at an early east coast con at the old Penn Harris. This guy had a nice ACW CSA Second Corps army for sale based to Stars and Bars. He wanted $400 USD, which was just at the upper end of reasonable. I could have almost afforded it, but decided against it.

The day after I got back home I was crossing this parking lot and there was an early 70s Lincoln Continental sitting off by itself. As I passed it I saw a sign in the window.

$400 USD

I slammed on the breaks.

It's all about the perspective.

….. Imagine the thrill of watching your lovely 1:1200 Navis Neptun models being shoved around the table by ham-fisted conventioneers.

I tingle all over just thinking about it!

;-)

B

No, no, that's what the blobby-looking Superiors are for. They're unbreakable! :-)

I have mostly GHQ and C-in-C 1/2400, both notably fragile in different ways, and I let the players handle them. I think all the damage has been GM-inflicted, so far. People are usually pretty careful, especially experienced naval gamers.

Touching is a natural human method of exploring and engaging, and I want my players to feel like they "own" part of the fleet, so I think having their own stuff to push around makes increases involvement. (A fast game with a lot of moving helps too…)

- Ix

Imagine the thrill of watching your lovely 1:1200 Navis Neptun models being shoved around the table by ham-fisted conventioneers.

The old "Naval Wargames Club" in the UK, when we used to meet in Hook played with Navis and similar high end German 1/1250 models on the floor. I never remember any disasters.

Would I do this today? Probably not. It was one of the reasons Navwar was founded by two NHS members. I did some of their masters back in the day.