jeeves | 27 Jan 2022 1:29 p.m. PST |
In your view, the best model available today for the predreadnought USS Texas in 1/2400 scale would be from War Times Journal? Or someone else? |
HMS Exeter | 27 Jan 2022 3:44 p.m. PST |
WTJ's models have few rivals for detail, but I can't get completely over the reality that 3d printed ship models are inherently delicate. So, if there is a metal example of a particular model that nearly approximates the detail quality of WTJ, I will opt for that instead. As such, Viking Forge's Texas was, and again would be, my preference. FWIW, my limited experience with Shapeways models suggests to me that WTJ models are more robust. |
jeeves | 27 Jan 2022 5:46 p.m. PST |
Interesting, I have a number of WTJ ships. In what ways have you found them fragile? |
Col Durnford | 27 Jan 2022 6:32 p.m. PST |
I have a few WTJ ships in that scale and have not had any problem. That said, most of my fleet are from panzerschiffe link
Clearly, WTJ ships are a step up at $6.00 USD vs $4.00 USD I believe the pictures on WTJ are of the larger size ships. |
jeeves | 27 Jan 2022 7:15 p.m. PST |
Yeah I've had some admittedly minor mishaps with my WTJ ships and they've suffered no damage. Are the Shapeways ships really fragile? I'm surprised if they are considering their cost. |
dragon6 | 27 Jan 2022 7:29 p.m. PST |
The Shapeways are not fragile but not as nice looking. At least when I bought them several (several!) years ago. They have probably improved |
HMS Exeter | 27 Jan 2022 8:59 p.m. PST |
I got a few Shapeways 2400 scale WWII Japanese ships and right out of the box I broke a mast. Maybe that's why WTJ doesn't try to do masts. The gun barrels on 3d print models are spindly and I can't help but fear for their stability. A lead barrel will bend and stay bent, unless bent back. A 3d barrel will bend, then snap back, or snap off altogether. On balance, Panzerschiffe barrels, being cast into the deck are the sturdiest. |
BillyNM | 28 Jan 2022 12:56 a.m. PST |
What's wrong with the GHQ USS New York, the name ship of the class? link |
HMS Exeter | 28 Jan 2022 5:28 a.m. PST |
The GHQ model is the Dreadnought Texas. The question was about the earlier Pre-Dreadnought. |
jeeves | 28 Jan 2022 8:15 a.m. PST |
Yes the GHQ model is like all of theirs amazing, but not what I was looking for. |
McKinstry | 28 Jan 2022 9:33 a.m. PST |
I have the Viking Forge Texas and find it very nice. |
jeeves | 28 Jan 2022 10:44 a.m. PST |
McKinstry, is the photo on Viking Forge's website not representative of the actual model? Because the photo doesn't look great. |
HMS Exeter | 28 Jan 2022 1:54 p.m. PST |
I think the image on the VF website is representative. It is perhaps worth observing that these are gaming models, intended to be viewed at about 30-48 inches. Individual tastes inevitably vary. Get a WTJ and a Viking Forge. I'd be willing to bet that in your hand, 6 inches from your eye, the WTJ would have it all over the VF. Viewed on a game table at 30 inches and the less "busy" VF might well win out. My first wargame was an ACW Battle of Stones River. I had brought a small Confederate force. I happened to look down the table and I saw a small Union force and marveled at how good they looked. After a while I walked down to get a better look and was shocked to discover the figures were mine. I had loaned them to a friend to use. I had never seen them at 6 feet distance before. I didn't even recognize them. Buy a Panzerschiffes, a WTJ and a VF Texas. You'll have an entirely apples to apples distance variable basis for comparison between the lines. Add a Tumbling Dice Texas for full completeness. I'd be interested in what you thought of them after the comparison. |
Col Durnford | 28 Jan 2022 4:26 p.m. PST |
To underscore the above, in that scale, details are lost to the eye at war game distances. After the ship is sunk and you pick up the model, you'll say "Wow, that has some great detailing. It's the one time losing your ship is a good thing. |
McKinstry | 28 Jan 2022 5:13 p.m. PST |
The Viking Forge picture lacks the masts that come with it and has not been painted. I have mine in the buff over white scheme with black barrels and used a light black wash on the deck that really pops the wooden decks. I had a Panzerschiffe Texas and added wire masts but I found the VF one a big improvement. FWIW – I have a bunch of TinyThingamajig 1/4800 ships from Shapeways and have not had any real brittleness issues but I have never used WTJ. |
jeeves | 28 Jan 2022 6:35 p.m. PST |
Speaking of Tumbling Dice this will probably require a new thread but, have all of you had good experiences with their models? I've heard them widely praised, their offerings are very tempting, but again the photos do not look great on their site. |
HMS Exeter | 28 Jan 2022 8:08 p.m. PST |
I've ordered a fair few smaller Napoleonic and Victorian ship models, but no larger more modern types, so I can't offer a meaningful eval. |
jeeves | 29 Jan 2022 11:52 a.m. PST |
But the Victorian ships were high quality? |
HMS Exeter | 29 Jan 2022 1:47 p.m. PST |
They were too small to effectively incorporate much detail. |