barcah,
I'd look into the Figurehead Models 1:6000 range of WW1 naval miniatures. I have been very pleased with them. They paint up easily and, most important from my PoV, they present realistically on the table-top. Works for me, but, to be sure, not as cheap as cardboar ;-)
I use 2.5-inches per 1,000 yards, whereby
> 1/4-inch = 100 yds distance
> 1/4-inch = 1 knot movement in a three minute turn
and
> 60-inches (5 feet) = 24,000 yds maximum gun range
B
rebases some old soldiers.
