writes:
I recently had the opportunity to review the 1:4800 scale naval miniatures from Mick Yarrow at M.Y. Miniatures. The scale is not the one I personally collect, and although I had heard of models in this size, those that arrived were my first experience with them.
Mick was quick to point out by email that they are from the old Trafalgar range and that some of the masters were a bit dated, so I was a little unsure what to expect. As they were unpacked, I was quite surprised. I could certainly tell which ship classes they were, but my sense of perspective took a little time to adjust from 1:3000 scale to these much smaller models.
Generally I found them easier to identify than 1:6000 scale ships, which I had collected a few years ago. With aging eyes, the 1:6000 scale ships were just too small for me, particularly when it came to destroyers and other small craft. But with the M.Y. range, the problem was much reduced and I only had trouble with one ship whilst in raw metal. (That was a U.S. destroyer escort, but I should point out that as soon as I put some white paint on it, I could immediately identify what it was.) So that was a plus for me.
When scale is considered, tabletop gaming in 1:3000 scale can sometimes look oversize. The smaller models therefore do have some advantages. I was particularly impressed with a couple, but by the same token could see how the modeller could improve them with some ease. This was mostly related to hull shape. After taking the photographs for this review, I intend to make some small adjustments to the forward hull lines of Yamato and a Washington-class battleship, which I feel will greatly improve them.
But that aside, these models are not all that bad, and one thing on their side is that they are quite inexpensive compared to others. Comparing them with the expense of 1:2400 scale, you could purchase a fleet for the price of a single battleship! (But then, I can get a squadron of 1:3000 scale ships together for the price of a single 1:2400 model...) The price and the fact they can be easily recognized for class would be an advantage for some wargamers. I would imagine that for those who find 1:6000 just too small, but also want to avoid expensive larger models, these would be ideal.
The range is quite good if not comprehensive, and the ships included are those one would be most likely to want for some of the historical scenarios, be it WWI or WWII. I'm sure Mick himself will be the first to admit that the detail is not as high as in other scales. But despite that, they are still a very useable bargain for those people who don't use their model ships all that often, nor want to lay out lots of dollars collecting a fleet.
Painting them up was no less straightforward than I would expect with my 1:3000 scale models, but considerably easier than 1:6000 scale when it came to adding detail such as camouflage. I was able to paint them to the usual schemes, which was pleasing, as it was far more difficult to do that in smaller sizes, and of course larger models show mistakes more easily. That is a plus for these ships. Not too small, yet not so big that you have to spend a whole evening just painting one. I was able to wiz through a selection of them in pretty quick time, which I'm sure will appeal to many.
Some of the ships I painted up as examples:
[Larger versions of these pictures can be seen here.]