Kits

[ckephart]

Morning all,

As I start processing my first kit I have realized already the shortcomings of vacuum form parts. I am in the process of looking for my next kit so I can plan everything out. My question is beside the conversion kits (static to RC) and the vacuum form kits. Are there kits out there for the beginner that is made of better quality material? I am looking for WWII era vessels. Submarines and surface ship kits alike. Thank you in advance.

[crueby]

Give Don at Loyalhanna Dockyard a shout, he has quite a large variety of fiberglass hulls and kits for surface ships and subs, very nice hulls.

[chips]

Depending on which vessel you're looking for, some other suppliers are:
Scale Shipyard - fiberglass hulls (with plans) and resin fittings; most are 1/96th scale
CNC Models - laser cut superstructure kits made in the USA, imports some fiberglass hulls from Europe

I've built several models on several Scale Shipyard hulls: 1/72nd scale SKIPJACK; 1/96th scale GATO; 1/96th scale USCGC DALLAS (WHEC 716), USCGC CHEROKEE (WMEC 165); 1/48th scale USCGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166).

Pictured are my Scale Shipyard models: USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364); USCGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166); USCGC CHEROKEE (WMEC 165) USCGC DUTCH HARBOR (WTGB 114); and tug SOCONY 12. DUTCH HARBOR & SOCONY 12 are also Scale Shipyard hulls.

[ckephart]

Give Don at Loyalhanna Dockyard a shout, he has quite a large variety of fiberglass hulls and kits for surface ships and subs, very nice hulls.

I will look into them, thank you. They were on my list of vendors to check out

[ckephart]

Depending on which vessel you're looking for, some other suppliers are:
Scale Shipyard - fiberglass hulls (with plans) and resin fittings; most are 1/96th scale
CNC Models - laser cut superstructure kits made in the USA, imports some fiberglass hulls from Europe

I've built several models on several Scale Shipyard hulls: 1/72nd scale SKIPJACK; 1/96th scale GATO; 1/96th scale USCGC DALLAS (WHEC 716), USCGC CHEROKEE (WMEC 165); 1/48th scale USCGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166).

Pictured are my Scale Shipyard models: USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364); USCGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166); USCGC CHEROKEE (WMEC 165) USCGC DUTCH HARBOR (WTGB 114); and tug SOCONY 12. DUTCH HARBOR & SOCONY 12 are also Scale Shipyard hulls.

The vessels I am currently interested are based on WWII designs.
Thank you, I will check them out. I know Scale Shipyard is currently on my vendor list to check out.

[JWLaRue]

Depending on what you mean by a "beginner"....there may be some WW2 kits from OTW Designs that of interest to you. http://www.otwdesigns.com/

I also see that you are located somewhere in Maryland. I am as well. Our local SubCommittee group (SubComEast) has been holding regular "Sub Build Day" workshops to help folks with their R/C sub builds, answering whatever questions that may come up, and generally having a good time together. During the winter months we hold a monthly FunRun at a local YMCA. If you are interested, drop me a PM and I'll get you connected wit hour group!

-Jeff

[ckephart]

Depending on what you mean by a "beginner"....there may be some WW2 kits from OTW Designs that of interest to you. http://www.otwdesigns.com/

I also see that you are located somewhere in Maryland. I am as well. Our local SubCommittee group (SubComEast) has been holding regular "Sub Build Day" workshops to help folks with their R/C sub builds, answering whatever questions that may come up, and generally having a good time together. During the winter months we hold a monthly FunRun at a local YMCA. If you are interested, drop me a PM and I'll get you connected wit hour group!

-Jeff

By beginner I mean that I am a novice to this hobby. I am currently working on my first sub. I was looking for "beginner" models that were of quality than what I am currently working with.

[thor]

The only WWII kit that I can think of that is intended for R/C and would serve as an adequate novice kit is the Arkmodel 1/48th Type VIIC kit. It is heavy duty plastic and is all injection molded. It is very good quality and goes together pretty easily. You can, also, go nuts with the detailing if you want to purchase the additional photo etched kits to really make it a museum piece. Contact Bob Martin at the Nautilus Drydocks.

[bob_eissler]

Arkmodel wtc for the Type VII have been showing up on ebay as well as hulls and wtc for other subs as well. Their wtc with a single piston tank looks to be of good quality but I'm not convinced that a single piston will get the Type VII to a scale waterline. I have their Dragon Shark in 1/72 scale with piston tank wtc almost ready for sea trials. It was a little under $500 shipped and just needs a receiver, esc, 2 full size servos and battery. We will see how it performs but I think the piston tank can be improved with a little effort.
Oh, I should say that their Type VII hull is very nice, as Thor says, and should build up much faster and easier than a glass hull will.

[sam reichart]

The Arkmdodel Type VII and the photo etch extras will give you a really nice model.

[ckephart]

The only WWII kit that I can think of that is intended for R/C and would serve as an adequate novice kit is the Arkmodel 1/48th Type VIIC kit. It is heavy duty plastic and is all injection molded. It is very good quality and goes together pretty easily. You can, also, go nuts with the detailing if you want to purchase the additional photo etched kits to really make it a museum piece. Contact Bob Martin at the Nautilus Drydocks.

I just sent Bob an email this morning to discuss a few things, Thank you for the assistance.

[ckephart]

The Arkmdodel Type VII and the photo etch extras will give you a really nice model.

It does look nice, I am hoping when I acquire it that I make all the other Type VII owners proud when I show it off.

[ckephart]

Arkmodel wtc for the Type VII have been showing up on ebay as well as hulls and wtc for other subs as well. Their wtc with a single piston tank looks to be of good quality but I'm not convinced that a single piston will get the Type VII to a scale waterline. I have their Dragon Shark in 1/72 scale with piston tank wtc almost ready for sea trials. It was a little under $500 shipped and just needs a receiver, esc, 2 full size servos and battery. We will see how it performs but I think the piston tank can be improved with a little effort.
Oh, I should say that their Type VII hull is very nice, as Thor says, and should build up much faster and easier than a glass hull will.

We shall see, If there needs to be adjustments made then I can cross that bridge along the way.