Niek_vD
12-01-2011, 06:08
Alas it has been a few years hence since I worked on 1:1200 white metal models, so my view may be a little dated. Still, most of the models are still around.
Ares is going to focus on 1:1200, so I'll start there.
Main 1:1200 white metal manufacturers:
GHQ, a limited range of beautifully sculpted hulls, both SOL's and frigates. American-based, and hence sometimes hard to get on the European market. Masts are one piece with a separate sail for the mizzen. Hull and sails come together in one blister per ship. Used to come with just one sail setting, type "manoeuver sail", but "full sails" are now also available. Never seen the latter, though.
NavWar, a larger range of fairly crude hulls. Sails are narrow and have to be glued to the masts. Hull and sails come together in one plastic bag.
Skytrex has a range similar to NavWar, but with even more crude hulls. Hull and sails come together in one plastic bag. "Full sails" are available separately.
Langton has a large range of hulls, which are relatively large w.r.t the three mentioned above. But he really shines in selling masts and sails separately. So you need to buy both the hull and one of about 8 different types of sail settings between "furled" and "Studding sails set". Sails mostly have to be glued to the masts. He also sells a range of accessories, like floating batteries, stuff for harbours, and batteries of land guns. For those who dislike the thickness of the white-metal sails he offers brass photo-etched sails. His booklet on how to paint and rig sailing ships is also very useful.
My ideal is GHQ hulls with Langton sails.
Links:
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/military-models-napoleonic-micronauts.html
http://navwar.co.uk/nav/default.asp?MMID=75
http://www.skytrex.com/381/11200th-napoleonic-action-under-sail-1756--1815/
http://www.rodlangton.com/
Niek
Ares is going to focus on 1:1200, so I'll start there.
Main 1:1200 white metal manufacturers:
GHQ, a limited range of beautifully sculpted hulls, both SOL's and frigates. American-based, and hence sometimes hard to get on the European market. Masts are one piece with a separate sail for the mizzen. Hull and sails come together in one blister per ship. Used to come with just one sail setting, type "manoeuver sail", but "full sails" are now also available. Never seen the latter, though.
NavWar, a larger range of fairly crude hulls. Sails are narrow and have to be glued to the masts. Hull and sails come together in one plastic bag.
Skytrex has a range similar to NavWar, but with even more crude hulls. Hull and sails come together in one plastic bag. "Full sails" are available separately.
Langton has a large range of hulls, which are relatively large w.r.t the three mentioned above. But he really shines in selling masts and sails separately. So you need to buy both the hull and one of about 8 different types of sail settings between "furled" and "Studding sails set". Sails mostly have to be glued to the masts. He also sells a range of accessories, like floating batteries, stuff for harbours, and batteries of land guns. For those who dislike the thickness of the white-metal sails he offers brass photo-etched sails. His booklet on how to paint and rig sailing ships is also very useful.
My ideal is GHQ hulls with Langton sails.
Links:
http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/military-models-napoleonic-micronauts.html
http://navwar.co.uk/nav/default.asp?MMID=75
http://www.skytrex.com/381/11200th-napoleonic-action-under-sail-1756--1815/
http://www.rodlangton.com/
Niek