will_teare

I would like to get started in model warship combat and people have said that the best boat to start with is a heavy cruiser or battle cruiser. Does anyone know where I could pick up one of these second hand or cheaply new. A Portland or Des Moines US cruiser would be ideal or though any cruiser is fine.
I have uploaded pictures of the Portland and Des Moines.
Thanks

johnmCA72

Be aware of the format where you'll be fighting. While that recommendation has been around for a long time in the small gun format, I think most in Big Gun consider any kind of cruiser to be a tough ship to run & not recommended as a 1st ship. I, for one, applied the small gun advice to the Big Gun format & wasn't entirely pleased. Big Gun ships are often considerably more complex than their small gun counterparts, & it can be a challenge to fit everything you need into a narrow cruiser hull. There are a lot of Big Gunners in Australia - I'm not sure about small - & you should check with somebody local, where you'll actually be fighting.

JM

will_teare

Thanks. I found a SMS seydlitz on ebay for $300 aud. It still needs weapons but i figured out it wiould cost 600au all up. Is this a good ship to start? If so how many cannons and what type would i need? The 600$ figure came from 2x75 round rotating coil cannons and 2x75 round straight fixed cannons from battlers connection.

johnmCA72

That's definitely a small gun ship. If that's what you want to do, it might be OK. I'd still check with the guys that you're planning to fight with (& against). They'll be able to tell you what works with their group. In this & other online forums, you'll find a lot of people that fight in many formats. What's good in one isn't necessarily good in another.

JM

will_teare

The clubs near me are all "Big Gun" 1/144th scale. Is there anywhere i can pick up a second hand one or new kit cheaply? Preferably in Australia

Wreno

The Australian Battle Group frequenly lists ships for sale in its newslatters to members. Have you tried networking theough the www.ausbg.org web site?

Wreno

will_teare

I have agreed to buy a south dakota batle ship from the sydney branch of the ausbg. Is 1.4m long and has 2x 3 barrel rotating guns and 1x 3 barrel fixed gun. Have included pictures below

johnmCA72

I'd call that an excellent choice, for several reasons (& probably some that I haven't bothered to list):
[ul][*] In general, battleships provide a lot of space to work with inside.[*] That particular class, though not the fastest, has about the best maneuverability for a ship that size, which can be very nice in combat.[*] It's big enough that it can soak up a fair amount of damage & have someplace to put the water before it sinks (unlike a cruiser).[*] It comes from within your local combat group, so there's some assurance that it's been built to spec. for the local club.
[/ul]
Congratulations, & I hope you enjoy this ship as well as the sport for a long time!

JM

will_teare

Thanks for all your help, Will

barnstormerboats

Hey, That boat is sinking in 2 of the three pics you posted and pumping like crazy in the other. I hope you get some better pics of this boat. Maybe cruising past some other unfortunate ship that you just blasted to Davy Jones' locker. LOL.

Good luck and good hunting.