The best and worst A&ANM models -- and who are the master model makers?

[Rokossovsky]

While most all the A&ANM models are adequately accurate and detailed for their 1:1800 scale, some of them clearly stand out in quality.

The Jeremiah O'Brien is one of the best detailed and prepainted model ships I have seen at any scale. The Filiberti D'Aosta Italian light cruisers and Tarigo Italian destroyers are perfectly modeled, and their paint jobs are DAZZLING ... which I guess their camouflage was intended to do historically, but ... :rolleyes:

If they were enlarged to 1:700 -- the ships' models currently available at that scale are heavy, unstable resin and very expensive -- they could hold their own with the accuracy, detail, and paint jobs they have now. (They'd have to be hard plastic, though.)

Some other models of the line leave something to be desired. From what I have seen of it, the barbette/base of the stern turret of Scharnhorst is much too high, to the point that if I ever get one, I'll have to remove the turret and cut the barbette down.

But overall, the line is remarkably good.

Who are the master model makers, I wonder. The models are manufactured in China -- are they Chinese? Whoever they are, they're doing a superb job and should be recognized by the hobby for their contributions. :)

[unc_samurai]

I am extremely impressed with the Akagi. I am a little less enthused, however, with the way the turrets on the Japanese cruisers.

[Sean-Khan]

I believe someone mentioned that there's turrets that have just not been well inserted, that just pushing would make them go lower.

[Autarch]

I've been prying some of my B and X turrets UP so the guns clear the turret below them.

[swarbs]

I'm not sure that any quantity of pulling up or pushing down on the turrets of my Myoko will create a situation in which all of them can swing through thier entire arcs of fire. In regards to the paint jobs, I have two battleships and I'm much more impressed with the Kongo than with the Richelieu.

[Captain Gideon]

I would agree on the Akagi it's a great looking ship as is the Shokaku as well.

The Bismarck is another very good looking ship and i also agree that the Jeremiah O'Brien is very well detailed.

But even though i love all the Japanese ships i must say that the Crusier Tone i've got at least one issue with it.

Looking at the ship it seems that there's not enough bow to the ship the space between the bow of the ship and the first main turret is vey short.

In my opinion the space between the bow and the first turret should be more than it is.

Captain Gideon

[hornet69]

all of the japanese ships look great.and in game terms they kick butt. about time the japanese got some love in this minature style game

[warspite]

I've been prying some of my B and X turrets UP so the guns clear the turret below them.

Same here. Bismarck doesn't have much of a gun deck for the B turret.

However, MY Bismarck has a GLARING deficiency. The aft superstructure wasn't inserted all the way, and is listing 30 degrees to starboard. I don't know if I can force it in the rest of the way, or pull it out to reinsert it, without destroying it entirely, because the plastic is so soft. If it's cemented, then it probably can't because the cement will hold one side down, and wreck it, unless I'm extremely careful cutting it out.

Not something I'm tempted to do at this time. :(

[zaarin7]

I would return that for replacement. I like the ones I have so far.

[Krusty Burger]

HMS Rodney looks extremely odd. I think they could have detailed the deck a bit better, as well as used a different color for it.

All other models I've seen have been pretty nice.

[Rokossovsky]

And Rodney/Nelson wouldn't be hard to do in wood or cardstock, their design is so simple -- "cheeseboxes on a raft." :)

[Barry Kendall]

My "Hood" also had a superstructure problem where the mainmast and aft deckhouse fit into their recess--they didn't get the deckhouse down all the way and so the mast sweeps forward just a bit. One of my Exeters also has an aft-end-of-deckhouse problem.

You're right about the Scharnhorst's barbettes. 'Way too high. I wonder if they did it to clear the raised (too raised!) deck detail. Ship still looks okay from the air, though.

Bismarck has the opposite problem--the 01 deck is not quite high enough. Turret Bruno could be higher and still not rise above the forward bridge, and Caesar could have a beefed up barbette to match. In addition, has anyone noticed the astonishing flare of the hullsides? It's more than 30 degrees. You don't notice it from the top, but boy, does it look strange from dead ahead or dead astern!

I also have a Yamato whose after 6" turret is permanently swung toward the port beam. It won't pivot for anything and I'm afraid to break it off.

I've also noticed that more than one sculptor is at work. This is very evident when comparing the deck and other fine detail of Washington vs. Iowa. Washington has nicely modeled quad 40mm guns (so does Salt Lake City and Baltimore) but Iowa's are awful. The midship "gun nest" of three quad forties per side (between the funnels) is hardly distinguishable as AA mounts. I wonder if this same sculptor did the excellent British and Italian destroyers.

I think the Iowa sculptor also did Rodney and maybe Myoko. Perhaps Fletcher as well, which could account for the blunder with the torpedo tube mount abaft the second funnel (should be at the same level as the forward tubes, not on the main deck).

The carriers are all well done; some of the cruisers, such as Ajax/Achilles, not so good. The Jintsu, however, is a little gem.

I also noted the lack of forecastle on the Tone. The bow should have a finer taper from the stem back to the no. 1 turret. Also, the third turret was not on a raised barbette but rested at the same level as the fourth turret, according to my photos. Despite this, I rather like the model; the catapult representation with one empty and one loaded with its plane is a nice touch.

The planes actually look better than their photos in the preview; I especially like the TBDs, Kates, Kondors and Bettys. Oh, and the PBY. Just peachy.

I was very disappointed with the basic Sherman tank in the original A&A Minis, but overall the minis have been pretty good. I feel the same way about WaS minis; a few plain Janes haven't kept my procurement program from exceeding budget and more are on the way.

[Joisey]

Akagi's flight deck is beautiful. The rear pylon supports on the Shokaku, however, were sculpted as a single, solid wall. I believe some carefully placed, small pilot holes in the center, and then some shaving with an exacto knife, may reveal the pylons.

What's up with the Richelieu? It looks like a photo negative compared to the brightly colored Italian ships and carriers.

[OrangeCat]

I love the paint on the decks of the Japanese carriers. Especially the dark wash to bring out the details. (That white thing on the back of the Akagi is the Japanese Katakana for "A".)

My only problem was a Zeke model that did not have enough plastic, so the last fighter is... underdeveloped with a tiny tail and small wings...

Did anyone notice the planes?

- The Interceptors are wingtip to wingtip staggered slightly
- The Torpedo bombers are wingtip to wingtip/triangle formation
- and the Dive bombers are staggered back wing to tail.

Once you notice this, it's easy to see what is happening on the board. GOOD IDEA, whomever is responsible. :D

[MarcusAurelius]

For me, aircraft and submarines were two of the biggest question marks related to model quality. I've been pleasantly surprised on both counts.

Granted, there's not much room for detail on the fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers. But I think they look great on the battle map. And between the paint scheme and formation, they're easy enough to distinguish — even in mixed groups. (This could become an issue when nations like the U.S. or Japan add a second fighter or dive bomber unit). As for the patrol bombers, chances are I'll never have enough in my collection.

While I'm still not crazy about the clear plastic base surrounding the submarines (or the plastic pegs on the bottom of the hull securing the two pieces in place), I can live with it. I do like my growing wolfpack.