GHQ Models Forums

Can anyone give me an idea of the size of a modern destroyer in inches in the 1/2400, 1/3000 scales? Your help is appreciated.

For a 'modern destroyer' assume US Burke class guided missile destroyer, which is 509'5" overall length (about 155.3 m).
In 1/2400 scale, this is about 0.21' = 2.55" = 6.5 cm.
In 1/3000 scale, this is about 0.17' = 2.04" = 5.2 cm.

Note that the Burke class is significantly larger than any WWII era destroyer. If this is what you mean by 'modern', then consider the US Fletcher class, which was considered a large destroyer for its day and was 376'5" (114.4 m) long overall.
In 1/2400 scale, about 0.16' = 1.9" = 4.8 cm.
In 1/3000 scale, about 0.125' = 1.5" = 3.8 cm.

Hope this helps.

D. Scheef

It does help, thanks. I'm trying to figure out what scale to go with, the 1/3000 seems to have more choices, but the only sights I have seen that have pictures are the 1/2400 at GHQ and C in C. I'd rather have some idea what I'm getting. Planning to use mostly DD's and FG's. Thanks again,



Hans

Just for general information, 1/2400 and 1/3000 scale make sense for users of the inch, foot, yard, mile measuring system.

For 1/2400 scale, divide the length of the actual item (in feet) by 200 to get the length of the model (in inches).

For 1/3000 scale, divide the length of the actual item (in feet) by 250 to get the length of the model (in inches.

D. Scheef

Hans -
Looks like Don has covered the physical measurements. Now let's address what you want to do with your fleet:
If you wish to collect and display, then I would recommend 1/2400. The GHQ offerings are clearly the BEST, and then they are followed by CinC, Superior, and Viking Forge (these are the most readily available metal 1/2400 ships in the US). You can check out the GHQ ships here; CinC has even fewer than does GHQ (with some product overlap); Superior has mainly US/USSR, and a small handfull of NATO ships, but are often hard to find. Viking Forge has the largest modern range (Cold War, plus Japan & Argentina), but the detail ranges from very good to poor. There's 1/2400 aircraft available (GHQ, and some out-of-production Superior) to use on any carriers you may wish to later add to the fleet. Most GHQ DD/FF fromm the modern era (Cold War and beyond) come with ASW helo's. The only downsides to the 1/2400 scale is that there are big gaps in any OOBs/scenarios other than Falklands and Cold War; and of course the costs - 2400's typically cost more than their 3000 counterparts
For gaming, either works. Here, the 1/3000 has the advantage of economy and wide range - thru some of the British firms (or US importers), you can get ships from today's navies all over the globe. You can mix scales, but it looks bad if they're on the same side - although I have heard of one side using 2400 scale and the other using 3000 scale. The 3000's typically are more rugged, as they often lack the fragile masts and antennae that can get wrecked in transporting and playing on a game floor (especially if the dog/cats run across in mid-game).
As for me, I use the 2400 scale - they simply look nicer, and I spend more time looking at them than I do gaming with my collection anyway. Since I'll spring for the nicest looking ships, I'm an unapologetic GHQ fan - they clearly set the standard by which everything else is judged in terms of detail & appearance.
Kevin

Hans,

Just for "discussion's sake" -- have you considered the "larger" scales of 1/1200 and 1/1250?

Pros: there isn't much that isn't available in that scale. Like most other "genres" of modeling, the quality and prices vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. But -- some of the models are absolutely breathtaking!!

Cons: more expensive, take more room for display / storage.

I would love to see GHQ venture into the 1/1200 - 1/1250 scale naval arena... but I also understand that they can only do so much... and there's so much left "to do" in the arenas they have entered in to.

You might want to check out one of my "favorite places" for ship modeling in that scale:

http://www.steelnavy.com/1250home.htm

and just take a look through the pages there. I think you'll like what you see!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

Thanks for all the help guys. Now I just have to make up my mind,,,,,