Consolidated Micronaut Wish List

[Donald M. Scheef]

Consolidated Micronaut Wish List Summary

Replaced by updated list 2013-05-15.

Don S.

[Donald M. Scheef]

In anticipation of GHQ’s 2013-2014 release announcements, here are some of the highlights of the Micronaut Wish List as of 2013-05-11. The noted changes are from the 2012-06-01 summary (just after the 2012-2013 schedule announcements).


Total number of ship types receiving at least one vote: 1073 (increased from 964 – 109 ships received their first vote since the most-recent previous highlights summary)


Most popular item: WWII era aircraft carrier deck decals (51 votes, up from 28 votes) I am aware of Tanner’s recent releases but these are not a GHQ product.
The most popular ship type: post-Cold War era UK destroyer Daring (Type 45) class (38 votes, up from 29 votes) GHQ’s decision to restart release of modern warship models gave a big boost to this item’s popularity.


By era:

Most popular Napoleonic era product: brass etched ratlines for 1st, 3rd, and 5th rates (5 votes, including first votes for this product)
Most popular Napoleonic era ship type: tie between UK 44-gun razée Indefatigable (originally 64-gun Ardent class) and UK 44-gun razée Magnanime (originally 64-gun Intrepid class) (2 votes each, including first votes for these types)

Most popular pre-Dreadnought era ship: UK armored cruiser Devonshire class (25 votes, up from 16 votes)

Most popular WWI era ship: UK light cruiser Caroline class (31 votes, up from 22 votes)

Most popular WWII era ship: German Schnellboote (35 votes, up from 31 votes)

Most popular early Cold War era ship: tie between Soviet cruiser Sverdlov (Projekt 68 bis) class and US aircraft carrier Midway class with angled deck (12 votes each, Sverdlov unchanged; Midway up from 11 votes)

Most popular late Cold War era ship: UK frigate Duke (Type 23) class (33 votes, up from 26 votes)

Most popular post-Cold War era ship: UK destroyer Daring (Type 45) class (38 votes, up from 29 votes)


By nation:

Argentina: late-Cold War era Malvinas/Falklands aircraft (11 votes, unchanged)

Australia: post-Cold War era frigate ANZAC class (1 vote, unchanged)

Austria-Hungary: pre-Dreadnought era battleship Radetzky class (11 votes, up from 8 votes).

Brazil: WW I era battleship Minas Gerais class (3 votes, unchanged)

Canada: tie between late-Cold War era destroyer Iroquois class and post-Cold War era frigate City class (2 votes each, unchanged)

Chile: WWI era battleship Almirante Latorre class (3 votes, unchanged)

China: post-Cold War era destroyer type 052C (Luyang II, Lanzhou) class (12 votes, up from 3 votes) This was another recipient of many votes after GHQ announced resumption of modern ship types and introduced first Chinese ships.

Finland: WWII era coast defense ship Väinämoinen class (1 vote, unchanged)

France: WWII era light cruiser Duguay-Trouin class (22 votes, up from 20 votes)

Germany: WWII era Schnellboote (35 votes, up from 31 votes)

Greece: late-Cold War era patrol boat La Combattante III type (1 vote, unchanged)

India: post-Cold War era frigate Talwar class (4 votes, including first vote for this type)

Italy: WWII era heavy cruiser Pola (19 votes, up from 17 votes).

Japan: WWII era destroyer Kagero class with late-war modifications (29 votes, up from 25 votes)

Korea, People’s Republic of (North): late-Cold War era frigate Najin class (3 votes, including first vote for this type)

Korea, Republic of (South): post-Cold War era destroyer King Sejong the Great (KD-3) class (6 votes, up from 3 votes)

NATO: late-Cold War era tactical aircraft (10 votes, unchanged)

Netherlands: tie among WWII era battlecruiser 1047 design, WW II era light cruiser Eendract, and WWII era K or S class submarines (3 votes each, unchanged)

Norway: WWI era coastal battleship Norge class (1 vote, unchanged)

Panama: WWII era commercial transport El Capitan (2 votes unchanged)

Poland: tie between early-Cold War era landing ship Polocny class and late-Cold War era landing ship Ropucha class (1 vote each, unchanged)

Russia/Soviet Union/Russia: WWII era destroyer Type 7U class (17 votes, up from 14 votes).

South Africa: post-Cold War era frigate MEKO 200 class (1 vote, unchanged)

Spain: tie between pre-Dreadnought era destroyer Audaz class and pre-Dreadnought era armored cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa class (3 votes each, up from 2 votes each)

Turkey: WWI-era minelayer Nusret (4 votes, up from 3 votes)

UK: post-Cold War era destroyer Daring (Type 450 class (38 votes, up from 39 votes)

USA: WWII era aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV 5) – early 1942 appearance (24 votes, up from 18 votes)


By type:

Aircraft carrier: WWII era Japanese Taiyo class (28 votes, up from 26 votes)

Battleship / battlecruiser / armored cruiser: WWII era UK Prince of Wales (32 votes, up from 27 votes)

Cruiser: WWII era UK Berwick & Cornwall (30 votes)

Destroyer: post-Cold War era UK Daring (Type 45) class (38 votes, up from 29 votes)

Escort: late-Cold War era UK frigate Duke (Type 23) class (33 votes, up from 26 votes)

Submarine: WWII era Italy 600-ton type (14 votes, up from 13 votes)

Amphibious: WWII era US fast attack transport Charles Lawrence (APD 37) class (13 votes, up from 10 votes)

Auxiliary: WWII era Germany auxiliary cruisers (16 votes, unchanged)

Small craft: WWII era Germany Schnellboote (35 votes, up from 31 votes)

Aircraft: WWII era US Navy early-war carrier-based aircraft (18 votes, up from 15 votes)

Commercial / civilian: WWII era Japan cargo ship Taifuki Maru type (20 votes, up from 18 votes)

Sailing ships: tie between UK 44-gun razée Indefatigable (originally 64-gun Ardent class) and UK 44-gun razée Magnanime (originally 64-gun Intrepid class) (2 votes each, including first votes for these types)

Other: WWII era aircraft carrier deck decals (51 votes, up from 28 votes)

Number of ships receiving only one vote: 379, up from 340. 109 ships received their first votes since the last highlights summary. 70 ships with only one vote (including some that received their first vote) received additional votes.

Don S.

[Donald M. Scheef]

Consolidated Micronaut Wish List Summary

Replaced by updated list 2013-05-17.

Don S.

[whoa Mohamed]

Id like to request
Gearing Fram DD
DER Destroyer escort Radar Picket Vietnam era
Modern Mine countermeasures ships
Uss Caronade IFS1 inshore fire support ship
Ashville class Patrol Gunboat
Modern Off shore patrol ships and boats
Charles F Adams class DDG
Cyclone Class LCS
Modern FAC missile like Lacombatante class or type 143/148.
Parchim class and or other warsaw pact small corvette.
More Modern and cold war fleet support vessels
USS Deluth as prior to decommissioning with CIWS
cold war nato and warsaw pac deisel subs
Farmile class MGBs to fight the schnell boats
Nasty class FPB

[Donald M. Scheef]

Consolidated Micronaut Wish List Summary

Replaced by updated list 2013-06-03.

Don S.

[Donald M. Scheef]

Just a quick update: since GHQ has announced that WWI era Austria-Hungary battleship Radetzky will be produced in the next year, this ship comes off the list.

Don S.

[33YearsGHQ]

And now the IJN Hosho can come off as well...

[TAMMY]

Considering the new release list I would add the following great war ships

Austrian
Destroyer Tatra class
Destroyer Hussar type

Italians
Battleship Duilio class
Battleship Cavour class
Armoured cruiser San Giorgio class
Scout Cruiser Marsala class
Flotilla leader Aquila class
Flotilla leader Mirabello class
Destroyer Palestro class
Destroyer Abba class
Destroyer Indomito class
MAS

The surface actions in Adriatic where between cruisers and destroyers. The Austrian battleships were used in two occasions only (bombardment of Italian coast on 25/05/195 and in 1917 concluded with the sinking of Szent Istvan by a MAS). The Italian battleships were at Rodi.

[Donald M. Scheef]

Here is my updated Micronaut Consolidated Wish List for 2014-2015. Compared to the 2013-2014 wish list, WWII Germany T1939 class torpedo boats has been promised by GHQ and is replaced by WWII UK battleship Prince of Wales.

For all the other Micronaut fans; you are welcome to post your list of favorites for me to compile.

So here's the idea:
- Provide your list of the Micronauts you would most like to see produced in the next season (currently, next is the 2014-2015 season).
- I won’t put a limit on the number of ships on your list, but try to restrict yourself to about a dozen ships. Since the 2008-2009 season, the number of releases scheduled by GHQ has varied from a minimum of only eight in 2009-2010 to a high of thirteen in the 2012-2013 season.
- Provide some support for your choice. Try to convince other customers that they want your choice and GHQ that your choices are good for the company.
- Although most of my choices are from the WW II era, don't feel limited to this time. This just happens to be my favorite era. If you prefer modern or WW I era ships, feel free to express your opinion. Eventually, I want to get into the pre-Dreadnought Spanish-American War and Russo-Japanese War eras.
- Please feel free to comment on my choices.

My choices are (in alphabetical order of country of origin):

• WWII Italy heavy cruiser Pola - This ship differed from all the other Italian heavy cruisers in its combination of hull and superstructure. No one makes a 1/2400 model in metal.

• WWII Japan destroyer Akatsuki class: Although generally similar to the Fubuki class, the Akatsukis were shorter, with smaller forward funnels, and had several other detail differences. To the best of my knowledge, no one makes a 1/2400 model of this class. Considering the popularity of Japanese WWII ships, it surprises me that GHQ has not modeled this class.

• WWII Japan torpedo boats Otori class – Although Viking Forge makes a 1/2400 model of this class, its quality is not up to that of GHQ. These ships were ineffective in their designed role but were useful as escorts. GHQ does not produce any of the Japanese small escort-type ships of WWII. I would like to see more of this type of small warship available (for example: French la Melpomène class, German Mob-type, Italian Spica class, Soviet Yastreb class, UK River, Loch, Bay, & Castle classes, US Tacoma class & PCE).

• WWII Japan late-war navy aircraft: Yokosuka D4Y [Judy] (both in-line & radial versions – neither had folding wings), Aichi B7A Ryusei [Grace] (open & folded wings), Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden [George], Yokosuka P1Y Ginga [Frances]. Although Jill, Val, etc. continued fighting to the end of the war, they were meat on the table for Hellcats and Corsairs. I need some improved Japanese aircraft to make hypothetical late-war battles more evenly balanced. If hypotheticals are allowed, the carrier-based Mitsubishi A7M Reppu [Sam] would have been a good match against late-war US carrier-based fighters.

• WWII Soviet Union destroyer type 7U: This is a natural follow-on to SUN02 Type 7 destroyers; differing in appearance due to two funnels for a more damage-tolerant unit machinery arrangement. A significant number were completed before the end of the war. Viking Forge makes a 1/2400 model of the Type 7U but the quality is inferior to that of GHQ’s Micronauts.

• WWII UK heavy cruisers Berwick and Cornwall: GHQ has modeled several County class cruisers but not this pair; modified with a large hanger aft but not with the cut-down quarterdeck of Cumberland and Suffolk (UKN2). Panzerschiffe makes a resin 1/2400 model of this appearance but the detail is far below that of GHQ’s models.

• WWII UK sloops Black Swan class - I've got plenty of 'Flower' class corvettes, but the British had hundreds of other escort-type ships (Bay, Loch, River, Bittern, Egret, Castle, etc.). Any of these would be a welcome addition. I selected Black Swan because this was the most-produced of the pre-war escort designs. Other than ‘Flower’ class corvettes, the only 1/2400 model of a WWII British escort is CinC’s Avon (River class) – not one of their best models.

• WWII UK light cruiser modified Colony class (Ceylon, Newfoundland, Uganda) - All the available 1/2400 models of Colony class ships are the earlier version with four triple-6" mounts. No one makes a version with additional antiaircraft guns replacing one of the four 6" mounts. Also, many of the earlier Colony class were modified to this appearance during the war.

• WWII UK battleship Prince of Wales: This is a historically-important ship that deserves a 1/2400 model. It’s just too hard to remove the external degaussing cable from KGV (UKN10). Preferably, GHQ’s PoW would have the light AA that was added shortly before it was sunk. I do not know of any 1/2400 model that differentiates between KGV and PoW.

• WWII US Navy & Marine early-war aircraft [Brewster F2A Buffalo, Curtiss SBC Helldiver, Douglas TBD Devastator, and Vought SBU Vindicator]: As the Japanese Navy is missing late-war aircraft, the USN is missing early-war aircraft. The Buffalo, Devastator, and Vindicator are absolutely necessary for early-war scenarios such as Coral Sea and Midway. SBCs remained on some US carriers in the first few months of 1942 and some were used in the South Pacific in the scouting role. Although they are already available, I wouldn’t mind more Wildcats showing up in this pack.

• WWII US battleship Idaho (BB-42) (as modified with enclosed single 5â€￾/38 mounts): This ship had a unique appearance and was involved in combat with this arrangement. To the best of my knowledge, no one makes a 1/2400 scale model.

• WWII US heavy cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35) (final configuration) – We are getting close to being able to represent all the US pre-war heavy cruiser types in both early-war & late-war configuration. A late-war Pensacola (CA-24) or Chester (CA-27) would also be welcome, but Indianapolis gets my vote because of her tragic sinking. No one makes a 1/2400 model of a late-war Indianapolis.

Don S.

[Donald M. Scheef]

I am putting in a list of my second dozen of most-wanted Micronauts. Compared to the previous year’s list, Prince of Wales is moved to my first dozen list and I am taking off Devonshire (because it is covered by the Jutland list), Duke of York, etc. (because Prince of Wales is in my first dozen list), and A-I class leaders (because these require three different castings). To replace these ships, I have added WWI Austro-Hungarian Tátra class destroyers, WWII France light cruiser Duguay-Trouin class, WWII Japan landing ship No.103 type, and WWII UK “V & Wâ€￾ long-range escort conversions to this list.

My choices are (in alphabetical order of country of origin):

• WWI Austro-Hungarian destroyer Tátra class: These were the last and best destroyers built for the Austro-Hungarian Navy and were active throughout the war. While the capital ships were mostly held in reserve, the lighter forces engaged in numerous small battles in the Adriatic. To the best of my knowledge, the only 1/2400 scale model of this class is in resin. I think GHQ should continue the historical A-H navy with this release.

• WWII France light cruiser Duguay-Trouin class: These three light cruisers were designed shortly after WWI and were a considerable advance on existing designs of other countries. They had diverse careers following the German occupation of France – one joined the Free French, a second fought under the Vichy administration, and the third was interred and disarmed. Viking Forge makes a model of this class but GHQ would be much better.

• WWII Germany Aircraft Pack 2 [Fw 190A/F, Ju 88 or Ju 188 (preferably with dive-bomber armament), He 111 (preferably with torpedo armament), He 115 floatplane, and/or He 177 (preferably with FX 1400 guided bomb or Hs 293 missiles)]: All five types played significant roles in maritime combat. If not Fw 190A/F, then Bf 109T – the Germans really need a single-engine fighter. Maybe even both fighter types rather than one of the Heinkel aircraft.

• WWII Germany motor torpedo boats (Schnellboote) S.26, S.67, or S.100 type: These fast craft battled around all the coastlines of Europe. A set of these would make a good match against USN12. Hundreds were built in a variety of sub-types; so many customers would buy multiple packs. A pack of the British Fairmile type of MTB/MGB would also be nice. Pewtercraft used to produce a 1/2400 model of Schnellboote, but this has long been unavailable. The only model now available is in resin from Panzerschiffe.

• WWII Japan landing ship No. 101 and No. 103 types: These looked much like a scaled-down US LST(2). Although capable of supporting amphibious attacks, most of the completed vessels were used in efforts to supply isolated garrisons in the latter part of the war. Viking Forge produces a model of this type but the quality is far lower than what GHQ would produce.

• WWII Soviet battleship Sovyetskiy Soyuz design: Now that GHQ has produced the British Lion design, it’s time to consider this Soviet design. Like the German H, British Lion, and US BB-67 designs, work was started but none were produced. I do not know of any 1/2400 model of Sovyetskiy Soyuz.

• WWII UK destroyers ‘V & W’ long-range escort conversions. These ships underwent extensive conversion from obsolescent destroyers into effective anti-submarine escorts. The extent of the conversion makes it impractical to change GHQ’s UKN43 into this appearance. GHQ has already produced the unconverted version and the extensive anti-aircraft WAIR conversion. I would like them to continue with this and later the fast (short-range) escort version.

• WWII UK Fleet Air Arm pack: By now, anyone with 1/2400-scale British aircraft has plenty of Swordfish, but none of the other purpose-built aircraft used on carriers. Blackburn Skua, Fairey Fulmar, Fairey Firefly, and Fairey Barracuda would provide some variety on the decks. For land-based designs adapted for carrier use, Gloster Gladiators and Hawker Sea Hurricanes would also be useful in addition to the available Sea Spitfires. All of these aircraft saw significant combat from British carriers. If a Sea Hurricane were available, it would also allow me to put aircraft on Merchant Aircraft Carrier (Mac) ships.

• WWII UK heavy cruiser York: Its half-sister, Exeter, is much more famous, but York deserves a good 1/2400 model. York was active in the Norway campaign and in the Mediterranean until disabled in early 1941. Significant differences in the superstructure make it very difficult to convert Exeter to York. The only 1/2400 scale model of York is in resin by PanzerSchiffe.

• WWI US cargo ships Hog Island type A (1022 plan): This was one of the early efforts at mass-produced ships. Nearly 100 were built in a brand new shipyard, but none were completed in time for the Great War. Technically advanced but with an ‘ugly’ profile, many survived into the 1940s, forming a major part of early-war convoys. Over 50 were sunk in WWII. Seabattle makes two 1/2400 models of this type ship, but at higher cost and lower detail than GHQ models.

• WWII US fast attack transport Lawrence (APD-37) class: Developed from destroyer escort hulls, these fast transports proved very useful during the latter part of the US island-hopping campaign in the Pacific. Dozens would have been involved in the invasion of Japan. Many continued in service for a variety of nations into the 1960s. I don’t know of any 1/2400 models of this class. They could be converted from USN46, but I just don’t want to get into that much cutting.

• WWII US light cruiser Worcester (CL-144) class: These ships, completed after the end of the war, were the ultimate “lightâ€￾ cruisers. Carrying twelve semi-automatic six-inch guns, they had significant capability against both surface and air targets. Too expensive to operate for a post-war Navy, their careers were relatively short. I want them as escorts for Midway class aircraft carriers during Operation Downfall. Seabattle makes a reasonable model of this class, but much more expensive and yet not as good as GHQ’s standard.

Don S.

[Donald M. Scheef]

Consolidated Micronaut Wish List Summary

Replaced by updated list 2013-06-05.

Don S.

[33YearsGHQ]

Thanks for keeping this list up to date.

I really think you could take WWII deck decals off the list. Tanner's are designed strictly for GHQ models and are superb. It is highly unlikely GHQ would tackle this, given the many dozens of variants. Tanner's list will soon be over 100 distinct decals and there is no way GHQ would provide specific decals for all classes, eras, ships...

Obviously it is your list, but that is my two cents worth.

[ed*b]

Excellent! Another chance to vote. Actually, since several of the ships I previously voted for have been produced or scheduled for production, I think I could take a shot at another list. Much of this will be supporting what you have written, but I have a few other suggestions.

WW2

Duguay-Trouin class - it is a real shame that these aren't available yet
Pola - Yes, might as well complete the Italian fleet
York - Another overlooked ship, and useful in the Med scenarios

WW1

Tatra DD - complete the AH fleet with this one and move on
Lord Nelson - Both Lord Nelson and Agamemnon were very active in the Med, and can be used in scenarios with the Goeben
Liberte class pre-dreadnought - we need more comic relief from the French fleet
Birkenhead CL - another active participant at Jutland

And now for the new WW1 fleet to be introduced:

Conti di Cavour - a very interesting and effective design with an explosive history in WW1
Andrea Doria - the final dreadnought class for the Italian navy in WW1. The Italians actually had a very powerful fleet, and scenarios which put them on the side of the Central Powers can be quite interesting.

I will stop at 9, as I don't have any opinions on post WW2 ships and there would undoubtedly be some produced. I'll let the people interested in that era have their say.

[whoa Mohamed]

heres my list
1 WW2 empire clyde CAM ship tho mostly discontinued by 1943 these brave ships provided the only air cover in the mid ocean Gap. to the best of my knowlege no one produces empire class CAM ships in 1/2400.
2 A to I class destroyers
3 Black swan class sloop staple in most UK hunter killer groups
4 S class destroyer (HMS Skate)
5 Gearing Fram 2 Destroyers a staple of early cold war and beyond navies (USS Robert E Wilson DD847
6 Ramadon class FACM still in use by many Mid east navies.
7 USS Deluth LPD6 with ciws and ram upgrade a venerable class that filled the afloat Amphibious ready groups needs from the 60s to 2000
8 Parchim class corvett
9 Petya class corvett
10 Greek La' combante III FACM
11 Cyclone class Litoral combat ships
12 JMSDF Hyuga DDH tho viking forge make a great many JMSDF ships they lack the detail of GHQ castings

[Donald M. Scheef]

Consolidated Micronaut Wish List Summary

Replaced by updated list 2013-06-08.

Don S.