1/2400 WW2 Naval Wargaming - dump your knowledge on me.

[Elbows]

So my buddy has decided he'd like to do some WW2 naval wargaming in the Pacific.  I know nothing of the miniatures/rules etc.  We'd probably knock up our own rules etc.

So, can you guys just post some info on the "go to" miniatures line?  We'd likely end up doing a hex-based game, and probably want to run some larger scale aircraft (1/1200 etc.).  Any links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Paddy649]

For a reasonably historic and fun game I'd recommed Victory at Sea:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/us/miniatures/victory-at-sea.html
There is lots of extra stuff on their Signs and Portents website which is worth a read:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/signsnportentsarchive
There are other rules - often more detailed and complex but as a starter set Victory at Sea are good.

When it comes to models - you specify 1/2400 - and here you have 2 main choices - GHQ Micronaughts or Panzerschiffe. GHQ Micronaughts are available from Magister Militum and are excellent - if a little pricy.  Panzerschiffe are cheaper but less detailed.
http://www.panzerschiffe.com/
http://www.magistermilitum.com

However, if you choose 1/3000 then again you have 3 choices.  Davco (from Skytrex), Navwar and Mike Yarrow.  All are very good value and good quality and this scale is perhaps the wargames standard from naval Wargaming.  I don't play this scale but think Davco just edge it although I like Mike Yarrow's stuff as he is a true enthusiast.
http://www.skytrex.com/page399.html
http://www.navwar.co.uk/nav/default.asp?MMID=62
http://www.spanglefish.com/mickyarrowminiatures/

You could go even smaller as Mick Yarrow has a 1/4800 range.  However, if you want beautiful models and a bit of a challenge try 1/1800 from Mongoose's Victory at sea range or better still 1/1200 built from Revell/Airfix kits, from Mike Yarrow's 1/1200 range and back fill what you can't get by searching for it on e-bay - can be a bit of a challenge.  This can be a labour of love - but the bigger ships to me look far better than the small stuff.  However, it can be a nightmare to find some of the rare stuff.  I'm still looking for a nice, reasonably priced 1/1200 HMS Rodney plus the prices vary from a £6 revell kit to £35 and up for a bespoke rare model.

[Agis]

Agreed with Paddy on all points...
 
Pretty much the same info and some pics on my website here: http://www.adpublishing.de/html/victory_at_sea.html

[Paddy649]

Agis - I'm a long term admirer of your work - but hadn't connected that 15mm WWII stuff you do with Forged in Battle with the 1/2400 GHQ Micronaughts that I drool over. You take your 1/2400 ships to a level that I can only just about match in 1/1200.  I like your idea about using 1/2400 ships and 1/600 aircraft.  It seems to work OK.  I am a scale purist and my aircraft are 1/1200 but I find that at wargaming ranges they all look the same.

P.S.  I'm the first to admit 1/1200 is not a good wargames scale if you want Battleships and Carriers on the table - but for me it is the only scale for small ship actions and I've found it to be ideal for convoy defence scenarios.  However, that doesn't stop me collecting 1/1200 Battleships etc.

I think the comment on Agis' website sums up scales perfectly:
If you want the best detail and are not afraid of some assembling and a bit higher price - go for GHQ in 1/2400. After that try CinC.
If you want a reasonably priced "Jack of all Trades" then 1/3000 Navwar or Skytrex.
If you are more for big fleet engagements - go for 1/6000 Magister Militum or 1/4800 Mick Yarrow.

[Agis]

Thanks! 

[Elbows]

Perfect guys, just the info I was looking for.  I stumbled across the GHQ and Panzerschiffe last night etc.  I'll start looking at links.  This would be a kind of side game for me, not a dedicated huge undertaking, but the ships seem reasonable enough to throw together a fleet to battle my buddy.

He's a huge naval warfare nut, as is my father - also an avid gamer.  We'll probably whip up some rules if none of them suit us.  Any more links/companies, feel free to toss them in here.  I was actually a little surprised there isn't a generic Naval Wargaming section here on Lead Adventure.

Thanks fellas!

[Poiter50]

Don't forget Shapeways in both 1/2400 & 1/3000 as well as smaller scales/ Try General Quarters for a rule set but Victory At Sea is good fun.

[Gary Mitchell]

I use GHQ and Panzerschiffe - the latter are very reasonably priced. At my club STaB http://stab.org.uk/ we're developing a fast-play fun naval set. Mail me if interested at mitchellsmith@tesco.net and I'll send you the current WIP gratis.

[carlos marighela]

Actually you have a third 'major' choice in 1/2400, C-in-C from Canada, the people who make micro armour. Cleanly cast as GHQ and better scaled in terms of fittings if somewhat more sparse in terms of detail. Lovely models and they also sell packs of fittings like tripods, boats etc. Their range is as if not more extensive than GHQ, covers a number of gaps in the GHQ line up and is somewhat cheaper too boot.

Many years ago I shared a house for a while with a chap who had actually collected, painted and exquisitely based the entire High Seas and Grand Fleets for Jutland. The vast majority of it was C-in-C supplemented by the occasional GHQ model. A monument to monomania as another friend once remarked but a remarkably impressive one.

Rules. I've played a fair selection of them but I still think it's hard to go past  General Quarters. Easy to pick up, quick to play and give decent results.  There's a WW1 supplement if you want to branch out in that direction. I think there's a new edition that's come out not that long ago.

[Elbows]

^That's actually the site I have temporarily settled on.  My enthusiasm does not warrant the level of detail or cost of GHQ stuff.  I like chunky metal minis, and just "enough" detail.  I have no skill painting small ships, so I'm leaning toward micro-armour right now.

We have Gary's rules set and my buddy is buying GQ and VaS I believe - I'll let him peruse and decide.  Please keep the info coming, it's great!

[chops749]

^ I am the buddy in question.  Hopefully my copy of VAS will show up tomorrow (if Amazon.com can get it to me...)!  Thanks for all of the great info!

[Elbows]

Or are you the...questionable buddy?

[chops749]

Couldn't tell ya...

[Vonkluge]

Just in case you are interested in a ready made "japanese" WWII fleet I am selling mine in the "bazaar" section here. Very well painted and based magneticly, It's priced less of just about what the lead would cost. I love it bt I have just to many peroids and scales, my group has other interest, so they go...

[chops749]

That's very tempting Vonkluge, but one of the best part about gaming for me is painting a new army, etc. 


I am having a hard time finding a copy of GQ without having to mortgage my house.  Anyone in the Cincinnati area that would be willing to run a game for me to check the system out, or point me towards a "used but loved" copy of GQ?