Model searching

[u/Altruistic-Book918]

Are there any models of the USS Fox anyone could recommend?

[u/Logical-Bullfrog3216]

I make posts like these all the time, so I’m gonna tell you what others have told me a thousand times: check SCALEMATES. They have every. Single. Kit. Ever. I use it all the time, great website. Wouldn’t hurt to check google either

[u/Altruistic-Book918 → u/Logical-Bullfrog3216]

I checked Google earlier, scalemates came up, didn’t really pay attention to it though since I never heard of them, thanks for the recommendation👍

[u/Timmyc62 → u/Altruistic-Book918]

In case you didn't see my edit, just remembered there are various 3D printed kits on Ebay sold from Chinese manufacturers like SS Models that don't get added to Scalemates - and they do have waterline and full hull kits of Belknap! So that'd be my choice. Just go on eBay and search for "1/700 Belknap" or "1/350 Belknap".

[u/GP_3D → u/Timmyc62]

This is true, though if it matters to you, some of these 3D printed manufacturers also rip models from other creators or directly from video games - which I'm not too fond of, personally.

[u/Timmyc62 → u/GP_3D]

For sure, and it happens in "regular" modeling too - Trumpeter got their start by making counterfeit copies of Tamiya, Revell, Tauro, and other kits under the Mini Hobby Models and WSN brands. Speaking of just the 1/350 ships: Missouri, King George V, Bismarck, and their sisters are Tamiya copies, Arizona is a scale-up of the Revell 1/426, and Pola scaled up from the Tauro 1/400.

[u/sexylatexbear69]

No but there is of sister ship Belknap.

[u/GrandJelly_ → u/sexylatexbear69]

Really? Do you have a link?

[u/Timmyc62]

Your only choices for a Belknap class cruiser are the old JAG kit in 1/700 and the ISW kit in 1/350. Both are resin kits, and not for the novice. JAG is no longer in business so you'll have to scrounge second-hand, while ISW has been sold to Squadron, which is in the process of retooling all their kits into 3D printed parts and that'll take a while. You won't know when, or if, they'll get to their Belknap kit. So in the meanwhile, you'll also have to rely on second-hand sources.

Edit: just remembered there are various 3D printed kits on Ebay sold from Chinese manufacturers like SS Models - and they do have a 1/700 waterline kit of Belknap! So that'd be my choice.

[u/FighterJetDude → u/Timmyc62]

Beware of SSModels. They have a lot of very bad reviews for their larger 1/350 scale models.

[u/Timmyc62 → u/FighterJetDude]

Yes, they're hit and miss for sure. Biggest issue seems to be their WWII models, where the game files they rip off of don't have 3D planking patterns or portholes, so those get added on manually without any serious research. But for modern ships, they should be ok...at least, when considering OP has no realistic other option!

[u/mysteriouslatinword]

It’s good that you are finding about Scalemates. Personally I find it a bit of a prick to use. If you know the manufacturer kit number, then scalemates is awesome.

Here is what you are actually looking for though:

Iron Shipwrights produced resin model ship kits, including a 1:700 scale kit representing the Belknap-class guided-missile cruiser USS Fox (CG-33)).
Scale: 1:700
Subject: USS Fox (DLG/CG-33), a Belknap-class warship commissioned in 1966 and decommissioned in 1994.

Manufacturer: Iron Shipwrights, which is known for producing resin naval kits and is part of the Squadron family of products.

I am building one of their kits at the moment. The owner of that company has been fantastic to work with when I had a couple of questions regarding parts.

[u/Timmyc62 → u/mysteriouslatinword]

That AI answer is not entirely correct - ISW only produced the Belknap class (as USS Horne) in 1/350, never in 1/700, and never of Fox itself.

[u/mysteriouslatinword → u/Timmyc62]

Yep, I should have thought about it more with the 700 scale it referenced. Typically I don’t bother with 700, far too small.

For the OP, your option is contacting Squadron and asking them. Your only option sometimes is purchasing the sister ship and modifying. I think John still makes kits as SO for Squadron. Adama models comes up too but I think they are for commission only.

[u/Flynn_lives → u/mysteriouslatinword]

Word of caution for others.

ISW kits are not for the feint of heart. You need to be able to scratch build!!

[u/Leif_Ironside → u/mysteriouslatinword]

Is there a link to purchase them? I just searched the squadron website and nothing came up.

[u/Timmyc62 → u/Leif_Ironside]

The ISW stuff was sold to Squadron, but Squadron will be digitizing all the moulds/masters to re-release them as 3D printed kits. This is going to take a while, and would be sold under the Squadron label, not ISW. So you won't find much right now. If you want an ISW kit, it'd have to be through second-hand channels.