Looking forward to this new hobby. Questions I have: How much does this hobby cost? How much time? And how do I get started? Ive been into making model ships. I cant wait to make them remote control and able to shoot things. I think this website is a great way to start, it has lots of info and looks encouraging to beginners. I would love answers to my questions if you have time. Thanks!
Not much compared to a lot of other hobbies. To start from nothing and get a ship, TX, batteries, chargers and all the stuff that goes into a ship will run $900-$1500. The more guns the ship has the more money it takes to build. Once you built the first one the cost for a second one goes way down. You can use the same TX, batteries, electronics in the ship and air system for the guns. It takes a lot longer to build the first one than the 15th one... I've build 30(?) ships for myself and others, I build 5 of them one winter. If you have all the parts and know how you want to do it you can get one done in 30-40 hours. Your first one will take 2x that or more. Of course the more guns the longer it will take. The best way to speed it up is have some vet help you. Designing things takes forever. If you have a ship to copy from much faster. Best way to start is go to a battle or building meeting in your area. Each area has a little different way to build things. Some areas are good with electrical or guns or build pretty ships. It kind of follows the better builder in the area.
We kept track of everything we purchased and put into one of our 1/72 scale two gun destroyers and fully operational it came to $400. This is due to the limited number of guns we allow ships to have and the ease in finding parts to make your own guns. Unfortunately our club is in the Sacramento area and all around No. California. Currently don't have any members as far south as Lancaster.
That price was for a fixed gun destroyer, with radio, pump, Co2, etc. Nothing fancy. It did not include the charger for charging the ships batteries or the AA batteries that go in the transmitter. You need to keep in mind, this is a very competitive ship, but skimps on several things that our larger (and more expensive) ships will have. Many ships have rotation, gun depression and carry from 3 to 5 guns. The radio for a simple 2 gun ship is only a 4 channel and can be purchased for around $30 from Hobby King. Your most expensive items are the Co2 Tank and regulator, pump from Strike Models and the Radio Transmitter. We will even send you electronic plans for the ship so you can have them printed at a local Kinkos for about $15. Bottom line is you are located in Southern California where your best bet is Fast Gun with SCRAP. It will cost a little more than 1/72, but not significantly more. If you want to spend $$$ and lots of it, join a Big Gun Club. Beware that sources for Big Guns are non-existent unless you want to run a single shot torpedo ship and run back to shore every few minutes. You could spend a little less with 1/72, but have to travel to Sacramento; so I highly recommend Fast Gun with SCRAP. Below is Brandon Smiths 2 gun Japanese Destroyer.
