I started naval wargaming with 1/3000 models, but soon abandoned the scale for 1/2400. The comparison with the far nicer models of friends in the larger size was more than I could bear, some of my 1/3000s were frankly appalling.
Later I moved to 1/6000 scale, impressed by their quality and their convenient size. I kept my assorted 1/2400s because they are nice models in their own right, and because they are more impressive when trying to enthuse other gamers.
But 1/3000 remains the scale with the most complete range. With Noble Miniatures' range of 1/6000 models apparently frozen, I decided the time had come to make a sample order of Navwar modern warships with the vague thought that I might start collecting ships for Pacific and Indian Ocean navies largely unavailable in 1/6000. Out of interest, I also picked up a few of their 1/3000 age-of-sail ships, though I have no plans to assemble a force of these.
I went for Navwar because they have the largest range and are easily available. The plan was that if these were okay I'd try a sample order from some other range next.
I ordered from British retailer Spirit Games. They have a solid reputation online for their service, while Navwar itself is intractably internet hostile. Since I ordered a couple of new releases Spirit hadn't previously heard of, they were a couple of weeks filling my order, but I was aware that I had complicated their lives and they kept me fully informed of my status.
Detailed reviews of the individual models to follow over the next few weeks...
