there are two that I know of. myself (Mackensen and littorio) and the much more prolific (many many) RCENGR. RCENGR's site is here http://www.jenkse.us/rcengr/index_files/Page769.htm
A better link if you want to look at my kits is in my signature line. Iowa class hulls are already available in fiberglass. If the cost of a fiberglass hull is an issue, I recommend you start with a smaller ship. Laser cut kits work well for small runs of ships that are not worth the capital investment needed for a fiberglass mold. They are still a lot of work so there has to be some benefit to creating the kit. My kits generally fall in three categories: ships I want to build and battle, ships local battlers would like to build and battle, or ships that help promote the hobby, such as 1:96, AOS, or simple convoy ships. The Missouri really doesn't come close to any of these, so it would not be worth my time to make.
I'll second what Mark said about kit design. there is also a whole lot of work that goes into any decent wood ship kit. hundreds of hours to get the research material, digitize it, model it, etc. Unless it is a hobby for me, then I won't do it because the ROI is too low, which means ships that interest me. I may (and did in the case of the L) make a kit that is available as a glass hull, but that is only for two reasons... 1 is that I am in an apartment with a little minion and cutting a glass hull for me is the most vile and difficult part of the process.... wood eliminates that element. the other is that I want to design in some feature I think is neat.
Nope.I never have been to one and it might bee ten - fifteen years before I go to one I just want a ship to cruise around with and show off and sink water bottles and other objects.And since I live in Missouri I want the USS Missouri and plus the Japanese surrendered on it too.
You won't necessarily realize a lot of savings by going with a wood hull vs a fibreglass one. Once you figure in the costs of all the other components, the cost of a hull is rather insignificant. If you really have to have a Mo, order plans here: http://www.floatingdrydock.com/TFW2.htm I have the 1/96 scale set for Missouri and it is very nice. You will need to resize it to 1/144 if you wish to build in that scale. Once you have the plans, read this thread: http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/...fault.aspx and this one: http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/...fault.aspx. They will show you the concepts you will need to apply to build yourself a scratch built model of the Missouri.
If you are hell-bent on building a ship, get a $10 coping saw and a 4'x8' sheet of sand pine plywood at Lowe's or Home Despot, glue on your frames and start cutting... Cheapest way to do it.
Take the plans to a copy shop and ask them to reduce it in size 50% (assuming you order the 1/96 scale plans and want to build in 1/144).
A copy shop is a generic term for a business which copies documents, posters, blueprints etc. You could probably buy the 1:192 scale plans and scale them larger, but that will likely mean the lines are thicker as well. I always prefer to scale down where possible. Choice is yours.
