The Ship Model Forum

Hi Dan - Thanks, this was brilliant and very useful.

Sam

[quote] I am not sure if that is a detail on models or not. [/quote]

I don't have time to review that discussion, but I'm quite sure no such cable was trailed behind a ship, much less be shown on a model.

[quote] It would be interesting to know their length. [/quote]

The illustration below is of the masts aboard Ibuki. Measurements of other vessels is, AFAIK, pretty non-existent, but the assumption has been that most masts were close to this size and distance from each other. There may have been some variations, particularly among the earlier carriers, but solid numbers are hard to come by. The rigging schematic might be simplified.

Hey Dan - Thanks for all that it was real good. The discussion in j-aircraft was most useful. I have been trying to join that site without success for quite some time now.
I cannot see the images but it was interesting that at the end they seemed to be talking about a antenna on a reel that trailed out of the back of the ship
with the end being a float. I am not sure if that is a detail on models or not.

I am trying to determine with antenna(s) the ship used to transmit on 215 and 500 kHz. According to JM-118 page 45, they used both frequencies.

Which leads me back to those long masts on the ship. It would be interesting to know their length. Whether they are individual wires or whether
they are connected in a "tee." This might give you a better idea of what I am looking for: https://musickpointradio.org/amateur-radio/500-khz-antenna/

Similar to the above website, I would think that the Japanese would have some sort of tuning box for these antennas. I am not sure if that is modeled or
not.

Sam

Hi, Sam -

So, there's not a ton of information available that I know of, at least in English.

A description of how the RDF loop/detection system worked can be found in one of the postwar US NavTech reports. See: https://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200B-0256-0276%20Report%20E-05.pdf

Some more information on IJN radio antennas is here: https://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200B-0595-0607%20Report%20E-17.pdf

AFAIK, the long antennas were used for communication with Japan/land and ship based HQs. Reception (and transmission) were more effective when these masts were raised, which was the typical state excepting flight operations. Perhaps more helpful is a recent discussion on the j-aircraft.com shipboard, which discussed IJN shipboard communications. See: https://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?topic=19012.0

Hi Dan - Sure, I am seeking details on exactly which antennas would go to which radio to get a better understanding of how the ship operated.
One can find pictures of American carriers in which each antenna is pointed out with what each did. I am looking for something similar with this
ship.

For instance, those loops on the deck. There are multiple loops. Given the time frame and size, those loops look like they are for medium and
low frequency. Could they rotate?

With regards to the long antennas in the back, what exactly is each for? I believe they were moved down during flight operations, but could
they still be used?

Best,

Sam

What kind of information are you seeking?

Hi Dan - Thanks. Do you have any further information on the RDF loops or longer antennas?

Sam

The round loops in front of and on top of the bridge are RDF (radio direction finding) loops, used to track radio signal transmissions. The small tripod with a whip antenna atop the bridge is a Type 90 wireless telephone antenna (there are at least two of them up there.) Outboard of the bridge on the starboard side, strung between latticework tripod supports attached horizontally to the bridge, and running up to the top of the main mast (not seen below, except for the insulators hanging above the deck between the RDF loop and the bridge front) are more radio wireless antennas, similar to those strung between the four lattice masts further aft along the edges of the flight deck.

HTH.

Hi All - I see that there are a number of antennas on this ship. There are longwire antennas
between masts running along the deck and there are smaller antennas on a mast on the island,
including a small crossed-loop forward of the bridge. Is there a reference that points out what
the various antennas are for? I know that the ship had LW, MW, and SW (HF) transmitters and
receivers but I cannot reference detailing the antennas. (I am interested in the ship during the
Battle of Coral Sea before it was fitted with radar.)

Thanks,

Sam

[quote="Dan K"]Hi, Karih -

I think your assessment is correct, that the Deluxe version has more of the PE included. Though, I don't see the railings fret. That fret used to purchased separately with this kit. It's now out-of-production, but it's the terrible type of railings anyway, with no bottom bar and just footers. Might also be stainless steel, IIRC.

IMHO, you're better off with a generic IJN railing set from Infini, anyway, even though you will have to custom cut/fit the railings. Their railing set is also relief-etched.

(Wood) Hunter makes a 1/350 flight deck paint mask for Shokaku. I like their masks, and they're not expensive.[/quote]

Hi Dan,

Once again, my very best thanks for your useful tips :thumbs_up_1: ! I will anyhow need to purchase that generic railings set (as a backup for any destroyed ones), so that is good. Will need to check that Hunter mask if I can find it somewhere.

Have a nice weekend :cool_2: !

Hi, Karih -

I think your assessment is correct, that the Deluxe version has more of the PE included. Though, I don't see the railings fret. That fret used to purchased separately with this kit. It's now out-of-production, but it's the terrible type of railings anyway, with no bottom bar and just footers. Might also be stainless steel, IIRC.

IMHO, you're better off with a generic IJN railing set from Infini, anyway, even though you will have to custom cut/fit the railings. Their railing set is also relief-etched.

(Wood) Hunter makes a 1/350 flight deck paint mask for Shokaku. I like their masks, and they're not expensive.

[quote="Dan K"]That's a tough one because all of the Fujimi dedicated PE sets are OOP as of the moment. A couple of years ago, Fujimi did release its latest PE set, but it sold out quickly. As of right now, no one else makes a comprehensive alternative set. Fujimi seems to prefer selling bundled sets. (see here for a list of all the various Zuikaku 1/350 kits and PE sets: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=102&cat=plamo&state=&sold=0&sortid=6&searchkey=zuikaku&spage=1&Scale=1%2f350 )

I'm in the same situation. If you haven't already purchased the kit, you're probably better off purchasing the premium version, SKU # 600321, which comes with the PE set included.[/quote]

Hi Dan,
One question regarding the different versions of Fujimi Shokaku: what is the difference between 600093 (DX version) and 600314 (Premium version)? If one looks at the Hobby search pages, it looks like the 600093 has more PE frets but 600314 has the flight deck masking sheet. Is this correct? I can get 600314 here in Finland but 600093 have to be ordered from Japan.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160873?utm_source=scalemates&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=marketplace
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10330155?utm_source=scalemates&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=marketplace

Sadly I just have the kit without the PE.
Well I guess that I´ll have to wait till some brand like Flyhawk or Gold medal or anyone came in our help.
Many thanks for your answer.

That's a tough one because all of the Fujimi dedicated PE sets are OOP as of the moment. A couple of years ago, Fujimi did release its latest PE set, but it sold out quickly. As of right now, no one else makes a comprehensive alternative set. Fujimi seems to prefer selling bundled sets. (see here for a list of all the various Zuikaku 1/350 kits and PE sets: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=102&cat=plamo&state=&sold=0&sortid=6&searchkey=zuikaku&spage=1&Scale=1%2f350 )

I'm in the same situation. If you haven't already purchased the kit, you're probably better off purchasing the premium version, SKU # 600321, which comes with the PE set included.

What sets of photoetched do you recommend for the Fujimi 600048 Zuikaku 1944 1/350?
Many thanks.

For people interested in the 1/350 Fujimi kit: I started a build + review at [url]http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=306607&p=915774#p915774[/url]. I will be using the Premium ship kit, Shipyard deck, Aber 127mm's, Infiniti 25mm's and Veteran Models rocket launchers. Planes will be Hasegawa and figures North Star (pilots and judo tournament sets). For reference I use Gakken 13 and Morskie. A lot of these things I learned about in this thread!

[quote] I don't know if anyone came to the conclusion on which Flyhawk mast set works for Shokaku class but it is set Roman numeral III FH 350138.[/quote]

Thx for that info, Gary. Much appreciated.

[quote] Question about the accommodation ladders. Are they down all the time, or were they stowed during operations? If stowed, where & how? Also are there supporting cables/pulleys for them?[/quote]

The ladders were stowed during operations on either side of the upper boat deck. I think these photos of the 1/100 Zuikaku 1942 in the Gakken dlxe volume does a good job of illustrating their usage and stowage accommodation. A stowed ladder can be seen aboard Shokaku on the previous page of this thread.

Hey there everyone, first time posting here. I'm working on a Fujimi 1/700 Shokaku with the PE upgrade set. Question about the accomomdation ladders. Are they down all the time, or were they stowed during operations? If stowed, where & how? Also are there supporting cables/pulleys for them?

Thanks!

Thanks Dan, I have a MacBook from 2006 and a new more reliable internet provider so hopefully I can post some. I have been ordering various 1/350 PE sets from Ebay as well as receiving the Gakken vol. 13 (wow great book, wish I knew how to read Japanese but still a great help with Zuikaku pics). I don't know if anyone came to the conclusion on which Flyhawk mast set works for Shokaku class but it is set Roman numeral III FH 350138.

The maximum parameters are a pixel width or height of 1199, and a maximum file size of 400KB. All can be adjusted in an image editing program, say, like Photoshop.