The Ship Model Forum

Hey, that turned out really nice! I'm glad I stuck with just drawing and printing the basic structure, the PE you used for the fine bits are much thinner than I could print with any fidelity and reproducibility.

Thanks, Marijn.

Ok, one new detail. A flag bag, to fill that space.

The intent here was to have a representation for effect, rather than a scale duplicate. Which is nigh well impossible in this scale, for me, anyway.

I was going to build the frame out of PE, but Devin Poore was kind enough to 3D print a frame for me. That certainly made things easier. Much obliged, D.

I'm very pretty happy with the result.

Great work Dan! The airwing adds a lot of life to the model :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Thanks very much, friends.

[quote="Dan K"]Thank you all for those comments. I really, really appreciate them.


[i]even the "tail feathers" of the 'Kates' ailerons (was that painted or decals!!??)[/i]

Decals, Mario. One word of hard-earned advice – make sure your setting agent is fresh. Otherwise, you’ll be applying coats of setting solution forever……..

[i]What material did you use for those white straps around the life boats beside the superstructure?[/i]

Those are simply cut from plain copy paper, but they’ve been coated with Liquitex matte medium. I do that more for a preservative than anything else, though the matte medium does help with gluing. The actual straps were thin; I see too many examples cut too wide. Also, they weren’t always white. Sometimes black or grey.

[i]I'm guessing that there's a museum on Oahu--or somewhere in Japan--that would like this "pristine" look as much as you like to build them that way.[/i]

Hmm, interesting. I actually have no idea. Hopefully, it will be a while before I have to think about that. :smallsmile:

[i]what were the references you found most useful?[/i]

Good question. I’ve got a pretty deep IJN library, so I was able to draw on many sources. With that said, the new AOTS Hiryu book is surprisingly thorough and extremely well done. The only nitpick I had was with the absence of landing light arrays depicted on the starboard side. And, I know that is because available plans and photos don’t show them there, but the landing system needs arrays on both sides of the ship to work. I did not obtain this book until the build was about 2/3s done, but this is a great single volume resource.

The Kure Maritime Museum book on IJN CVs has good, large format photos of Hiryu on trial and fitting out, so that’s also helpful. I believe USNI is now publishing this series with captions in English.

I have two different sets of Hiryu plans (Hara Shobo and Kojinsha), but if one obtains the AOTS volume, these probably aren’t necessary.

This book is very pricey, but has good information on mechanisms and background. Some unique photos of various CVs: https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Carriers-Imperial-Japanese-Navy/dp/8360041644



I'm still planning to add a few details.

A recent photo shoot did not produce many good photos, but here is one showing one of the Vals in the hangar.[/quote]

Thanks Dan for the tips! Once again, compliments for the brilliant work :thumbs_up_1: !

Brilliant work Dan. Very crisp construction and painting...
But I expected nothing less :heh: :heh:
:thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Outstanding build, really excellent.

here

Thank you all for those comments. I really, really appreciate them.


[i]even the "tail feathers" of the 'Kates' ailerons (was that painted or decals!!??)[/i]

Decals, Mario. One word of hard-earned advice – make sure your setting agent is fresh. Otherwise, you’ll be applying coats of setting solution forever……..

[i]What material did you use for those white straps around the life boats beside the superstructure?[/i]

Those are simply cut from plain copy paper, but they’ve been coated with Liquitex matte medium. I do that more for a preservative than anything else, though the matte medium does help with gluing. The actual straps were thin; I see too many examples cut too wide. Also, they weren’t always white. Sometimes black or grey.

[i]I'm guessing that there's a museum on Oahu--or somewhere in Japan--that would like this "pristine" look as much as you like to build them that way.[/i]

Hmm, interesting. I actually have no idea. Hopefully, it will be a while before I have to think about that. :smallsmile:

[i]what were the references you found most useful?[/i]

Good question. I’ve got a pretty deep IJN library, so I was able to draw on many sources. With that said, the new AOTS Hiryu book is surprisingly thorough and extremely well done. The only nitpick I had was with the absence of landing light arrays depicted on the starboard side. And, I know that is because available plans and photos don’t show them there, but the landing system needs arrays on both sides of the ship to work. I did not obtain this book until the build was about 2/3s done, but this is a great single volume resource.

The Kure Maritime Museum book on IJN CVs has good, large format photos of Hiryu on trial and fitting out, so that’s also helpful. I believe USNI is now publishing this series with captions in English.

I have two different sets of Hiryu plans (Hara Shobo and Kojinsha), but if one obtains the AOTS volume, these probably aren’t necessary.

This book is very pricey, but has good information on mechanisms and background. Some unique photos of various CVs: https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Carriers-Imperial-Japanese-Navy/dp/8360041644



I'm still planning to add a few details.

A recent photo shoot did not produce many good photos, but here is one showing one of the Vals in the hangar.

Beautiful, inspiring work, Dan! I have saved a file of your photos.

In retrospect, what were the references you found most useful?

Insane perfection! :jump_1:

I'm guessing that there's a museum on Oahu--or somewhere in Japan--that would like this "pristine" look as much as you like to build them that way.

[quote="Dan K"]Thank you guys.

[quote]Will you still apply a wash to the hull details too?[/quote]

I'm not sure, Marijn. My preferred aesthetic is dockyard fresh, which doesn't involve any weathering. In this case, and scale, the flight deck was just too bland. So, I chose to lightly highlight it, since it typically gets the most attention, consciously or not. I'm also leery of attempting the same technique on the hull, as I'm pretty sure I can't avoid heavy buildup in jointed areas, of which there are MANY.

I also think lighting comes into play. If lighting throws shadows, then maybe highlighting isn't as necessary (per my teaser photo below).[/quote]

Hi Dan,
If I may, one detail which is bothering me. What material did you use for those white straps around the life boats beside the superstructure?

'Dan K'!!! :thumbs_up_1:

She is a Beautiful representation of IJN Hiryu!!!

From the FD, the pennants, galleries, "looking down the hatch" of the elevators, even the "tail feathers" of the 'Kates' ailerons (was that painted or decals!!??)

I F !! I do have another IJN A/C for my 'Kaga' I was thinking of getting Hiryu.......but again, in 1/700.

Well Done, Sir!!! :good_job:

Mario

Thank you, friends!

I'm pretty much done now, save for a few small things. I've staged the air group for a couple of photos. Hopefully, I can finish these other things soon, then post a gallery entry.

DANG, 'Dan K'......this is S O M E Work!!! :jump_1:

I haven't followed up with this build since you started working, but Now I know...... IF I do build an IJN A/C, I KNOW who I can ask for assistance!!!

Truly, Exquisite Work!! Your Attention to Detail and how to "super detail" with (tried) folding radio aerials was quite an accomplishment. I'm sure glad you found/I found you when I was building my "Quick Build" of IJN Kaga last year!

Mairo

Photos do not do this model justice. It is even more magnificent in person. Come to [url=http://njipms.org/?page_id=5114][b][u]MosquitoCon 31[/u][/b][/url] on April 1, 2023 and check it out!

I´m sorry for all those lovely planes that would end up in the hangar, scared of more light... Very nice work!

Love the engine test stand, very cute detail indeed! :thumbs_up_1:

One last item was the engine test stand. In this particular case, I went the lazy route. I just didn't feel like building one. So, I challenged one of our hobby's leading after market suppliers to design and 3D print one after I gave them whatever information I had.

And, they did. Magnificently so.

Thanks, Vladi.

Continuing on, I ended building three of the Fujimi Zeros as well as two of the Fujimi Vals for use in the hangars. Which meant filling those sinkholes. I also used a couple of 3D Wild aircraft for the same purpose. And, I built a second #1 elevator to stage in a mostly lowered position with a Zero aboard.

I can't seem to find my shot with the Vals stowed in the hangar. Hmmm.

Very nice, Dan. That will be a really full deck!