The Ship Model Forum

Hey Dan, I noticed the Fujimi 1/350 Zuikaku 44' kit has the aft rocket launchers on the same deck as the a/c engine-run hangers. Should they be a deck higher, closer to the flight deck?

I suppose wheeled cradles or dolleys were possible, though those longer launches weighed 7-9 tons, depending on length.

I did not look again at the Miyukikai planset. I was sceptical of wood planking in that area until I reviewed my photos yet again. Below is a photo of the upper boat platform looking forward and to starboard. The photographer was standing on the centerline. I have to say, it does look like there is at least some planking at middle, bottom. I am surprised. I thought linoleum or treaded steel, for sure.

I can't agree with the removable plating idea because they'd still have to contend with the support framing, or having to move upper boats to get to the lower ones. There is also that issue with the planking shown on the Miyukikai plans. Does that show on your other plans?[attachment=0]zui02.jpg[/attachment]

Some American ships had cradles on racks with wheels, so the whole thing rolled around, or could be fixed to the deck when stowed, but I haven't seen any indication that the Japanese did that. OTOH, if there were no inner boats, the outer boats were already using the overhead cranes and tracks, with no need for other handling equipment.

The only solution I can think of would be to arrange the lower, inner boats in an athwartship setup on dollies with wheels, which is unlikely considering your photo. Without proof of their being there, we may have to just install the inner boats and hope nobody notices.

Ok, Mike, I took a long look at the Miyukikai plans, along with the Hara Shobo plans. I'm stumped. I agree that there are support columns on either side of the lower, central boat positions, as well as more support columns down the centerline. There's no rails or and obvious way to move those boats on the face of it. I believe the same issue pertains to Soryu, Hiryu & the Hiyos .

The only mechanism that makes sense to me is if the upper boat deck was not solid plating directly above the boats, but more like removable grates. That way, use could be made of the boat cranes directly overhead, to move the gratings aside, then the raise the boats up and out. I can't think of another solution. Manhandling large boats off the chocks and threading them through the columns seems most unlikely.

Extra protection over the AV-gas tanks added in mid 1944. I believe they are steel plated blisters backed by concrete.

Image lifted from on line.

Hey Dan, what's your take on the added fuel tanks on the starboard side of Zuikaku? I think they might be AV gas or ? Not sure if I should add some Evergreen scratch or not?

I know what you are referring to, Mike. There's a companion shot (below) in which you can see the keel of that other boat below the accommodation ladder.

Like you, I do puzzle about the uprights. Maybe those boats were on a swivel type turntable, so they could be backed out. I'll look at the Miyukikai plans tonite, I hope.

Thanks, Dan, but I meant boats [i]under[/i] the upper platform. Your photos seem to show a compartment of some sort that supports the upper boat deck. I'm beginning to think there were no inner boats and all were hoisted by block and tackle from under the flight deck.

The Miyukikai plans show the boats, but they also show pole supports for the upper platform between the inner and outer boats, only there are no tracks or rolling cradles indicated for maneuvering the boats around the poles. The Grand Prix book depicts the cradles as bolted to the deck and with sway braces, so they weren't easily movable. Did you also notice that those plans indicate the upper boat deck was planked?

AFAIK, boats were stowed under the stern boat platform. Best shot comes from a pic taken after Shokaku took damage at the Coral Sea. View is from the starboard side, upper boat deck, looking aft and across toward port. In the middle, you can see an accommodation ladder stowed and lashed to horizontal braces extending outward from the upper boat deck. You can sort of make out another boat under it.

Are there any photos that clearly show that there were boats [i]under[/i] the stern boat platform on either Sho or Zui before mid-war modifications? I have the Miyukikai plans, but they have been wrong in other areas. Also, were the boat cradles removable, or could they be folded, to allow better access?

Thanks for the info, looks like a really good deal. I'll be ordering it soon.

Yep: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shipyard-1-350-350017-Wood-Deck-IJN-Zuikaku-for-Fujimi/253110370113?epid=2199152292&hash=item3aee8dbf41:g:5hUAAOSwB3tZnPcU:rk:115:pf:0

The manufacturer is "Shipyard Works". Looks like you can find them on eBay for around $43 USD.

I like those pics of the flight decks you posted. How much and from whom?

Freetime is helping me get a Fujimi PE set and also replacing a missing "J" sprue that is missing from their stock of 1/350 Zuikaku's (never had a missing sprue until now). It has one half of one of the stacks and some other ladders but I'm still happy and at only $175.00, affordable. They at Freetime have been really helpful and honest so it might take a few weeks but still plenty of things to build in the meantime. If Fujimi's 1/350 PE is like the 1/700, I'll be happy. BTW Dan I read your review on the 1/700 G-50 and glad I got one. One of the best things I've noticed about the PE set is the directions with actual photos and numbers where the parts go, also I like the fact where a rail is already attached to a walkway, you just bend up, less fuss. Thanks again to Dan Kaplan for IJN knowledge that would please Ozawa.

Fujimi continues to be the only supplier of a full set of PE for the 1/350 Shokaku/Zuikaku. There are several suppliers of wood decks.

Interestingly, Shipyard recently began offering a 1/350 wood flight deck and flight deck PE sets for these sisters and Hiryu. I bought them all for the PE treading as part of a deck replacement project. I may do a review at some point; I will say that the flight deck planking for all of them is properly scaled for plank width and is a little darker (and more correct) then what is typically offered in a wood flight deck application. Also available in 1/700. The only difference between them is the addition of optional PE plating for Shokaku's aft end, which is actually incorrect. Thoughtful, though.

Hey guys, I just picked up a Fujimi 1/350 scale Zuikaku 1944 from Freetime for $175.00. Also purchased a1/700 Fujimi PE set G-up 50 that is outstanding for $14.95. The bigger kit is soo nice to work with because of size and detail. I'm thinking of posting a build in progress but only after I get my hands on a good 1/350 PE set. Right now the hull and some deck steps have restored my passion for building. I'm also punching out port hole covers and they're going on with ease, quite unlike the 1/700 scale that will get done someday around 2035. Thanks to the guys at Freetime!!!

Kit list and gallery entries updated

Thanks, makes sense and by the way I'm going with your take on how the camo scheme most likely looked like when she was sunk.

At this rate, I'll soon be able to float my way around the globe. Very promising........

There are no official records or photos that document the color of the ships boats at that point in time. Nor do any of the other remaining carriers really have a clear indication. The Fujimi 1/350 color scheme indicates gray, and given that they were out of sight under the hangar deck, and hard to see from the side, I tend to agree. FWIW.