The Ship Model Forum

Thanks for the kind words.
More and more I realize that if there would be one "best place" to publish all these rigging steps, it definitely is the Ship Model Forum.
And since I recently got my own "condo" in the Tips & Tricks section, I feel like a fish in the water.
Keep an eye open : there will be some more articles coming .....

Have a nice day

CHAPTER 03. MIDSHIP
Step 03.07. White Flag Cord from 60cm Searchlight Platform to Main Mast Aft Pulley.

Gentlemen,
today we will look at the White Cord that holds the Vice Admirals Flag on the Main Mast.
For those who have a “déja-vu”: indeed, we already mentioned this subject when we talked in chapter 03.00. about the Main Mast rigging devices. But that was pure and only to mention the 2 pulleys on the Main Mast.
In this rigging step we will look at more detailed pictures.

This rigging step is in fact a very short story : like the title says, the White Flag Cord runs from the Mast 60cm Searchlight Platform all the way up to the Main Mast Pulley at the Back of the Main Mast, under the lower aft lantern. From there, it comes down again to a pulley that is attached to the front of the Searchlight Platform Railing with a hook.
Let’s take a look at some explanatory pictures:
Pic 001 :
Yellow arrow at mast tip: White Cord pulley at Mast tip.
Blue arrows : trajectory of double White Flag Cord.
Pic 002:
Blue oval : Location of the 60cm Searchlight Platform between the Main Mast and the 2 Side Mast Arms.
Pic 003 :
Blue arrows : trajectory of double White Flag Cord.
Blue oval: Pulley at front railing of searchlight platform.
Note : the Front Railing of the Searchlight Platform faces the stern side of the ship.

Pic 004 : Rear Port side View of the Flag Cord.
Blue arrows : trajectory of White Flag Cord.
Green arrow : Pulley at top Aft side of the Main Mast
Yellow arrow : Pulley at the front railing of searchlight platform.

Pic 005 : Detail View of 60cm Searchlight Platform.
Blue arrows : trajectory of double White Flag Cord.
Red arrow : Pulley at the front railing of searchlight platform.
Green arrow : Hook that attaches the pulley to the front railing
of the searchlight platform
Pic 006 : Schematic View of 60cm Searchlight Platform.
Blue arrows & yellow highlited area: trajectory of double White Flag Cord.
Pink arrow : Pulley at the Aft top of the Main Mast.
Red arrow : Pulley at the front railing of searchlight platform.
Green arrow : Hook that attaches the pulley to the front railing.

Insulator Count :
In this rigging step, NO insulators were used.

This is the end of step 03.07. White Flag Cord from 60cm SLPF to Main Mast Pulley.
This is also the end of Main Chapter 03. MIDSHIP
Next Main Chapter : 04. REAR RANGE FINDER (RRF).
Next rigging step : 04.00. Rear Range Finder Rigging

Gentlemen,
have a nice day

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.00. Rear Range Finder (RRF) Rigging

Gentlemen,
Today we arrive at the Rear Range Finder.
To put things in order : in this subchapter, we will not talk about the RRF’s function, dimensions or particularities.
It is the rigging devices on the RRF that are of interest to Us.
Where does the RRF hide on Yamato ?
Please take a look at Pic 001 : the white circle shows the location of the Rear Range Finder on the Aft Ship.
Did somebody already noticed ? Indeed, we are no longer on the Mid-Ship…
Also note that the Front of the RRF faces the Aft ( stern) side of the ship. Because the Aft 46cm/155mm Guns shoots Backwards.
1. RRF - Brackets, Lugs & Pulley

1A. Lugs & Brackets on the aft side of the RRF

Pic 002 is a drawing with 3 main positions of the RRF.
The Front view in the upper right corner, the Rear view in the left lower corner, and the Side-view in the right lower corner.
In the Side view you will notice a red circle : this is the location of the Brackets, in this pic, at the starboard side of the RRF.
The RRF Upper view, the most important one, is depicted in Pic 003 : schematic drawing. Here you see 6 yellow highlited triangular devices with a hole in it , bearing Nrs 2-3-4.
There are 3 devices on each side of the RRF. We call them : the RRF “Brackets Nr 2-or 3- or 4”. The 6 brackets are conceived to receive, guide and hold cables or white cords.
Also in this picture : the 2 red rings: Lug Nr 1 on port and starboard side of the RRF. These Lugs do the same job as the Brackets do. They are called : Lug Nr1.
Pic 004 shows you the 3 Port side brackets in the blue circle. Hard to see, but when you look close at the right side of the 3 brackets, you also notice Lug Nr 1, in wich a white cord is attached.
For more clarity, I introduced Pic 005 : a detail shot of all Brackets and the Nr 1 Lug.
At the bottom, you see 4 Lug-rings marked by yellow arrows (1-2-3-4). Above, you see (only) 3 Brackets marked by white arrows ( 2-3-4).
Lug Nr 1 is has no bracket and is shown with a White Cord attached.
One should expect that each of the 4 Lug Rings are covered by a bracket. But on Yamato’s RRF, the bracket on Lug Nr 1 is missing on port and starboard side.
Why ? If somebody knows the reason : I’m all ears….

That’s why in future rigging chapters we’ll talk about Lug Nr 1 and Brackets Nr 2 – or 3 – or 4. It’s a fact: Bracket Nr 1 simply does not exist.
In Pic 006 you have a detailed view on the RRF starboard brackets and Lug Nr 1 : The same colour procedure of Pic 005 was applied : the bracket location was enlarged, the white arrows show the different Brackets and the yellow arrows show the underneath Lugs.
Please note that in Lug 1 and bracket Nr 4 there is a White Cord attached (in bracket Nr 4 it’s a double white cord) while in Bracket Nr 2 there are 2 cables and in Bracket Nr 3, there is only 1cable attached.

1B. The Lug & Pulley on the front side of the RRF

Pic 007 shows you the Front side of the RRF.
Yellow circle : Left of the square box, above the entrance door on the RRF, you see a Big Lug ring that is attached to the Front wall.
In that Lug ring, we see a rod with 2 round ends from which one end is attached to the Lug in the RRF wall and the other is attached to a pulley.
Yellow arrows : In the pulley, a double White Cord is installed, coming from another pulley, attached to the Lower Junction Beam in the Mast Assembly.
In Pic 009 & 010, at the bottom you can see the green highlited Front Pulley location Nr 5, connected trough a double white Cord with the Junction Beam Pully at location H on the Aft Beam of the Upper Triangle.

2. RRF - White Cords & Cables Rigging
So far, we have located all the rigging devices on the RRF. It’s time to find out what cables or cords they all host.
Just like the Mast Assembly (also a major rigging chapter), we can say that the Rear Range Finder is part of the Main Contributors in the rigging of Yamato.
Not less than11 cables or White Cords arrive in the Brackets, Lugs and in the Front Pulley .
What follows is in fact a short rigging inventory of the Cables and Cords on/ and to the RRF.
All details on RRF Cables and Cords will be covered in several future rigging chapters with plenty of explanatory pictures.

Lets’s start.
Take a look at Pic 008: I strongly advise you to use your zoom.
For convenience: Black Cables are represented in black while the White Cords are shown in blue. It’s quite difficult to show white coloured Cords on a white back-ground. Guess why …
Pic 008 is a schematic drawing , not to scale or proportions. It
shows you where all the cables and cords from the RRF lead to their arrival spot on the Mast. Or vice – versa.
The Upper part of the drawing represents the Mast Assy while the Lower part is a schematic top-view of the RRF brackets, lugs and the Front pulley Nr 5.
Cables and Cords on the Mast Assy are marked with dark blue highlited letters at their specific location. Port side RRF Lug and Brackets are marked with yellow highlited numbers.
Starboard side Lug and Brackets are marked with light-blue highlited numbers. It may be usefull to compare Pic 008 with Pic 009 & Pic 010.
And to favorize the clarity in Pic 008: the dark-blue highlited Cable- letters shown on the Mast Assy are also shown on the RRF lower part of the drawing, near the brackets and lug Nrs.
This will enable you to see immediately what Bracket or Lug receives which Cable coming from the Mast Assy.
- Cable “A” departs from the Port side on the Connection Cable between the 2 Side Masts, trough a White Bar Insulator and leads to the Port Bracket Nr 2.

- Cable “B” departs from the Port side on the Connection Cable between the 2 Side Masts, trough a White Bar Insulator and leads to the Port Bracket Nr 4.

- Cable “C” departs from the Starboard side on the Connection Cable between the 2 Side Masts, trough a White Bar Insulator and leads to the Starboard Bracket Nr 2.

- White (single) Cord “D” comes from the Port Side Triangle and leads to the Port side Lug Nr 1. On the mast it follows its trajectory to location K (Starboard Side Mast Triangle).

- Cable “E“departs from the Port Side Mast Upper Lug, runs trough 2 Brown Ball Insulators, goes downwards to the RRF and runs again trough 2 Brown Ball Insulators before it arrives at the Port side
Bracket Nr 2.
- Cable “F” departs at the Port Aft side of the Upper Triangle trough a White Bar Insulator and leads to the Port Bracket Nr 3.

- White(double)Cord “G” comes from the Starboard side Bracket Nr 4, goes Up, runs trough the Pulley at the Port back side of the Upper Triangle, goes back down, runs trough 3 red/ transparant
Lanterns and returns to its start point : the Starboard side Bracket Nr 4. This double White Cord contains what seem to be 3 odd shaped red/ transparant Lanterns.

- White (double) Cord “H” comes from the Pulley on Front side of the RRF (green highlited Pulley Nr 5), goes up to the pulley at the Lower Junction Beam on the Aft Upper Triangle, and returns to its start
point : the RRF Front Pulley. This is a double White Cord that is used to raise the IJN Ensign and Samourai Banner.

- Cable “I” departs from the Starboard Aft side of the Upper Triangle, trough a White Bar Insulator and leads to the Starboard Bracket Nr 3.

- Cable “J” departs from the Starboard Side Mast Upper Lug, runs trough 2 Brown Ball Insulators, goes downwards to the RRF and runs again trough 2 Brown Ball Insulators before it arrives at the
Starboard side Bracket Nr 2.
- White (single) Cord “K” starts at the Starboard Side Mast Triangle and leads to the Starboard side Lug Nr 1.

- White Cord K is in fact the Starboard extension of White Cord D on the Port Side Mast Triangle.
Pic 009 is an Aft view of the Mast assy and all the Cables descending to the RRF Brackets & Lugs.
Pic 010 is a Starboard -Aft view of the Mast assy and all the Cables descending to the RRF Brackets & Lugs.

Insulator Count
In this Rigging Chapter we will have no Insulator Count because this is the general overview of all cables and cords that are connected to the RRF.
An insulator count is only useful in a detailed rigging step. And as mentioned before, each Cable, Cord or insulator treated in this general overview, will get a detailed description in one of the future rigging steps.

This is the end of step 04.00. Rear Range Finder Rigging
Next rigging step : 04.01. White Cord from front RRF Front Pulley to Lower Junction Beam Pulley.

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

Katana,

I'm asking if later on with your project, will you draw some type of colored schematic on the sequence in which to connect the wires to the ship? Isolating sections would be helpful to better understand what goes where, so they don't get crossed up and tangled when hanging them. Like a step by step guide starting at one end connecting A to B and so forth. I'm seeing more rigging than I thought and see difficulty during the rigging process that may become confusing when building a kit and then fully rigging it. Please let me know your thoughts and let me know if this is at all possible. TIA Jim

Hello Baseballbrat,

Very good idea. it never crossed my mind untill I read your message. Quite interesting I would say, because making a Rigging Guide with pictures is not the same as making a modelers guide to rig the Yamato in a well defined order.
It is a big challenge to brainstorm that subject, it 's even a bigger challenge to put that on paper or publish it in an article on Ship Model Forum. But I must say : it's tempting .....
Allow me to finish the Rigging Guide, and after this I will have a look at it.

Have a nice day ,
Katana

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.01. White Cord from RRF Front Pulley to Junction Beam Pulley.

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the White Cord from RRF Front Pulley Nr 5 to the Junction Beam Pulley, carrying the IJN Navy Ensign & Samourai Banner.
Please take a look at the pictures.
Pic 001 is the simplified schematic view for this rigging step. It shows you the complete trajectory of the White Flag Cord from its start at the RRF front pulley, all the way up to the Junction Beam Pulley “H”, and back to the Green tagged front RRF Bracket Nr5. The IJN Navy Ensign & Samourai Banner were also introduced in this drawing but they are not drawn to scale for convenience.
Pic 002 is the schematic SIDE view drawing that shows you the real perpendicular trajectory the White Flag Cord follows from the Junction Beam pulley to the front RRF Pulley. In this picture, the IJN Navy Ensign & Samourai Banner have a more realistic scale.
Pic 003 is an aft view picture that shows you also the complete trajectory of the double Flag Cord. Above you have the Junction Beam Pulley”H” . The blue arrows indicate the Flag Cord trajectory, and the single green
arrow shows the location of the RRF front Pulley Nr 5.
Pic 004 is a side view that gives a good sight on the Junction Beam Pulley”H”, at the end of the lower junction beam : see RED arrow. The blue arrows indicate the white flag cord that is barely visible in this picture. But
the most important here is the location of the Junction Beam Pulley”H”.
Pic 005 is a front-side view of the RRF to show you the exact location of the front pulley : at the top-left of the RRF entrance door , between 2 metallic boxes. Yellow arrows : Flag Cord.
Green arrow : the location where the front pulley is attached to the RRF front wall with a Lug Ring.
Pic 006 is an enlarged zoom-in view of Pic 005. Please note the detail of the double-eyed hook which is the connection between the front pulley and the Lug Ring in the RRF front wall.
Also, remark the knot right above the pulley where the 2 Flag Cord ends are brought together.
Notice :
The front side of the RRF faces the AFT side of the ship because it searches targets for the stern oriented guns of Yamato.

Rigging Procedure : See all pictures in this rigging step.
From the RRF front pulley, a white Flag Cord is going up to the Junction Beam Pulley ”H” on the Lower Junction Beam on the Mast assembly. It runs trough the pulley and comes down again to the RRF front Pulley where it is secured with a knot, right above the pulley. Quite simple.

Insulator Count :
In this rigging step, no insulators were used.

This is the end of step 04.01. White Cord from RRF Front Pulley to Junction Beam Pulley

Next rigging step : 04.02. White Cord from front RRF Bracket Nr 4 to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam.

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.02. White Cord from RRF Bracket Nr 4 to Upper Triangle Aft Beam Pulley : the 3 odd lanterns…

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the White Cord that goes from starboard Bracket Nr 4 to Pulley “G” on the Upper Triangle aft beam, and back to starboard Bracket Nr 4.
Let’s take a look at the pictures:
Pic 001 is a schematic drawing adapted to this rigging step. It shows the RRF Brackets (yellow colour for Port side and Light Blue colour for starboard side). Also the Upper Triangle Aft Beam with the Pulley G is shown with the White Cord, which is drawn in blue for a good contrast in this drawing. Like I said before: drawing a White Cord on a white background is rather difficult.
Almost all pictures have the same colour code:
Blue or yellow arrows mark the White Cord trajectory.
Blue or yellow ovals show the 3 odd lanterns.
Blue tag “G” is the pulley on the Upper Triangle aft beam.
Light blue tag Nr 4 is the starboard Bracket Nr 4 on the RRF.
This is a very simple rigging procedure (see Pic 003) :
The White Cord, attached in starboard bracket Nr 4 goes up to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Pulley, at the Upper Port side of the Mast (see Pic 004)and comes down again to starboard Bracket Nr 4 (light- blue tag).
The returning half of the White Cord contains qty = 3 devices which I call : “ the odd shaped lanterns”. I must say I did not find any reasonable explanation on the lanterns function but I’m sure there must be one, somewhere… One lantern is located above the Lower Triangle and the rest of the lanterns are installed lower than the triangle.

The first thing that stands out when you see the Cord trajectory is : WHY does the White Cord depart on Starboard side and goes to a pulley on the Port side of the Upper Triangle aft beam from where it comes back down to Bracket Nr 4 on the starboard side of the RRF ? This way, the White Cord’s is hanging completely slanted. Strange !
Anyway, strange or not, I only observe what my eyes can see…

Insulator Count
In this rigging step, NO Insulators were used.

This is the end of step 04.02. White Cord from RRF Bracket Nr 4 to Upper Triangle Aft Beam pulley with 3 Odd Lanterns.
Next rigging step : 04.03. White Cord from RRF Brackets Nr 1 to the Triangles on the Side Mast Arms

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.03. White Cord from RRF Brackets Nr 1 to the Triangles on the Side Mast Arms

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the White Cord from RRF Brackets Nr 1 to the Triangles on the Side Mast Arms.
If we look more into detail in this chapter, it is about the
rigging of the White Cord from Port side Bracket Nr 1 to the Port Side Mast Triangle “D”, going further to the corner with the Lower Triangle Aft Beam and running from the Starboard Side Mast Triangle “K” to the starboard side Bracket Nr 1.

Just to emphasize the fact that the complete trajectory in this rigging step is accomplished by only 1 (single) White Cord.

The pictures :
As always, I tried to use the same colour code in every picture. Where the contrast was too high, I had to use different colours to mark the rigging items.
Pic 001 is a simplified schematic drawing from the reference drawing in rigging step 04.00. “Rigging on the RRF”.
It shows the RRF Brackets Nr 1,on port and starboard side, the Mast assy and the pulleys on the Side Mast triangles “D” & “K”.
The colour codes for pictures 002 to 007 :
Green arrow (yellow tag) = port side Bracket Nr 1.
Green arrow (light blue tag) = starboard side Bracket Nr 1.
Yellow arrows : trajectory of the White Cord.
Light-blue circles : Pulleys at both Side Mast Triangles.
Light-blue/ red arrows : Port & Starboard Triangles on Side Masts.
Pink arrows : switch point where the White Cord changes its (rather) vertical trajectory into a horizontal trajectory with Lugs on the Lower Triangle Aft Beam.
“D”: Port side Triangle.
“K”: Starboard side Triangle.
Red circle : Port side red squared Maneuvering Indicator.
Green circle : Starboard side green circular Maneuvering Indicator.
Big Thanks to Dan K for providing me the correct info on the Maneuvering Indicators : The red (port) and green (starboard) shapes seen in pics 5 & 6 are maneuvering indicators, to broadcast rudder positions.

Rigging procedure :
The White Cord starts at the Port side Bracket Nr 1(yellow tag), see Pic 001. From there it goes up to the Triangle pulley “ D” on the port Side Mast Arm. See Pic 003, light blue circle.
After the pulley, the White Cord goes back down with a red multi flanged Maneuvering Indicator to the point where the White Cord direction changes on the Side Mast.See Pic 005, pink arrow.
In this location, 2 lug rings are installed : one on the Side Mast arm and one on the Lower Triangle Aft Beam. The 2 lug rings force the White Cord to re-direct into a horizontal trajectory, all the way on the Lower Triangle Aft Beam. See Pic 008-009, yellow arrows.
At the right-end of the Lower Triangle Aft Beam, the White Cord encounters again 2 similar lug rings that re-direct the White Cord from a horizontal trajectory, via the green circular Maneuvering Indicator towards the Triangle “K”pulley on the starboard Side Mast arm. See Pic 004 -006, red & blue circles and blue arrows.
After the pulley, the White Cord continues to the starboard side Bracket Nr 1. See Pic 006, blue arrows, yellow circle and yellow arrow (starboard Bracket Nr 1).

Notice:
A good overview of the whole White Cord trajectory can be found in Pic 001 – 007 - 010.
Detail of the port side Triangle “D”: see Pic 003 & 005.
Detail of the starboard side Triangle “K”: see Pic 004 & 006.
Details of the White Cord Re-direction on the Side Mast Arms are shown in detail in Pic 008 -009.

Insulator Count
In this rigging step, NO Insulators were used.

This is the end of step 04.03. White Cord from RRF Brackets Nr 1 to Side Mast Triangles.
Next rigging step : 04.04. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 2&4 to the Connection Line between the Side Mast Arms.

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

The red (port) and green (starboard) shapes seen in pics 5 & 6 are maneuvering indicators, to broadcast rudder positions.

As illustrated in the Gran Prix Shuppan volume on IJN cruisers:

Dan,

In your book collection of IJN Ships, are there any drawings or photos of rigging attachments (hardware) that can complement what Katana is doing here? TIA Jim

Dan ,

Big thanks for sharing the correct function of these devices.

Textual corrections were immediatly made in the article.

For your info : In the picture of your post, in the left page, I saw that basket-shaped device.

I discovered similar items at the signal deck also. See the pictures in annex

Katana

The red baskets forward are speed indicators, as per p176.

Jim, I'm currently out of town, but I'll look when I get back. I don't really think I have more than this.

Hello Dan,

thanks again for your expert explanation.

Have a nice day,

Katana

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.04. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 4&2 to the Connection Line between the 2 Side Mast Arms

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the Cables that run from the RRF Brackets Nr 4&2 towards the Connection line between the 2 Side Mast Arms.
The Pictures : as usual, in all the pictures of this rigging step, I tried to use the same colours for the same rigging devices as long as the contrast of the different pictures allowed me to do.
Pic 001 is the simplified schematic drawing for this rigging step.
Here, the main contributors are the 3 cable attachments A, B& C on the Connection Line between the 2 Side Mast Arms and port side Brackets Nr 2&4 and starboard side Bracket nr 2 on the RRF.
Pic 002 & 003 show you the complete trajectory of the 3 different cables, marked with ovals and arrows and the cable attachments A, B & D .
Pic 004 & 005 show also the cable attachments A, B & D and the RRF Brackets, but here the cable trajectories are not marked.The contrast with the background is not sufficient to recognize cables.

Rigging procedure :
In this step, the rigging procedure is pretty straightforward.
On the Connection Line between the 2 Side Mast arms, on 3 different locations (A, B & D) a White Bar Insulator is attached with its front connector. The rear connector holds a cable that goes to the Yellow Port side RRF Brackets Nr 2&4 and to the Light Blue RRF Bracket Nr 2 on starboard side.
When you check the pictures you’ll see that the 2 cables from Port side RRF Brackets Nr 2&4 lead to a White Bar Insulator “ A & B” on the Port side of the Connection Line.
And the cable that comes from starboard RRF Bracket Nr 2, leads to a White Bar Insulator “C ” on the Starboard side of the Connection Line.
So this time, the cables follow no slanted trajectory.
That’s all. It can be that simple.

Insulator Count
Needless to tell you that in this riggng step in attachment point A, B & D, each time 1 White Bar Insulator is used.
Total amount of Insulators used in this rigging step : Qty = 3 White Bar Insulators.

This is the end of step 04.04. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 4 & 2 to the Connection Line between the 2 Side Mast Arms
Next rigging step : 04.05. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 3 to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam.

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.05. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 3 to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the cables from the port and starboard side RRF Brackets Nr 3, up to the attachment Lugs on the Upper Triangle Aft Beam.
The Pictures :
Pic 001 is a simplified schematic drawing , adapted for this specific rigging step. It shows you both RRF Brackets Nr 3 and the 2 cables that go upwards and end in the rear connectors of 2 White Bar Insulators that are attached to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Lugs.
Pic 002 is an aft view on which you can see the cable ( yellow arrows) from Port side RRF bracket Nr 3 towards the White Bar insulator installed on attachment “F” on the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Lug.
The trajectory of the starboard side cable (light blue arrows) from attachment “I” on the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Lug to the RRF Bracket Nr 3 is visible on the starboard side.
The yellow and light blue colours apply also to the arrows and Bracket tags in Pic 003 & 004.


Rigging procedure :
In fact this rigging step is quite similar with step “04.04. Rigging cables from RRF Brackets nr 4&2 to the connection line between the 2 Side Mast arms”. And it is also pretty simple.
The 2 cables depart at the port & starboard RRF Brackets Nr 3 and go upwards to the aft connectors of the 2 White Bar Insulators that are attached to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Lugs.
That’s it. No complications , no special devices or whatsoever.
The port side cable is attached to a White Bar Insulator on the port side of the Upper Triangle Aft Beam and the starboard side cable is attached to a White Bar Insulator on the starboard side of the Upper Triangle Aft Beam.

Insulator Count
We see 2 White Bar Insulators that are used on the Upper Triangle Aft Beam Lugs : one on port and one on starboard side.
Total amount of insulators used in this rigging step : Qty = 2 White Bar Insulators

This is the end of step 04.05. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 3 to the Upper Triangle Aft Beam.
Next rigging step : 04.06.Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 2 to Side Mast Upper Lugs

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 04. REAR RANGE FINDER
Step 04.06. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 2 to Side Masts Upper Lugs

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 2 to the Side Masts Upper Lugs.
Remember the Side Masts Upper Lugs ?
The description in rigging step 03.00. Mast Assembly Part 2 says : “The Side Mast Upper Lugs are located on both Side Masts, slightly under the (white cord) triangles and also little under the connection of the Side Mast Arm with the Upper Reinforcement Triangle See Pic 031“. This “pink circle in Pic 031” from step 03.00. is in this rigging step 04.06. : Pic 005 station “J “.
The picture is the almost the same. The name tags differ.

Let’s take a look at the pictures in this rigging step :
the picture colour codes:
Yellow arrows : port side cable trajectory.
Light-or dark blue arrows: starboard side cable trajectory.
Yellow circles : port side Brown Ball Insulators.
Light-or dark blue circles : starboard side Brown Ball Insulators.
E : port Side Masts Upper Lug.
J : starboard Side Masts Upper Lug.
Yellow tag Nr 2 : port side RRF Bracket Nr 2.
Light-blue tag Nr 2 : starboard side RRF Bracket Nr 2.

Recommendations when using the pictures :
Use your zoom to distinguish the different cables. Before I have put arrows on them, I enlarged the pictures quite a bit to know the exact location of the 2 cables in this rigging step.
Beware of optical illusions : At a certain location in Pic 008, our cables run very close to the White Cord that goes to the Side Mast Triangles. Just follow the arrows and use your zoom to find the exact cable. The Brown Ball Insulators near the RRF Brackets are not always clearly visible. But when you look for the Blue or Yellow circles, you’ll find them.

Pic 001: as always, this is a schematic drawing adapted to this rigging subject. You see at port and starboard side 2 cables that depart from the RRF Brackets Nr 2, they go upwards to the Side Masts Upper Lugs where they are attached.
Beside Pic 001 there are 7 other pictures that show views from different angles on the cable trajectories, the Side Mast Upper Lugs and the RRF Brackets.
I recommend you to use the picture colour code when you look at them.

Rigging procedure :
From both the port and starboard side RRF Brackets Nr 2, a cable departs to the Side Masts Upper Lug. See Pic 002-003-008.
Details of the starboard Side Mast Upper Lug can be seen in Pic 004 & 005.
The port Side Mast Upper Lug is shown in Pic 006 & 007.
And although Pic 008 is quite dark, both cables can be easily distinguished, despite the dark back-ground.

Insulator Count
Notice :
From all the rigging steps in Chapter 04. REAR RANGE FINDER, this is the only one where Brown Ball Insulators are used.
The Brown Ball Insulators are installed per pair on each cable. See Pic 002 -003-008 for details : the first pair is located a little lower than the Side Mast Upper Lugs. The second pair Insulators can be found on the cables right before their end-station in the RRF Brackets Nr 2. There are 2 cables with 2 pairs of Brown Ball Insulators.
Total amount of Insulators used in this rigging step : qty = 8 Brown Ball Insulators.

This is the end of step 04.06. Cables from RRF Brackets Nr 2 to the Side Masts Upper Lugs
This is also the end of Main Chapter 04.REAR RANGE FINDER.
Next Main Chapter : 05. AFT SHIP
Next Rigging Step : 05.00. Aft Ship Rigging

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 05. AFT SHIP
Step 05.00. Aft Ship Rigging

Gentlemen,
Just like in other Main rigging chapters, this first article will be a fairly general one, without too much details. Details will be discussed in their appropriate future rigging steps.

Today we will talk about the Rigging on the Aft Ship.
I will explain you where the Aft Ship area begins and where it ends.
Rigging on the Aft Ship mainly includes all the Splits , Branches and Joints that are applied on Main Cables Nr1 & 4, from the Side Mast Arms, up to the area right above the Aft 46cm Gun Barrels.
Also in this Main Chapter: we will talk about Connecting Cables between MC1&4 and the AAA platforms, Structure Wall and the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.
Pic 001 is a schematic drawing (not to scale), of all the cables and locations that are involved in the Aft Ship Rigging. Please use your ZOOM.
To understand the schematic items in Pic 001, here is a Legend :
Blue highlited Letters = Port Side Cables
Yellow highlited Letters = Starboard Side Cables
Black highlited Digits = Port && Starboard Branches / Splits or Joints.
Red highlited Digits = Port Side 155mm Antenna Brackets
Green highlited Digits = Starboard Side 155mm Antenna Brackets

Blue highlited Letters (Port Side) & Digits

MC1 = Main Cable Nr 1, departing from Port Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0.
Triangular Branch Nr 1 = location where MC1 is split into cables D & E.
B = Cable from Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0 to 155mm Gun Antenna
Red Port Bracket Nr 1.
C = Cable from Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0 to Port Aft Ship Second
Level Lug Nr 7.
D & E = Cables from Port Triangular Branch Nr 1 to Triangular Joint Nr
10.
Nr 2 & Nr 3 Branches have short cables (without name)that are brought
together in Port side Joint Nr 4.
F = Cable from Joint Nr 4 to Port AAA platform Front Bracket Nr 5.
G = Loose Cable from Front AAA platform Bracket Nr 5 to Lug in
Structure Wall Nr 6.
H = Cable from Branch Nr 8 to 155mm Gun Antenna Red Port Bracket
Nr 2.
I = Cable from Branch Nr 9 to 155mm Gun Antenna Red Port Bracket
Nr 3.
J = Cable from 155mm Gun Antenna Red Bracket Nr 2 to Port AAA
platform Front Bracket Nr 5.
K = Cable from 155mm Antenna Red Bracket Nr 3 to Port AAA
platform Front Bracket Nr 5.
Nr 10 Triangular Joint = location where Cables D & E merge back into 1 cable : MC1 that proceeds to the Crane tip on Yamato’s Stern.

Yellow highlited Letters (Starboard Side) & Digits

MC4 = Main Cable Nr 4, departing from starboard Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0.
Triangular Branch Nr 1 = location where MC4 is split into cables D & E.
B = Cable from Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0 to 155mm Gun Antenna
Green Starboard Bracket Nr 1.
C = Cable from Side Mast Aft tip Lug Nr 0 to Starboard Aft Ship Second
Level Lug Nr 7.
D & E = Cables from Starboard Triangular Branch Nr 1 to Triangular
Joint Nr 10.
Nr 2 & Nr 3 Branches have short cables (without name)that are brought
together in Starboard side Joint Nr 4.
F = Cable from Joint Nr 4 to Starboard AAA platform Front bracket Nr 5.
G = Loose Cable from Front AAA platform Bracket Nr 5 to Lug in
Structure Wall Nr 6.
H = Cable from Branch Nr 8 to 155mm Gun Antenna Green Starboard
Bracket Nr 2.
I = Cable from Branch Nr 9 to 155mm Gun Antenna Green Starboard
Bracket Nr 3.
J = Cable from 155mm Gun Antenna Green Bracket Nr 2 to Starboard
AAA platform Front Bracket Nr 5.
K = Cable from 155mm Antenna Green Bracket Nr 3 to Starboard AAA
platform Front Bracket Nr 5.
Nr 10 Triangular Joint = location where Cables D & E merge back into 1 cable : MC4 that proceeds to the Crane tip on Yamato’s Stern.

A schematic drawing has the benefit it can show you a very large amount of data in a very limited space. The disadvantage is that the amount of data can be overwhelming.
That’s why Pic 001 may be usefull to show you the complete Aft Ship Rigging stuff, but it still uncomfortable to read or understand.
To resolve this problem, I retrieved my old Pic 002. This is a side view drawing of the Aft Ship Rigging that uses the same colour codes, letters and digits as Pic 001.
In Pic 002, the schematic factor disappears and is replaced by a more practical drawing. It shows you a realistic view on each specific location of Main Cables, Branches, Joints and Connecting Cables on the Aft Ship.
Nevertheless, Pic 002 has also its limitations : in the side view there was no opportunity to show Cable “G” on port and starboard. Nor did point Nr 6 show, where Cable “G” is attached to the Structure Wall under the Aft AAA platforms. And instead of seeing 2 Aft AAA platforms and 2 Brackets Nr 5, you see only 1 piece because this is simply : a Side View.
What is also missing in Pic 002 ? Cable “C” that runs from the Side Mast Rear tip Lug to the second level deck where it is attached to the deck with a bottlescrew in attachment point 7.

However, there still 2 items in Pic 002 that are of some interest to Us.
The first one is the expanded screen that shows the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna and the arrival of 6 cables on its Brackets.
The scaled-up Antenna view shows you more details than the small original figure in Pic 002.
The second interesting item in Pic 002 is the red coloured line at the left side of the picture. This red line marks the Rear limit of the Aft Ship Rigging area.
The marking point for that limit is visible in the upper part of the picture. The red line starts at the left side of Joint Nr 10, where Cables “D & E” merge back into 1 single cable, namely : Main Cable Nr 1 on Port side, but also Main Cable Nr 4 on Starboard side.

To compare the schematic drawings with a real picture , I introduced Pic 003 to give you an idea about dimensions.
At the right side you see start point Nr 0 on the Port Side Mast where Main Cable Nr 1 departs.
A little further to the left, and due to the Triangular Branch Nr 1, MC1 splits from a single cable into 2 cables.
From there, they proceed to the Crane tip on the Stern.
At the outer left of Pic 003, in Triangular joint Nr 10, the 2 cables are merged together into 1 single Cable: Main Cable Nr 1. Near this location you also see the red striped line, marked with red arrows.
When you pull the red line down to the deck, you end up above the 46cm Gun Barrels, little before their end.
Although the starboard Side Mast tip is not visible in this picture, Pic 003 shows you where the Aft Ship Rigging begins (start point Nr 0) and where it ends at the vertical red line, near Joint Nr 10.

This area is the playground of all the next rigging steps on the Aft Ship.
Remark : in all next rigging steps on the Aft Ship we will use the same colours, letters and digits for the mentioned rigging devices.

Insulator Count
Needless to tell you that in a general rigging step like this one there will be no insulator count.

This is the end of step 05.00. Aft Ship Rigging
Next Rigging Step : 05.01. Main Cable Nr 1 & 4 double Split above the Aft Ship

Gentlemen,
Have a nice day.

CHAPTER 05. AFT SHIP
Step 05.01. Main Cables Nr 1&4 Double Splits & Joints above the Aft Ship

Gentlemen,
Today we will talk about the double splits and joints on Main Cables Nr 1 & 4. (MC1&4)
The last time that MC1&4 were discussed, was in step 03.01. “Rigging of MC1&4 from Bridge Main Yards to Side Mast arm Tips”.
In that specific rigging step we saw that MC1&4 departed at the Bridge Main Yards and arrived at the Front tip Lug on both Side Masts.
In todays rigging step, MC1&4 depart from the Side Masts Aft tip Lugs (port & starboard) towards the Crane-tip on Yamato’s Stern.
But before they arrive there, a lot of structural changes will be part of their journey.
Notice :
As a reference I use 2 schematic drawings : pictures 001 & 002. They served in rigging step 05.00. but their contents & info are suitable for this rigging step.
As regards to Pic 003 - 004 & 005: Not every picture shows the same kind of details. Let me explain:
Pic 003 is a rear view picture that shows you very well the proportions of MC1&4 towards the Mast beams. It also shows the individual dimensions and distances between Split Points Nr 0-1-2-3-4-8-9 and the 2 brown ball-insulators near start point Nr 0 (yellow circles).
Also distinctive in this picture: the departure points of Port Side Cables D-E-F-H-I. On the other hand : the starboard cables and split points are very hard to discover, due to the Black back-ground colour of the Funnel. But when you use your zoom, you may find them.
Pic 004 is a SIDE view picture that I introduced with only 1 goal: to show you the dimensions and proportions of all cables on MC1 &4 above the Aft ship.
When you look very close at this picture you can see :
a)the individual dimensions and distances between Split Points Nr 0-1-2-3-4-8-9.
b)the dimensions of all the cables that come down to the deck.
c) the relative position of the split points & cables towards the Aft AAA platform, the 155mm Gun Antenna and towards the Gun Barrels. Important : the yellow striped line, marked with Red arrows shows you MC4 Joint Nr 10 that indicates the end of cables D&E but also the left end of the Aft Ship Rigging Area. And it also shows you the vertical position of the rigging area towards the barrels of the 46cm Aft Gun Barrels.
d)the arrival of cables on the AAA platform Front Railing Brackets and the cables reaching the 155mm Gun Antenna : they are clearly visible in this picture but in a side -view they loose too much detail to be numbered or tagged.
Pic 005 is a Side view, ideal to show you the distance between MC 1&4, and the dimensions & proportions of the Aft Ship cables.
This picture was used to show you detail of all the split points, joints and cables near the Side Masts.
What you didn’t see in Pic 003 & 004, but what is exposed and colour- marked & numbered in this Pic 005 : the arrival of the 2 cables ”F” on the AAA platform Front Railing Brackets (joint Nr 5). Also marked: the arrival of the cables (B-H-I) on the 155mm Gun Antenna, on port and starboard side. In this picture, certainly MC4 lends itself better to show details of the Aft Ship Rigging. Due to the capture angle in this picture, MC1 is not that suitable.
So far the list of what is different in pictures 003-004 and 005.

What is common in the pictures and drawings : I used the same Colours, Branch Nrs, Split Point Nrs and Cable Letters.
Much easier to compare details from pictures with the schematic drawings and vice-versa.
Before we start, I would like to emphasize on a subject that will be used in this rigging step : The “ Triangle Branch / Joint”.
This device is in fact a cable split- or branch where the original incoming cable is duplicated from a single into a double one.
Not far from the split point where the incoming cable is duplicated, a solid rod is attached perpendicular between the 2 cable members. That’s the reason why this particular Branch looks like a “Triangle”.
Typical for a Triangular Branch is that the distance between the 2 cables remains constant untill another triangle is installed and the opposite procedure is applied. When the 2 cable members arrive at the second rod, short after, the 2 cables are merged back together to form 1 single Cable. In our case: MC1 or MC4.
One can say that a Triangular Branch is the opposite, or the mirror view of a Triangular Joint: and this is exactly what happens above the Aft Ship on Yamato with MC1 and MC4.

Let’s start.
In chronological order this is what happens with MC1&4 above the Aft Ship:
Main Cables Nr1&4 depart, at the Side Mast Aft tip Lugs in
startpoint Nr 0. Near the start points , both cables run trough a Brown Ball Insulator. Not far from the Side Masts, MC1& 4 reach Branch Nr 1, where they are split via a triangle branch into cables D& E. These Cables continue their way to the Crane-tip on Yamato’s Stern.
Immediately after Branch Nr 1, we meet Branch Nr 2 & 3, where 2 short cables are attached to cables D&E. The short cables are brought together in Joint Nr 4. In Pic 003 and 005 you get a good view how close Branch Nr 2&3 is located near Branch Nr1.
The same goes for Joint Nr 4 : the cables that extend from Branches 2&3 are quite short and Joint Nr 4 is installed right after the short cables.
Out of Joint Nr 4, Cable “F” emerges and goes down to the bracket Nr 5 on the Front Railing of the Aft AAA Platforms.
On Cables “D”&”E”, not so far behind Branches Nr 2&3, we encounter 2 new Branches: Nr 8 & Nr 9.
From here, 2 new cables emerge and go down to the Brackets on the Aft 155 Gun Antenna. The same process takes place on port and starboard side, but in Mirror View.
Please check the cable names and Joint nrs in Pic 003-004 & 005.
From Branch Nr 8 & 9, Cables D & E ( port side) and cables D& E (starboard side) proceed to the crane tip on the stern. Above the 46cm Gun, little before the end of the barrels, cables D&E are back joint into MC1 & MC4 in Cable Joint Nr 10.
From Cable Joint Nr 10, MC1 & MC4 resume their way to the crane tip on the stern.
So far the MC1 & MC4 double cable splits above the Aft Ship.

Insulator Count
We see 2 brown ball insulators : one on MC1 and one on MC4 near the Side Masts. See yellow circles in Pic 003 and red circles in Pic 005, both near start point Nr 0.
Pic 002 shows you the schematic position of the insulators on MC1 & MC4.
Total amount of Insulators used in this rigging step : Qty = 2 Brown Ball Insulators .

This is the end of step 05.01. Double Splits & Joints of Main Cables Nr 1 & 4 above the Aft Ship
Next Rigging Step: 05.02. Cables to Aft 155mm Gun Antenna


Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 05. AFT SHIP
Step 05.02. Cables to Aft 155mm Gun Antenna Brackets

Gentlemen,
today we will talk about the Cables that go to the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.

The Aft 155mm Gun Antenna Brackets contain not only cables that arrive there, there are also cables that depart from the brackets.
But today we will talk only about the cables that arrive on the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna Brackets. The departing cables will be treated in a future rigging step.

And what else than a collection of detailed pictures can tell you more than 1000 words ?
Pic 001: this is the schematic drawing that will be used in all the rigging steps of the Aft Ship. The following items are important for this rigging step: Cables “D”&”E”, Branches Nr 8&9, Cables “I”-“H”& “B” and Antenna Brackets Nr 1-2-3 , all on port and on starboard side.
Pic 002: a side view where you can see both Side Masts. Please note that cable splits & junctions detail is far more visible on starboard MC4 than its opponent on port side : MC1. Also present & tagged : all cables
leading towards the 6 antenna brackets (green & red Nr 1-2-3).
Pic 003: Front view of the Rear Range Finder with on the foreground the 155mm Gun Antenna with its green & red tagged brackets and port & starboard cables “B-H-I” coming from above. This picture also shows the
linear distance between all brackets.
Pic 004: Right front view of the same area. In this picture you can see where the antenna is installed on the 155mm Gun Roof.Please note the different angles between cables “ I-H” and cable “B”.
Pic 005: Starboard side Aft view of Antenna brackets. Detail in this picture : the lugs that are installed on the aft-upper location of the antenna bar. Again the different angles between cables “ I-H” and cable “B”.
Pic 006: Almost straight head-on detail picture of the Antenna brackets and their cables towards the AAA platform front brackets Nr 5. Also note the prominent presence of 4 brown ball insulators on cables “H&I”.
Pic 007: Port Side view of the same area. Very distinctive in this picture : look at the angle with which cables “H&I” arrive at the brackets, with their 4 brown ball insulators. Also note that the antenna brackets are
located a little bit higher than the AAA platform front brackets.
Pic 008: Port Aft Side view of the Antenna. In this picture we notice the location of the AAA platform front brackets : not in the middle but more on the outside of the platforms. Also the angle with which port and
starboard cables “B” arrive at the anntena.
Pic 009: Bigger view from the same position as Pic 008. This picture shows you the difference of arriving angles between cables “B”, coming from the aft Side Mast tips and cables “H&I”, coming from junctions Nr 8&9 on
Cables “D&E”.
Pic 010: Big side view to show the trajectory of port & starboard cables “B” and the location of the 2 brown ball insulators ( see blue circles) near the Side Masts.
Pic 011 is the schematic drawing with all cables arriving at the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.

Let’s start this rigging procedure :
In all the pictures of the 155mm Gun Antenna , the 3 port brackets are marked red and the 3 starboard brackets are marked with green colour.
Numbering of the brackets is, like so many items in the Yamato rigging, done in mirror view.
In plain English: both brackets Nr 1 are located on the OUTside of the antenna, brackets nr 2 are in the Middle and brackets Nr 3 are installed on the INNER side of the antenna, facing each other.
Notice : not only the Antenna Brackets are identified in mirror view, the locations from where the incoming cables originate are also a mirror view from each other.
There are 2 different sources that “provide” the antenna brackets with cables : startpoint 0 on the 2 Side Mast Aft Lugs and cables “H&I” (port and starboard side) above the Aft Ship.

Starpoint Nr 0 at the 2 Side Mast Aft Lugs.

On both Side Masts, the Aft tip Lug is considered as startpoint Nr 0.
From there, cable “B” departs and immediately encounters a brown ball insulator not far from the Mast tips.
See blue circles in Pic 002 & Pic 010.
Then, both cables “B“ (blue tag for port side, yellow tag for starboard side) lead to the red and green tagged outer brackets Nr 1 on the antenna. See detail in Pic 003-004-005-006-007-008-009.
Antenna brackets are in fact big lug rings that are attached on the upper aft side of the antenna bar. Very suitable to fasten cables. See detail in Pic 006 & 007.

Cables “H&I” at port & starboard of the Aft Ship rigging.

Cables “H&I”emerge from junctions Nr 8&9 with blue tagged cables “D&E” on port side and the yellow tagged cables “E&D“on starboard side, high above the Aft Ship. They lead to the red & green tagged brackets Nr 2&3 on the 155mm Gun Antenna.
See detail in Pic 001 & Pic 002.
Here are the interactions between the cables “D&E“ ,junctions Nr 8&9 (port & starboard) and the antenna brackets :
In Branch Nr 8 on Port side cable D, cable “H” goes down to the red tagged Bracket Nr 2 on the 155mm Gun Antenna.
In Branch Nr 9 on Port side cable E, cable “I” goes down to the red tagged Bracket Nr 3 of the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.
In Branch Nr 9 on Starboard side cable E, cable “I” goes down to the red tagged Bracket Nr 3 of the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.
In Branch Nr 8 on Starboard side cable D, cable “H” goes down to the green tagged Bracket Nr 2 of the Aft 155mm Gun Antenna.
With al this info, we know which cables arrive in the 6 Antenna Brackets and where they come from.

Remark :
We know there are qty=4 brown ball insulators near the Antenna brackets Nr 2 & 3 of the Aft 155mm Gun. It’s maybe worth to compare this with the lay-out of the Front 155 mm Gun…
If you look back at rigging chapter “01. FORESHIP 04. Rigging Antenna Wires to Front Bridge Structure” published on 19 march 2017, you will discover that on the Front 155mm Gun Antenna there are qty = 4 White Bar Insulators used instead of the 4 brown ball insulators on the Aft Antenna. Quite a difference !

Insulator Count
In this rigging step we see on port & starboard side of the antenna :
qty= 1 brown ball insulator on cable “B” at startpoint 0, near the Side Mast tips.
qty= 1 brown ball insulator on cable “I” near bracket Nr 3 on the Antenna.
qty= 1 brown ball insulator on cable “H” near bracket Nr 2 on the Antenna.

Each process is applied on port and on starboard side.
Total amount of Insulators used in this rigging step = qty 6 brown ball insulators.

This is the end of step 05.02. Cables to Aft 155mm Gun Antenna Brackets
Next Rigging Step : 05.03. Cables to AAA Platform Front Railing Brackets

Gentlemen,
have a nice day.

CHAPTER 05. AFT SHIP
05.02. Cables to Aft 155mm Gun Antenna Brackets
Gentlemen,
this is the rest of the pictures.