Dan K wrote:
On the face of it, that doesn't make much sense as Atago and Takao are virtually identical except for a couple of small details. My first question: Did you buy the set for the Aoshima version, or the Fujimi version. FH makes for both.
Yup, made sure I got the version for the Fujimi kit. I've been scrolling through the instructions for Takao and Atago side by side online and I can definitely see differences in the parts breakdown.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10133602http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10227036It seems parts K4 and M3 in the Takao kit don't share the shape and position of various deck details with the equivalent parts K2 and L2 in the Atago kit. The PE deck is obviously matched to the former. See comparisons below.
Definitely Fujimi version:
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IMAG0880.jpg [ 175.64 KiB | Viewed 2011 times ]
Shelter deck PE doesn't fit Atago part K2. However, the shape forward and the square cut-outs at the sides match the shape and raised details of Takao part K4. Also note in the side by side comparison that the locating holes are all over the place.
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IMAG0878.jpg [ 197.17 KiB | Viewed 2011 times ]
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IMAG0879.jpg [ 198.69 KiB | Viewed 2011 times ]
Aircraft handling deck PE doesn't fit Atago part L2. It's lined up with No.4 turret barbette and the forward shape and round cut-outs for the catapult pedestals are several milimetres out.
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IMAG0877.jpg [ 195.86 KiB | Viewed 2011 times ]
Didn't you say in another thread that the Fujimi Takao had some errors that the Atago kit corrected? It seems they re-tooled most of the kit, not just tweaked a few details.
But, since you confirm my initial assumption that the ships are essentially identical, I should be able to use all the PE parts for the gantries etc. since they completely replace the plastic rather than "augmenting" it, so they shouldn't have fit issues.