Calling all IJN Asashio-class fans

[ijnfleetadmiral]

On the heels of its new 1/700 Yugumo class releases, Hasegawa has announced all new toolings of the Asashio class destroyers in 1/700 for release in October, 2017. So, now seems to be a good time to enhance the current Asashio CASF thread.

As with the Yugumos, the original Hasegawa Asashio class kits are now 45 years old, and were typical of their time in that the detail and armament are very simplistic. The hull form is okay, but details are sorely lacking, as are the superstructure shapes. The follow-up Pit-Road versions, circa mid 1990s, were better in that there is more detail and refinement in the kit parts. Personally, I�ve always thought that Pitroad�s Asashio class kits to be the best of their Type A (Asashio/Kagero/Yugumo) destroyer kits. They were the first of those type to be released by Pit-Road, and I still think their bow profile to be slightly more accurate than the later kits. I�ve never fully understood how that fidelity was eroded in the subsequent Kagero and Yugumo class kits.

The Asashios were a return to the large type destroyer class built by the Imperial Japanese Navy upon the expiration of the 1930 London Naval Treaty. The Asashios were nearly identical dimensionally with the earlier Fubuki Type, but much improved, with a lower silhouette and improved hull lines. From a design perspective, the previous Shiratsuyu class provided the template for the enlargement; making the new type longer and slightly wider to accommodate a superimposed 12.7cm twin turret atop an enlarged aft deckhouse. The twin quadruple torpedo mounts, their squared off torpedo mount shields and the location of the torpedo reload bays and girders of the Shiratsuyus were carried over. I believe the same can be said of the forecastle, or at least the aft end of the forecastle. Class members included: Asashio, Oshio, Michishio, Arashio, Asagumo, Yamagumo, Natsugumo, Minegumo, Arare, Kasumi.

From their Wikipedia entry:

�The Asashio-class destroyers (?????? Asashio-gata kuchikukan) were a class of ten destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy in service before and during World War II.
Background

The Imperial Japanese Navy was not entirely satisfied with the performance of the Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, particularly in terms of operational range and speed. However, given the limitations of the 1930 London Naval Treaty, it was considered impossible to modify these vessels any further to improve their specifications. This obstacle was removed after the Japanese government allowed the treaty to expire without renewal. The final four vessels of a projected 14 destroyers in the Shiratsuyu class were cancelled, and the larger new Asashio-class vessels were approved under the Maru-2 Supplementary Naval Expansion budget of 1934, with construction spanning 1935-1936. All ten vessels were lost in the Pacific War.
Design

The Asashio class was the first Japanese destroyer class to exceed 2,000 tons displacement and the first to be equipped with sonar. Early critical issues with the Asashio class included the reliability of their new steam turbines engines, and issues with the design of their rudder, which were addressed by the start of the Pacific War.

In terms of armament, the Asashio class was similar to the previous Fubuki and Hatsuharu classes, but with twin mount 5-inch guns like the Fubukis instead of having a single mount like the Hatsuharus. The guns were mounted in Type C gun turrets capable of 55-degree elevation. Also, the position of the "X" turret at the shelter deck level forward of the quarterdeck "Y" turret, gave the Asashio class a different silhouette than the Shiratsuyu class, where both turrets were at quarterdeck level. The torpedo armament of eight 24-inch torpedo in two quadruple launchers was retained, with the torpedo reloads stored in a deckhouse on the centerline. This design became the basic plan for all future destroyers in the Japanese navy.

The Asashio-class vessels had three boilers running two geared turbine shafts with an output of 50,000 hp (37,000 kW) at the screws, giving it a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) and a range of 5,700 nautical miles (10,600 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) or 960 nautical miles (1,780 km) at 34 knots (63 km/h).

In the middle of the Pacific War (1943�44), on surviving vessels the "X" turret was removed and replaced by triple Type 96 25 mm anti-aircraft guns, increasing the total number to 15. After June 1944, even more anti-aircraft guns were added, raising the total to between 15 and 28 Type 96 guns and four Type 93 13 mm guns. Four depth charge throwers and 36 depth charges were also fitted at between 1943 and 1944. The last four surviving vessels were also equipped with Type 13 and Type 22 radar.
Operational history

During the war the Asashio class was used extensively in the protection of the Combined Fleet. Arare was attacked and sunk off Kiska Island during the Aleutian Islands Campaign by USS Growler on 5 July 1942. Kasumi was also heavily damaged along with one other destroyer. Asashio and Arashio escorted the 7th Cruiser Division at the Battle of Midway, where both were damaged by air attack. Although repaired and returned to service, both were sunk in 1943 when a large Japanese transport force was destroyed by American planes in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Michishio, Asagumo, and Yamagumo were lost in 1944 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Kasumi, last of the class to be laid down, served as escort on the attack on Pearl Harbor and joined the battleship Yamato during Operation Ten-Go against the American fleet at Okinawa. None of the Asashio-class ships survived the Pacific War.�

Available kits: Update 3/10/2023

1/700

Hasegawa Issued 1972 -Waterline Consortium 1st generation

Asashio, 1941 - Item # 49411, kit # WL411, originally issued 1972, re-issued January, 1994
Arashio, 1941 - Item # 49414, kit # WL414, originally issued 1972, re-issued January, 1994
Minegumo, 1943 - Item # 49412, kit # WL412, originally issued 1972, re-issued January, 1994
Kasumi, 1945 - Item # 49412, kit # WL449, issued April, 2006

Pit-Road (Skywave) issued (Second Generation � circa mid 1990s)

Asashio, 1941- Item # , kit # W-30, released January, 1994
Michishio, 1944 - Item # 10601, kit # W- 31, released January, 1994
Asashio � PITW- 30E, with photo etched parts, released February, 2009
Kasumi, 1945 � Item # n/a , kit # W-89Y, �Movie version�, released December, 2005
Kasumi 1945� Item # 12575, kit # W-89, �Last Version� (i.e. final fit), released April, 2006
Asashio , 1941 - Item # 13510, kit # W-118, full hull option, released October, 2008
Kasumi 1945� Item # 41216, kit # W-89EP, with metal barrels and photo etch parts, released date August, 2010
Arare 1941 - Item # 44194, kit SPW15, full hull option, new equipment set NE-05, some PE parts, released March, 2012
Asagumo 1941 Item # 551277, kit # SPW35, full hull option, new equipment set NE-05, released February, 2015
Kasumi 1945 - Item # 54315, kit # SPW43, full hull option, new equipment set NE-05, released November, 2015
Oshio, 1941 � Item # 56012, kit # SPW-44, full hull option, new equipment set NE-05, released, March 2016
Arashio, 1941- Item # 57330, kit # SPW49, full hull option, with new equipment set NE-05, released November 2016
Minegumo, 1941 - Item #65892, kit # SPW72, full hull option, with new equipment set NE-05, flag pole, nameplate, released April, 2020
Asashio, 1941 Hyper Detail� Item # 30064, kit # WL n/a, full PE set included, released May, 2020


Hasegawa 2017 issued, Third Generation

Asashio, 1941 � Item # 49463, kit # WL 463, released October, 2017
Minegumo, 1943 � Item # 49464, kit # WL464, released October, 2017
Kasumi, 1945 - Item # 494664, kit # WL 466, released June, 2018
Yugumo, Kazegumo, Asagumo 1943 Kiska Evacuation set - Item # Item # 30062, kit # n/a, with 2 Yugumo and 1 Asashio class destroyers, daihatsus & launching ramps, released June, 2019
Asashio, 1941 Hyper Detail� Item # 300644, kit # WL n/a, with full PE set, released May, 2020
Minegumo, 1943 Full Hull Special� Item # 431678, kit # WL n/a, full hull option, with full PE set, released September, 2020

1/350
No kit in this scale. Yet.

Examples in the gallery:

1/700
An out of the box build of the Hasegawa kit as Arashio by Fernando Torre: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
A build of Kasumi from the original Hasegawa kit by Eric Navas: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Another build of the Hasegawa kit from Eric as Minegumo: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
A truly great build of the Pit-Road kit as Asashio, 1942 by Jeff Lin: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
A build of Minegumo, 1942 from the Pit-Road kit by Bob Cicconi: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
A build of Asagumo 1943 from the Pit-Road Asashio kit by Dan Kaplan: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

[Dan K]

Anyone have some good-size drawings of the Asashio-class DDs they'd be kind enough to share on here? I've got a friend who's looking for some. Thanks for any help!

I 've nothing more than what I've posted on the J-ships board.

[Fivi_1241]

I'm wondering about making Asagumo in 1/700, and I just noticed that you've also made pit-road Asashio as Asagumo, Dan. Are there any major modifications needed to build Asagumo from this kit?

[Dan K]

Well, the PitRoad kit is reasonably accurate; it's all about the detailing. There are far more choices of PE and injection accessories available now then when I built mine. Off the top of my head, the thing I remember it needing most was a proper support structure under the torpedo reload bays as you moved aft of #2 funnel.

Asagumo is a very good choice for the class. Have you though about what year fit you wish to do??

[Dan K]

Actually, it's more about detailing than structural supports. Unfortunately, the photographic record on the class is on the thin side. There are only a handful of good, clear pics. Here are two:

[Dan K]

I keep thinking of things after the fact. Perhaps a more significant error is the shape of the torpedo mount shields. The kit supplied versions have the rear slope that first appeared with the succeeding Kageros. The Asashios, as well as the proceeding Shiratsuyus, have a mount that appears completely flat-topped in silhouette, with a squared off rear.

Only the new Fujimi Shiratsuyu kits have the properly shaped & detailed shield. No aftermarket versions. The older Hasegawa Asashio kits have a version that is very close in silhouette shape, but needs details.

[Fivi_1241]

You're right, square-shaped shields can be clearly seen on the pictures you provided.

Thanks for the info

[Dan K]

I forget which publication this came from:

[bmkerr]

What would be the right grey for Kasumi. She was built at uraga docks.

[Dan K]

A good question; I'm not sure what the match would be. Flip a coin.

After her bow repair, she seems to have spent most of her time affiliated with Maizuru NY.

[bmkerr]

According to combinefleet Kasumi spent a bit of time at Kure after the Pearl Harbour attack. I would think that she recieved some touch up paint job there so I'm going to paint her Kure Grey.

[Dan K]

A choice as good as any.

[bmkerr]

where do I add the Chrysanthemum crest

[Dan K]

None for IJN DDs. Not sure why. Probably because of the prominent bullnose right there in the center.

[bmkerr]

Hi Dan,

Would you have a rigging plan for this class of DD.

[Dan K]

Well, I sorta have something that will help. Might I suggest that you PM me with your email address?

[MartinJQuinn]

First post in this thread revamped, with info on the class, list of available kits and list of gallery entries, courtesy of Dan Kaplan(san).

[Dan K]

The new tool Asashio has just been released. More pics here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10486726

[Dan K]

I don't have one of these yet, but having examined it as best I can online, it certainly looks to be a very nice kit, and improved over the older Pit-Road version. However, there does appear to be one obvious error. The kit(s) utilize the wrong main gun director atop the bridge.

Apparently, a couple of sprues from the new Yugumo class kits have been carried over to his class because of the commonality of weapons and fittings. Unfortunately, those sprues only carry the director for Yugumo class. It appears that a proper version for the Asashio type (which was also common to the rebuilt Fubuki Type III, Shiratsuyu and Kagero classes) was not created for this kit.

Fortunately, there are replacement alternatives. Obviously, one can use the director from one of the aforementioned kits, or the older Pit-Road E-10 equipment set (carried with almost every one of those Pit-Road version kits) has both the proper director as well as the later type for the Yugumos. I believe that would be part B27 on that sprue.

[Dan K]

For those of you not closely following the Paul Allen/ MV Petrel Expedition to Surigao Strait, they have found what they believe to be Asagumo, one of three Asashio class sunk that day, along with Yamagumo and Michishio. Her bridge is in surprisingly fine condition.

And, something for IJN DD aficionados to consider: look at her bridge face; completely smooth, no metal splinter shielding or even bolts for holding on that type shielding. And she was in late war fit.

This tells me that not all the late war ships necessarily had the shielding around their bridge. I do imagine she probably had rope hawsers mounted up high for protection, but they would have obviously rotted away. Very interesting detail, to me.