Mike W wrote:
I've go the Pit Road one built up but that was from my pre-etching days, so I really want a new model to start from afresh. Problem is, I can't find it still for sale anywhere but I saw the Aoshima kit on sale at HLJ.
So it's a newer tool, which is good, what's verdict on it? I've got some of the newer tool Aoshima kits - Soryu, Hiryu, Fuso, Yamashiro, Nagato and Mutsu and they all look ok detail-wise to me!
thanks
Mike
I'll defer to Dan K for more detailed comments about historical accuracy, but I like my Hatsuharu 1933 kit and was working on it earlier today. It's leagues ahead of the first generation IJN destroyer molds, and certainly on par with Aoshima's recent releases of larger combatants. Finely molded details on the hull and deck, which look very nice under paint. Dedicated sprues for the bridge. Although the kit includes a standard IJN weapons sprue, there are dedicated sprues for the main and secondary armament, all with more detail. The two additional deck superstructures are molded with great detail, but assemble from several pieces which don't quite fit as snugly as one might hope given all the other attention to detail. A touch of putty will address.
I'll post some pictures of where I am at in construction. I've got plenty of old-mold destroyers in my stash - this is a much more enjoyable build.
Link to the circa 1933 kit and instructions:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10135147, Take a look at assembly step 8 - parts B5, B6, and B17 are the ones that fit with some gaps.
Another comment: Builders of this kit may want to upgrade some of the ships boats and davits with NanoDread/Finescale accessories. The kit relies on some of these parts off the increasingly dated IJN accessory sprue.