Given the amount of information I have gathered on the Fubuki class over the last two years as I build four kits of the new PitRoad tooling, and play with a Tamiya kit as well (see build progress log here:
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=36732 ), and with FineMolds set to release a 1/350 version sometime in 2009, it seems only proper that I attempt to share the information I have at hand.
As a start, a reasonably good overview is available at wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fubuki_class_destroyersI’ve pasted a copy of that overview immediately below.
Overview
Preceded by: Mutsuki-class destroyer
Succeeded by: Hatsuharu-class destroyer
Subclasses: Type I (Fubuki class)
Type II (Ayanami class)
Type III ( Akatsuki-class)
Built: 1926–1933
In commission: 1928–1945
Completed: 24
Lost: 22
General characteristics
Type: Destroyer
Displacement: 1,750 long tons (1,778 t)
Length: 118.5 m (388 ft 9 in)
Beam: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Draft: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Propulsion: 2 shaft Kampon geared turbines
4 (Groups I & II) or 3 (Group III) boilers
50,000 hp (37,000 kW)
Speed: 38 knots (44 mph; 70 km/h)
Complement: 197[1]
Armament: • 6 × 127 mm (5 in)/50 caliber DP guns (3×2)
• 2 × 13 mm (0.51 in) Type 93 machine guns (2×1)
• 9 × 600 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes (3×3)
• 18 × Type 91 torpedoes
• 18 × depth charges
Introduction
The Fubuki-class destroyers (吹雪型?), originally only known as numbered destroyers 35 to 54 of the Imperial Japanese Navy "Special Type", were completed between 1928 and 1931. They were assigned names as they were launched, in keeping with Japanese practise.
Intended to set a new standard for IJN destroyers, the Fubukis were part of a program after World War I to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.[2] As a result, they had heavy armament, high speed, and large radius of action. The Fubuki's not only set a new standard for Japanese vessels, but for destroyers around the world. At a time when British and American destroyers had changed little from their unturreted, single-gun mounts and light weaponry, the Japanese destroyers were bigger, more powerfully armed, and faster than anything that any other fleet possessed. They were to remain formidable opponents to the end of the war, despite being much older than many of their adversaries. (They also sparked the U.S. Navy's Porter-class, only eight of which were built.[3]) The Fubuki class has been called "the world's first modern destroyer."[4]
Description
Initially designed as a 2000 tonner with a 5-inch (127 mm) battery, two twin 24-inch torpedo tubes (just introduced in Mutsuki), and capable of 40 knots (74 km/h), they were modified in response to the Washington Treaty as 1680 tonners with more tubes, but slower, only 35 knots (65 km/h).[5] Contrary to previous IJN destroyer practice, the Fubukis had the forward torpedo tubes not in the fo'c'sle break, but between the siamesed[6] stacks (a location similar to U.S. ships). In addition, they introduced splinterproof, gas-tight turrets for the 5-inch guns, far ahead of their time.[7]
To increase comfort, the fo'c'sle was raised, the bridge enlarged and enclosed,[8] and the bows given a significant flare, to offer protection against weather in the Pacific.
Between June 1928 and March 1933, twenty-four Fubukis were built, in three groups.[7] The second and third groups had new 5-inch DP mounts, capable of elevating to 75° for AA use, making them the world's first destroyers with this ability.[7] The first group can be distinguished from later ships by their lack of ventilators atop the stacks,[7] while the third group's larger boilers gave them a narrower fore funnel.[7] As completed, group three introduced a unique splinterproof torpedo tube turret (later retrofitted),[7] allowing the tubes to be reloaded in action (both of which Western destroyers still did not do in the 1990s).
In 1934, Miyuki was sunk in a collision.[9]
As a result of several IJN ships suffering damage in a 1935 typhoon,[7] the Fubukis were rebuilt between 1935 and 1937 to improve hull strength and stability. This increased the displacement to 2050 tons standard and 2400 tons full load. The rebuild reduced the top speed slightly. They had a range of roughly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) at 14 knots.
As completed, Fubukis had twin 5-inch in "A", "X", and "Y" positions, with triple torpedo tubes in "D", "P", and "Q",[10] making them the most powerful destroyers in the world at the time of their completion. During the Pacific War, "X" turret was replaced by more AA, and radar was installed.
Only Hibiki and Ushio survived the war. An astounding eight were sunk by submarines, and two by mines.
As was common with most ships during World War II, the anti-aircraft armament was steadily upgraded during the war as the extent of the aircraft threat was realized. The anti-submarine capability was also upgraded. By 1945, the surviving ships of the class had one aft turret removed to create space and lighten the top for the addition of fourteen 25 mm anti-aircraft guns, two additional 13 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, and 18 more depth charges.
Types
There were actually two models of Fubuki, the original Type I (Fubuki) type, built in 1928 and 1929 and the following Type II (Ayanami) type built in 1930 and 1931. The Type I's primary 5-inch turret was known as the Model 'A', and could only elevate to 40°, whereas the Type II's Model 'B' turret could elevate to 75°. Furthermore, the Type II's bridge was enlarged and the boiler room's air inlet was changed from a pipe to a bowl shape. Sometimes listed as a third type, the Akatsuki-class was based heavily on the Fubuki.
The Fubuki destroyers sorted by type and order of registration are as follows:
Type I (Fubuki)
Fubuki (N°35) - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Shirayuki (N°36) - built at Yokohama Navy Yard
Hatsuyuki (N°37) - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Miyuki (N°38) - built at Uraga Dock Company
Murakumo (N°39) - built at Fujinagata
Shinonome (N°40) - built at Sasebo Navy Yard
Usugumo (N°41) - built at Ishikawajima
Shirakumo (N°42) - built at Fujinagata
Isonami (N°43) - built at Uraga Dock Company
Uranami (N°44) - built at Sasebo Navy Yard
Type II (Ayanami)
Ayanami (N°45) - built at Fujinagata
Shikinami (N°46) - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Asagiri (N°47) - built at Sasebo Navy Yard
Yugiri (N°48) - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Amagiri (N°49) - built at Ishikawajima
Sagiri (N°50) - built at Uraga Dock Company
Oboro (N°51) - built at Sasebo Navy Yard
Akebono (N°52) - built at Fujinagata
Sazanami (N°53) - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Ushio (N°54) - built at Uraga Dock Company; scrapped 1948.
Type III ( Akatsuki-class)
Inazuma - built at Fujinagata
Akatsuki - built at Sasebo Navy Yard
Ikazuchi - built at Uraga Dock Company
Hibiki - built at Maizuru Navy Yard
Dan's note: I will add that 36 units were originally planned, but concerns about exceeding treaty limits for destroyer tonnage led to a cut back to 24 units. Also, note that Uranami is a transition ship between Types I & II and is officially considered its own class, Type I-hai. Further, the Type IIIs are clearly, & officially, a separate, and improved, subclass. Details regarding late war AA fit differ from ship to ship.
Available kits:
1/7001972 (Waterline Consortium 1st generation) – Tamiya IssuedType I
Fubuki, 1940 -Item # 31401, kit # WL401, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
Hatsuyuki,1943 -Item # 31404, kit # WL404, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
Type II
Ayanami, 1942 - Item # 31405, kit # WL405, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
Shikinami, 1944 - Item # 31408, kit # WL408, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
Type III
Akatsuki, 1940 - Item # 31406, kit # WL406, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
Hibiki, 1944 - Item # 31408, kit # WL407, originally issued 1972, re-issued 1994
2007+ Second Generation –Pit-Road (Skywave) issued (all come with lower hull option)Type I
Fubuki, 1941 - Item # PITW-106, issued 2007
-Item # PITW-106E, with photo etched parts, released late 2007
Shirakumo, 1944 - Item # PITW-107, issued 2008
-Item # PITW-107E, with photo etched parts, released late 2007
Shinonome, 1941 - Item # SPW-08, issued late 2010
Murakumo, 1940 -Item # SPW-25, with new equipment set NE-07, released late 2013
Hatsuyuki, 1940 -Item # SPW-26, with new equipment set NE-07, released early 2014
Shirayuki, 1941 -Item # SPW-39, with new equipment set NE-07, released mid 2015
Miyuki, 1934 -Item # SPW-42, with new equipment set NE-07, released early 2016
Isonami, 1941 -Item # SPW-48, with new equipment set NE-07, released mid 2016
Type II
Ayanami, 1942 - Item #PITW-102, issued 2007
-Item # PITW-102E, with photo etched parts, released mid 2007
Shikinami, 1944 - Item #PITW-103, issued 2007
-Item # PITW-103E, with photo etched parts, released mid 2007
Oboro, 1942 -Item # SPW-28, with new equipment set NE-07, released mid 2014
Sazanami, 1944 -Item # SPW-29, with new equipment set NE-07, released mid 2014
Akebono, 1941 -Item # SPW-50, with new equipment set NE-07, released early 2017
Sagiri, 1941 -Item # SPW-61, with new equipment set NE-07, released April, 2019
Type III
Hibiki, 1945 - Item #PITW-104, issued 2007
-Item # PITW-104E, with photo etched parts, released late 2007
Ikazuchi, 1944 - Item #PITW-105, issued 2007
-Item # PITW-105E, with photo etched parts, released late 2007
Inazuma, 1944 -Item # SPW-24, with new equipment set NE-07, released late 2013
Akatsuki, 1940 -Item # SPW-27, with new equipment set NE-07, released early 2014
2015 Third generation – Yamashita Hobby IssuedType I
Fubuki, 1941 - Item # NV.1, released 2015
Fubiki, 1941 - Item # 20309, limited edition version with photo etch parts, released July, 2016
Type II
Ayanami, 1942 - Item # NV.3, incorrect upper bridge face (appropriate for Amagiri/Sagiri/Yugiri/Asagiri) released November, 2016
Amagiri, mid 1943 - Item # NV.5, released October, 2017
Sagiri, 1941 - Item # NV.6, released November, 2017
Ayanami, 1942 - Item # NV3R, REVISED & CORRECTED Ayanami with correct bridge face, released May, 2018
Ushio, 1945 - Item # NV7, released May, 2018
Akebono, 1942 - Item # NV8, released August, 2018
Shikinami, 1942 - Item # NV9S, limited edition with some FineMolds parts, released December, 2018
Uranami, 1941 - Item # NV10, the transition Type 1A vessel, released mid-December, 2019
Shikinami, 1942 - Item # NV9, standard kit, but with new, corrected lower bridge & a section of torpedo trolley rails, released mid-July 2020
Ayanami, 1942 - Item # NV3U, REVISED & CORRECTED upper & lower bridge face & a section of torpedo trolley rails, pending release mid August 2020
Type III
Hibiki, 1941 - Item # NV.2, released June, 2016
Inazuma, 1944 - Item # NV.4, released July, 2017
1/350 Fine MoldsType II
Ayanami, 1942 -Item # FW1, released late 2010
Shikinami 1936 or 1941 -Item #38901, released July, 2011
Amagiri, mid 1943 -Item # FW2, released December, 2011
Some photos follow below to illustrate the different types, configurations and variations within type. I used some colorized photos because the contrasts show certain details a bit better than the standard black & white photograph, given the limits of this site’s resolution parameters: