Thought I'd test the waters of 1/700 with small Five Star Kit. No 53 was in a small class of 3 vessels built from the Maru 2 Program. The first two ships of the were diesel powered while No. 53 was steam power due to the complexity of the diesel engines. The ships were deemed too small by the Navy and relegated to training in the Mine Warfare School operating out of Tokyo Bay. No. 53 was renumbered to 253 when the number was assigned to an active Sub Chaser. Later 253 was assigned as a tug boat and survived the war.
The kit contains 4 resin pieces and a nice set of photo etch.
On the bow a bit and windlass were added. They are not included in the kit, but the part number were referenced in the instructions. I added a 25mm, but the ship was delivered with a 40mm.
Someone had mentioned the Niko made a 40mm, so I searched and found a set. I tried to jazz up the gun a bit with a PE mount, added little seats, and a barrel 1/350 25mm.
Pretty much ready for painting. Added an ammo locker, flag bags, a search light, and vents.
IJN Subchaser 51/251 was the same hull, but diesel powered. Thought I would include that place of 253.
