Follow-on Fubuki: 1/700 Tamiya-PitRoad Type I kitbash

[Dan K]

Since its going to take some time to take decent photos of the finished PitRoad Fubukis, I thought I would start this subject. As I spent a fair amount of time comparing the Tamiya kit against the PitRoad versions (see the CASF Fubuki thread viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39642), I realized that the Tamiya Type I kit could still be built into a decent model with a little work.

It also turned out that the PitRoad builds yielded a fair number of spares, so I decided to do some kitbashing. I started with the bridge and hull. While the Tamiya compass bridge level isn't bad, I had an extra PitRoad part, which has better detailing. I mated it with the Tamiya base.

The Tamiya base needs some rounding aft but the two pieces work well together with a little adjusting. The lookout position/tub atop the compass bridge is scratchbuilt. The Tamiya funnels can be used as well, just with out the caps. The kit waterline plate makes the freeboard of the model way too high, so I discarded it and used .01" styrene sheet instead. However, doing so highlights the importance of finding a kit with a hull that lies flat, without hogging. Kind of tough with some these older releases.

As I've now built Shirayuki in an early Type I fit, I thought I would make this version a late war type. Only two of the ships qualify for this fit: Usugumo and Shirakumo. (Despite the nice cover art, the Tamiya version of the Hatsuyuki is wrong - different forecastle and sunk before any real changes other than some AA were enacted.) I thought I would build Usagumo but decided to go with the more impressive record of Shirakumo.

[Gilbert]

And another very inspiring WIP to follow, thanks Dan.

Gilbert

[MartinJQuinn]

Wow - love your attention to detail.

[Allan McBeath]

Will be fun watching this one Dan. When I finally finish my current project its hopefully onto my Fabuki class too. Whats your preferred weathering technique for this one? I quite like the David Griffith's oil filters technique that Im practicing on my Sakura. Whats your preferred style?

[Dan K]

Thx, guys. To be honest, Allan, I don't weather. I go for the "dock yard fresh" aesthetic. If I did choose to weather, I would probably use oil washes over acrylic gloss, and finish with a flat coat method, which is how I do my flight decks. I probably should try some light washes just for better detailing. I just can't seem to motivate myself to go there.

Here, a degaussing cable has been added, except for a few bits around the stern. Also portholes drilled out. Since this is not going to be a very late war fit, I drilled out all the portholes that would exist. There is photographic and shipyard drawing evidence that not all ships received scuttles to improve watertight integrity until later in 1944 so, I went with the full load. Maybe I should have gone with Usugumo and a later war fit - I would have saved myself some aggravation.

The funnels are stock, just without the caps (too high). The grills are brass mesh, two grills per funnel, each separated by a bit of strip styrene reperenting a separator plate. Not a great view of the mesh grills here - will have to shoot one. Access ladders and auxiliary piping have also been added.

The Type Is have the unique upright air intakes. There are actually 3 sets, not two as Tamiya has molded. The last set is part of the searchlight support aft funnel #2. Will have to scratchbuild most of it.

I used the PitRoad versions for the forward set, again because I think they are better formed then the Tamiya version, especially the lip of the intakes. These do mate up nicely with the Tamiya base if one cuts them down a bit.

Tamiya's version of intake set #2, in front of funnel #2, is incorrect. It was actually one big, wide intake, bisected, and also used to support the light AA platform above it. Tamiya separated it into two distinct intakes. PitRoad's single version is correct, but probably not wide enough.

Here, I chose to make life easier by installing the the Tamiya versions, then using styrene to bridge the gap between the two. From the rear, it will hard to make out that two individual intakes are used, given how much other structural material will be in place when finished. All the intakes received brass mesh grill coverings. Just not visible here. Need a photo of that, too, I guess.

The light AA platform is also from PitRoad. The walls have been shaved off, to be replaced by railings and coverings later on. The platform is supported by a couple of perforated angles from LionRoar.

[Dan K]

Some new progress shots. Incidentally, the funnel grills can be better seen here, I think.

Aft funnel #2 is the third ventilator intake, which also supports the 90cm searchlight and platform. The Tamiya kit does not provide this for a Type I, only PitRoad does. However, Tamiya does give you a a serviceable base for the Type II and III searchights as originally built. It turns out that slicing off all of the structure above the raised deckline does give you a proper part. From overhead, it looks like an equilateral triangle with one end lopped off towards the stern.

It some ways, it's actually a better platform shape then the PitRoad Type I provided version. I glued the appropriate ventilator from the PitRoad kit onto the base. I positioned a styrene cube immediately aft of it to represent the RDF compartment that will support the RDf loop. A thinned seachlight platform from Pitroad was glued to the top of the the intake, along with another preforated triangular support from LionRoar.

The aft deck house from Tamiya is incorrectly shaped. There was torpedo storage for 3 torpedoes on the port side. The torps were stored neither side by side or stacked all on top of each other but rather two side by side with the third directly over the inboard unit. In cross-section, the set-up would resemble a right triangle. The PitRoad kit correctly depicts this storage. The Tamiya unit is too "off" to correct.

Further, the PitRoad version is better scaled and more accurate. On the other hand, Tamiya did a far better job of making an effort to provide the various smaller vents and intakes that appear on the deckhouse. It was not possible to utilze the entire PitRoad unit as the tops are molded separately from the bases, which themselves are molded as part of the rear decking. Combining the PitRoad tops with the Tamiya bottoms was also unsatisfactory as the units are not equal in their footprint. I chose to scratchbuild the bases with styrene strip and the add the PitRoad top, along with some Tamiya vents, some brass mushroom vents, and some brass rod venting. The mast is also scratchbuilt out of brass rod.

[Dan K]

I've tried to shoot some decent pics of the aft deckhouse and grills but, clearly, my camera work needs more polish. My apologies for forcing anyone to squint.

[Dan K]

Linoleum decks have been sprayed, and work begun on the lower, refitted tripod portion of the foremast (to better support the additon of a Type 22 radar). Hmmm....apparently, I've lost the crosspiece of the light array on the rear mast. Drat!

[Dan K]

The latest update. Sadly, the photos are still grainy; clearly, I need to use more lighting. I also tried to crop for some close-ups. I replaced the original RDF compartment cube with a larger one, even if it's not clearly visible here, and repaired the the crossbar on the main mast.

The bridge is complete save for the addition of two late war aerial posts on the bridge roof. I tried to replicate the cross-bracing using some Toms MW cruiser searchlight tower bracing instead of completely scratchbuilding them. I'd term the effort semi successful.

More successful were the use of a Flyhawk single handrail set to replicate the awning support railings along the sides of the bridge. I also chose, for the first time, to mount a 25mm weapon before painting. Here, it is the exceptional FineMolds NanoDread twin 25mm with shield. Also from the FM NanoDread series are the incredibly fine forward 7m cutter davits on either side of the bridge.

The deck has been drilled for mushroom vents and aux. piping. Further deck details will have to be added after the main coat of paint goes on. The Tamiya kit is noticeably more bare in this regard than the PitRoad kits but, it does make taping the deck a lot easier. Anchor chain PE from LR has been added as well. I can see that I need to straighten some of the access hatches.

Some upper railings have been added, along with the roll-off depth charge racks at the stern. Next step is to add some the torpedo reload trussworks and main railings while taping off the main deck for painting.

[MartinJQuinn]

Sweet! Glad you are finding time to build.

[Guido]

Wow! That is some serious modelling, man! I LOVE that mast!
Razor sharp!

Guido

[Dan K]

Thx, guys.

Marty, no one is more shocked than I

[Dan K]

Houston, we are go for main coat paint.....

[Filipe Ramires]

Brave man you are Dan to pick up the old Tamiya model!!!!
Looks quite good indeed!!!!

[Guido]

A work of art no doubt and a gutsy project!
Bravo Zulu!
Guido

[J. Soca]

U have alot of patience Dan, alot!. She is looking great


Jose

[Dan K]

Thx, guys.

[Allan McBeath]

enjoying this . great work.

[Dan K]

Incidentally, the boat, torpedo, and d/c davits are all new FineMolds Nanodread issue. along with the AA, and the to be added searchlight, 7m cutters. Incredibly fine stuff.

[Dan K]

Almost there. I thought she would be done by New Year's but that was not to be. Soon. Raw daylight, and still this batch of photos is grainy. Hmm.