The Ship Model Forum

IJN Chokai, 4th ship of the Takao class. This model depict her early 1942 configuration prior to becoming the flagship of vice admiral Mikawa and the battle of savo island.

This is my 11th 1/700 ship model, took half a year to complete (mostly weekend modelling).
It was the most difficult build I have done so far, lots of experimenting, learning new stuff and 3D printing. But I really enjoyed it!

I was able to navigate around this kit's mistakes mostly thanks to looking at Mr Vladi's Chokai build
I also must mention that I learned a lot from Studio Blue Ocean (YouTube), whom inspired me to put more effort into ocean base, I spend a week on it with multiple layers, really like how it turned out, the vivid blue is very satisfying to look at in person.












This is the build logs on my blog I created If anyone wish to see!
-Alex Kuo

_________________

That is a great looking build. Love the seascape too. Just wish the pics were larger so we could see more details.

_________________
Martin

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne

Ship Model Gallery

You can click through to see them on Imgur and click on them there to see them at full size, Martin!

Great work, Alex! Saw it over on Reddit as well. The bright blue works really well (for once!).

_________________
De quoi s'agit-il?

Thanks!! Yep just click on them for full image, for some reason when i link the direct image, they become gigantic XD


Thanks! I know right? i didn't really believed in bright blue ocean until i watched blue ocean studio haha

Very nice, congrats! The seabase is terrific!

_________________
Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | HMAS Australia | Yubari | Kako

Thank you!!! Your detailed build post really helped alot!! I was constantly looking at the photos during the build haha

_________________
Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | HMAS Australia | Yubari | Kako

Beautiful build.

It is very well done. He is a great builder. I also liked your website. You are right with the Studio Blue Ocean page, it is very good.

_________________
On workbench:
LCS-4 Coronado 1/350
IJN Yamato 1/700 Tamiya
Plan Type 039 Yuan Class 1/350

Shipyard:
LCS-4 Coronado


My Galery:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Instagram: Tamboshipsmodels

Fantastic looking build!

_________________
Just finished:
1/350 USS Santee 1944

Current projects:
1/700 USS Catamount 1960
1/350 USS Columbia 1945
1/350 USS San Francisco 1944

Thanks!!! I couldn't draw foam like he does, ill give the foam another go in future builds

What material do you use for rigging by the way? I used 0.06mm titanum wire for my last two builds, really great for antennae and stays, but I´d prefer something thinner (but still stiff) for halyards.

_________________
Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | HMAS Australia | Yubari | Kako

great work

Beautiful model and seascape. Your terrific photography reveals it all very nicely.

_________________
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... uck-Bauer/

Thanks!! I brought a panasonic gx9 with telephoto lens not long ago, i'm finally getting the hang of it, but tbh i think light box i brought recently made the most difference!

I had trouble with rigging too, until i discovered this great product: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/ocean-spirit-h025-riggings--1087901, just airbrush it with white or yellow, and it's good to go! It's still difficult to attach but the result is miles better than anything else i've tried!

Thanks. I rather meant what you used for the main rigging. What you used for halyards is rather good, but I am seeking for something thinner but capable of "controlled sag" . UNI Caennis still seems likr the best trade-off to me for halyards. It is the best to to scale but has to be taut. Life´s not easy

_________________
Battle of Savo Island Collection (all 1/700)
Recently completed: USS Wilson DD-408
At works: USS Astoria CA-34 | USS Patterson DD-392 & USS Bagley DD-386
Prep stage: USS Vincennes CA-44 | HMAS Australia | Yubari | Kako

I used modelkasten 0.1 for rigging, it's supposed to also be 0.06mm but it's been working quite well for me, but i remember they also have 0.04mm ones if you really wish to go thinner

Beautiful model! It looks big and heavy, and is displayed very dynamically.

Thankyou!! I hope this model will be my first step towards eventually making some epic dioramas like yours!!
I'm planning to build a carrier next, (cv-6 enterprise in ms33), never built a carrier, so i been looking through quite a few carrier posts including your lexington, i just want to salute to that build haha

Many thanks Katobase!

Well, no need to wait with epic dioramas, you clearly have enough technical skill.
If you have a good idea, just go for it I would say!

Anyway, I will look forward to your Enterprise. She's one of my favourites!