I started with the forward elevator. It took four iterations to work out the most likely number of counterweights per side and their channel placements on the sidewalls, along with the large guiderails (2 per side) within the confines of the kit hull. At first, I thought that either the location of the aperture on the kit flight deck or the width of the bow underneath was in error. Not so, it turns out. Fujimi got that right. It’s just a very confined space with just enough clearance for a well, given the placement that far forward in the hull, along with sidewalls that were scaled to the correct combined height for the hangers. (Approximately 15mm total height.)
Most IJN carrier elevators had parallel sidewalls, along with platform shapes and platform weights that required four to five counterweights per side. However, Taiho’s forward elevator platform was an elongated hexagon, armored and weighed in at 100 tons, which was greater than usual. (The same armor and weight applied to the aft lift.) The long sidewalls of the forward elevator could not accommodate more than four counterweight channels per side. If left as is, the forward third of the elevator would have been unweighted, and the unit unbalanced as a whole. So, at least two more channels per side were required on the forward set of sidewalls. Which I installed.
The elevator is set so far forward that there can be no hanger spaces forward of the well. So, I took some cues from the similar arrangements of their light carriers and closed off any access forward aside from some emergency hatches that would open to crew’s quarters placed forward of the elevators. The narrow confines of the space at the bottom of the well made it difficult to replicate a platform properly recessed into an aperture that lies level with the lowest hanger deck floor. So, I have merely laid a styrene platform on top of the flooring. Its shadows make it seem like it is properly recessed.
The sidewalls of both decks were detailed with hanger deck girder columns from Rainbow, which come properly sized for height. The deck separating the upper and lower hangers is removable, to allow painting both levels. Afterwards, I’ll glue it into place. The platform for the fully raised position is the kit piece, slightly enlarged and placed upon a tripod of sorts cut from styrene shapes. And, the entire well is assembled as a modular unit. (That was a happy accident.) So, the whole thing will be painted separately, then glued in place from under the flight deck.
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