This ain't your Daddy's Kaga.
I'm very impressed with this kit. Can't let myself start assembly anytime soon, but wanted to share first impressions (with photos!). Highly detailed, crisply molded. I never owned the first generation Hasegawa mold of this ship, but know, like the Akagi, a new release was long overdue. Others here have already made some preliminary comparisons with the new Fujimi Akagi; this kit appears to me to be its equal in terms of detailing. What this kit reveals to me is just how unique a design the Kaga was: there are parts here that are strikingly unfamiliar to me (someone who is not particularly familiar with the ship itself), deck levels I was never aware of, and lots of complex bracing and struts of the flight deck and AA walkways well represented in plastic parts alone.
Here are some photos and additional comments on the sprues:
Starboard hull, stern. Note porthole details:
Starboard hull, midships. Many of the holes and indents here are for bracing and struts... this will be a very complex hull at the completion of the build:
Starboard hull, toward the bow:
Port hull, midships:
Bow deck. There's a very, very slight casting shadow that shows up on the left side of this part... several other parts show this circles as well. In this case, it does not obstruct detailing:
Stern, lower deck. Casting shadow visibly present here can also be felt... it interrupts the subtle non-skid molding. Non-skid treatment is otherwise very impressive - you'll need a very light touch with the airbrush to retain it:
Fujimi has abandoned the generic W2 weapons and detailing sprues for new molds for ships boats. The landing craft (perhaps not the IJN term for these auxiliary vessels) are a big step up in shape and detail:
Here's the AA spru. Not at the level of FineMolds, but better than the W2 sprues:
A transparent spru of searchlights and boat covers:
"T" sprue contains the gun platforms and walkways. Impressive detailing on both top and bottom surfaces:
Linoleum and non-skid surfaces represented here, as well as ammo boxes (?):
More underside detailing. Lots of ejector pin marks as a tradeoff, although they are shallow. I'm hoping a primer coat alone may take care of them, but they are not on any topside parts that I have noticed so far:
Lots of bracing on "D" spru. That large part on the upper left is the rear of the hanger deck. There's no visual access to the hanger deck from the sides of this ship, and bracing between the hull prevents any significant scratchbuilding except at the rear elevator. Pictured here is the bottom (glue surface) of the part; the interior on the other side has no detailing:
Flight deck and elevators:
Bow from above and below:
And stern detailing under the flightdeck:
"S" spru contains bow and stern superstructure and deck parts, more walkways, ships boats, and covered AA weaponry:
Fujimi has cut new molds for the covered AA batteries:
Stern main deck. More casting shadow on this part, which feels to touch to mar the wood deck detailing on the stern:
Underside, stern main deck:
Sprue "R" with bracing and numerous details. An impressive spru from Fujimi - they attempt, and succeed, to cast in plastic a number of parts that modelers typically seek PE upgrades for:
Radio antenna, for example. Note flight deck supports on right:
And walkway supports:
So, my first impressions are very positive. Your Carpet Monster will love this build. Others will be able to report first on fit and ease of build - as impressive as this is, other ships need to be built first.
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