1/72 Yamato - or a steep learning curve!

[herbieham]

Progressing slowly -bottom done -this bit very enjoyable as hull starts to take shape

[herbieham]

[TommyL]

I have to admit that I'm not a Yamato fan but I like this build. Very nice and its going fast right now.

TommyL.

[J. Soca]

Can't wait to see the beast sailing on water


Jose

[herbieham]

While I slowly keep on skinning the beast, decided to have a shot at this styrene plastic caper.
I have a 8 foot by 4 foot sheet of 3 mm at the moment -using it for the main structure.
Spent 2 days drawing it up - here the 1/200 model is really helping -that and a good photo copier!

Anyway -the base outline is cut -and is fitted with wooden pieces underneath that line it up with the frames.
cutting out of the basic frames ect is well underway.
Intend to take the superstructure"bits" on my week away holidy over Christmas -something to begin glueing, bodyfilling and the like to do while we digest lunch!
This may seem sacrilidge to you experts, but 3 mm styrene actually cuts really nice on a jig saw - you have to watch out not to remelt the cut -but with a couple of practice runs its all going well -this styrene is going to be good stuff

photos are of the bits -nothing glued or finished -just to give an idea of the size.
On that - 2 hours skinning -and progress hardly noticeable! -but I continue on, really enjoying this so far!
(And I've only broken 5 bits, and had to re do about 6 bits not happy with (LOL)

[herbieham]

[Dave Wooley]

Good methodology . This is an inspiring subject. Question , Which take priority for your basic reference, the drawing or kit model? Or are they the same? I ask because there always seems to be differences between photo reference , drawings and or model if used. This drives me to distraction as there is seldom a correlation of information only contradictions . I'm looking forward to more of your build.
Dave Wooley

[herbieham]

Hi Dave!

One thing I know for sure with the yamato is that you could debat her final appearance forever -and some one will always say you have got it wrong. I think with this ship you have to make a personal choice with what we are happy with, and go with that.

I decided that I would stick to the Nichimo layout for the main features -I am following a website a Japanese guy http://www.geocities.jp/dancyou3/yamato0.html and that 1/10 model in Kure for fine detail stuff -and finally suzuki's book for the super fine detail -so its a real hodge podge
Im not going to get upset if some one says -your missing 2 25mm guns here -or - the tower wasn't quite like that ect, ect
Lets face it -put the beast onto the lake -if she is 98% accurate 99.9% of those seeing her wont know the difference -in fact none of us will ever know her final config 100%

Anyway, thanks for the question and the interest
Its 7 30 am, wife still asleep -think I might just go visit the shed.....................

[herbieham]

back to skinning - starting to take shape now

[herbieham]

merry Christmas everyone -of on Holidays for a week or two -but Im taking a box full of styrene bits with me - that'll help lunch go down

[herbieham]

back after Christmas - and wife gave me the BEST gift - a dremil -with heaps of cool additions

Still pottering away
The use the 1 to 200 scale Nichimo kit as a guide is working well at the moment -plan to simply build this as a kit but at 1/72 scale -copy the nichimo pieces, and put together that way.
Slowly getting to grips with this styrene stuff!

[louis]

Hi,

Here are a few good website which I do my research on Yamato.

http://www.webpark.ru/comments.php?id=22608
http://sea.ap.teacup.com/applet/shin196 ... hive?b=295
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... ost8430408
http://homepage1.nifty.com/watakan/yama ... to_aa.html
http://homepage1.nifty.com/watakan/yamato/

[herbieham]

Styrene construction of superstructure part 1 of gazillions continues
Note the mistakes! - i have a terrible habit of measuring 17mm as 12mm, or 27 as 22, ect, ect

But Im learning
Still pretty rough at this stage -no effort to "clean up" or anything yet -as long as its square and symetrical at this stage Im very happy

[herbieham]

The skinning is complete - now for the sanding

I don't actually own a sander suitable -suggestions?
And someone told me the dust from the glue is cancer causing -is this true?
Moving the beast -turning it upside down was "interesting"

[herbieham]

final one for now -wife made following comment to Son today -"he's up in the shed -sniffing glue again"

[Jose Chaica]

Nice to see your fast progress.
What thickness of plastic (or plastics) are you using to build the superstructure ?

.

[Edward Pinniger]

Looks like you're making very fast progress on the hull planking - the superstructure is also taking shape quickly, though this looks like a really complex + tricky shape to build out of styrene sheet! Have you used pre-formed tubes for the circular parts, or did you measure + curve them yourself?

[herbieham]

Hi guys, thanks for the interest

I bought a 3 mtr by 2 mtr sheet of 3mm styrene direct from manufacture -and also was given a great heap of 1mm a4 samples - goinfg to buy another sheet of 1mm once the factory re opens after new year

I am using 3mm for big base structure, 1mm for sides and the tower, and thinner stuff again for curves ect
Cutting all curves and circles and bends by myself - learning heaps as I go as Im pretty new at this material
Im finding that the 3mm base stuff if put in the right spot really helps to get the curves correct with the thinner material
The Dremil tool came with a circle cutter attachment -fantastic for the 3mm, and for the 1 mm and thinner I have a KRAFT cutting craft tool -not too impressed with it though.
Anyway, Im going to need some filler no matter what LOL

[ingura]

....

[ozpirate]

Gday mate, well today I had some fun visiting you and having a look at your model. As stated if you ever need help just ask.
For the people waiting to see this model well I have had the fortune of a first hand visit and when this model hits the water heads will turn. But one other thing I would say like my model of the Admiral Kuznetsov, Get outa my way!!!. These models will be a real trial to understand how they work on water. Wind, waves and other small models getting in our way.
Good luck mate we both will need it.