Zuikaku is one of my favourite Japanese Aircraft Carrier. I have previously made a 1:700 scale of that ship. I saw this model in a model shop in Hong Kong for only US$25. For a poor modeller like me, this is definitely a good deal for a medium scale ship (hey how much is the 1:350 Shokaku??? I can get at least 8 Nich ships!!) , but I knew that this model kit was made in the 1970s.... long before I was born.
However, the kit is still very attractive, the packaging is very advanced back in those days (even compared to modern standard). And the box art is also very attractive as well, it shows the last moment of Zuikaku fighting at Battle of Leyte Gulf. The mould is not good of cos but I like to detail and modify the model, that is how I learned to make models in a hard way when I first began ship modelling...cos I cannot afford the hobby, but this is where the skills came from, not from photo-etch products.So the 'long' construction began, my reference is the Shokaku book by Gakken. It will be the Leyte Gulf version, that means full camouflage (Japanese green/black/yellow camouflage... love it..!).
The following shows how to build the elec. outboard line. Cutting thin strip of plastic, bend it to the right shape by tweezers, and then cutting each one to precise length. I have to double check each one whether they are not too short or long otherwise it would look like a mess when they are placed on the hull. This process took me ages to complete, but very happy with the result after it is done. I actually use similar method in the 1/700 Zuikaku.
STEP 1
holy mackerel and i thought $2.49 was a stiff price 
