Calling all IJN Fubuki-class (吹雪) fans

[Dan K]

According to the drawings, it looks like they got the RDF compartment right.

[Joe Ellias]

Great news. Unfortunately for us waterliners it appears from the artwork that it will not have a waterline option.
Joe

[Michael Riddell]

It does look good.

Hopefully, there'll be a groove on the inside to help cut it down to waterline, like the Aoshima Nagara had.

Wonder what the price will be?

Mike.

[Dan K]

Here's some links from FineMolds regarding the new 1/350 Ayanami, which is apparently getting closer to issuance. Note there are 3 links designated 1/350 and Ayanami is the 3rd one. The first two are new 1/350 IJN equipment sets, very much like those issued by FineMolds in 1/700. This is great news, given how exquisite the 1/700 versions are. These sprues will almost certainly be part of the Ayanami kit.

see: http://finemolds.co.jp/sonota/2010WF-W-NEW.html

I also have heard that this kit has had assistance from Tamiya.

[Allan McBeath]

Im a bit confused re the configuration of the depth charge rails on Fabuki class DD. If Im reading right theres no cage to hold depth charges. Thats a roll off rack ( I think) and those are used later, mid war +. In 1942 they are just basic rails and the depth charges sit on them sideways and cant therefore roll on the rail at all. ( based on the photos here ) I cant make out what seems to be a mechinism at the end of the rail that looks like a dustbin. Is that something used for mine deployment? Pictures bad and I cant make out what Im looking at at all.

In short If Im making a model of a 1942 ship. Im using parallel mine rails. But where do the depth charges sit and in what configuration, sitting sideways?. At the end of the rails is there just a simple drop or the thing that looks like a dustbin?

Incidentally are my lion roar and Voyager depth charge rails even going to look appropriate if its a mine rail?

Hope someone can help my confusion

[Dan K]

For an early war ship, say, thru mid 1943, the depth charges on a Fubuki come two ways. One is the athwartships depth charge rack with Y thrower. Also, additional charges are stored lengthwise, on the former mine rails. Whether or not they were also dropped from this position off the stern, using the mine rails is an unresolved question. My belief is that they could be. Look again at the photo on page two of this thread at the stern view of the Ushio or Sazanami 1942.

The end track of the rail that juts out over the stern folds up, back onto the rails, in a stowed position. The "dust bin" portion is actually the underside support when the end is swung down.

I'm using my brass depth charges in both locations.

HTH, Dan

[Allan McBeath]

I have brass Voyager depth charges Ill be using too. Much better. Not cheap

So it looks like I have to make a half cylinder out of pe for the end of each mine rail to simulate the stowed rail extension. I guess this is the apparent bulge at the end of the rail seen on the Uranami 1937 pic. This if Im understanding right flips over to give more clearance and a longer rail when deploying mines.

Thanks for the clarification Dan. In you debt as always

[Dan K]

I mentioned early on that the placement of navigation lights placed on the bridge would be a topic. I bring it up now because FineMolds is issuing a seperate 1/350 fret that (is also included in the new Ayanami kit) contains a wonderful rendition of this assembly.

Type Is, excepting the long forecastle Hatsuyuki, Murakumo and Miyuki, wore these below the compass bridge level. The long forecastle Type Is, and all subsequent vessels, mounted them at the compass bridge level.

[Dan K]

I'll address selected points about the light AA. First, the twin 25mm mount in front of the bridge.

This mounting began appearing on Fubuki types, as well as all other DDs, in early 1943, after the conclusion of the Guadalcanal campaign. Timing is iffy but, the TROM and photographic record marks yard visits in early spring 1943 as the earliest likely date for the appearance of any 25mm in this position. Some ships did visit various yards in late December 1942, but it is not clear that any light AA was added at that time. Aside from timing, the key points I want to make in this post are:

1) a twin 25mm with shields was the the heaviest mounting to ever appear in this position. In some ships, a twin 13mm may have appeared initially, replaced soon thereafter by the twin 25mm
2) at no point was this position protected by metal shielding. The mount was ringed with two bar chain and stretched canvas. The canvas has often been mistaken by model manufacturers as a solid surface.
3) the mount's support was a H-shaped set of supports, with some outriggers as well. The more familiar single column support was used in later DD classes, with the possible exception of the Hatsuharu type.

Photos below include:

1) Yugiri showing its twin 25mm and canvas covered railings in May, 1943
2) Hibiki showing the same after damage to the bow in 1944
3 & 4) are postwar photos of Ushio's 25mm support mount.

Ushio 1943 can be seen earlier in the thread with this mount as well.

[Gilbert]

Dan,
Thanks for the (as always) interesting info

Gilbert

[Allan McBeath]

Thanks Dan that's really useful info.

I looked at the pics you referenced for the navigation lights. Unfortunately I cant make out where they go. Can you steer me in the right direction?

[Dan K]

I've reposted 2 images below with a black arrow indicator. Hope that helps.

One more point about the forward 25mm AA mount position. When viewed from overhead, the shape of the front of the platform is semi circular, not trapazoidal like with later classes. Tamiya gets this right, PitRoad wrong, though both are erroneous in making the sides solid.

[Allan McBeath]

So looks like some of them had their lights under the bridge and others at the bridge level. Is that difference by ship type or individual to a ship? THanks again for this info Dan.


Allan

[Dan K]

Only the Type Is had the lights under the compass bridge level, excepting Hatsuyuki, Murakumo, and Miyuki. These 3, and all other Type IIs & IIIs, had the lights at the compass bridge level. A minor detail, for sure, but one that is missed often.

[Allan McBeath]

thats good to know, theres some pe for my pit road type 2 which Im assuming is the frame for the lights. The instructions would have had me put it below the bridge. thanks for the just in time info

[Joe Ellias]

It appears from the image posted at Shizuoka that the Finemold's 350 Ayanami will indeed have a waterline option.

Joe

[Dan K]

Hallelujah!

[Major Mike T]

Calling all IJN Fubuki class Toku-gata fans--I see that the original post is a bit old, so I thought I would start a new question.

Can anyone tell me the physical (measured) actual size of the turrets on the IJN Amigiri? The 12.7 Type B with the curved gun captain hood. I have drawings, photos and all the good stuff found here, but no actual measurements. I hope to build an RC model in 1/100 (or 1/96 more likely) Dimensions of the triple tubed torpedo housing shield would be nice also. I know these items have several shapes, but any dimensions will help to get closer than a SWAG or TLAR! has anyone else built this class in 1/100 or 1/96? Semper Fi! Much appreciated!

[Dan K]

The Gran Prix Shuppan volume on IJN DDs does give dimensions on the original B turret. Revisions B1, B2, C & D turrets all retain the same overall dimensions with alterations to the gun captains hood and vents. No time to scan today. Maybe over the weekend.

[Dan K]

Turret dimensions, as promised.