Michael - well, as you can clearly see, you are dealing with the right folks when it comes to obsessive. References on the IJN are harder to come by, and spottier, so my fellow IJN afficianados & I tend to dig very deep. I used to think I was bad but, Chuck just may dig the deepest of all
You're in luck as much has been recently retooled, esp. Akagi, Soryu, the cruisers, DDs etc. It's a good time to be an IJN modeler. There are no stupid questions. However, I would advise reading thru the appropriate CASF thread for a particular ship or class - there's always some good info there. Also, when it comes to choosing a particular ship, and your interest in its specific history, you'll find this TROMs page (Tabulated Record of Movements) most helpful:
http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm
Ok, Chuck, let me spill -
Paravanes - I am in error in terms of placement and configuration. All plans, and the Gran Prix Shuppan vol (using Hiryu as an example) show placement at the base of the forwardmost 12.7cm positions, #s 1 & 3. It appears to be a short straight boom, not a davit, anchored on the bottom where the platform meets the the bulge of the mount sponson. This makes sense since photos do show the paravanes stowed forward on the platform. Best evidence is that the boom is controlled thru ropes and pulleys, and not with a solid center post for support, though the positioning ropes running straight up from the boom base to another anchoring pulley placed on the sponson. Hope that's clear.
Boom stowage seems to be lashed horizontally against the hull. The only photo that might show something is the well known commissioning photo of Zuikaku. There appears to be a horizontal object, like a boom, approx. the right length, stowed horizontally above the paravanes laid out on the platform.
Stern anchor - smaller, hence the smaller capstan.
Railings - Photo evidence isn't complete. In keeping with the IJN practice of chain railings along main decks and working areas, the forecastle, stern, paravane platform, port aft garage area, area surrounding port Type 94 director/and observation booth underneath seems to have chain railings with most other areas using solid tube rails. But, we don't have a clear photo of the other sections. I think the catwalks that run under the 25mm mounts, for instance, would have tube railings. FWIW.
On another note, regarding the landing light arrays, if you view the photo on P3 of Zuikaku, summer 1944 where I have ID'd the relocated Type 94 HA director, you can see the arrays sticking out from either side of the flight deck towards the stern. In a hi-rez version, they are a bit sharper. But, not really a good photo for placement purposes.
