IJN Submarine Chaser Type 13 Tamiya 1/700

[Dirk]

The IJN Kongo I started (viewtopic.php?f=59&t=58973) is my first model in scale 1/700. To get more experience in this scale I decided to start with a very small ship before I continue with a battleship. I selected the IJN Submarine Chaser Type 13 from Tamiya 1/700 (from the WWII Japanese Navy Auxiliary Vessels kit). This is an older model and a lot can be improved.

Subchaser01

First I removed everything from the deck (1: before 2: after removing deck details).

This is the state now after adding the first details.

Subchaser02

Subchaser03

My references are only a few (but good ones):
- David Bilek�s model http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
- Jeff Lin�s model http://blog.roodo.com/duroyal420/archives/536524.html and http://blog.roodo.com/duroyal420/archives/513882.html
- marine art from T. Yuki showing Submarine Chaser No. 46 together with destroyer IJN Shimakaze

[J. Soca]

I like how you replaced the deck thats real nice..




Jose

[Quincy]

Bob Pink.

[potchip]

Went through the same thing. This kit was my 2nd 1/700 model!

When I did mine I found 2 pics of the class, both somewhere mid-war, not the final version with additional AA platforms.



The Tamiya kit coming with the aux vessel set is a newer tool. Tamiya also accquired skywave's tooling and released with the subchaser vs gato(?) boxing. The Skywave tool may appear to be more detailed on first glance but like many skywave kits, is overscale and has an incorrect hull size/shape. David Belik used the skywave kit, but IMO the Tamiya kit is more accurate. And since you'll be replacing most of the kit parts anyway detail does not matter!

Here's mine, earlier version.

[Dirk]

Thanks Jose and Bob for your comments.
Potchip, I am much obliged to you. I did not dare to ask if somebody has some further reference.
Your two pics are great and will help me a lot. I especially like your model. Very crisp and cute.

Here my progress with the �jollyboats�:

Subchaser04

Subchaser06

[Goi]

May I ask- what did you use for the bridge windows? Thanks!

[Dirk]

Subchaser06 Goi: follow the hull- the bow gives the hint

[Dan K]

Wow, that's working small.

[Dirk]

Thanks Dan for the thumb!
Continuing with the bow area the question arises if a real chain can be used. Here in the picture a chain from an old Heller 1/400 Bismarck kit is obviously too coarse. But the chain is still of use: In Subchaser07 �1� marks one link, �2� another one after tensile deformation of the whole chain, �3� with additional grinding.

Subchaser07

In the next picture position �3� looks ugly and has to be improved.

Subchaser08

�1� is the Subchaser from the Tamiya Auxiliary vessel kit. Very simple without deck structure. Yesterday I bought another Tamiya kit with two Subchasers, two Gato class subs and two B-24�s. And surprise: This Subchaser is much improved �2� and having a deck structure. But I will continue with the poor one.

Here the bow section after using the chain links (version �2� from Subchaser07) ...

Subchaser09

... and here my state of progress:

Subchaser10

Subchaser11

[Bob Cicconi]

Looks great so far!!

[Dan K]

On IJN DDs, I use the scale chain from the PE sets, either GMM or Lionroar. Those are scaled correctly and look good. Real chain is not small enough.

[Quincy]

Nice work Dirk!!

Are those 25mm singles from the Fine Molds set?




Bob Pink.

[Dirk]

Are those 25mm singles from the Fine Molds set?

Yes, indeed.
The correct armament seems to be single 13mm's and, whats for shure, a twin 13mm at the stern. But all 1/700 13mm versions I have or know of are coarser then the Fine Molds 25mm singles.

[Quincy]

This is true! I hope Fine Molds will do a set of them as well!




Bob Pink.

[Gone Asiatic]

DUDE!! Looks great!!

[Dirk]

Thanks, Gone Asiatics!

Now I started to detail the rear area. Because no place for my huge fingers I glued the ship to a metal tool.

Subchaser12

I decided to use the Fine Molds davits.

Subchaser13

Finally I found a solution for the twin 13mm. It was part of the Lion Roar 25mm AA gun set II (LE70042).

Subchaser14 - LionRoar twin 13mm

Lion Roar made a mistake here: The guns are only deep etched from one side. Therefore, they should be mirrored. This is not the case. If you want to assemble both with the etched side out one has to be upside down with the magazine pointing down. I fixed this partially.

Depth charge magazine is from Lion Roar, depth charge thrower from Flyhawk and depth charges from Voyager.

Subchaser15 - Depth charge equipment

[JIM BAUMANN]

Ahoi Dirk!

to the challenging scale!!
( having just finished my1/350 Bouvet I have attacked a 1/700 pre WW1 KuK torpedo boat....! )


same detail--only much smaller!! eheheh!
That chain FAAAAR too big-- I am sending you by e-mail an alternative

except I have misplaced your e-mail address ( doh!")


can you send me an e-mail to jbys1 at tiscali.co.uk


and I will send you some useful ideas

Cheerio

Jim Baumann

[Dirk]

Ahoi Jim!
Thanks for your comments. But with the chain it is a misunderstanding: The chain in Subchaser07 is meant as a joke.
On Subchaser09 you can see my solution: I used the smallest version of the PE chains from LionRoar.
But as you stated: 1/700 is the challenging scale. And their might be better solutions for small anchor chains.
I am looking forward to your ideas.

[Dirk]

Last pictures before I start airbrushing:

Subchaser16

Subchaser17

Subchaser18

Subchaser19

Subchaser20

Subchaser21

[Quincy]

Its amazing how much detail you have added to a ship that is soooo tinnyyyy!




Bob Pink.