Calling all Japanese pre-war/wartime Merchant Marine fans

[DougKn]

Dan K.: I understand the why, but not the wherefore. Were all these angular bows simply the junction of two flat pieces of metal (as they clearly are at deck level) or was there shaping by the waterline where they reached the maximum width? The models of the 1st group seem to show a curve along the waterline under the rear of the forecastle, whereas the later ships seem to show a kink, as on the hull higher up.

My apologies if kink is the wrong terminology, but to me a knuckle is parallel to the waterline, as on a Town class cruiser.

Have you checked out "Ugly Ducklings, Japan's WWII Liberty Type Standard Ships" by S.C. Heal 2003, Naval Institute Press? It has some basic drawings and pictures of late wartime ships. (Type A and later). Did not see a Suruga Maru listed, though.

[Graham Boak]

No, but I've now ordered it, thank you. Which postpones the matter for another month, from the delivery dates.

The Niko site quotes 1943, and it doesn't look like a wartime standard (but I'm far from fluent with them).

[Gilbert]

Have you checked out "Ugly Ducklings, Japan's WWII Liberty Type Standard Ships" by S.C. Heal 2003, Naval Institute Press? It has some basic drawings and pictures of late wartime ships. (Type A and later). Did not see a Suruga Maru listed, though.

Suruga Maru is not all a standard wartime ship. She was completed on 12 Oct. 1938, requisitioned by IJN on 20 Sep. 1941 and converted to a Tokusetsu Kyuryosen (X-AF) (Auxiliary Stores Ship) until her loss on 15 Feb. 1943, in Bougainville Strait @ Solomons, 6.25s 156.05e, torpedoed by SS-212 Gato. 2 crew KIA.

Gilbert

[Ron Wolford]

Hello Everybody
Here is a little glimpses of the past. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... _San-Pedro

Not sure if it's the Rio de Janeiro Maru or the Buenos Aires Maru.
Ron Wolford

[Quincy]

I think it is the Rio DeJaneiro Maru.




Bob Pink.

[Gilbert]

Looking at the close-ups, definitely Buenos-Aires Maru.

Gilbert

[Quincy]

Damn! Should have worn my glasses before commenting!



Thanks Gilbert.




Bob Pink.

[Gilbert]

You are always welcome, Bob and thanks goes to Ron for sharing this video

Gilbert

[Jim Smith]

Ron,
Many thanks for the link - added to 'my favourites'. Further investigation of the site shows other videos of liners Chichibu Maru and Argentina Maru. Short but soooo sweet.

BTW my model of Rio de Janeiro Maru is here:-

http://www.finewaterline.com/pages/gall ... /jsrio.htm

Jim S

[Graham Boak]

I now have Ugly Ducklings, thanks for the advice. This shows me that the bow section is triangular, but then there is a curved transition to the main hull, which answers my question - and allows me to sand the NIKO Minoo bow to a more suitable shape.

The book does make me wish for a model of a standard 2A.... but then so did Vol 2.

One of the things I admire about the model liners (Vol. 1 and Vol 2) is the crisp rendition of the stanchions(?) between the decks in the superstructure. I'd appreciate any hints how to achieve this. I've tried filing gaps in sheets, but they don't come out crisp (or anywhere near as neat as I'd like) and I've considered rod uprights passing through several decks, but can't imagine them looking as good. A sheet of etched brass sides would get the effect, but over-pricey. How do you do it?

[Dan K]

You can cheat. Both GMM and Toms sell auxiliary IJN ship PE frets that contain the same sort of stanchions for Chogei and Jingei. I've cropped a set or two.

[Jim Smith]

Graham,
Re stantions between decks - I use .3mm brass rod and drill through 2 (or 3) decks to anchor them. It is important to ensure the drill hole is vertical through the 1 or 2 decks.

I generally cut a number of rods to the approximate size then measure rod accurately (cutting off any extra length to get it just level with the deck), lift it out using tweezers, dab the 'bottom' end in CA glue and reinsert into the hole - this provides just the right amount of glue into the anchoring hole and the deck in between. I then paint with acrylic straight from the jar to thicken the stantion.

For examples of my liners - see the FineWaterline website

Hope this helps

Jim S (Freighter)

[Graham Boak]

I've considered that approach. The holes will need to be set back slightly from the edge. Do you then carefully cut strips of plastic and glue them to the rods, then sand the exterior to get an overall smooth finish?

[Jim Smith]

Graham,
I do as you suggest where there is clearly steel plating but leave the stantions 'set back'. The overall effect is what I'm after.

Here is a shot of my Aikoku Maru which uses the Evergreen 'steel plate' and the set back stantion effect:-

[AC Studio]

Hi, I am interested at scratch-building either the Kinka Maru or Kashii maru, but I am not sure how to make the curved section of the stern. As the stern is curved and then get thinner to the waterline. Can anyone suggest (provide construction/progress photos if possible) how to make that?

Many thanks.

[Ron Wolford]

Hello AC
I cannot help you much with the building of the stern on your model but I may be able to help you with some photos. I think Motoyuki Iwashige addressed building a correct stern on his web site at one time but I cannot now find it. Please post any building photo that you can, and if I can help you with anything please let me know.
Ron Wolford
Kinka Maru 1 (Naval Historical Center NH25087)
http://i53.tinypic.com/2nlxtsx.jpg
Kashii Maru 1 (Naval Historical Center NH 45410)
http://i53.tinypic.com/r9id7b.jpg
Kashii Maru 2 (Naval Historical Center NH 45409)
http://i56.tinypic.com/2s0ftxs.jpg

[Gilbert]

Thanks for the pictures, Ron
Gilbert

[JIM BAUMANN]

Hi chaps

This may be old news to many of you
But I just came across Modelwarship contributor Lars ( aeronautic) scratch build of a japanese merchantmen

http://www.aeronautic.dk/AsamaChichibuM ... rocess.htm


If you did not know about it--enjoy

if you did-- apologies for repetition

Jim Baumann

[Quincy]

Hi chaps

This may be old news to many of you
But I just came across Modelwarship contributor Lars ( aeronautic) scratch build of a japanese merchantmen

http://www.aeronautic.dk/AsamaChichibuM ... rocess.htm


If you did not know about it--enjoy

if you did-- apologies for repetition

Jim Baumann

Thanks JIM for posting this! Fantastic modeling101 in progress by Lars!!
Bob Pink.

[Tim Reynaga]

I have been working on a Pacific War Japanese tanker recently, and I�m baffled by one of the structures on the deck. The 1/700 Fujimi Kyokuto Maru tanker model has a small photoetched part which folds into an open, slant-topped framework assembly which mounts to the after part of the foredeck. I�ve seen this thing in various pictures of Japanese tankers of the era, but I haven�t figured out what it might have been. Was it some sort of device for handling forward-running refueling lines? A rest for the forward boom? I�d like to know more about it so I can detail it properly. Does anyone have any insight, or better yet, close up pictures?