Timmy C wrote:
J-Modelworks has posted close-ups of some of the parts of the new Fujimi kit:
http://mokehana.blog34.fc2.com/blog-entry-224.htmlMy kit arrived at my office today, via hlj. Continuing great service from the company, and feel somewhat fortunate that the kit made it to me from Japan, given recent events there. HLJ is up and running, and I will say their customer communication over the weekend of the earthquake/tsunami was beyond any expectations. With offices and shipping center rocked by the quake, they reached out to customers very quickly.
Photos at above link are a great reference point, but let me add a few additional remarks. I've never been a big fan of Fujimi when there has been a choice of the same kit from a different WL Series manufacturer. I prefer a lighter toned plastic visually, and have found the Fujimi plastic too dark to easily see details as I assemble and prepare for painting, as well as a bit oily or sheeny in feel. But their recent releases have been so varied and diverse, from liners to freighters to the new pop of the Kaga, and now this. So I've bought a number of Fujimi kits in recent months, and the Amagi seems to represent the company heading boldly to further improvements.
Several things of note here:
First time I've seen Fujimi make a capital ship in a multipiece hull - waterline plate, hull sides (one piece) and three deck pieces - bow and stern decks are seperate pieces, with a very small joint mid-ships, where the decks are narrowest in width. First level deck is a seperate piece, simplifying painting or other deck treatments before the first level is glued in place. Fairly easy approach to painting on the Second level deck as well.
Funnels are cast in one piece each - no glue joints on these pieces, and delicate auxiliary piping already in place. Funnel caps provided in plastic and impressively finely detailed.
Two sprues of clear parts - the floatplanes and all searchlights. The searchlights are full units, meaning that now we are challenged to paint the casing rather than the face... not sure if I'll find this an improvement or not.
It is a kit that may just knock everything else on the workbench aside (several kits have earned that distinction in the last few months, none quite complete!)
Could not recommend a kit more easily out of the box. We will see if assembly holds any surprises.