Calling all IJN Tone (利根) & Chikuma (筑摩) fans

[Dan K]

Cool. Who makes it?

Well, I actually got my feedback today.

Tamiya looks to have it right, sort of. TROM states 4 triple 25mmAA added at Maizuru in November, 1944. This is AFTER Leyte Gulf, mind you. Means, NOT before.

My friend has shared with me a portion of an official overhead survey sketch done in February, 1945 at Maizuru, right before her departure. It shows the aft set of mounts symmetrically placed aft the aft main battery director. I do not have permission to post the sketch, as it was borrowed privately from a book publisher. It's asking a lot, I know, to believe me but.............

The port side view does not seem to show anything and I think this may be due to bomb damage. A closeup of the starboard side does seem to show both sets of 25mm AA tubs, as well as the aft 25mm AA director tub. Have a look

[Dan K]

I mis-wrote. The mounts in question are placed between the aft main director and the enclosed searchlight tower, closer to the director, and symmetrical.

[Atma]

Are you sure we are talking about the same AA mounts Dan ? Too bad we cant see that sketch, but still of what we got in here is still fuzzy and unclear what is correct and what is not.

[Timmy C]

Cool. Who makes it?

The link Jose posted is the manufacturer's own web page - Alliance Modelworks. A fairly new outfit most famous for its 1/700 PE trains and like accessories. They recently became a site sponsor as well.

[Dan K]

Unfortunately, Atma, I can't post the sketch in a public forum. I've given my word. I have been thinking about sending a copy to another board member, to verify. Of course, pledged to keep private, under pain of death, and all that.

I'm referring to the same AA mounts that were circled in both the Tamiya, Profile Morskie, and Kojinsha illustrations on the previous page.

In my haste, I mis-wrote yet another point. Ignore the posting regarding date of installation. The mounts in question were installed in Feb. 1943 according to L&W. As twins. I see no mention of a changeover to triples, which one would expect at some point but, the Maizuru survey sketch clearly illustrates triples.

Alliance, eh? Anyone purchased this yet, or anything of theirs, for comment on quality?

[Dan K]

Good news - I have permission to post a crop of the survey sketch, below. Also a notated pic from behind. A = aft guntubs, F = forward guntub, B = cut/off or open aft tub bulkheads

[Atma]

Sooooo...
For everyone who has the 1945 IJN Tone by Fujimi in 1/700(Ajkochev pay attention here).
It seems that IJN Tone lost the "S" shaped AA base (part E3 and K45 x2 -labeled as "O" when completed) in 1945, so you dont have to added it. Its simple, easy and leaves no mark/impression that there is something missing there.
Easy and straigforward.
And finnaly at the structure lebeled as "I" when completed(parts E10 and O1) the AA mounts shall be triple not double.
No changes in the 1944 IJN Tone and IJN Chikuma by Fujimi in 1/700
For the Tamiya, the IJN Tone is a 1944 build, so you choose what to do... You want the "S" shaped AA base, like the Fujimi 1944 IJN Tone (need some work to shaped it like "S") or just leave it.
Tamiya use double AA mounts for the 1944 build like Fujimi's 1944 IJN Tone/IJN Chikuma and the old IJN Tone class by Aoshima.
Thank you Dan !

[Dan K]

You're welcome.

But, why would you assume that they would start with an S shaped platform, then reshape it later? No sense in that. I believe it was always as shown in the diagram, from 1942 on.

[Atma]

For better AA arcs.
IJN Tone became a floating AA battery in 1945, IJN Nagato had extreme modifications (shortned of the funnel, removal of the main mast) cause of that in 1945 for use as a AA platform.
Maybe the S shaped AA platform proved to be problemetic with obstruction from the mainmast and also I guess the handling of the boats by the crane, would be a bit more difficult with the S shaped AA platform.

[Atma]

I believe it was always as shown in the diagram, from 1942 on.

Dan, as you personaly know IJN Tone is perhaps the less documented Heavy Cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy(followed by IJN Mogami class), so of course is hard to know what really happend.

[Dan K]

Yes, but, if the extended platform, portside had superior firing arc, they never would have changed it. If superior, than the starboard side would have been changed to match it. If inferior, would have been changed earlier.

I really believe it always was as depicted by Tamiya. Everyone is free to built as they interpet; I just don't think Fujimi has it right. All they did was copy illustrations out there, IMHO.

[Atma]

The Fujimi's 1/700 IJN Tone PE set, can be used for IJN Chikuma too.

[J. Soca]

Hi guys

i picked something up from my LHS yesterday, kit is a beauty one of the most complete kits i've seen up to date although im still looking for the degaussing cable lol i've been over the frets like 4 times and is not here!! either that or my eyes are deceiving me. i dont care though as long as is the cable the only thing missing.. i was going to replace it anyways. Another thing, what exactly are parts 19 and 20 on the P.E fret im still puzzled with those. don't think i've forgotten to finish my 1939 version of Tone i decided to buy the kit because i have other intentions with it i'll explain down the road what i intend to do altough every new plan is more money for the pit but i want to do this. now on to learn about casting i will keep you posted...

Jose

[Timmy C]

Don't know what they -are- per se, but they do go on the funnel sides: http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig12/10126994z10.jpg

[Atma]

Those are protective heatshields for the funnel.

[Dan K]

1/350 or 1/700, Jose?

[J. Soca]

Thanks fellows i never thought about about that i think the funnel would've been the last place for me to check. Dan, this is the 1/350 scale. i do have the 1/700 from fujimi but i don't think ill ever build this one i might sale it down the road.

Jose

[J. Soca]

hi guys i need your help on something, refer to the picture please.




few shots i took on the process of getting the hull and some of the parts together.. the hull is great even with the extra ammo cases still retains the 1939 appereance is really close to what im seeing on my 1939 Miyukikai plan and good thing i dont have to worry about removing any degaussing cables so this is even greater







this is my plan in how casting the waterline hull, ill have to carve the styrofoam and in this gap the full hull will be sitting in afterwards i'll enclose the foam in either a wooden box or plexiglass box which will give shape to the rubber mold. casting the resin hull is the easiest part of all.. the yellow line is modeling clay forgot to add it ont he picture




Jose

[Dan K]

Well, unfortunately, Jose, there is no view of that space from that angle that I know of. It seems very similar to the Takao class hangar construction as originally built, when viewed from aft.

Does anyone have a Miyukikai plan?

[J. Soca]

Well, unfortunately, Jose, there is no view of that space from that angle that I know of. It seems very similar to the Takao class hangar construction as originally built, when viewed from aft.

Does anyone have a Miyukikai plan?

Dan i have the plans of a 1939 Chikuma and there is no such thing as that in all my sources which are a few there is no passage through the rear deck into the torpedo bay like this entrance..



Jose