Calling All IJN Kongo-Class Fans

[Atma]

The limited release IJN Hiei from Fujimi with the retro artwork is out.

Link here:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144835
And as you can see it has a complete PE Set. It will be a limited production run only.

[Atma]

And some pictures:

&

[Dan K]

Nice. Is the PE fret any different from what is sold separately by Fujimi?

Where is my Kirishima?

[Atma]

Nice. Is the PE fret any different from what is sold separately by Fujimi?

Where is my Kirishima?

The PE set is the same.
Yours (and eventually mine too) IJN Kirishima is pushed back for late 2011 early 2012, unfortunately.

[MartinJQuinn]

Nice Kongo from Robert Apfelzweig posted in the gallery

[Dan K]

Very nice., indeed.

[Atma]

More pictures of it would be super.

[Atma]

Quick question for Dan.
Dan have found any difference in the main turret/gunhouse of the IJN Kongo class ? Beside the round and circle face of IJN Hiei/IJN Kongo and IJN Haruna/IJN Kirishima.

[Dan K]

I though we discussed this previously; perhaps on another thread. From what I gleaned from the Ishibashi book; I could see no apparent difference between ships, only various upgrades to the turret over the years. IIRC, those were mostly rangefinding equipment and access related.

[Atma]

And finnaly the last IJN Kongo class battleship by Fujimi, ladies and gentlemen, IJN Kirishima:
http://www.hlj.com/product/FUJ42021
We are complete now.
Enjoy !

[Dan K]

Ordered. My quest is complete. THx for the heads-up, Atma.

[Atma]

And of course a dedicated PE set plus wooden deck is prepared too for the new IJN Kirishima.

[Joe Simon]

Does any one know if turret 3 on Kongo had a tower on it like turret 4 in the 1944 fit. I know it did in the earlier fit. The Fujimi kit comes with the smaller tower. Thanks.

Joe Simon

[Atma]

The number 3# had a tower for the aerials in 1944 fit but lower in height when the 2 triple 25mm AA was added, compared to her 1942 fit, to clear arcs for the AA platfom of number 3# turret.

[Dan K]

I am not aware of any closeup photos for 1944 that can absolutely confirm this point. The Miyukikai plan set indicates no tower, and I'm inclined to agree as the two added triple 25mm AA on the turret's roof take up a fair amount of room and need clear firing arcs. A tower would be right in the way, no matter how low it is.

[Dan K]

I'm going to amend my comment. After studying Kongo�s TROM, I think part of the answer may lie in when Kongo gained the additional 25mm AA. She had a major refit, including the additional of 12 more triple mounts, during the first week of July, 1944, after the Battle of the Philippine Sea. My �educated� guess is that she did not gain the turret mounted 25mm AA, nor lose the aerial tower, until that point. So, it is conveivable to have a configuration that would be appropriate for late 1943 and the first half of 1944 utilizing just the aerial.

[redoctober27]

Dose anyone know if you could use take photo etch set from Flyhawk that is ment for IJN Kongo, and used on IJN Haruna to make her to look more like her October 44 fit instead of her early 44 appearance that fujimi has her already looking like or dose the two ship have too many differences ? Or dose anyone know if there planing on coming out with such a photo etch set?

[Atma]

Flyhawk set got many parts for the main bridge, aft bridge and funnels that cannot be used for IJN Haruna, parts for the AA guns for the 36 cm main guns, for the 15 cm and for the deck can be used for IJN Haruna too. Also IJN Kongo had a tottaly different seaplane aircraft deck than IJN Haruna so the railings there will be hard to fit.
For the late 1944 IJN Haruna you can use the AA platforms for the number 2# and 3# turret also I dont know but I think IJN Haruna received an AA platform on her 4# turret as well.

[Atma]

Here is a picture from the Model Art mag. that shows IJN Haruna with an extra AA platfrom on her number 4# turret. i can send you more pictures if you desire via email with bigger ressolution.
Just send me you email in pm.


I really dont know what date that extra AA platfrom was added, late 1944 or early 1945.
Anyone can help us here ?
Thanks in advance.

[J. Soca]

I remembered seeing those gun tubs on an old footage taken after the war

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtayjFeUFQY

cropped the shots right out of it:

Atma i dont know if you got to read Haruna's TROM i go this info from the Combinedfleet website:


24 June 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo. Drydocked for battle damage repairs and refit. Type 13 radar and additional 25-mm. AA guns are installed.

and there is no more significant repair or updates done to her until

1 January 1945:
At Kure. BatDiv 3 is deactivated. HARUNA is reassigned to the reactivated BatDiv 1, Second Fleet. During 1945, HARUNA's battle damage is mostly repaired and she is camouflaged gray with very pale gray stripes on her turrets.

i dont know when exactly those gun tubs were added but in my opinion those could've been added before the Leyte Gulf operation, mid 44. I'm leaning towards the earlier date simply because every unit in the IJN was being upgraded for this decisive battle, after the operation we know what happened to the remnants of the fleet, most of them met their fate inland or well other places to like the Yamato sortie, Takao, Myoko you get the point.. i remember clearly Nagato was also camouflaged and stationary for not having oil, her funnel removed an rear mast shortened, maybe Haruna also got an upgrade might as well be those gun tubs on turret #4, hard to say just food for your thoughts.

Jose