Fujimi 1/350 Hiryu

[Dan K]

Yes, it�s here. I�ve only had a little time to look it over. Appearance and breakdown is very similar to the Fujimi1/350 Shokaku/Zuikaku kits � full hull, plating lines, flight deck with 3 elevator apertures and the same bathtub type elevator well enclosures.

I took the closest look at the flight deck, of course. My impression is favorable, but mixed. On the good side, unlike the Shokaku kits, Hiryu has the deck edge rain gutters added, along with deck edge 2kw lights around the perimeter. The shape appears correct and the deck is properly rimmed with treaded metal.

Bad: Hiryu�s planking is patterned in the same, incorrect, every other alternating, butted pattern seen on the new 1/700 Fujimi CV kits. Honestly, at this point, I just don�t get it. This is a brand new kit, requiring brand new tooling. The planking pattern for IJN CVs is well documented. If one is going to go ahead & create individually segmented planks, than there�s really no excuse for not correcting this flawed pattern. To me, it appears that Fujimi is either lazy or obstinate in this regard. No tie down holes either.

In comparison, the Shokaku kits have continuous, unbutted planking. I prefer that to this. Planking for both classes is slightly overscale in width, but not overtly so. Also like the Shokakus, the canvas covered, �U� shaped railings surrounding the base of the mainmast is molded on, sticking up off the flight deck like a toy-like blob of plastic. I can only ask: Why?

I understand from chatter on some Japanese websites that there may be some shape and size issues with the forecastle and boat decks, but I have yet to really pour over it. Mostly, it seems good, the sharpness of the molding is at least equal to, & maybe a hair better than, that of the Shokaku/Zuikaku kit &, it is available in 1/350. Not so cheap, though, either.

I guess you could say I have some ambivalence about it.

Photos are from the Omani website blog in Japan at: http://mokehana.blog34.fc2.com/blog-entry-299.html

[Ledinot]

Thanks, Dan; this short (but exhaustive) review is very intriguing. After all, no tie down holes etc, that means Fujimi�s Hiryu/350 provides much room for improvement.

[Dan K]

Agreed.

[D-Boy]

Agreed.

Or leaves a wood deck or PE manufacturer with a nice product opportunity.

Given the kit's expense and new tooling status, I understand the disappointment in this outcome. Can I presume the Japanses scale naval modeling community is equally distressed? What's the buzz/reaction there?

[Dan K]

I haven't specifically inquired as of yet, just noting what I read on some of the Japanese websites that have seen the kit. The flight deck criticisms are all mine.

[chuck]

The hawse hole on hull side that slants upward to the front seems wrong. The supposedly flush fitting search light covers seems to protrude high enough to snap a landing gear off of any planes that bomb into it.

[denstore]

Bad: Hiryu�s planking is patterned in the same, incorrect, every other alternating, butted pattern seen on the new 1/700 Fujimi CV kits. Honestly, at this point, I just don�t get it. This is a brand new kit, requiring brand new tooling. The planking pattern for IJN CVs is well documented. If one is going to go ahead & create individually segmented planks, than there�s really no excuse for not correcting this flawed pattern. To me, it appears that Fujimi is either lazy or obstinate in this regard. No tie down holes either.

Thanks for the review.
About the planking, how should it be? I havn't that much litterature on IJN ships, and nothing regarding planking, I believe. I'm not that picky, and the non-butted planking of the Shokaku looks quite good to me, and would be easy to enhance if that would feel necessary.
About deck planking in general, do they always follow a certain pattern? Years ago I talked to a floor specialist about it, and his take on it was that patterns usually make weaker floor. Best practise was in his opinion to let the buts come random, except if the where less than a quarter plank lenght to another join. Doing it that way saves on planks as well as makes a strong floor.

[Dan K]

I can't speak to wood flooring in general but, for the IJN, specific patterns were used. On capital ships, the pattern repeats itself every 4 to 7 planks. (I've previously stated 5-7 elsewhere but, as demonstrated below, I stand corrected.)

For IJN carriers, it seems to be a pattern that repeats at least every 5th plank, as demonstrated by the Zuikaku pic below (highlights by Ed Low, from a similar discussion on the j-ships.com board a while ago). This is the only scanned example that i have enough detail on. I can review for some others, such as Soryu, Junyo, possibly also Shoho, Akagi & Kaga as I believe there are flight deck photos with enough sharpness to pick out the detail.

Incidentally, plank width is generally 150-200mm wide. Some photos that exemplify that are included here as well.

[Adaks]

Thanks for review, Dan. Does Hiryu kit include set of 1/350 figures ?

[denstore]

Thank. Great info, as usual.

[Dan K]

Glad its helpful. No 1/350 figures included.

[ocb]

Hi,

I think non-butted planking like that of Shokaku is the easiest way, it does not even need enhancing to look realistic.

[Dan K]

I agree they are better.

[JC Woodman]

Thanks for your time & effort on the review! Recently I bought this kit (ouch$) & was... just OK with it, underwhelming sums my feelings best...
Typical Fujimi, always striving for mediocrity! Really i am in agreement with the review though the whole 'plank-gate' issue is well... I leave u fellas to your plank/rivet counting. The REAL miss for Fujimi's effort is the complete lack of the tie down points but as noted above its an opportunity for the aftermarket folks to do a Decking set, maybe brass-wood combo extravaganza that will bump that cost up another 30-50 $!
Which brings me around to my real issue here, PRICES!
The high price point for the the Japanese companies kits are getting painful. Anybody have a insight about the root reason for this with Japanese plastic specifically. Is it just economics specific to Japan?
Are these really low production runs? I will say when I bought the Hasegawa Akagi way back cost aside I was very pleased. This Hiryu kit was a bit less pricey but still needs more help, left me ambivalent.
For example I just picked up the Merit Ark Royal, very pleased & about $100 less than Hiryu...
I know a bit of 'Apple's & Oranges' but still...
Anyhow if you want Hiryu in 350 boom! Here it is but to paraphrase... 'your gonna need a bigger... wallet'...
For the Japanese industry kits if you want to play u gotta pay! Well that is unless your cool with Aoshima... Hmmmmm now thats mediocrity for a reasonable price in high end plastic kits from Japan!

[Dan K]

These are not low production runs. In fact, Fujimi has issued seven different kits of its Hiryu as of today, each with just a slightly different inclusion of accessory parts. I actually find the Fujimi practice a little tiresome.

Chinese and S. Korean production costs are typically lower, but that's only part of the picture. As long as it remains the only such kit out there, they can charge what the market will bear.