Calling all IJN Destroyer/DE fans

[Dan K]

I'll chec,k but I think the Hatsuharus started the war with single 40mm in each position.

[redoctober27]

Hey guys, I was wondering if there is any new re-tooled Akizuki class destroyers coming out? I'm wanting to re-build my Ten-go fleet and was wondering if fujimi was to come out with a late war version of there early war Akizuki class destroyer? I'm planing to build Fuyuzuki and Suzutsuki. If there isnt any to come out is there any good photo-etch out there to make some good late-war fore and rear mast? I'm assuming that for the rest of the parts could be taken from flyhawks early war Akizuki class destroyer?

[Dan K]

Geno - Gakken #57 holds that al the Hatsuharus started the war with single 40mm mounts for AA.

Atma might know best about any future Fujimi releases. PitRoad's Akizuki or Suzutsuki kit has several different bridge variations, so you could kitbash, if you'd like. Aside from adding a Type 13mm radar, the rear mast dooes not change. The front will require scratchbuilding, I think.

[redoctober27]

Ah ok thanks for the reply Dan. How is Gakken when is comes too providing info on Fuyuzuki and Suzutsuki?

[Dan K]

EXCELLENT! Volume #23. See examples on p3 of the CASF Akizuki class thread (bet you missed this one ) viewtopic.php?f=49&t=7495&start=40

[redoctober27]

bahahaha You're right I did miss this thread I some how, unbeknownst to me forgot that this thread existed. But thats good to hear I'm in the proscess of getting these books this one is next on the list Thanks once again for the help Dank K.

[redoctober27]

Two quick questions, first on the Asashio class destroyers I�m trying to build the IJN Kasumi� and well for some reason I cant figure out how the top rear triple AA platform goes on. And pitroad directions isn�t quite the most helpful (well to me anyways). Does anyone know how the correct fitting is to be? And lastly out of curiosity did the Matsu dd class have linoleum decks? I have a very small hand full of books that show no linoleum for the decks and some do and just wondering which ones is right
Thank you again guys

[Dan K]

The late war Asashio class set-up is identical to the late war Kagero class set-up. Below is a pic of this area from a great late war build of the PitRoad Michisio by a very talented builder who goes by the moniker of Aprstar.

Yes, the Matsu/Tachibana's had linoleum on the forecastle and quartedeck around both main mounts. I don't have any actual photos at hand so I'm posting the painting guide for the recent Pitroad Sumire (Tachibana class) kit.

[Dan K]

I do feel compelled to point out (again) that virtually all the manufacturers have the solid splinter shielding wrong for all of these kits. It was canvas covered railings for all DDs up thru the Kagero class. The later Yugumo, Akizuki, & Matsu Tachibana classes had metal splinter shielding.

Below is Yukikaze aft, postwar, behind the ship in the foreground. You can see the railings around the same raised triple 25mmAA emplacement.

[Dan K]

To allay any possible doubt on this point:

[Geno the Viking]

Thanks for all the info Dan. The more the better.

I'm re-reading Captain Hara's book, 'Japanese Destroyer Captain' for the umpteenth time. I just love that book and any of you out there that have not read it - do so. It will make your modelling experience much better.

[Dan K]

I read it as a young kid in the 1960's, the Ballantine paperback, and it remains a first class read. Definitely one of the cornerstones of my IJN interest.

[redoctober27]

WOW! I didn�t know that the rear AA gun emplacements were rails and not steel shields. I knew about the triple gun emplacements mid-ship were rails but not the rear ones! Interesting

[redoctober27]

Oh and.... I love Hara's book! Hence why in the other thread I have been so big on a late war ijn Shigure. But back to the dds here what would have been around the bottom rear triple AA? Was it just rail too? Did it just sit there akwardly by itself? Could this one have sheilding around it as we see around the single mounts along the side of the ship during ten-go? And could the sheilding have been taken down after ten-go due to metal shortages or sometime post war as these pictures show. I know there is a picture of yukikaze's bridge in I think 1947 and she had all of her extra armore plates missing. Could the same thing have happen to her rear AA mounts were the extra plating was taken down? And is there any recoreds of these destroyers being "beefed up" for ten-go to allow the crew and ship more suvivlbility? I start my as Hara calls them "three wind" destroyers in about 3 weeks I'm hoping hence all the questions. Sorry for the inconvenice...

[Dan K]

Look closely at the last, larger photo of the aft deck house. In fact, enlarge it. You'll see the railing around the lower position as well.

I've too always wondered if the remaining few DDs for the Ten Ichigo operation did have plating around the established mount postions as an additonal measure but, aside from the Yugumo class Asashimo, I seriously doubt it. There are too many shots of Yukikaze postwar with all of her AA platforms intact, with railings, for me to think so. There is no sense in attaching steel plating while retaing the railings.

The forecastle shot of Yukikaze was taken at the same time as this one, shows her retaining the splinter shielding that was placed in lieu of her 7m cutters to either side of the bridge. Only the forward 25mm mount and platfrom was removed.

Also, the shots of Hatsushimo, sunk postwar, also show stretched canvas, not plating, in this area.

[redoctober27]

Thank you Dank K for the quick response Ah i see it now. Its going to take some getting use to seeing the Kageros with out splinter shields in the back AA mounts but I shall make it so on my boats and all in the name of accuracy like i said i should be starting the 3 of them in the next 3 weeks I'm hoping it all depends on when i get my Yamato finished. I'm aiming for having her done before April 7. I just bought the Gakken Kagero class book but it inst here yet. I am hoping there are some good late war photos but with the why the IJN was with pictures I'm not keeping my hopes up. Once again Thanks much respect

[Dan K]

The Gakken volume is a great reference book but it's not solely dedicated to the Kageros. Also, the large scale, late war Yukikaze model erroneously has steel splinter shielding around all the triple 25mm AA (including those to either side of #2 funnel) and shows a triple 25mm AA in the forward position in fornt of the bridge. A triple was never located in this position, only a twin, though there has been speculation that perhaps those DDs remaining for the Ten Ichigo op were so armed. No proof, though. FWIW.

[Charlestonguy]

Can anyone tell me what kit would be best for a Dec 1941 version of Hatsuharu?
1/700 Skywave Japanese WWII Destroyer Hatsuharu
1/700 Aoshima IJN Destroyer Hatsuharu 1933 Waterline

[Dan K]

1/700 Aoshima IJN Destroyer Hatsuharu 1941 Waterline - http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160999

or the special detail version - http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144539

[Charlestonguy]

Thanks again Dan