Aoshima 1/700 Maya 1944 � buildus interruptus

[Dan K]

I'm actually still tweaking Maya. Like AC Studio, I bought the Rainbow PE fret for IJN seaplanes, but unlike AC, I found it all but impossible to use the canopy frames. So, I made my own from FlyHawk 0.5mm brass mesh and they turned out ok. I was able to use the Rainbow cowl flaps, which is a nice detail.

I'm retrofitting some of my already completed E13As, while making some new ones. The aircraft with the blue painted canopy is from my stash of aircraft completed earlier. We'll see how well the retrofit goes.

[Atma]

Any idea why the japanese navy decided to remove this shielded structure and leave the controller out in the open? was it for better visibility?





Jose

It may sound ridiculous, but Im 100% sure it was a weight reduction measure.
Excellent work on your seaplanes Dan

[Dan K]

Thx, Atma.

It may sound ridiculous, but Im 100% sure it was a weight reduction measure.

.. Maybe. Could also be material shortages.

[Atma]

Noone of my ships have seaplanes, I mostly use pre-painted. I dislike the clear plastic and I cant paint or use so small decals, in so small parts.

I envy you

[Dan K]

Don't envy someone whose squint lines wrap around his head.

Ah, yes, the ever present temptation of using finished aircraft. I always feel it. Would make a good poll subject, actually.

[sgtryan13]

Looking real nice Dan, and I think the new canopies are an improvement.

Squint lines wrapping around his head! That struck me just right as funny as hell!

I have not been too tempted by pre painted aircraft yet (there were some really nice float planes available for the 1/200 Yamato) but I really feel that is "cheating". Cheating myself on the build process, and if the model is to be entered into competition, I personally feel that is way over the line as far as using aftermarket, and I would hope that the judges would at least take that into account during the judging process. That's not saying I would not be really tempted if there were pre painted 1/350 modern USN A/C for my carrier flight decks! I think in the end I would just be down on myself thinking I took the lazy man's way out of it.

[J. Soca]

It may sound ridiculous, but Im 100% sure it was a weight reduction measure.

Maybe. Could also be material shortages.

Very interesting points and possible too! thanks


Jose

[Dan K]

The aircraft are finally done, save for blunting the spinners, now that I've seen these pix. This means that Maya is done as well.

I'll shoot some pics for the gallery at some point, soon.

[Devin]

Fantastic!

[Christoph Mentzel]

Hello Dan,

congratulations to your fantastic and very impressive work on the Aoshima Maya build .
Personal i like the Maya and in my opinion it is one of my favorite ijn cruiser.

Your build up report is very helpful and descriptive.

The result is a real eycatcher

At the beginning of your report you wrote that you think, that the Aoshima kit ( with the clear windows ) is actually the most accurate kit of this ship in 1/700scale.
Can you explain your opinion (?) I have the PitRoad Maya on my desk and all available PE sets ( Flyhawk set for Aoshima and two Fine Mold sets).

What are the mayor improvements of the Aoshima kit in comparison with the PitRoad kit?
I ask this because I also wanted to start the Maya build now but am unsure whether I should not get better the Aoshima kit

Also i have read that Fujimi will make a new tool Maya like their Takao kit.

Best regards

Chris

[Michael Riddell]

Great work Dan!

Mike.

[Dan K]

Thx to you all for your comments.

Christoph - When it came out, the PitRoad Maya kit was clearly an improvement over the initial Aoshima kit. However, a close examination of the bridge reveals some very puzzling mastering decisions on PitRoad's part. The PitRoad upper bridge has equipment, wings, and extensions that are more appropriate to the Takao class as originally built, and not as they were reconfigured after one and two rebuilds during the 1930s.

Looking at the PitRoad Maya instruction crop (from the internet) below, levels H4, H19 and to a lesser extent, H16 are incorrect. I also think the details for the air intakes at the rear of the bridge (H3) are a little weak. I would compare the bridge illustration with my bridge on p1 of this thread. I've done my best to match Maya's configuration, which was essentially the same for all the Takaos in the late 1930s prior to Takao and Atago's final rebuild, save for grills and some very small details. Fortunately, Aoshima gives you the correct shapes to begin with.

Several bulkheads also seem to be missing from the aft end of the the HAG deck level around the former hangar. I've also hear from some builders that the fit leaves something to be desired. On the other hand, I do like all work done on the funnels and the AA platforms between them.

The new Aoshima kits have more accurate details. Also, the clear bridge versions allow for easier addition of PE windows.

With all that said, it still takes a lot of work & hours to detail Maya properly. It may not be a bad idea to wait for the pending release of the Fujimi kit to evaluate it in comparison to the current kits.

[sirpaul]

I agree with Dan. The Aoshima kit is the best option to build the maya. It's also got the best shaped hull out of the others. And it has fewer plastic parts aswell. Gives you more time to work on the PE. That being said just make sure you get the Maya with the purple name on the box. Becuase the one with the red name does not have the clear window option and would need some cutting to fit the pe windows.

[Christoph Mentzel]

Hi Dan

thanks for your fast response and your helpful information and description about the differences of the two kits.

Now i think i will get the Aoshima kit to replace my PitRoad Maya

Also many thanks to SirPaul !!

I think you mean this kit (?) :

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10043339

It is now hard to find.

Best regards
Chris

[sirpaul]

Yes thats the right kit Christoph. I forgot the number because i threw the box out after i built it. I believe from kit 337 to 340 have the clear windows for this class.

[sirpaul]

Dan what paint did you use for the ship? Did you use Tamiya Kure grey?

[Dan K]

Yes to Tamiya paints, including Kure grey. Technically, she should be in Yokosuka grey but my rivet counting stops at paint. Just arbitrary, I know.

It still might be worth waiting for the Fujimi release, particularly if they correct some of the silly issues with their Takao. They certainly provide a lot of detail. Maybe Atma has an update on that.

[sirpaul]

I also like the Kure grey. It's the lightest and looks the best weathered. The other greys are darker and some have a tinge of purple. Plus it goes well with the Tamiya neuatral grey for shading.

[redoctober27]

congratulations Dan !!!!! another magnificent build!!!!!