Calling All IJN Kongo-Class Fans

[Philip LaVoie]

For the AA weapons, the final 1945 count I have found is 23 single, 2 double, and 30 triple mounts. I think I have found all their positions.

I am guessing the depth charge arrangement is similar to the rolling racks on the IJN Akizuki, with three on each side. I am also guessing to leave off the type 94 throwers and just go with the side rolling racks.

For the zebra camo, I will probably paint all four turrets and some of the super structure.

Another interesting feature seems to be splinter shields around the single 25mm mounts. Since the single mounts were movable, I did not think they would have splinter shields. But, I have seen a couple builds with them on the deck.

[Atma]

The IJN Kongo's single 25 mm had slpinters shields, so Im guessing IJN Haruna had also too.

[Atma]

Yellow circle, extra triple 25 mm(plus a pair on the number 4# turret)
Red circle, replace double 25 mm AA mount with a triple one.
Green circle, the only double 25 mm AA mount that remained till the IJN Haruna scrapping, 1947.

[Atma]

5) Also, on the casemates issue, is there any tutorials about making the correction on the casemate error? I am still not fully clear on what needs to be modified.

- Thanks!

Dont bother ! Only Dan, Sir George Thurston and Yuzuru Hiraga will notice it

[Dan K]

Not to mention the entire Japanese modeling community.

If you look carefully at the last two pix that Atma posted (with the circled splinter shielding), the casemates holding the 14cm guns are crooked. They angle in, instead of being vertical.

I know a board member who did correct them with a blade and some sanding fairly successfully. Wish he would speak up.

[Philip LaVoie]

Thanks for the info, I will have to think about those casemates. At least now I know what the heck everyone is talking about.

Funny thing is, I was not planning to build the Haruna, but Freetime Hobbies had a clearance on them and I picked one up for $133.90 shipped. Could not pass it up. Just purchased the Fujimi PE from Plamoya since they are the only ones that have it in stock anymore for twice its original cost. And will replace all the AA guns with Alliance Model Works ones. So, by the time it is all done, it will be another expensive build.

Now, I just have to decide if I want to do the Fuso or Haruna as my first IJN build.

[GarethChai]

I apologise if this has been said before. Veteran Models Kongo set and Flyhawk Kongo set, which is better?

[Dan K]

I don't think LionRoar makes a PE set for the WWII BBs, only the JDMSF versions.

[redoctober27]

Does anyone know what book Atma posted the pic of the model IJN haruna from? I have been looking for that book but it's kind of had to do when ya can't read Japanese lol

[peppe]

is Model Graphix #300 - 2009 11
ciao peppe

[redoctober27]

Awesome!!! Thank you much peppe!!!

[Atma]

I would like to build the Harua in her 1945 final configuration from the 1/350 1944 Fujimi kit.

1) What AA changes were there from the 1944 kit to the 1945 sinking?

2) Are there any good pictures/drawing of her paint scheme in 1945? I am trying to figure out that stripe pattern.

3) What aircraft did she carry in 1945?

4) Any other significant changes from 1944 � 1945?

5) Also, on the casemates issue, is there any tutorials about making the correction on the casemate error? I am still not fully clear on what needs to be modified.

- Thanks!

One last thing.
Dont forget to remove the training aiming devices from the top of each main turret, they where removed sometime arround late or mid 1944.From all battleships and heavy cruisers who still had them.

[Bill Clarke]

is Model Graphix #300 - 2009 11
ciao peppe

Hey is this still available?

[Atma]

Nope, but its free as a download in a pdf form.
Anyway, send me an email at my e-mail :Athanasiosmarikos@yahoo.com

[redoctober27]

Atma would you mind if I asked for a download as well?

[Philip LaVoie]

Looking over the Kongo and Haruna builds in Model Graphix #300, I notice they put shields on the 25mm AA dual and triple guns. The earlier Kirishima and Hiei builds do not have shields on their AA guns, so the difference is deliberate. I wonder if that is correct, with the AA shields?

Also, I noticed the single 25mm guns on the Haruna have no splinter shielding, but some of the single guns on the Kongo do.

All four ships in the magazine are very nicely done. I am assuming whoever the modeler was that built them had access to better information on the ships than what I have.

[nimitz4145]

Hello guys!

Happy to share my work :

Battleship Kong entering Kure Harbor 1944

[Dan K]

Nice composition, nimitz4145.

Phillip, shields for the light 25mm AA did not begin to appear until the second half of 1943. Since Hiei and Kirishima were sunk before then, no installation. The single 25mm usually had the shields, but it was not an absolute requirement. Couldn't tell you if that depiction is correct or not.

[redoctober27]

Hey guys , I was wondering if there are any ( if at all) pics of Kongo or haruna at Singapore or at Brunei bay 1944 getting ready for Leyte ?

[Dan K]

If there is, it's part of that grainy collection of photos taken from Isokaze, and would be a basic blur.