Calling all Japanese pre-war/wartime Merchant Marine fans

[Pieter]

I've just ran into deck plans of Dante Aligheiri and Guiseppe Verdi. These became Asahi Maru and Yamato Maru in the 1920's. I don't know if they changed very much after their transfer to NYK but the plans can be interesting anyway.
http://www.ludovicomosca.com/2010/06/piroscafi/

[Gilbert]

I've just ran into deck plans of Dante Aligheiri and Guiseppe Verdi. These became Asahi Maru and Yamato Maru in the 1920's. I don't know if they changed very much after their transfer to NYK but the plans can be interesting anyway.
http://www.ludovicomosca.com/2010/06/piroscafi/

Regarding Asahi Maru, you have much details here: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Asahi%20Maru_t.htm

Her forward stack was damaged in 1938 and replaced by a dummy funnel. Later the aft funnel was removed during the war (probably in '43) and she retained her forward funnel only.

Yamato Maru retained her two stacks 'til her loss in Sep '43.

Gilbert

[DougKn]

Hello All

I am looking for a good overhead deck plan or good overhead photo of Oryoku Maru/ Kokuryu Maru and Takasago Maru. Even a photo of a well made model would suffice, especially in civilian colours.
These are for some models I am planning on making, I need to work out some deck details.

Also I have a question on Kongo Maru of the Kampu N.R. (sister to Koan Maru). She was sunk near the end of the war, but was re-floated. Did Kongo Maru ever re-enter service? She was scrapped in early 1950's, while Koan served until 1970's.

Thank you for your replies.

Doug

[Gilbert]

Hello All

I am looking for a good overhead deck plan or good overhead photo of Oryoku Maru/ Kokuryu Maru and Takasago Maru. Even a photo of a well made model would suffice, especially in civilian colours.
These are for some models I am planning on making, I need to work out some deck details.

Also I have a question on Kongo Maru of the Kampu N.R. (sister to Koan Maru). She was sunk near the end of the war, but was re-floated. Did Kongo Maru ever re-enter service? She was scrapped in early 1950's, while Koan served until 1970's.

Thank you for your replies.

Doug

Hi Doug,

Yes, Kongo Maru re-enter servoce postwar but was wrecked near Koshikishima, Goto Is. on 14 Oct '51.

Picture of Oryoku Maru (model of Motoyuki-san):

Picture of Takasago Maru:

Gilbert

[DougKn]

Thank you Gilbert.

I was hoping for more of an overhead that showed deck detail placement. I may have to do with Motoyuki-san's pictures, I don't think anyone else has made those models (unless he comes out with a volume 3 of TVGoJMM).

Doug

[Felix C]

Interesting the Japanese used disruptive and different tone paint schemes on their merchant ships but rarely on their warships. Paint stock allocation I am guessing.

That link in the first page to dozens of MM is wonderful.

[Quincy]

Does anyone know what Himalaya Maru was armed with during the war? Was it light machine guns, guns on bandstands, or nothing at all?



Bob Pink.

[Quincy]

Does anyone know what Himalaya Maru was armed with during the war? Was it light machine guns, guns on bandstands, or nothing at all?


Actually my question come from the book Japanese Merchant Ships at War pages 159-160 Against heavy firing from shipboard guns, the PBY dropped three bombs and one hit at the ships bunker. At the same moment, three incendiary bombs droped instantly engulfed the ship in an inferno.

Bob Pink.



Bob Pink.

[DougKn]

Does anyone know what Himalaya Maru was armed with during the war? Was it light machine guns, guns on bandstands, or nothing at all?
Bob Pink.

Sorry, didn't find anything about HIMALAYA MARU's armament in my stuff, but there is a nice model of HIMALAYA MARU by Jim Smith at http://www.finewaterline.com/pages/gall ... malaya.htm in civilian dress.

I don't remember if this has already been shown here. Jim regularly writes here and his work is often displayed at ModelWarships and Fine Waterline Board sites too.

Doug

[Quincy]

Yes, that is where I got the urge to do Himalaya Maru except in her wartime guise. I loike Jim's maru's. He is a good teacher!

Thanks for looking Doug.



Bob Pink.

[Guest]

Motoyuki-san,
Canadian Miller became Enju (Enzyu?) Maru in 1941. There were other ships built to the same specification by Canadian Vickers around that time. These included Canadian Pioneer, Canadian Ranger which became Canadian Ranger Maru - Broken up at Osaka in 1933, Canadian Seigneur which became Rasin (Rashin) Maru in 1933 and Canadian Spinner which became Fukuya (Hukuja) Maru in 1941.
Details on Miramar Ship Index
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship ... &link=1676

The design was to a World War 1 'Standard' specification for simple ship designs using standardised engines and hulls led by the Merchant Advisory Shipbuilding Committee in the UK. These ships were built in Britain, the US, Canada, Japan and at British yards in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The fact that these were to a British design may account for the fact that the US Office of Naval Intelligence shows sister ships to Enzyu Maru being built in Britain. ONI 208J shows pictures of some of the sister ships (page 219) including Rasin Maru.

Note that Battlefleet Models 'Wentworth' can easily be converted to this class.

I hope this helps.
Jim S

[Jim Smith]

Thanks for the note about Himalaya Maru and the link to FineWaterline website.

Just to show I haven't been asleep all year, here are a few of my other recent conversions:-

Other pictures of these can be found in the various photo reports from Telford.

Jim S

[Quincy]

Great builds Jim! Thank you for the conversion possibilities using the Loose Cannon/Battlefleet kits.



Bob Pink.

[Dan K]

Agreed. Really nice, Jim.

[Gilbert]

+ 1

Gilbert

[redoctober27]

Hello guys, so question .. Im thinking about building a Maru of somesort and I'm not quite sure on where to start to look. I usually build military/navy ships but never marus. I an looking to build a ship of late war so I can use the green paint schem and something the for the most part accurate. I was looking at some of the post and was reading on the Sadomaru/SakitomaruS from fujimi and those are the two highest on my list for possible buys with the latter ship being my late war Maru. My most desired ship would be the Doryo Maru if there is any thing out there for her that be great!! What are some of your suggestions ?

[Quincy]

Atago Maru is painted in green's. It should be ready sometime within the next few months if all goes well.




Bob Pink.

[redoctober27]

Oh! And new one from fujimi?

[Quincy]

No. 1/700 resin from yours truly. The hull is about 80% complete minus the fittings. IJN China Maru is the first and farthest along, with the hull being 95% complete.



Bob Pink.

[Gilbert]

NIKO is about to release IJN auxiliary cruiser (later auxiliary transport) ASAKA MARU: http://nikomodel.pl/Galeria/7084/index.html

See her TROM here: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Asaka_t.htm

and her Specs here: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Asaka_c.htm

Gilbert