Fujimi 1/700 IJN Maya 1944

[Bill Clarke]

I had been eager to get this kit as soon as I found out if was coming out, one of the things I love about her is the heavy AA suite especially the six 12.7's. It's always amazed me that the IJN didn't add more of these weapons to their BB's, I think that 4 mounts for a BB is woefull.

What's in the box? 18 sprues! Two of these being clear, a small decal sheet base plate, and a seven page instruction sheet that is well laid out and logical . The box art is great.

The hull has eyebrows over the port holes and includes a delicate degaussing cable. To this you attach pats M1 & M2, these appear to be the extra armour or anti torpedo bulge. These have the lower port holes plated over, and scuppers moulded on.

Deck detail is well executed, I like the fact that there are none of the ships structures moulded on, this will make painting easier as it will reduce masking (unless someone comes up with a paint mask) Rear part of the hull has the base plates for the 25mm singles moulded on.

The bridge is one piece, well detailed but there are no clear parts for the windows. Clear sprue M has a single clear window but it's maked as not being used on this kit.
Replacing the lowest level of windows with PE will be tricky I think as there is a small ledge moulded integrally with the part that supports part K7. Dooable but tricky guys.
All of the open areas of the bridge on all levels have anti slip tread plate moulded on that is sutble.

The aircraft deck and midships deck have the same anti slip plate moulded on, the aircraft rails are beautifully detailed, but will be a challenge to mask and paint.

Whislt looking over the kit I was appalled at what I thought was a moulding flaw on part P3. There was a hole in both sides of the part, however after checking the instructions, these holes are for what appears to be exhause pipes to exit from.

Exhaust stacks have foot rails moulded on, they are sutble, but with carefull drybrushing they should stand out. Or you could sand them off and replace with PE. I would though replce the ladder that runs up the main stack with a PE one. That goes also for the other ladders on the ship.
All the AA tubs have moulded on tread plate, and bracing, the big 25mm platform around the stack has lots of ammo boxes, as do all the other areas with these weapons.

Part D18 is a crate with a wing tip inside, good luck with painting it, I'm going to source a PE replacement I think.
All the main turrets are well detailed, AA guns are good, but not great. I would replce them with Fine Moulds versions, and use the kit ones for your older kits.

This is a great kit, it will be great OOB or you could go nuts with PE.
Keep a weather eye out for a book review tomorrow.

[Dan K]

Thx for the hands-on review and pics, Bill.

[paulors]

Hi Bill,

Another nice review! This is a great kit!

That seaplane wing inside a crate is a nice touch.

The four Takaos are one of my favorite subjects. Already built the Takao and the Chokai. The Aoshima Maya and the Pitroad/Skywave Atago are here waiting their turn. In the meantime Fujimi released their kits and I went mad. Seems that I will add a Fujimi Takao to replace the one I have (old tooling).

Best regards,

Paulo Roberto