Calling all IJN Takao-class (高雄型) fans

[Dan K]

I thought the IJN built racks for the lumber in some cases as "field mods".

That is most likely true. I added some additional lumber in front of turret #4 for my Maya build, believing that some creative license is allowed

[sirpaul]

Nice. I guess it would also depend on the ships mates and available space. I plan on using a few spots. Just to get a bussier look.

[redoctober27]

Nice!! I can't wait till I can get the new IJN Maya!! Now I'll have to wait for hopefully a IJN Choki

[Dan K]

Well, that's what Atma hinted at on the last page.

I remembered one last photo of lumber on Atago's stern from Gakken #16

[sirpaul]

Thanks Dan. Thats an excellent photo. It looks like a lot more than just lumber was thrown there. That might make a nice add to the strern considering how plain the rear of these ships look.

[Dan K]

One more for Takao herself. After the 1939 refit, at the base of her main mast. There is another view of this taken from ahead of the mainmast looking aft, overlooking the boat well.

[sirpaul]

Thanks Dan. I knew i seen lumber near the mainmast in photo's somewhere. I'm getting close to done. I'm hoping to have it done in the next two weeks. Should have been done a while ago. But i keep getting side tracked. Still waiting for a few pieces aswell. I plan on putting it on a board with the Ukuru i'm also building. Thanks for all the great pic's. I might need a few more down the road. There still seems to be some grey areas.
Paul

[tenacioustanaka]

What kit is the best platform to start with if building an EARLY 1943 MAYA? (Komandorskis project)


Would the Aoshima Chokai do the trick or am going to have to bash a couple of different kits?


Sorry if this question was answered but I've been through this thread a dozen times and the pages are starting to run together on me.

[Dan K]

At that stage of the war, Chokai and Maya were virtually identical save for the placement of the auxliliary piping on both sides of #1 funnel. Maya's layout of mushroom deck vents and some other equipment is also a little different. There 's one or two other things but insignificant in this scale.

As of now, the Aoshima Chokai kit is your best option because Maya has the same, unaltered hull as of this point in the war. You will have remove the molded-on funnel piping and replace it with appropriately positioned piping. Same is true of the deck vents. Buying the Maya kit would give you the correct funnel but, not the correct portion of the deck where # 3 turret and barbette are placed. HTH.

[sirpaul]

You heard Dan the Man. Just make sure you get kit# 340 from Aoshima. @ Dan do you have any photo's or info on the Forward mast of the Takao/Atago? I'm trying to do the ladders and platforms. Most of the photo's i have are of the old mast. For some reason most books seem to over look this feature. The late war mast with the radar rooms.

[Dan K]

I'm not at home but I would think that the AOTS volume would cover the forward mast really well. What I have on hand is below. I'll look further later.

[sirpaul]

Thanks Dan, the second photo is what i was looking for. The gussets and ladder are pretty clear. Also the first photo confirms that the target floats are there below where the lumber would be near the main stack and searchlight platform.

[djohannsen]

Just a quick question regarding a kit... In particular, I couldn't find any reviews of the 1/700 Aoshima Chokai 1942 Full Hull Kit (as seen, for example, here: http://www.freetimehobbies.com/aos43288.aspx) - I believe it's kit number #043288. I've got a chance to pick one up fairly inexpensively and I'm wondering whether the kit is a good one (regarding accuracy, detail, and fit)? If the kit is a good one, I might want to grab a minimal etch set (to replace the catapults and cranes) - is there one that people would recommend (i.e., not the most complete or subtly detailed set, but one that would improve the finished appearance with just a couple of key parts)? I would be grateful for even brief comments.


Dave

[sirpaul]

Dave i couldn't tell you much about the full hull kits from Aoshima. If you want a full hull of this ship,i believe Aoshima is the only option. For etch the Gold Medal Models set should be fine. It gives you enough to upgrade the kit and has extras for future builds. Also the Pit Road ones are nice but hard to get.

[Dan K]

Yeah, I'm not familar with the full hull versions, either. If they are like the full hull Kageros, I'd be hesitant. THe hull would likely come from a another mfg (Chinese) contracted out. Some errors could creep in as they did with the Kageros. Don't know for sure.

From the AOTS Takao book

[sirpaul]

There it is. I was wondering where the ladder from the rear lower platform went. I was unsure if it went to the HA deck or to the slanted walkway from the rear of the structure.
also it looks like some of the platforms to the mast itself need to be adressed. The top on the most. looks almost like a diamond shape and the kits is a triangle. I'll have to add to it. Looks like i will have to fix about 7 things so far. Thanks for the drawings Dan. I guess i will have to get one of these books.

[Dan K]

It's invaluable. It has original fit, and first recontruction illustrations, as well as the later 1939+ fits. Which makes it very valuable for all the sisters.

There is an overhead 1939 view. Do you need that as well? If yes, then over the w/e.

[sirpaul]

Yeah i can tell it's a must have. No need for an overhead. Thanks though. I should be able to finish the mast this weekend. Most of the stuff i had right. I just wanted to make sure before i went to far.

[djohannsen]

Dave i couldn't tell you much about the full hull kits from Aoshima. If you want a full hull of this ship,i believe Aoshima is the only option. For etch the Gold Medal Models set should be fine. It gives you enough to upgrade the kit and has extras for future builds. Also the Pit Road ones are nice but hard to get.

Thanks for the etch suggestions. As for kits, I generally prefer the full hull. However, I do find these 1/700 IJN kits just bewildering... So many reboxings and quality running the whole gamut. I am generally a bit hesitant to buy without being able to read a review. Chokai, though, is a neat subject (Guadalcanal and Leyte)...

Again, thanks everyone.


Dave

[Dan K]

Well, for full hull with confidence, there's always the 1/350 version............